
Your dealer can help you make a good vehicle-camper
match. He’ll also help you determine your CWR.
After you’ve loaded your vehicle and camper, drive to a
weigh station and weigh the front and rear wheels
separately. This will tell you the loads on your axles.
The loads on the front and rear axles shouldn’tbemore
than either of the GAWRs. The total of the axle loads
should not be more than the GVWR.
Open your driver’s door and look at the Certi cation/Tire
label to nd out your GAWR and GVWR.
If you’ve gone over your weight ratings, move or take
out some things until all the weight falls below the
ratings. Of course, you should always tie down any
loose items when you load your vehicle or camper.
When you install and load your slide-in camper, check
the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you want more information on curb weights, cargo
weights, Cargo Weight Rating and the correct center of
gravity zone for your vehicle, your dealer can help
you. Just ask for a copy of″Consumer Information,
Truck-Camper Loading.″Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the CWR for
your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with the trailer
attached, so that you won’t go over the GVWR or
GAWR. If you are using a weight-distributing hitch,
weigh the vehicle without the spring bars in place.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out the
weight of your load the right way, and if you choose the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, see″Trailer Towing″in the Index.
Pickup Conversion to
Chassis Cab
General Motors is aware that some vehicle owners may
consider having the pickup box removed and a
commercial or recreational body installed. Before you do
so, rst contact GM Customer Assistance for information
on such conversions speci c to this vehicle. Owners
should be aware that, as manufactured, there are
differences between a chassis cab and a pickup with
the box removed which may affect vehicle safety.
The components necessary to adapt a pickup to permit
its safe use with a specialized body should be
installed by a body builder in accordance with the
information available from GM Customer Assistance.
SeeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 7-4.
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2003 - Sierra Denali

Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels
Your vehicle may be equipped with either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,
cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on
them because you could damage the surface. Do not
use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.
Use chrome polish only on chrome-plated wheels, but
avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and buff off
immediately after application.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner.
Notice:When applying a tire dressing, always take
care to wipe off any overspray or splash from all
painted surfaces on the body or wheels of the
vehicle. Petroleum-based products may damage the
paintfinish and tires.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide the
corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the
finish should be repaired right away. Bare metal
will corrode quickly and may develop into major repair
expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials avaliable from your dealer. Larger areas of
finish damage can be corrected in your dealer’s
body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame,floor pan
and exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
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2003 - Sierra Denali

Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-25
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness Control..................3-15
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-92
Interior Lamps................................................3-15
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-40
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-11
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-11
Interior.......................................................3-15
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-13
Lap Belt........................................................1-22
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-12
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-42LATCH System (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-45
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running......2-24
Light
Air Bag Off .................................................3-28
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-27
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-35
Battery Warning..........................................3-33
Brake System Warning.................................3-34
Cruise Control.............................................3-40
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-41
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-37
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator................3-31
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-27
Tow/Haul Mode ...........................................3-41
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-47
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving..........4-19
Locking Rear Axle...........................................4-10
Locks
Door ........................................................... 2-6
Power Door.................................................. 2-7
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-7
Loss of Control...............................................4-16
LOW COOLANT LEVEL..................................3-52
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-41
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-3
8
2003 - Sierra Denali

Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-16
Door Locks.................................................. 2-7
Electrical System.........................................5-91
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-34
Windows....................................................2-12
Power Steering...............................................4-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................. 2-7
Programming the HomeLink
®Transmitter...........2-35
Puddle Lamps................................................3-13
Q
QUADRASTEER™..........................................4-12
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-11
R
Radio Data System (RDS)...............................3-57
Radio Messages.............................................3-63
Radios..........................................................3-56
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-77
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-78
Care of Your CDs ........................................3-78
CD Changer...............................................3-73
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-70Radios (cont.)
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-57
Rear Seat Audio..........................................3-71
Setting the Time..........................................3-57
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-75
Understanding Reception..............................3-76
RDS Messages..............................................3-62
Rear Axle......................................................5-46
Locking......................................................4-10
Rear Doors...................................................... 2-9
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-26
Rear Seat Audio Controls.................................3-71
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)....................................3-71
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-6
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions.............1-23
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-23
Rear Seat Top Strap Anchors...........................1-41
Rear Window Defogger....................................3-23
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display..................2-28
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-47
REDUCED ENGINE POWER...........................3-52
Remote Alarm.................................................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation
............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
..................................................5-68
11
2003 - Sierra Denali