2005 GMC SIERRA four wheel drive

Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving
ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2HIAUTO
4WD4HI 4LO N
Normal YES
Variable YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in
Tow*YES
*See “Recreational Vehicle Towing” in the Index for
further information.
You can choose among four driving settings:
AUTO 4WD:This setting is ideal for use when road
conditions are variable. When driving your vehicle
in AUTO 4WD, the front axle is engaged, but the
vehicle’s power is sent to the rear wheels. When the
vehicle senses a loss of traction, the system will
automatically engage four-wheel drive. Driving in this
mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than 2HI.
h(2HI):This setting is used for driving in most street
and highway situations. Your front axle is not engaged
in two-wheel drive. This setting also provides the
best fuel economy.
G(4HI):Use 4HI when you need extra traction, such
a on snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations.
This setting also engages your front axle to help drive
your vehicle. This is the best setting to use when
plowing snow.
g(4LO):This setting also engages your front axle and
delivers extra torque. You may never need 4LO. It sends
maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose
4LO if you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud,
deep snow and climbing or descending steep hills. When
operating in 4LO, the gear ratio is extra deep when
compared to 4HI. The transmission gear shift feel will be
exaggerated.
2-41

5. Shift the transmission to REVERSE (R) for one
second, then shift the transmission to DRIVE (D)
for one second, or FIRST (1) for vehicles equipped
with a manual transmission.
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
To shift out of NEUTRAL:
1. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N) and turn the
ignition to RUN with the engine off.
2. Press the button for the desired transfer case shift
position (2HI, 4HI, AUTO 4WD or 4LO).
3. After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL
the red light will go out.
Excessively shifting the transfer case into or out of the
different modes may cause the transfer case to
enter the shift protection mode. This will protect the
transfer case from possible damage and will only allow
the transfer case to respond to one shift per
10 seconds. The transfer case may stay in this mode for
up to three minutes.
Electronic Transfer Case
If your four-wheel-drive
vehicle has the electronic
transfer case, the
transfer case switches are
located to the left of the
instrument panel cluster.
Use these switches to shift into and out of four-wheel
drive.
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You can choose among three driving settings:
Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2HI 4HI 4LO N
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-62or
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-62for further
information.
h(2HI):This setting is for driving in most street and
highway situations. Your front axle is not engaged in
two-wheel drive.
G(4HI):This setting engages your front axle to help
drive your vehicle. Use 4HI when you need extra
traction, such as on snowy or icy roads, or in most
off-road situations.
g(4LO):This setting also engages your front axle to
give you extra traction. You may never need 4LO. It
sends the maximum power to all four wheels. You might
choose 4LO if you were driving off-road in sand, mud or
deep snow and climbing or descending steep hills.When operating in 4LO, the gear ratio is extra deep when
compared to 4HI. The transmission gear shift feel will be
exaggerated.
Indicator lights in the switches show you which setting
you are in. The indicator lights will come on briey when
you turn on the ignition and the last chosen setting will
stay on. If the lights do not come on, you should take your
vehicle in for service. An indicator light will ash while
shifting. It will remain illuminated when the shift is
completed. If for some reason the transfer cannot make a
requested shift, it will return to the last chosen setting.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or someone
else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set
the parking brake before placing the transfer
case in NEUTRAL. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-48.
NEUTRAL:Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-62orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-62for more information.
2-45

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. 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, 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 are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-68.1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position by
pulling the shift lever toward you and moving it up
as far as it will go.
3. If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear – not in
NEUTRAL (N).
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
5. 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).
2-49

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{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 brake rmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive with a manual
transfer case shift lever and 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.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running unless
you have to.If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is rmly 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) without rst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever was
not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not 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 may nd 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. To nd out how, see “Shifting
Into PARK (P)” listed earlier in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you 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).
2-50

{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if your automatic transmission shift lever
is in PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case is
in a drive gear — not in NEUTRAL. Always set
your parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-49.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-68.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Pull or push the tab under the mirror to adust it to the
night or daytime setting. In the nightime setting, the glare
from headlamps behind the vehicle will be less intense.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®, Compass and
Temperature Display
Your vehicle may have this feature. When on, an
automatic dimming mirror automatically dims to the
proper level to minimize glare from lights behind
you after dark.
The mirror also includes a dual display in the upper
right corner of the mirror face. The compass reading and
the outside temperature will both appear in the display
at the same time.
P(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
2-55

Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-48
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-49
Overdrive Disable (Allison Transmission
®Only) . . .3-49
Fuel Gage...................................................3-49
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-50
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-50
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-51
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-54
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-63
Audio System(s).............................................3-69
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)........................3-69
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-70
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-70Radio with CD..............................................3-73
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-83
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-98
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-111
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-122
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-123
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-124
Radio Reception.........................................3-125
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-125
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-126
Care of Your CD and DVD Player.................3-126
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-127
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-127
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-127
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Dome Lamp Button. SeeDome Lamps on page 3-17.
B. Headlamp Controls. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-13.
C. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-30.
D. Automatic Transfer Case/Electronic Transfer
Case/Traction Assist System (TAS). SeeFour-Wheel
Drive on page 2-37.
E. Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-32.
G. Gearshift Lever (Automatic Transmission). See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-26.
H. Tow/Haul Selector and Overdrive Disable (Allison
Transmission
®Only) Button (If Equipped). See
Tow/Haul Mode on page 2-29.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-69.
J. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-21,Dual Climate Control System
on page 3-22andDual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 3-25.
K. Instrument Panel Fuse Block.Instrument Panel Fuse
Block on page 5-122.
L. Cargo Lamp Button. SeeCargo Lamp on page 3-19.
M. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.N. Steering Wheel Control Buttons (If Equipped). See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-50.
O. Center Instrument Panel Block. SeeCenter
Instrument Panel Fuse Block on page 5-124.
P. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-48.
Q. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
R. Lighter and Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory
Power Outlets on page 3-19, andAshtrays and
Cigarette Lighter on page 3-20.
S. Storage Area. SeeFront Storage Area on page 2-71.
T. Ashtray. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-20.
U. Manual Selectable Ride Control (If Equipped).
SeeManual Selectable Ride on page 4-10.
V. 4-Wheel Steer Button (If Equipped). See
QUADRASTEER™ on page 4-14.
W. Passenger Airbag Off Switch (If Equipped).
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-73.
X. Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Button (If Equipped).
SeeAuxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp on page 3-17.
Y. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-70.
3-5