2003 GMC SIERRA DENALI Owners Manual

Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn
off the passenger’s frontal air
bag if
the system detects a rear-facing child
restraint, no system
is fail-safe, and no one
can guarantee that an air bag will not deploy
under some unusual circumstance, even
though it
is turned off. General Motors,
therefore, recommends that rear-facing child
restraints be secured
in the rear seat whenever
~ possible, even if the air bag is off.
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off
the right front passenger’s frontal air bag if:
the right front passenger seat is unoccupied
the system determines that an infant is present in a
the system determines that a small child is present
rear-facing infant seat
in a forward-facing child restraint
the system determines that a small child is present
in
a booster seat
a right front passenger takes hislher weight off of
the seat for a period of time
the right front passenger seat is occupied by a
smaller person, such as a child
who has outgrown
child restraints
or if there is a critical problem with the air bag
system or the passenger sensing system.
For
some children who have outgrown child restraints
and for
very small adults, the passenger sensing system
may
or may not turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal air bag, depending upon the person’s seating
posture and body build. Everyone in your vehicle
who has outgrown child restraints should wear
a safety
belt properly
- whether or not there is an air bag
for that person.
2

Accessory Power Outlets ................................. 3-16
Adding Washer Fluid
....................................... 5-38
Additional Program Information
........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel ................................................. 5-6
Add-on Electrical Equipment
............................ 5-95
Add-on Equipment .......................................... 4-48
Off Light ..................................................... 3-28
Passenger Status Indicator
........................... 3-30
Readiness Light
.......................................... 3-27
Air Bag Systems
............................................. 1-57
Bag-Equipped Vehicle
............................... 1-72
Passenger Sensing System
........................... 1-68
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)
.............. 3-66
Air Bag
Adding Equipment to Your Air
Air Bag
Off Switch ....................................... 1-64
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
.................... 1-62
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
......... 1-72
What Makes an
Air Bag inflate? .................... 1-61
What Will You See After an
Air Bag Inflates?
...................................... 1-62
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?
................... 1-61
Where Are the Air Bags?
.............................. 1-59
Air Cleaner/FiIter, Engine
................................. 5-1 9
All Overseas Locations ...................................... 7-4
All-Wheel Drive
............................................... 5-49
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
......................... 2-21
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
.................. 5-90
AM ............................................................ 3-82
Antenna, Fixed Mast
....................................... 3-84
Anti-lock Brake System
..................................... 4-7
Appearance Care
............................................ 5-86
Care of Safety Belts
.................................... 5-88
Antenna,
XMTM Satellite
Radio System ............... 3-84
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning
Light .............. 3-35
Chemical Paint Spotting
............................... 5-91
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
................ 5-86
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
.............. 5-88
Finish Damage
............................................ 5-91
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials .......... 5-92
Sheet Metal Damage
................................... 5-91
Underbody Maintenance
............................... 5-91
Weatherstrips
.............................................. 5-88
Ashtrays
........................................................ 3-17
Audio System(s)
............................................. 3-61
Audio Systems
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
...................... 3-81
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
................ 3-83
Care of Your CD Player
............................... 3-84
Care of Your CDs
........................................ 3-84
CD Changer
............................................... 3-78
DAB Radio Antenna System
.......................... 3-84
Fixed Mast Antenna
..................................... 3-84
Radio with Cassette and CD
......................... 3-62
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
................................ 3-76
Setting the Time
.......................................... 3-61
Theft-Deterrent Feature
................................ 3-81
Understanding Radio Reception
..................... 3-82
1

Audio Systems (cont.)
XMTM Satellite Radio Antenna System ............ 3-84
Automatic Headlamp System
............................ 3-1 2
Operation ................................................... 2-1 8
System Check
......................................... 6-12
Automatic
Transmission
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-21
Automatic Transmission Check
.......................... 6-1 1
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
B
Backing Up .................................................... 4-57
Battery
.......................................................... 5-42
Battery Replacement
......................................... 2-5
Battery Run-Down Protection ............................ 3-1 6
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
............................. 3-54
Battery Warning Light
...................................... 3-33
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
......................... 4-35
Body Lubrication Service
.................................. 6-1 1
Brake Parking
...................................................... 2-22
System Inspection
....................................... 6-1 5
System Warning Light .................................. 3-34
Brake Adjustment
............................................ 5-42
Brake Fluid
.................................................... 5-39
Brake Pedal Travel
......................................... 5-42
Brake Wear
.................................... ....... 5-41
Brakes
.......................................................... 5-39
Braking ........................................................... 4-6 Braking
in Emergencies
..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle
..................................... 2-15
Bulb Replacement
........................................... 5-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp
............................................ 5-56
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps
........................................ 5-53
Halogen Bulbs
............................................ 5-52
Headlamps
................................................. 5-52
Pickup Box Identification and Fender
Marker Lamps
......................................... 5-58
Replacement Bulbs
...................................... 5-59
Roof Marker Lamps
..................................... 5-54
Buying New Tires
........................................... 5-64
Taillamps
.................................................... 5-58
C
California Fuel .................................................. 5-6
Canada
........................................................... 7-4
Canadian Owners
................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specifications
.......................... 5-1 04
Car Washes for QUADRASTEERTM Equipped Vehicles
..................................................... 4-13
Carbon Monoxide
..................... 4-38, 4-51, 2-8, 2-26
Care of
Safety Belts
................................ ..... 5-88
Care
of Your
Cassette Tape Player
................................... 3-83
2

Care of Your (cont.)
CD Player
................................ ... 3-84
CDS
.......................................................... 3-84
Cargo Lamp
............................. ... 3-14
CARGO LAMP
ON ....................... ... 3-56
Cassette Tape Messages
................................. 3-73
Cassette Tape Player Service
........................... 6-10
CD Adapter Kits
............................................. 3-74
CD Changer
................................................... 3-78
CD Functions
................................................. 3-80
Center Console Storage Area
........................... 2-39
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block
.................. 5-98
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts
............. 1-22
Chains, Tires .................................................. 5-68
Check Cargo Lamp
............................................... 5-56
CHANGE ENGINE OIL .................................... 3-54
Engine Light
.................................... ... 3-38
Check Engine Light
.......................... ... 3-38
CHECK OIL LEVEL
..................................... 3-58
CHECK WASHER FLUID
................................. 3-58
Checking Brake Fluid
...................................... 5-40
Checking Coolant ............................................ 5-26
Checking Engine Oil
........................................ 5-14
Checking Things Under the Hood
...................... 5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................... 1-73
Chemical Paint Spotting
................................... 5-91 Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems
............................... 1-36
Infants and Young Children
........................... 1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children
(LATCH System) .......................... 1-43
Older Children ............................................. 1-30
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
LATCH System
........................................ 1-46
Rear Seat Position
................................... 1-48
Outside Seat Position
............................ 1-46
Front Seat Position
................................... 1-50
Top Strap ................................................... 1-40
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................ 1-41
Cigarette Lighter
............................................. 3-17
Where
to Put the Restraint
........................... 1-38
Cleaning Inside of Your Vehicle
.................................. 5-86
Outside
of Your Vehicle ................................ 5-88
Underbody Maintenance
............................... 5-91
Weatherstrips
.............................................. 5-88
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
....................... 5-89
Cleaning the Mirror
......................................... 2-30
Climate Control Dual Automatic
..... . 3-18

Compact Disc Changer Errors .......................... 3-80
Compact Disc Messages
.................................. 3-76
Compass Calibration
....................................... 2-30
Compass Variance
.......................................... 2-29
Content Theft-Deferrent
.................................... 2-1 3
Control of a Vehicle
.......................................... 4-5
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage
............................ 3-36
Heater, Engine
............................................ 2-17
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
............................. 5-27
Cooling System
.............................................. 5-30
Cruise Control
.................................................. 3-8
Cruise Control Light
........................................ 3-41
Cupholder(s)
............................................... 2-39
Current and Past Model Order Forms
..... .... 7-11
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation
.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance
Off ices ........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors ...... 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government
.............................................. 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government
.............................................. 7-9
Roadside Assistance Program
......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information
........ 7-1 0
D
DAB Radio .................................................... 3-82
Defensive Driving
............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting
................................. 3-22
Doing Your Own Service Work
........................... 5-4
Dome Lamps
................................................. 3-16
Door
Daytime Running Lamps
.................................. 3-13
Locks
.......................................................... 2-6
Power Door Locks
......................................... 2-7
Rear Doors
.................................................. 2-8
Position, Safety Belt
..................................... 1-13
Driver Information Center (DIC)
......................... 3-43
Driver
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
..................................... 3-60
DIC Operation and Displays
.......................... 3-43
DIC Warnings and Messages
........................ 3-53
Driving At Night
..................................................... 4-29
City
........................................................... 4-33
Defensive
..................................................... 4-2
Drunken
....................................................... 4-2
Freeway
..................................................... 4-34
Hill and Mountain Roads
.............................. 4-36
In Rain and on Wet Roads
........................... 4-30
Winter
........................................................ 4-38
Driving On Grades
.......................................... 4-58
Driving on Snow or Ice
.................................... 4-39
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
............... 4-32
4

Driving Through Flowing Water ..................... 4-32
Driving with a Trailer
....................................... 4-56
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
.......... 3-18
E
Easy Exit Seat .................... .... 2-43
Electrical System
Add-on Equipment
...................................... 5-95
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................... 5-95
Power Windows and Other Power Options
...... 5-95
Windshield Wiper Fuses
............................... 5-95
Electrochromic Mirror Operation
........................ 2-28
Maintenance Programs
................................. 3-40
Air CleanedFilter
......................................... 5-1 9
Battery
....................................................... 5-42
Check and Service Engine Soon Light
............ 3-38
Coolant
...................................................... 5-24
Coolant Heater
............................................ 2-17
Coolant Temperature Gage
........................ 3-36
Cooling System Inspection
......................... 6-14
Engine Compartment Overview
...................... 5-1 2
Exhaust
..................................................... 2-26
Fan Noise
.................................................. 5-36
Oil
............................................................. 5-13
Overheating
................................................ 5-27
Starting
...................................................... 2-1 6
Emissions
Inspection and
Engine ENGINE COOLANT HOT
................................. 3-54
Engine Coolant Level Check
............................. 6-10
Engine Hour Meter Display
............................... 3-26
Engine
Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Engine
Oil Additives
........................................ 5-17
Engine Oil Level Check
................................... 6-10
Entry Lighting
......................... ............. 3-15
Maintenance
................................................. 6-5
ENGINE OVERHEATED
.................................. 3-54
Erasing HomeLink@ Buttons
...... ......... 2-38
Exit Lighting
............................... ............. 3-15
Express-Down Windows
................................... 2-11
Extender, Safety Belt
....................................... 1-29
Exterior Lamps
............................................... 3-11
F
FabridCarpet ................................................. 5-87
Engine Air Cleaner
...................................... 5-19
Filter
Finding
a PTY Station
(RDS, XMTM and DAB)
................................. 3-67
Finding a Station
............................................ 3-64
Finish Care
.................................................... 5-89
Finish Damage
............................................... 5-91
Fixed Mast Antenna
........................................ 3-84
Flash-To-Pass Feature
....................................... 3-6
Flat Tire
........................................................ 5-68
Flat Tire, Changing
......................................... 5-69

Fluid Automatic Transmission
................................ 5-21
Power Steering
........................................... 5-37
Windshield Washer
...................................... 5-38
FM Stereo
..................................................... 3-82
Fog Lamps
.................................................... 3-14
Folding the Rear Seat
....................................... 1-7
Following Distance
.......................................... 4-57
Footnotes
........................................................ 6-5
Front Axle
...................................................... 5-51
Front Reading Lamps
...................................... 3-15
Fuel
............................................................... 5-5
Additives ...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel
.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank
........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries .............................. 5-7
Gage ......................................................... 3-42
Gasoline Octane
........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications .................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light ....................................... 3-42
System Inspection
....................................... 6-14
Fuel Information Button
.................................... 3-46
FUEL LEVEL LOW
......................................... 3-58
Fuses Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................... 5-95
Windshield Wiper ......................................... 5-95
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature
......................... 3-36
Fuel
.......................................................... 3-42
Oil Pressure
........................................... 3-40
Speedometer
.......................................... 3-26
Tachometer
................................................. 3-26
Transmission Temperature
............................. 3-36
Voltmeter Gage
........................................... 3-33
Garage Door Opener
....................................... 2-35
Gasoline
Octane
.................................................... 5-5
Specifications
............................................... 5-5
Glass Surfaces ............................................... 5-88
Glove Box
..................................................... 2-39
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
.................................................... 7-5
Gate
Operator and Canadian Programming
........ 2-37
Hazard Warning Flashers
............................... 3-3
Head Restraints
............................................... 1-6
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
.................... 3-6
Headlamps
.................................................... 5-52
Bulb Replacement
....................................... 5-52
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps
........................................ 5-53

Headlamps (cont.) Halogen Bulbs
............................................ 5-52
Pickup Box Identification and Fender
Marker Lamps
......................................... 5-58
Roof Marker Lamps
..................................... 5-54
Heated Seats
................................................... 1-3
Highway Hypnosis
........................................... 4-36
Hill and Mountain Roads
.................................. 4-36
Hitches
.......................................................... 4-55
HomeLink@ Transmitter
.................................... 2-35
Hood Checking Things Under
................................ 5-10
Release
..................................................... 5-1 0
Horn ............................................................... 3-4
How to Add Coolant
to the Coolant
Surge Tank
................................................. 5-32
How
to Add Fluid ............................................ 5-23
How
to Check ........................................ 5-21, 5-62
How to Check Lubricant
................................... 5-50
How to Use This Manual
.............. ......... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................... 1-1 3
HomeLink@ Transmitter, Programming
................ 2-35
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
.................. 5-37
Hydroplaning
.................................................. 4-32
I
if No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
................................................ 5-29
If Steam
Is Coming From Your Engine ............... 5-28
If the Light is Flashing ..................................... 3-39
If the Light is On Steady
................................. 3-39
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
....... 4-42
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer ..................... 4-51
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard ........................... 4-40
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
...................... 6-13
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors
......................... 2-12
infants and Young Children, Restraints
............... 1-32
Inflation
- Tire Pressure ................................... 5-62
inspection Ignition Positions
............................................. 2-15
Brake System
............................................. 6-15
Exhaust System
.......................................... 6-14
Fuel System
............................................... 6-14
Engine Cooling System
................................ 6-14
Part
C - Periodic Maintenance ....................... 6-14
Steering and Suspension
.............................. 6-14
Cluster
....................................................... 3-25
Overview
..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel
7