1997 GMC SIERRA instrument panel

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position (Except Crew Cab)
If your vehicle has air bags, there is a switch on the
instrument panel that you can use to turn
off the right
front passenger's air bag. But use this switch only when
you want to secure a rear-facing child restraint at the
right front passenger's position.
I
A child in a rearfacing child restraint can
be seriously injured if the right front passenger's air bag inflates. This is because
the back of a rear-facing child restraint
would be very close to the inflating air bag.
CAUTION: (Continued)
1-57
ProCarManuals.com

Section 2 Features and Controls
-
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained
are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2- 1
2-3
2-4
2-5
2-7 2-9
2- 10
2-11
2- 13
2- 14
2- 15
2- 19
2-22
2-22
2-27
2-28
2-30
Keys
Tailgate
Third Door
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System
Theft
New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition Positions
Starting Your Gasoline Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
Automatic Transmission Operation
Manual Transmission Operation
Locking Rear Axle
Four-wheel Drive
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK
(P) (Automatic
Transmission Models Only)
Shifting Out
of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission) 2-3
1
2-3 1
2-32
2-32
2-33
2-36
2-36
2-43 2-48
2-52
2-59
2-6
1
2-62
2-64 2-66 Parking
Your Vehicle (Manual
Transmission Models Only)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
Windows
Tilt Wheel
Turn SignalAUultifunction Lever
Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Sun Visors
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Cluster
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
ProCarManuals.com

nrn Signal and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a
tum, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the
tum is finished, the lever will return automatically.
CII
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash in
the
direction of the turn or lane
change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash.
Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it. If you
move the lever all the way up or down, and
the
arrow flashes at twice the normal rate, a signal bulb
may be burned out and other drivers may not see your
turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If
the arrows don’t go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and a blown
fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the Index).
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low to high beam or high
to low beam, pull the multifunction lever all the way
towards you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel also
will be on.
2-37
ProCarManuals.com

Lamps Taillamps,
Your parking lamp and headlamp switch is
on the
driver’s side of your instrument panel.
Rotate the knob clockwise to the parking lamp symbol
to turn on:
Parking Lamps,
Sidemarker Lamps,
Clearance Lamps (If Equipped),
License Plate Lamps,
Instrument Panel Lights and
Transfer Case Shift Indicator Light
(Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles).
Rotate the knob clockwise again to the master lighting
symbol to turn on all the lamps listed as well
as
the headlamps.
Rotate the knob counterclockwise to
OFF to turn off
your lamps.
Rotate the thumb
wheel next to the knob up to adjust
instrument panel lights.
Rotate the thumb wheel up to
the first notch to return the radio display and gearshift
indicator LED display
to full intensity when the
headlamps or parking lamps are on.
You can switch your headlamps from high to low beams
by pulling on the turn signal/multifunction lever.
2-43
ProCarManuals.com

Headlamps On Reminder
A buzzer will sound when your headlamps are turned
on and the key is turned to the
OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY position. If
you need to use your
headlamps when the key is turned to
OFF, LOCK or
ACCESSORY, the buzzer can be turned
off by turning
the thumb wheel next to the parking lampheadlamp
knob all the way down.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front
of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful
in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come
on at
a reduced brightness when:
the ignition is on,
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won’t be on.
Your instrument panel won’t be
lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, your DRL indicator light
is a
reminder to turn your headlamp switch on. The other
lamps that come on with your headlamps will also
come
on.
When you turn off the headlamp switch, the regular
lamps will go off, and your headlamps will change to
the reduced brightness
of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake. The DRL will stay off until you release the
parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
the headlamp switch is off and
the parking brake is released.
2-44
ProCarManuals.com

Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
If you have fog lamps, use them for better vision in foggy
or misty conditions. Your parking lamps and/or low-beam
headlamps must be
on for your fog lamps to work.
The fog lamp switch is on
the lower edge
of your
instrument panel. Press the ribbed top
part of the switch to turn the fog
lamps
on. Press the bottom of the switch to turn them
off. A light will glow in the switch when the fog lamps
are
on.
Remember, fog lamps alone will not give off as much
light as your headlamps.
Never use your fog lamps in
the dark without turning on your headlamps.
Fog lamps will go
off whenever your high-beam
headlamps come on. When the high beams go off, the
fog lamps will come on again.
ProCarManuals.com

Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
The instrument panel intensity control is located to the
right of the headlamp switch.
Rotate the thumb wheel up to adjust instrument panel
lights. Rotate the thumb wheel up to the first notch to
return the radio display and gearshift indicator
LED
display to full intensity when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on. To turn on the dome lamps (with the
vehicle doors closed) rotate the thumb wheel up to the
second notch position.
Illuminated Entry
Your vehicle is equipped with an illuminated entry feature.
When the doors are opened, the dome lamps will come
on
if the dome lamp button is out. When all the doors
are closed, or the dome lamp button is pressed in, the
lamps will stay on for a short period
of time and will
then
go out.
Front Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has reading
lamps, press the button next
to the lamp to turn the lamp
on. The lamps can be
adjusted to point in the
direction you want.
Press the button again to turn the lamp off.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when you open the doors.
You can also turn the dome lamps on by rotating the
thumb wheel, located next to the parkingheadlamps
knob, all the way up to the second notch. In this
position, the dome lamps will remain on whether the doors are opened or closed.
2-46
ProCarManuals.com

Storage Compartments
Your vehicle has a variety of storage compartments
designed to store small items.
Your vehicle includes a number of storage
compartments for storage
of often-used items.
Some vehicles have storage areas
in the instrument panel.
Use these spaces for items such as gloves or small books.
Some models have a storage pocket on each of the
front doors.
Some vehicles have a storage area behind the seat.
Glove Box
To open your glove box, move the button toward the
passenger’s side and pull the door open.
Center Overhead Console (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have an overhead console. It has
storage compartments inside it.
Installing a Garage Door Opener
If you have a garage door opener, the front overhead
compartment can be used to conveniently store the opener.
1. To install the garage door opener, first open the
compartment door by pressing the release
button forward.
L
2. Peel the protective
backing from the hook
and loop patch. Press
it
firmly to the back of
your garage door opener,
as close to the center
of
the opener as possible.
2-52
ProCarManuals.com