
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
There’s also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See“Loading Your Vehicle
for Off-Road Driving“underOperating Your
All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off Paved Roads on page 4-18.
Payload
Payload capacity is the maximum load capacity that
your vehicle can carry. Be sure to include the weight of
the occupants as part of your load. If you added any
accessories or equipment after your vehicle leftthe factory, remember to subtract the weight of these
things from the payload. Your dealer can help you
with this.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) of the front or rear axle.
Two-Tiered Loading
By positioning four 2”x6”wooden planks across the
width of the pickup box, you can create an upper
load platform. The planks must be inserted in the pickup
box depressions. The length of the planks must allow
for at least a 3/4 inch (2 cm) bearing surface on
each end of the plank.
When using this upper load platform, be sure the load is
securely tied down to prevent it from shifting. The
load’s center of gravity should be positioned in a zone
over the rear axle. The zone is located in the area
between the front of each wheel well and the rear of
each wheel well. The center of gravity height must not
extend above the top of the pickup box areboard.
Any load that extends beyond the vehicle’s taillamp area
must be properly marked according to local laws and
regulations.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) of the front or rear axle.
4-49
2003 - Sierra Denali

8. Tighten the nutsfirmly
in a crisscross
sequence as shown by
turning the wheel
wrench clockwise.
{CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to come loose
and even come off. This could lead to an
accident. Be sure to use the correct wheel
nuts. If you have to replace them, be sure to
get new GM original equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to the
proper torque specification. See“Capacities
and Specifications”in the Index for wheel nut
torque specification.Notice:Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead
to brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification. See“Capacities and
Specifications”in the index for the wheel nut torque
specification.
When you reinstall the regular wheel and tire, you must
also reinstall the center cap. Place the cap on the
wheel and tap it into place until it seatsflush with the
wheel. The cap only goes on one way. Be sure to line up
the tab on the center cap with the indentation on the
wheel.
5-74
2003 - Sierra Denali

Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The fuse block access
door is on the driver’s side
edge of the instrument
panel. Pull off the cover to
access the fuse block.
To remove fuses, hold the end of the fuse between your
thumb and indexfinger and pull straight out.
You may have spare fuses located behind the fuse
block access door. These can be used to replace a bad
fuse. However, make sure it is of the correct amperage.
Fuses Usage
RR Wiper Not Used
SEO ACCYSpecial Equipment Option
Accessory
WS WPR Windshield Wipers
TBC ACCYTruck Body Controller
Accessory
IGN 3 Ignition, Heated Seats
5-92
2003 - Sierra Denali

*1—Gasoline Engine and Diesel Engine.
*2—Gasoline Engine; ECMRPV—Diesel Engine.
*3—Gasoline Engine; FUEL HT—Diesel Engine.
*4—Gasoline Engine; ECM I—Diesel Engine.
*5—IGN/EDU
Fuses Usage
GLOW PLUGDiesel Glow Plugs and Intake
Air Heater
CUST FEED Gasoline Accessory Power
STUD #1Auxiliary Power (Single
Battery and Diesels Only)/
Dual Battery (TP2) Do not
install fuse.
MBECMid Bussed Electrical Center
Power Feed, Front Seats,
Right Doors
BLOWER Front Climate Control Fan
LBECLeft Bussed Electrical Center,
Door Modules, Door Locks,
Auxiliary Power Outlet—Rear
Cargo Area and Instrument
Panel
STUD 2Accessory Power/Trailer
Wiring Brake Feed
ABS Anti-Lock Brakes
Fuses Usage
VSES/ECAS Vehicle Stability
IGN A Ignition Power
IGN B Ignition Power
LBEC 1Left Bussed Electrical Center,
Left Doors, Truck Body
Controller, Flasher Module
TRL PARK Parking Lamps Trailer Wiring
RR PARKRight Rear Parking and
Sidemarker Lamps
LR PARKLeft Rear Parking and
Sidemarker Lamps
PARK LP Parking Lamps Relay
STARTER Starter Relay
INTPARK Interior Lamps
STOP LP Stoplamps
TBC BATTTruck Body Controller
Battery Feed
SUNROOF Sunroof
SEO B2 Off-Road Lamps
4WSVent Solenoid
Canister/Quadrasteer Module
Power
RR HVAC Not Used
AUX PWRAuxiliary Power
Outlet—Console
5-97
2003 - Sierra Denali

Fuses Usage
IGN 1 Ignition Relay
PCM 1 Powertrain Control Module
ETC/ECMElectronic Throttle Control,
Electronic Brake Controller
IGN EInstrument Panel Cluster, Air
Conditioning Relay, Turn
Signal/Hazard Switch, Starter
Relay
RTD Ride Control
TRL B/U Backup Lamps Trailer Wiring
PCM BPowertrain Control Module,
Fuel Pump
F/PMP Fuel Pump (Relay)
B/U LPBack-up Lamps, Automatic
Transmission Shift Lock
Control System
RR DEFOG Rear Window Defogger
HDLP-HI Headlamp High Beam Relay
PRIME Not Used
02B Oxygen Sensors
SIRSupplemental Inflatable
Restraint System
FRT PARKFront Parking Lamps,
Sidemarker Lamps
DRLDaytime Running Lamps
(Relay)Fuses Usage
SEO IGN Rear Defog Relay
TBC IGN1 Truck Body Controller Ignition
HI HDLP-LT High Beam Headlamp-Left
LH HID Not Used
DRL Daytime Running Lamps
IPC/DICInstrument Panel
Cluster/Driver Information
Center
HVAC/ECAS Climate Control Controller
CIG LTR Cigarette Lighter
HI HDLP-RT High Beam Headlamp-Right
HDLP-LOW Headlamp Low Beam Relay
A/C COMP Air Conditioning Compressor
A/C COMPAir Conditioning Compressor
Relay
RR WPR Not Used
RADIO Audio System
SEO B1Mid Bussed Electrical Center,
Rear Heated Seats,
HomeLink
LO HDLP-LT Headlamp Low Beam-Left
BTSIBrake Transmission Shift
Interlock System
CRANK Starting System
LO HDLP-RT Headlamp Low Beam-Right
5-98
2003 - Sierra Denali

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Floor Shift
LinkageLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2
Category LB or GC-LB.
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Front AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No. U.S.
12378261, in Canada 10953455) or
equivalent meeting GM Speci cation
9986115.
Rear Axle
(Steerable)Synthetic Axle Lubricant; use only
GM Part No. 12378557 (in Canada
88901362). Do not add friction
modi er.
Transfer CaseDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Rear Driveline
Center SplineChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Front Axle
Propshaft
SplineSpline Lubricant, Special Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345879, in
Canada 10953511) or lubricant
meeting requirements of GM
9985830.
Hood HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Body Door
Hinge Pins,
Tailgate Hinge
and Linkage,
Folding Seats
and Fuel Door
HingeMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Tailgate Handle
Pivot Points,
Hinges, Latch
Bolt and
LinkageMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
10953014, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
SqueaksSynthetic Grease with Te on,
Superlube (GM Part No. U.S.
12371287, in Canada 10953437, or
equivalent).
6-16
2003 - Sierra Denali

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamps....................................................5-48
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-48
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-49
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-48
Pickup Box Identification and Fender
Marker Lamps.........................................5-54
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-51
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Heating.........................................................3-22
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-38
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-38
Hitches..........................................................4-57
HomeLink
®Transmitter, Programming................2-35
HomeLink®Transmitter....................................2-35
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn ............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank......5-30
How to Add Fluid............................................5-22
How to Check........................................5-20, 5-57
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-46
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-35How to Inspect...............................................5-18
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-12
Hydroplaning..................................................4-33
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-28
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-27
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-38
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-38
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-44
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-53
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-42
Ignition Positions.............................................2-16
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-13
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors.........................2-13
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-31
Inflation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-57
Inspection
Brake System
.............................................6-15
Engine Cooling System
................................6-14
Exhaust System
..........................................6-14
Fuel System
...............................................6-14
Part C - Periodic Maintenance
.......................6-14
Steering and Suspension
..............................6-14
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive)
......................................6-15
7
2003 - Sierra Denali

Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
...................5-66
Replacement Bulbs
.........................................5-55
Replacing Brake System Parts
..........................5-39
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash
.....1-72
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government
................................... 7-9
General Motors
............................................. 7-9
United States Government
.............................. 7-8
Reprogramming a Single HomeLink
®Button
.......2-38
Resetting Defaults
...........................................2-38
Restraint System Check
...................................6-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems
...................1-71
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a
Crash
.....................................................1-72
Restraint Systems
Checking
....................................................1-71
Replacing Parts
...........................................1-72
Resynchronization
............................................. 2-6
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
......................2-16
RFA# BATTERY LOW
.....................................3-56
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts
......1-21
Right Front Passenger Position Top
Strap Anchor
...............................................1-40
Roadside
Assistance Program
....................................... 7-5
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
...................4-45
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked
.......2-27
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-27
Safety Belts
Care of ......................................................5-84
Center Passenger Position............................1-21
Driver Position............................................1-12
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-12
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-11
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults......................................1-26
Rear Seat Passengers
.................................1-23
Right Front Passenger Position
......................1-21
Safety Belt Extender
....................................1-28
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
.................1-20
Safety Belts Are for Everyone
......................... 1-7
Safety Chains
.................................................4-57
Safety Warnings and Symbols
.............................. iii
Scanning the Terrain
.......................................4-21
Scheduled Maintenance
..................................... 6-5
Seat
Head Restraints
............................................ 1-5
Seats
Heated Seats
............................................... 1-3
Memory
.....................................................2-41
Power Lumbar
.............................................. 1-3
Power Seats
................................................. 1-2
12
2003 - Sierra Denali