2001 GMC SIERRA heater

2-
2-1
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 Windows
2-5 Keys
2-6 Door Locks
2-10 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2-13 Rear Doors
2-14 Tailgate
2-15 Theft
2-16 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2-17 Passlock

2-18 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2-18 Ignition Positions
2-20 Starting Your Engine
2-23 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2-24 Automatic Transmission Operation
2-28 Manual Transmission Operation
2-34 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2-43 Parking Brake
2-44 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)2
-46 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-47 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
2
-47 Parking Over Things That Burn
2-48 Engine Exhaust
2-48 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-49 Manual Selectable Ride (If Equipped)
2-51 Locking Rear Axle
2-52 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2-58 Exterior Lamps
2-61 Interior Lamps
2-63 Mirrors
2-76 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2-80 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-82 Instrument Panel Cluster
2-84 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-99 Message Center

2-23
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather,
0
F (
-18
C) or colder, the
engine coolant heater can
help. You'll get easier
starting and better fuel
economy during engine
warm
-up. Usually, the
coolant heater should be
plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting
your vehicle.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord is located on the driver's side of the engine
compartment, near the power steering fluid reservoir.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store
the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts. If you don't, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for
that particular area.

2-27
If your vehicle is equipped with the Allison Transmission,
it will initially attain first range when DRIVE (D) is
selected. As vehicle speed increases, the transmission
will upshift automatically through each available range
up to FIFTH (5). As the vehicle slows, the transmission
will downshift automatically.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than DRIVE (D).
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND (2) in a light duty
automatic transmission, the transmission will drive in
second gear. You may use this feature for reducing the
speed of the rear wheels when you are trying to start
your vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission won't shift into
first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes or shift into
PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position
on a hill.
On cold days, approximately 32
F (0
C) or colder,
your transmission is designed to shift differently until
the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
This is intended to improve heater performance.

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Standard Comfort Controls
3
-3 Heater and Air Conditioning Comfort
Controls (If Equipped)
3
-5 Electronic Climate Control System
(If Equipped)
3
-12 Air Conditioning
3
-13 Heating
3
-13 Defogging and Defrosting
3
-13 Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
3
-14 Ventilation System
3
-16 Audio Systems
3
-16 Setting the Clock for Systems with
SET Button
3
-16 Setting the Clock for Systems with HR and
MN Buttons3
-16 AM-FM Stereo
3
-18 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
(If Equipped)
3
-20 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
3
-25 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and
Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
3
-29 Remote Cassette Tape Player (If Equipped)
3
-30 Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)
3
-32 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-33 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-34 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-35 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-35 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-35 Fixed Mast Antenna

3-2
Comfort Controls
Standard Comfort Controls
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the control panel adjusts the
fan speed. To increase airflow, turn the knob clockwise.
To decrease airflow, turn it counterclockwise. To turn
the fan off, turn the knob to OFF.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
temperature of the air flowing into the passenger area.
Turn the knob clockwise toward the red area for warmer
air. Turn the knob counterclockwise toward the blue area
for cooler air.Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery.
VENT: This setting directs the air through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEVEL: Air is delivered through the heater
floor outlets as well as the instrument panel outlets.
The air flow can be divided between VENT and
HEATER depending upon where the knob is placed
between the settings.
HEATER: This setting directs most of the
warmed air through the heater floor outlets, and the rest
of the air is divided between the windshield defroster
outlets and the side window defroster outlets.
BLEND: Airflow is delivered through the heater
floor outlets, the windshield defroster outlets and the
side window defroster outlets. The air flow can be
divided between HEATER and DEFROST depending
upon where the knob is placed between the settings.
DEFROST: This setting directs most air through
the windshield defroster outlets, side window defroster
outlets and some through the heater outlets.

3-3 Heater and Air Conditioning Comfort
Controls (If Equipped)
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the control panel adjusts the
fan speed. To increase airflow, turn the knob clockwise.
To decrease airflow, turn it counterclockwise. To turn
the fan off, turn the knob to OFF.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
temperature of the air flowing into the passenger area.
Turn the knob clockwise toward the red area for warmer
air. Turn the knob counterclockwise toward the blue area
for cooler air.Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery.
PANEL: This setting directs the air through the
instrument panel outlets and the center floor console
(if equipped).
BI-LEVEL: Air is delivered through the
instrument panel outlets and center floor console outlets
(if equipped) as well as the heater floor outlets. The air
flow can be divided between PANEL and HEATER
depending upon where the knob is placed between the
settings. Pressing the A/C button while in this mode
causes cooler air to come out of the instrument panel
outlets and center floor console outlets (if equipped)
and warmer air to come out of the heater floor outlets.
HEATER: This setting directs most of the
warmed air through the heater floor outlets and center
floor console outlets (if equipped), as well as some
air through the windshield defroster outlets and side
window defroster outlets. If air from the center floor
console outlets is not desired, turn the vents off at
the console.

3-4
BLEND: Airflow is delivered through the heater
floor outlets, center floor console outlets (if equipped),
the windshield defroster outlets and the side window
defroster outlets. The air flow can be divided between
HEATER and DEFROST depending upon where
the knob is placed between the settings. The air
conditioning compressor may run to dehumidify the
air to prevent window fogging.
DEFROST: This setting directs most of the air
through the windshield defroster outlets, side window
defroster outlets and some air through the heater outlets
and center floor console outlets (if equipped). If air from
the center floor console outlets is not desired or more
defroster performance is desired, turn the vents off at
the console. When in the DEFROST mode, the air
conditioning compressor may run to dehumidify the
air to prevent window fogging.
OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button to direct
the system to use outside air.
Pressing the OUTSIDE AIR button will cancel the
RECIRCULATION button.
RECIRCULATION: Press this button to
limit the amount of outside air entering your vehicle.
This is helpful when you are trying to limit odors
entering your vehicle or attempting to quickly cool
down the interior. Pressing RECIRCULATION will
recirculate air continuously.
RECIRCULATION is used when the fan control is OFF
to limit odors, outside air and dust from entering your
vehicle. All button lights will go off. The last setting
selected will activate when the blower is turned back on.
Pressing the RECIRCULATION button will cancel
the OUTSIDE AIR button. To return to normal
operation and to prevent stale air, be sure to return
the OUTSIDE AIR.
Between HEATER and BLEND mode, outside air is forced
to reduce window fogging. If the RECIRCULATION
button is pressed, the LED indicator will flash three
times indicating that forced outside air is activated and
RECIRCULATION is not available.

3-7
With the automatic setting, the air conditioning
compressor automatically cycles when needed to cool the
air. In cold weather, when the system senses the need for
heat, the airflow will be directed out of the floor outlets.
As the interior temperature approaches a desired setting,
the blower speed will decrease. To maintain interior
comfort, the airflow will adjust between the instrument
panel air outlets and floor outlets. On bright sunny days
in cool weather, the airflow may come out of the air
conditioning and floor outlets (bi
-level mode) to
maintain comfort and prevent stuffiness.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on the outside air
temperature, engine coolant temperature or the time since
the engine was last started. As the coolant warms up, the
fan speed will gradually increase and air will flow from
the heater outlets, with some airflow to the windshield
to prevent fogging under most normal conditions.
Be careful not to put anything over the solar sensor
located around the center of the instrument panel.
This sensor is used by the automatic system to
regulate temperature.Mode Knob
-- Manual Operation
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery.
You can choose to set the climate control system
yourself, or let the system work for you by placing the
system in AUTO mode. See ªMode Knob
-- Automatic
Operationº earlier in this section.
PANEL: This setting directs most of the air
through the instrument panel outlets and a small amount
through the floor outlets.
BI-LEVEL: Air is delivered through the heater
floor outlets as well as the instrument panel outlets.
HEATER: This setting directs most of the
warmed air through the heater floor outlets and some
air through the windshield defroster outlets.
BLEND: Airflow is divided equally between the
heater floor outlet and the windshield defroster outlets.
The air conditioning compressor may run to dehumidify
the air to prevent window fogging.