2004 GMC SIERRA engine coolant

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Delayed Locking...........................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks
(Crew Cab)..............................................2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Rear Doors..................................................2-13
Tailgate.......................................................2-14
Windows........................................................2-16
Manual Windows..........................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-17
Swing-Out Windows......................................2-18
Sun Visors...................................................2-18
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-19
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-19
Passlock
ž....................................................2-21Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-21
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-21
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-23
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-25
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-26
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-30
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-35
Parking Brake..............................................2-48
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-49
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-51
Parking Your Vehicle.....................................2-52
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-52
Engine Exhaust............................................2-53
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-53
Mirrors...........................................................2-54
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-54
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
ž, Compass and Temperature
Display....................................................2-55
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Engine Coolant Heater
In very cold weather, 0ÉF
(-18ÉC) or colder, the
engine coolant heater can
help. You'll get easier
starting and better
fuel economy during
engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater
should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours
prior to starting your
vehicle.
At temperatures above 32ÉF (0ÉC), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is located on the driver's side of the engine
compartment, near the power steering ¯uid
reservoir. If you have a diesel engine, refer to
diesel supplement for location.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a ®re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't, it could be
damaged.
2-25

How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, it features an electronic shift position
indicator within the instrument panel cluster. This display
must be powered anytime the shift lever is capable of
being moved out of PARK (P). See
Fuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-126.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It's
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily. If your vehicle
is equipped with the Allison
žTransmission, use
PARK (P) for stationary operation of the Power Takeoff
(PTO), if equipped.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake ®rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not 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. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-49
. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-70.
2-26

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-19
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-20
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-21
Climate Controls............................................3-21
Climate Control System.................................3-21
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-22
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-26
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-33
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators.............3-33
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-34
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-35
Tachometer.................................................3-35
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-36
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-36Air Bag Off Light..........................................3-37
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator.................3-40
Battery Warning Light....................................3-42
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-42
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-43
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-43
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-45
Traction Off Light..........................................3-45
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-46
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-47
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-49
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-52
Cruise Control Light......................................3-53
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-53
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-53
Overdrive Disable.........................................3-53
Fuel Gage...................................................3-54
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-54
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-55
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-55
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-66
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the
system will delay turning on the fan until warm air is
available. The length of delay depends on the
engine coolant temperature. Pressing the fan switch
will override this delay and change the fan to a
selected speed.
9(Off):Press this button to turn off the entire climate
control system. Outside air will still enter the vehicle, and
will be directed to the ¯oor. This direction can be changed
by pressing the mode button. The temperature can also
be adjusted using either temperature knob. Press the up
or down arrows on the fan switch, the defrost button, the
AUTO button, or the air conditioning button to turn the
system on when it is off.
Manual Operation
You may manually adjust the air delivery mode or fan
speed.
w9x(Fan):The switch with the fan symbol allows
you to manually adjust the fan speed. Press the up
arrow to increase fan speed and the down arrow
to decrease fan speed.
Pressing this button when the system is off will turn the
system on.
C(Mode):Press this button to manually change the
direction of the air¯ow in your vehicle; keep pressing the
button until the desired mode appears on the display.
If you press the mode button to select an air delivery
mode, the display will change to show you the selected
air mode delivery. The display will then show the
current status of the system. When the system is turned
off, the display will go blank after displaying the
current status of the system.
H(Panel):This setting will deliver air to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This setting will deliver warmer air to the
¯oor and cooler air to the instrument panel outlets.
6(Floor):This setting will deliver air to the ¯oor
outlets.
-(Defog):See ªDefogging and Defrostingº later in
this section.
3-28

The traction off light may come on for the following
reasons:
·If you turn the system off by pressing the TAS
on/off button located to the left of the steering wheel,
the light will come on and stay on. To turn the
system back on, press the button again; the light
should go off.
·If you move the shift lever to FIRST (1), the light
will come on and stay on to indicate that the
traction system is off. This is normal operation. To
turn the system back on, move the shift lever
back to a position other than FIRST (1); the light
should go off. See
Traction Assist System (TAS) on
page 4-9.
·The light will come on and stay on if the TAS
automatic engagement feature has been turned off.
To turn the system on, press the TAS off/on
button; the light should go off. To turn the automatic
engagement feature back on, see
Traction Assist
System (TAS) on page 4-9.
·If the Traction Assist System is affected by an
anti-lock brake system, TAS or engine-related
problem, the system will turn off and the light will
come on. Have your vehicle serviced.
·If the vehicle is driven over an extremely rough road,
the system will turn off and the light will come on. The
light will go off a few seconds after the rough road
conditions go away or when the vehicle comes to a
complete stop. This is normal operation.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.United States
Canada
3-46

CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message is displayed when the engine oil needs to
be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be sure to reset the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL message. See ªEngine Oil,
When to Changeº under
Engine Oil on page 5-18.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
If the driver's door is not fully closed, this message will
appear on the display and you will hear a chime.
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for
obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC. Press the select
button to acknowledge the message and clear it from
the DIC display.
ENGINE COOLANT HOT
If the cooling system temperature gets hot, this message
will appear in the DIC. Stop the vehicle and let the
engine idle in PARK (P) to allow the coolant to reach a
safe temperature. This message will clear when the
coolant temperature drops to safe operating
temperature.
ENGINE OVERHEATED
If the engine cooling system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation, this message will appear in
the DIC and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn off
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid severe
damage. This message will clear when the engine
has cooled to a safe operating temperature.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
If the fuel level is low, this message will appear on the
DIC and you will hear a chime. Refuel as soon as
possible. Press the select button to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display.
KEYFOB X BATTERY LOW
If a remote keyless entry transmitter battery is low, this
message will appear on the DIC. The battery needs
to be replaced in the transmitter. Press the select button
to acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display.
3-68

LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR (Crew Cab)
If the driver's side rear door is not fully closed, this
message will appear on the display and you will hear a
chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door
for obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if
the message still appears on the DIC. Press the
select button to acknowledge the message and clear it
from the DIC display.
LOW COOLANT LEVEL
If your vehicle is equipped with a low coolant level
sensor, this message will appear on the DIC if
the engine coolant level is low. Adding coolant will clear
the message.
OIL PRESSURE LOW
If low oil pressure levels occur, this message will be
displayed on the DIC and a chime will sound. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible and do not operate
it until the cause of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
OIL LIFE RESET
This message will appear on the display for about 10
seconds after resetting the change engine oil message.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR
If the passenger's door is not fully closed, this message
will appear on the display and you will hear a chime.
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for
obstacles, and close the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC. Press the select
button to acknowledge the message and clear it from
the DIC display.
RANGE SHIFT INHIBITED (Allison
TransmissionžOnly)
If the transmission is unable to shift into a selected gear
this message will appear on the DIC. The electronic shift
position indicator on the instrument panel cluster may
blink when this occurs. To make the vehicle shift to the
requested gear you may have to shift back to PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) and re-select the desired gear.
3-69