
The 2003 GMC  Sierra Denali Owner  Manual a 
Seats  and  Restraint  Systems ........................... 1-1 
Front  Seats ............................................... 1-2 
Rear  Seats 
............................................... 1-7 
Safety  Belts 
.............................................. 1-8 
Child  Restraints 
....................................... 1-30 
Air  Bag  Systems 
...................................... 1-57 
Restraint  System  Check 
............................ 1-73 
Features  and  Controls 
..................................... 2-1 
Keys 
........................................................ 2-2 
Doors  and  Locks 
....................................... 2-6 
Windows 
................................................. 2-1 0 
Theft-Deterrent  Systems ............................ 2-1 3 
Starting  and Operating Your Vehicle ........... 2-15 
Mirrors 
.................................................... 2-28 
Onstar@  System 
...................................... 2-33 
HomeLink@  Transmitter 
............................. 2-35 
Storage  Areas 
......................................... 2-39 
Instrument  Panel 
............................................. 3-1 
Vehicle 
Personalization 
............................. 2-42 
Instrument  Panel  Overview 
.......................... 3-2 
Climate  Controls 
...................................... 3-1 8 
Warning  Lights,  Gages  and  Indicators 
......... 3-24 
Driver Information Center  (DIC) 
.................. 3-43 
Audio  System(s) 
....................................... 3-61  Driving  Your  Vehicle 
....................................... 4-1 
Your 
Driving, the  Road, and Your  Vehicle ..... 4-2 
Towing 
................................................... 4-45 
Service  and Appearance Care 
.......................... 5-1 
Service 
..................................................... 5-3 
Fuel 
......................................................... 5-5 
Checking  Things  Under  the  Hood 
............................................. 5-10 
All-Wheel  Drive 
........................................ 5-49 
Rear  Axle 
............................................... 5-50 
Front Axle 
............................................... 5-51 
Bulb  Replacement 
.................................... 5-52 
Windshield  Wiper Blade Replacement 
......... 5-60 
Tires 
...................................................... 5-61 
Appearance  Care 
..................................... 5-86 
Vehicle  Identification 
................................. 5-94 
Electrical  System 
...................................... 5-95 
Capacities  and Specifications 
................... 5-1 04 
Normal  Maintenance  Replacement  Parts 
.... 5-1 05 
Maintenance  Schedule 
..................................... 6-1 
Maintenance  Schedule 
................................ 6-2 
Customer Assistance  Information 
.................... 7-1 
Customer  Assistance  Information 
.................. 7-2 
Reporting Safety  Defects 
............................ 7-9 
Index 
................................................................. 1  

Vehicle Damage  Warnings 
Also, in this  book  you  will find these notices: 
Notice: These mean there is something  that could 
damage 
your vehicle. 
A notice will tell  you about  something  that can  damage 
your  vehicle.  Many times,  this damage  would  not be 
covered  by your  warranty,  and it could  be  costly. But the 
notice  will tell  you  what  to do  to  help avoid the 
damage. 
When  you read other manuals,  you might  see  CAUTION 
and  NOTICE  warnings in different colors  or 
in different 
words. 
You’ll  also see warning labels  on your vehicle.  They  use 
the  same  words,  CAUTION  or NOTICE. 
Vehicle Symbols 
Your  vehicle  has  components  and  labels that  use 
symbols  instead 
of text. Symbols,  used on  your  vehicle, 
are  shown  along with  the  text describing  the operation 
or  information relating to  a  specific  component, control, 
message,  gage  or  indicator. 
If you  need  help figuring  out  a  specific  name of a 
component,  gage  or  indicator  reference  the  following 
topics  in the  Index: 
Seats  and  Restraint Systems in Section 1 
Features  and Controls  in Section 2 
Instrument Panel  Overview in Section 3 
Climate Controls in  Section 3 
Warning Lights, Gages  and  Indicators in  Section 3 
Audio System(s)  in  Section 3 
Engine  Compartment  Overview  in Section 5 
iv  

Section 3 Instrument  Panel 
I~s~Pu~~~IP Panel OWWV~~W ............................... 3.2 
Hazard  Warning  Flashers 
................................ 3.3 
Other  Warning  Devices ................................... 3.4 
Horn 
............................................................. 3.4 
Tilt  Wheel 
..................................................... 3.4 
Turn  SignaVMultifunction  Lever 
......................... 3.5 
Exterior  Lamps 
............................................. 3.11 
Interior  Lamps 
.............................................. 3.15 
Accessory  Power  Outlets 
............................... 3.16 
Ashtrays  and  Cigarette  Lighter 
........................ 3.17 
Climate  Controls 
............................................ 3.18 
Dual  Automatic  Climate  Control System 
........... 3.18 
Warning  Lights,  Gages  and Indicators 
............. 3.24 
Instrument  Panel  Cluster 
................................ 3.25 
Speedometer  and  Odometer 
........................... 3.26 
Tachometer 
................................................ -3-26 
Safety  Belt  Reminder  Light 
............................. 3.26 
Air  Bag  Readiness  Light 
................................ 3-27 
Passenger  Air  Bag  Status  Indicator 
................. 3.30 
Battery  Warning  Light 
.................................... 3.33 
Brake  System  Warning  Light 
.......................... 3.34 
Anti-Lock  Brake  System  Warning  Light 
............. 3.35 
Air 
Bag 
Off Light .......................................... 3-28 
Voltmeter  Gage 
............................................ 3-33 
Engine  Coolant  Temperature  Gage 
..... ..... 3.36  Transmission Temperature 
Gage 
..................... 3.36 
Malfunction Indicator  Lamp 
............................. 3.38 
Oil  Pressure  Gage 
........................................ 3-40 
Cruise  Control  Light 
...................................... 3.41 
Tow/Haul  Mode  Light 
.................................... 3-41 
Fuel  Gage 
................................................... 3.42 
Driver  Information  Center  (DIC) 
....................... 3.43 
DIC  Operation and  Displays 
........................... 3.43 
DIC  Warnings  and  Messages 
......................... 3.53 
Audio  System(s) 
............................................. 3.61 
Setting  the Time 
...................... .......... 3.6 1 
Radio  with  Cassette  and  CD ..... .............. 3.62 
Rear  Seat  Audio  (RSA) 
............................. 3.76 
CD  Changer 
................................................ 3-78 
Theft-Deterrent  Feature 
................................. -3-81 
Audio  Steering  Wheel Controls 
....................... 3.81 
Understanding  Radio  Reception 
...................... 3-82 
Care  of Your  Cassette  Tape  Player 
................ -3-83 
Care  of  Your  CDs 
......................................... 3.84 
Care  of  Your  CD  Player 
................................ 3.84 
Fixed  Mast  Antenna 
...................................... 3.84 
XMTM Satellite  Radio  Antenna  System 
............. 3.84 
DAB  Radio  Antenna  System 
........................... 3.84 
Low  Fuel  Warning  Light 
................................. 3-42  

Hazard  Warning  Flashers The  main  components of your instrument panel are  the 
following: 
A.  Dome  Lamp Override Button 
9.  Exterior  Lamp  Control 
C.  Air  Outlets 
D.  Storage  Compartment 
E.  Multifunction  Lever 
F.  Instrument  Panel  Cluster 
G.  Shift  Lever 
H.  Tow/Haul  Selector Switch  (If Equipped) 
I. Audio  System 
J. Comfort  Control System 
K. Instrument  Panel  Fuse  Block 
L.  Hood  Release 
M.  Audio  Steering  Wheel Controls 
(If Equipped) 
N. Center  Instrument  Panel Fuse Block 
0. Tilt  Lever 
P.  Parking  Brake  Release 
Q. Compact  Disc  Changer  (If  Equipped) 
R. Ashtray 
S. Accessory  Power Outlet 
1. Air  Bag Off Switch  and  4-Wheel  Steer  Button 
U. Glovebox  Your  hazard 
warning flashers let  you warn  others.  They 
also let police  know  you  have  a  problem. Your front 
and  rear turn  signal  lamps  will flash on and 
off. 
3-3  

Audio System@) 
Notice: Before  you  add  any  sound  equipment  to 
your  vehicle 
- like  a  tape  player,  CB radio,  mobile 
telephone  or  two-way  radio 
- be  sure  you  can 
add  what  you  want. 
If you can, it’s very  important  to 
do 
it properly.  Added  sound  equipment  may 
interfere  with  the  operation 
of your  vehicle’s  engine, 
Delphi  Electronics  radio  or  other  systems,  and 
even  damage  them.  Your  vehicle’s  systems  may 
interfere  with  the  operation  of  sound  equipment  that 
has  been  added  improperly. 
So, before  adding  sound  equipment,  check  with 
your  dealer  and  be  sure  to check  federal  rules 
covering  mobile  radio  and  telephone  units. 
Your  audio  system  has  been designed to operate easily 
and  to  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 
may have a feature called Retained 
Accessory  Power  (RAP).  With RAP,  you can play your 
audio  system even after the ignition is turned 
off. 
See “Retained  Accessory  Power  (RAP)” under Ignition 
Positions  on  page 
2- 15. 
Setting the Time 
Press  and hold the HR button until the  correct hour 
appears  on the display. Press and hold the 
MN button 
until the correct minute  appears on the display. The time 
may be set  with the  ignition  on  or 
off. 
To synchronize the time  with  an FM station broadcasting 
Radio  Data System 
(RDS) information, press and 
hold the  hour and minute buttons  at the  same  time  until 
RDS TIME appears on the display. To accept  this 
time,  press and hold the  hour and minute buttons,  at the 
same  time,  for  another 
2 seconds. If the time  is not 
available from the  station, 
NO UPDAT  will appear on the 
display  instead. 
RDS  time 
is broadcast  once a minute.  Once you  have 
tuned  to an  RDS broadcast  station, 
it may take a 
few  minutes  for your time to  update. 
3-61  

Radio with Cassette and CD 
Radio Data System (RDS): Your audio  system  is 
equipped  with a  Radio  Data  System  (RDS). RDS 
features are available  for  use only on 
FM stations that 
broadcast  RDS information. 
Seek  to stations broadcasting  the selected type of 
programming, 
receive  announcements  concerning local  and 
national  emergencies, 
display messages  from  radio  stations, and 
seek to stations  with  traffic  announcements. 
This  system  relies upon receiving  specific  information 
from these stations  and will only  work  when  the 
information is available. In rare  cases,  a  radio  station 
may  broadcast incorrect information that  will  cause 
the  radio features to  work  improperly.  If  this  happens, 
contact the  radio  station. 
While  you are tuned to  an  RDS  station,  the  station 
name  or  the call letters  will  appear  on  the  display  instead 
of  the frequency.  RDS  stations  may  also provide  the 
time  of day,  a  program  type 
(PTY) for  current 
programming  and  the name  of the  program  being 
broadcast. 
3-62  

XMTM Radio  Satellite  Service (USA Only):  XMTM  is a 
continental 
U.S. based  satellite radio service that 
offers  100  coast  to coast  channels  including music, 
news,  sports,  talk and  children’s  programming.  XMTM 
provides  digital quality audio and text  information, 
including  song  title and  artist  name.  A  service fee  is 
required  in order  to  receive the  XMTM service. For  more 
information,  contact XMTM at www.xmradio.com  or 
call 1  -800-852-XMXM 
(9696). 
Digital  Audio  Broadcast  (DAB) (Canada  Only):  DAB 
is a  Canadian  land-based radio service that offers 
digital  quality  audio  and  text  information including  song 
title,  artist  name,  traffic,  weather, emergency 
announcements  and  more.  Digital Audio Broadcast 
transmission  services are currently available 
in Toronto, 
Montreal,  Vancouver,  Ottawa,  and  Windsor.  In fringe 
areas  signals  may  be  interrupted by buildings, trees and 
other  obstructions.  Additional services will  be  added 
in  the  future.  For  current  DAB coverage  and  other 
information  consult  the  GM  Canada  website at 
www.gmcanada.com,  your  dealer or call 
1-800-263-3777. 
Playing the Radio 
PWR  (Power):  Press this knob to turn  the system  on 
and  off. 
VOL  (Volume):  Turn  this knob  to increase or  to 
decrease  volume. 
AUTO  VOL  (Automatic  Volume):  Your  audio system 
monitors the  noise inside your vehicle.  To  use automatic 
volume, press  the AUTO  VOL  button until AVOL 
ON 
appears  on  the display. Then, automatic  volume 
will automatically adjust the  volume of your  radio 
so that 
it  always  sounds  the same  to you.  To  turn  the 
automatic  volume  off,  press the AUTO VOL button  until 
AVOL 
OFF appears  on  the display. 
3-63  

Setting the Tone (BassTTreble) 
AUDIO:  Press and release the  AUDIO knob until 
BASS,  MID  or TREB appears on the  display. Turn the 
knob  to increase  or  to  decrease.  The display will 
show the  bass,  midrange,  or  treble  level. If a station  is 
weak  or noisy,  you  may  want  to decrease the treble. 
To  adjust  the  bass,  midrange,  and treble to the  middle 
position,  push and hold  the  AUDIO  knob.  The  radio 
will  produce  one  beep and adjust  the display level  to  the 
middle  position. 
To  adjust  all  tone  and speaker  controls to the middle 
position,  push and hold the AUDIO  knob  when  no tone 
or  speaker  control is displayed.  The radio will produce 
one  beep  and  display  ALL  with  the  level display  in 
the  middle  position. 
AUTO 
EQ (Automatic  Equalization):  Press this  button 
to  choose  equalization  settings. 
Your  audio  system  allows  you  to  choose from  four 
different  equalization  settings:  normal, driver, rear and 
spacious.  These settings can be used while listening  to 
the  radio,  the cassette  tape,  or the CD player. 
NORMAL:  This setting enhances the stereo  effect. 
DRIVER:  This setting gives  the driver the  best sound 
quality. 
REAR:  This setting  gives the rear  seat passengers the 
best sound  quality.  SPACIOUS: 
This setting  makes  the  listening  space 
seem  larger. 
The  radio  will  save  seperate 
AUTO EQ  settings  for  each 
preset  and source. 
Adjusting  the Speakers  (Balance/Fade) 
AUDIO:  To adjust the  balance  to  the  right  and  the 
left  speakers,  push and  release  the  AUDIO  knob  until 
BAL appears on the  display.  Turn  the  knob  to  move  the 
sound  toward the  right  or  the  left  speakers. 
To  adjust  the fade  to  the  front  and  the  rear  speakers, 
push  and  release the  AUDIO  knob  until  FADE  appears 
on the  display. Turn the  knob  to  move  the  sound 
toward the  front  or the rear  speakers. 
To  adjust  the  balance  and fade  to  the  middle  position, 
push the AUDIO knob  then  push  it  again  and  hold it  until 
the  radio produces  one  beep.  The  balance  and  fade 
will  be adjusted  to the  middle  position  and  the  display 
will  show  the speaker  balance. 
To adjust  all tone and  speaker  controls  to  the  middle 
position,  push and hold the  AUDIO  knob  when  no  tone 
or  speaker  control is displayed.  The  radio 
will produce 
one  beep and display  ALL  with  the  level  display  in 
the  middle position. 
3-66