2004 GMC SIERRA DENALI manual transmission

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.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is ®rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you're:
·Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
·Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
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.
2-23

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Dome Lamp Override Button. See
Interior Lamps on
page 3-16.
B. Exterior Lamp Control. See
Exterior Lamps on
page 3-12.
C. Air Outlets. See ªClimate Controlsº in Section 3.
D. Multifunction Lever. See
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-5.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. See
Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-28.
F. Gearshift Lever. See
Automatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-22.
G. Tow/Haul Selector Switch (If Equipped). See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-22.
H. Audio System. See
Audio System(s) on page 3-64.
I. Comfort Control System. See
Dual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-19.
J. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-105.K. Hood Release. See
Hood Release on page 5-9.
L. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-85.
M. Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block. See
Fuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-105.
N. Tilt Lever. See
Tilt Wheel on page 3-5.
O. Parking Brake Release. See
Parking Brake on
page 2-25.
P. Compact Disc Changer (If Equipped). See
CD
Changer on page 3-82.
Q. Ashtray. See
Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-18.
R. Accessory Power Outlet. See
Accessory Power
Outlets on page 3-18.
S. Air Bag Off Switch, 4±Wheel Steer Button, Manual
Selectable Ride Switch. See
Air Bag Off Switch
on page 1-68,QUADRASTEERŸ on page 4-12.
T. Glovebox. See
Glove Box on page 2-42.
3-3

Lamps On Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on and your
ignition is off, in LOCK, ACCESSORY, or your door is
open. To disable the chime, turn the light off, then
back on.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
®rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
·The ignition is on,
·the exterior lamp control is in AUTO
·the automatic transmission is not in PARK (P), and
·the light sensor determines it is daytime.When the DRL are on, only your DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be
on. The instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps or the last
chosen headlamp setting that was used.
When you turn the exterior lamp control to off, the
headlamps will go off, and your DRL lamps will
illuminate, provided it is not dark outside.
Shifting the transmission into PARK (P) will allow you to
idle the vehicle with the DRL off. The DRL will stay
off until you release the parking brake or shift the
transmission out of PARK (P).
Puddle Lamps
Your vehicle is equipped with puddle lamps to help you
see the area near the base of the front doors when it
is dark out. The puddle lamps will illuminate when a door
is opened or when you press the UNLOCK button on
the keyless entry transmitter.
3-14

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
·start your engine,
·shift into a gear, and
·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 ¯uid (don't over®ll),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this manual,
and the Index will help you ®nd 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.
4-68

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you'll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-GMC-8782 (1-800-462-8782),
or write:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
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 speci®cations for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
7-11

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-38
Fuel..........................................................3-45
Oil Pressure...............................................3-43
Speedometer..............................................3-29
Tachometer.................................................3-29
Transmission Temperature.............................3-39
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-36
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-38
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Speci®cations............................................... 5-4
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-41
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving................4-20
Glove Box.....................................................2-42
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamps....................................................5-49
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-49
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-50Headlamps (cont.)
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-49
Pickup Box Identi®cation and Fender
Marker Lamps.........................................5-55
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-52
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heating.........................................................3-24
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-39
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-40
Hitches..........................................................4-63
HomeLink
žTransmitter....................................2-38
HomeLinkžTransmitter, Programming................2-39
Hood
Checking Things Under.................................. 5-8
Release....................................................... 5-9
Horn............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.................................................5-30
How to Add Fluid............................................5-20
How to Check........................................5-18, 5-67
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-47
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-35
How to Inspect...............................................5-16
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
Hydroplaning..................................................4-35
7

Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-16
Passlock
ž...................................................2-17
TIGHTEN FUEL CAP......................................3-62
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-60
Tire Size.......................................................5-63
Tire Terminology and De®nitions........................5-64
Tires.............................................................5-59
Buying New Tires........................................5-70
Chains.......................................................5-74
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-76
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-75
In¯ation - Tire Pressure................................5-67
Inspection and Rotation................................5-68
Spare Tire..................................................5-95
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-71
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-72
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-73
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-69
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-21
Tonneau Cover...............................................2-43
Top Strap......................................................1-40
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-42
Torque Lock...................................................2-28
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires..................4-63
Tow/Haul Mode...............................................2-24
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-44Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-48
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-58
Your Vehicle...............................................4-48
Traction
Manual Selectable Ride................................. 4-9
TRACTION ACTIVE........................................3-63
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-57
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-64
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-69
Transfer Case................................................5-46
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-18
Temperature Gage.......................................3-39
TRANSMISSION HOT.....................................3-63
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-22
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Traveling to Remote Areas...............................4-20
Trip Information Button....................................3-47
Trip Odometer................................................3-29
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-55
Turn and Lane Change Signals.......................... 3-6
TURN SIGNAL ON.........................................3-63
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-66
Two-Tiered Loading.........................................4-54
14