
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system.
To purchase a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-9.
{CAUTION:
For up to 1 minute after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can still in ate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to
an air bag when it in ates. Avoid yellow
connectors. They are probably part of the air
bag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is quali ed to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-70
2003 - Sierra Denali

At times you may notice a decrease in range.
This is normal for any remote keyless entry system.
If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand
closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work,
try this:
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
Check to determine if battery replacement or
resynchronization is necessary. See“Battery
Replacement”and‘‘Resynchronization’’under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-4.
If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
quali ed technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
You can lock and unlock your doors from about 3 feet
(1 m) up to 100 feet (30 m) away using the remote
keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
UNLOCK:Pressing this button once will unlock
the driver’s door. The interior lamps will come on.
Pressing UNLOCK again within three seconds will cause
the remaining doors to unlock.
You can choose different feedback options for each
press of the UNLOCK button. SeeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-42for more information.
LOCK:Pressing this button once will lock all of the
doors. You can choose different feedback options
for each press of the LOCK button. SeeDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-42for more information.
Operating the keyless entry transmitter may interact with
the theft-deterrent system. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent
on page 2-13andDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-42for more information.
Remote Alarm
When the horn symbol on the keyless entry transmitter
is pressed, the horn will sound and the headlamps
and taillamps will ash for up to 30 seconds. This can
be turned off by pressing the horn button again, waiting
for 30 seconds, or starting the vehicle.
2-4
2003 - Sierra Denali

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can
be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring
any remaining transmitters with you when you go to
your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at the normal range in any location. If you have
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.To replace the battery in the keyless entry transmitter,
do the following:
1. Insert a thin coin, or similar object, in the slot
between the covers of the transmitter housing
near the key ring hole. Remove the bottom
by twisting the coin.
2. Remove and replace the battery with a three-volt
CR2032 or equivalent battery, positive (+) side up.
3. Align the covers and snap them together.
4. Resynchronize the transmitter.
5. Check the operation of the transmitter.
2-5
2003 - Sierra Denali

Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position–that’sa
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15
seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the oor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0°For−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 ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor 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 brie y but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for ve 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.
2-17
2003 - Sierra Denali

Keep the original transmitter for use in other vehicles as
well as for future HomeLink®programming. It is also
recommended that upon the sale of the vehicle,
the programmed HomeLink
®buttons should be erased
for security purposes. Refer to“Erasing HomeLink®
Buttons”or, for assistance, contact HomeLink®on the
internet at: www.homelink.com or by calling
1-800-355-3515.
Be sure that people and objects are clear of the garage
door or gate operator you are programming. When
programming a garage door, it is advised to park outside
of the garage.
It is recommended that a new battery be installed in
your hand-held transmitter for quicker and more
accurate transmission of the radio frequency.
Your vehicle’s engine should be turned off while
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to
program up to three channels:
1. Press and hold down the two outside buttons,
releasing only when the indicator light begins to
ash, after 20 seconds. Do not hold down the
buttons for longer than 30 seconds and do not
repeat this step to program a second and/or third
transmitter to the remaining two HomeLink
®buttons.
2. Position the end of your hand-held transmitter about
1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm) away from the HomeLink
®
buttons while keeping the indicator light in view.3. Simultaneously press and hold both the desired
button on HomeLink
®and the hand-held transmitter
button. Do not release the buttons until Step 4
has been completed.
Some entry gates and garage door openers may
require you to substitute Step 3 with the procedure
noted in“Gate Operator and Canadian
Programming”later in this section.
4. The indicator light will ash slowly at rst and then
rapidly after HomeLink
®successfully receives the
frequency signal from the hand-held transmitter.
Release both buttons.
5. Press and hold the newly-trained HomeLink
®button
and observe the indicator light.
If the indicator light stays on constantly,
programming is complete and your device should
activate when the HomeLink
®button is pressed and
released.
To program the remaining two HomeLink
®buttons,
begin with Step 2 under“Programming HomeLink®.”
Do not repeat Step 1 as this will erase all of the
programmed channels.
If the indicator light blinks rapidly for two seconds
and then turns to a constant light, continue with
Steps 6 through 8 following to complete the
programming of a rolling-code equipped device
(most commonly, a garage door opener).
2-36
2003 - Sierra Denali

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn .............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction 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.............................3-27
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-27
Air Bag Off Light..........................................3-28
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator.................3-31
Battery Warning Light....................................3-33
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-33
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-34
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-36Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-37
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-40
Cruise Control Light......................................3-40
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-41
Fuel Gage...................................................3-41
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-41
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-42
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-42
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-51
Audio System(s).............................................3-56
Setting the Time...........................................3-57
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-57
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-70
Rear Seat Audio (RSA).................................3-71
CD Changer................................................3-73
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-75
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-76
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-76
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-77
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-78
Care of Your CD Player................................3-78
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-78
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System
(United States Only)..................................3-78
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
2003 - Sierra Denali

Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when you open a door
and the dome override button is in the out position.
You can also turn the dome lamps on by turning
the thumbwheel, located next to the exterior lamps
control, all the way up. In this position, the dome lamps
will remain on whether the doors are opened or
closed.
E:You can use the dome override button, located
below the exterior lamps control, to set the dome lamps
to come on automatically when the doors are opened,
or to remain off. To turn the lamps off, press the button
to the in position. With the button in this position, the
dome lamps will remain off when the doors are open.
To return the lamps to automatic operation, press
the button again and return the button to the out
position. With the button in this position, the dome lamps
will come on when you open a door.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome, reading, glove box, and
underhood lamps if they are left on for more than
10 minutes when the ignition is turned off. The cargo
lamp will shut off after 20 minutes. This will keep
your battery from running down.
Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or
other devices designed to operate with vehicle electrical
systems.
Your vehicle is equipped with several accessory power
outlets. The front outlet is located next to thefloor
console. Lift up on the door to access the outlet.
The second outlet is located in the center console. Press
the button on the side of the console door to access
the outlet. SeeCenter Console Storage Area on
page 2-39for more information.
There is also one accessory power outlet located on the
rear of the center console. Lift up on the doors to
access the outlets.
3-16
2003 - Sierra Denali

{CAUTION:
If the air bag off indicator and the air bag
readiness light ever come on together, it
means that something may be wrong with the
air bag system. If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger seat may not have the protection of
the air bag. See″Air Bag Readiness Light″in
the Index.
Battery Warning Light
If this light is displayed
when the engine is
running, you may have a
problem with your charging
system.
The battery display will also stay on while the key is in
RUN until the engine is started.If the light stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or some
other charging system problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving with this light displayed could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and the air conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage
When your engine is not running, but the ignition is in
RUN, this gage shows your battery’s state of charge in
DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. Readings between the
low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range.
3-33
2003 - Sierra Denali