2003 GMC SIERRA parking brake

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-6
Door Locks....................................................2-6
Power Door Locks..........................................2-7
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks................................................2-7
Rear Doors...................................................2-9
Tailgate.......................................................2-10
Windows........................................................2-11
Power Windows............................................2-12
Swing-Out Windows......................................2-12
Sun Visors...................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-13
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-13
Passlock
®....................................................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-15
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-15
Ignition Positions
..........................................2-16
Starting Your Engine
.....................................2-17
Engine Coolant Heater
..................................2-18
Automatic Transmission Operation
...................2-19
All-Wheel Drive
............................................2-21
Parking Brake
..............................................2-22Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-23
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-25
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-26
Engine Exhaust............................................2-26
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-27
Mirrors...........................................................2-28
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature
Display....................................................2-28
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-31
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors.....................2-31
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror..................2-32
Outside Curb View Assist Mirrors....................2-32
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-32
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-32
OnStar
®System.............................................2-33
HomeLink®Transmitter...................................2-35
Programming the HomeLink®Transmitter.........2-35
Storage Areas................................................2-39
Glove Box...................................................2-39
Cupholder(s)................................................2-39
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-39
Tonneau Cover............................................2-39
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-41
Memory Seat...............................................2-41
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
2003 - Sierra Denali

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
that features an electronic shift position indicator
located within the instrument panel cluster. This display
is powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being
moved out of PARK (P). SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-91.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your wheels. It’s the
best position to use when you start your engine because
your vehicle can’t move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brakefirmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). See“Shifting Into Park (P)”in the
Index. If you’re pulling a trailer, see“Towing a
Trailer”in the Index.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your transmission.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-44.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
2-19
2003 - Sierra Denali

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
A chime will activate and the warning light willash
when the parking brake is applied and the vehicle
is moving at least 3 mph (5 km/h) for at least three
seconds.To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, with the parking
brake symbol, to release the parking brake.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
cause your rear brakes to overheat. You may have
to replace them, and you could also damage
other parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-53.
2-22
2003 - Sierra Denali

Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brakefirmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t
move, even when you’re on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. With four-wheel
drive, if your transfer case is in NEUTRAL,
your vehicle will be free to roll, even if your
shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear—not in
NEUTRAL. If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer”in the Index.1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
Pull the shift lever toward you.
2-23
2003 - Sierra Denali

Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brakefirmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catchfire.
You or others could be injured. Don’t leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake isrmly set before you leave it. After you
move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) withoutrst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
2-24
2003 - Sierra Denali

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You maynd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called″torque
lock.″To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. Tond out how, seeShifting Into
Park (P) on page 2-23.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-19.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to LOCK.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the vehicle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive
gear you want.
5. Have the systemxed as soon as you can.
2-25
2003 - Sierra Denali

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust.”
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan is at the highest setting. One place this
can happen is a garage. Exhaust—with
CO—can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
“Winter Driving”in the Index.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brakefirmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-23.
If you’re pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-53.
2-27
2003 - Sierra Denali

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Dome Lamp Override Button
B. 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 SystemK. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
L. Hood Release
M. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
N. Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block
O. Tilt Lever
P. Parking Brake Release
Q. Compact Disc Changer (If Equipped)
R. Ashtray
S. Accessory Power Outlet
T. Air Bag Off Switch and 4–Wheel Steer Button
U. Glovebox
3-3
2003 - Sierra Denali