2003 GMC SIERRA DENALI manual transmission

DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off-road
driving. You may want to shift the transmission to
THIRD
(3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
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 occasionally.
If you manually select SECOND
(2), 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 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 won’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 (OOC) or colder, your
transmission is designed to shift differently until the
engine reaches normal operating temperature. This is
intended to improve heater performance.
2-20

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a
Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
0 start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
0 release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t overfill),
engine
oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this manual,
and the Index will help you find them quickly. If
you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these sections
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-59

Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specifications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$50.00
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1 -800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specifically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes
a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00
7-1 0

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

Taillamps ....................................................... 5-58
Temperature and Compass Display
.................... 2-28
Testing the Alarm
............................................ 2-14
Theft.Deterrent. Radio
..................................... 3-81
Theft-Deterrent Systems
................................... 2-1 3
Content Theft-Deterrent
................................ 2-1 3
Passlock@
................................................... 2-1 4
Tilt Wheel
........................................................ 3-4
Tire Inflation Check
......................................... 6-10
Tires
..................................................... 5.61. 5-90
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-64
Chains
....................................................... 5-68
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-69
If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-68
Inflation
- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-62
Inspection and Rotation
................................ 5-62
Spare Tire
.................................................. 5-85
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
......................... 5-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
................. 5-67
Wheel Replacement
..................................... 5-67
When It
Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-64
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater .................... 2-18
Tonneau Cover
............................................ 2-39
Top of the Instrument Panel
.......... ........ 5-87
Top Strap
...................................................... 1-40
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................... 1-41
Torque Lock
................................................... 2-25
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
.................. 4-55 Tow/Haul
Mode
............................................... 2-21
Tow/Haul Mode Light
....................................... 3-41
Towing Recreational Vehicle
..................................... 4-45
Towing a Trailer
.......................................... 4-51
Your Vehicle
............................................... 4-45
TRACTION ACTIVE
.................................... 3-58
Trailer Recommendations
....................................... 4-50
Trailer Brakes
................................................. 4-56
Trailer Wiring Harness
..................................... 4-60
Transfer Case
................................................ 5-49
Transmission Fluid, Automatic
.......................... ......... 5-21
Temperature Gage
....................................... 3-36
TRANSMISSION HOT
..................................... 3-59
Transmission Operation, Automatic
.................... 2-18
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual
............................................ 7-10
Transportation Options
...................................... 7-7
Trip Information Button
....................... ..... 3-44
Trip Odometer
................................................ 3-26
Truck-Camper Loading Information
.................... 4-48
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.......................... 3-5
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever ........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-57
Two-Tiered Loading
......................................... 4-47
TURN
SIGNAL ON
......................................... 3-56
14