2002 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
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-7 Keyless Entry System
2
-10 Rear Doors
2
-11 Tailgate
2
-12 Theft
2
-13 Content Theft-Deterrent
2
-15 Passlock

2-15 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-16 Ignition Positions
2
-17 Starting Your Engine
2
-18 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-19 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-23 Parking Brake
2
-24 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-26 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-27 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-27 Engine Exhaust
2
-28 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-29 Locking Rear Axle
2
-29 All-Wheel Drive
2
-29 QUADRASTEER (4WS)
2
-33 Tilt Wheel
2
-33 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-38 Exterior Lamps
2
-43 Interior Lamps
2
-45 Mirrors
2
-54 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-57 HomeLink
Transmitter
2
-60 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-62 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-64 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-77 Message Center
2
-82 Secondary Information Center (SIC)

2-18
When starting your engine in very cold weather
(below 0
F or
-18
C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
key to START and hold it there up to 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, let go of the key.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the vehicle
starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing,
but this time keep the pedal down for five or six
seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
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.
At temperatures above 32
F (0
C), use of the
coolant heater is not required.
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.

2-19
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.
Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
that features an electronic shift position indicator located
within the instrument panel cluster. This display is
powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being
moved out of PARK (P). This means that if your key is
in OFF, rather than LOCK, there will be a small current
drain on your battery which could discharge your battery
over a period of time. If you have to leave your key
in the ignition in OFF for an extended period, it is
recommended that you remove the IGN 0 fuse from
the instrument panel fuse block. See ªFuses and
Circuit Breakersº in the Index.

2-22
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 shift 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 turn, 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.
Tow/Haul Mode Switch
Your vehicle is equipped with a tow/haul mode.
The switch is located on the end of the column shift
lever. You can use this feature to assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load. See ªTow/Haul Modeº in the
Index for more information.

3-2
Comfort Controls
Heater and Air Conditioning 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 mode directs the air through the
instrument panel outlets and the center floor console
outlets.
(Bi-Level): Air is delivered through the
instrument panel outlets and center floor console outlets,
as well as the floor outlets. The air flow can be divided
between panel and floor depending upon where the knob
is placed. 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 and warmer air
to come out of the floor outlets.

3-5 Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it. On cold days, use the floor or bi
-level
modes with the temperature knob in the red area.
On cold days, approximately 32
F (
-0
C) or lower you
may experience differences in how the transmission
shifts until the engine is warm. This feature
automatically reduces the time it takes for the engine to
reach normal operating temperature and shortens the
time it takes the heater to reach full output.
If you use the engine coolant heater before starting your
engine in cold weather, 20
F (
-8
C) or lower, the
heating system will produce warmer air faster to heat the
passenger compartment.
The use of an engine coolant heater also reduces the
time it takes for the engine to reach normal operating
temperature. For more information, see ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use blend mode to keep the
windshield and side windows clear. Use defrost mode to
remove fog or ice from the windshield in extremely
humid or cold conditions. Use defrost mode with the
temperature knob toward the red area and the fan knob
turned all the way clockwise.

3-7 Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use vent and the outside air setting to
direct outside air through your vehicle. Air will flow in
through the instrument panel outlets.
Your vehicle's ventilation system supplies outside air to
the inside of your vehicle when it is moving. With the
side windows closed, air will flow into the front air
inlet grilles, through the vehicle, and out the air
exhaust valves.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or
the air conditioning compressor is running, unless you
have the recirculation button pressed. For more
information on the recirculation button, see ªAir
Conditioningº earlier in this section.
Your vehicle has air
outlets in the center and
on the sides of your
instrument panel.
You can move the outlets from side
-to-side or up and
down to direct the flow of air. The left driver and
passenger outlets have shut off levers. Turn the lever to
the left to shut off air flow or to the right to allow air
flow. When you close an outlet, it will increase the flow
of air coming out of any outlets that are open. The
center outlet does not completely shut off airflow.

3-8
Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan knob all the way toward the red area for a few
moments before driving. This helps clear the intake
ducts of snow and moisture, and reduces the chance
of fogging the inside of your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.

The use of non
-GM approved hood air deflectors
may adversely affect the performance of the heating
and air conditioning system.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Your vehicle is equipped with a passenger compartment
air filter, which filters outside air entering the vehicle.
For information on replacing the filter see ªPassenger
Compartment Air Filterº in the Index.
Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all of its controls to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, you can play your audio
system even after the ignition is turned off. See
ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index.
Setting the Clock for Systems with HR and
MN Buttons
Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears on the
display. Press and hold MN until the correct minute
appears on the display. To display the clock with the
ignition off, press RECALL or HR/MN and the time
will be displayed for a few seconds. There is an initial
two
-second delay before the clock goes into the
time
-set mode.