2005 GMC SIERRA brake

If the warning light comes on and a chime sounds there
could be a brake problem. Have your brake system
inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push or may go closer to the oor. It may
take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-62.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
United States
Canada
3-40

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay on for
several seconds.
That’s normal. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. You will also hear a
chime sound when the light is on steady. If the regular
brake system warning light isn’t on, you still have
brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on you don’t
have anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with
your regular brakes. In addition to both lights, you will
also hear a chime sound on the rst occurrence of
a problem and each time the vehicle is shut off and then
restarted. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-39.
Traction Off Light
If you have the Traction
Assist System, this light
should come on briey
when you turn the ignition
to RUN.
If the light doesn’t come on then, the system may
require service; have it xed so it will be there to warn
you if the system is turned off.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
there may be a problem with your Traction Assist
System and your vehicle may need service. When this
light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
3-41

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. SeeTraction Assist System (TAS) on page 4-8.
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, seeTraction Assist
System (TAS) on page 4-8.
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.
It also provides an indicator of how hard your vehicle is
working. During a majority of the operation, the gage
will read 210°F (100°C) or less. If you are pulling a load
or going up hills, it is normal for the temperature to
uctuate and approach the 250°F (122°C) mark. If the
gage reaches the 260°F (125°C) mark, it indicates
that the cooling system is working beyond its capacity.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-37. United States
Canada
3-42

Transmission Temperature Gage
Your vehicle may be equipped with a transmission
temperature gage.
When your ignition is on, the gage shows the
temperature of the transmission uid. The normal
operating range is from 180°F (82°C) to about
200°F (93°C).
At approximately 265°F (130°C), the driver information
center will display a TRANSMISSION HOT message
and the transmission will enter a transmission protection
mode. When the transmission enters the protection
mode, you may notice a change in the transmission
shifting patterns. The transmission will return to normal
shifting patterns when the transmission uid temperature
falls below 260°F (127°C).SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-50for
further information.
If your vehicle has an Allison transmission, and the uid
reaches temperatures of approximately 275°F (135°C)
or greater, the driver information center will display
a TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE warning message and a
chime will sound until the temperature falls below
265°F (129°C). Pull the vehicle off the roadway when it
is safe to do so. Set the parking brake, place the
transmission in PARK (P) and allow the engine to idle
until the transmission temperature falls below 265°F
(129°C). If the transmission continues to operate above
265°F (130°C), contact your nearest dealer or the
GM Roadside Assistance Center. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-5.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle with the
transmission temperature gage above normal
operating range, you can damage the transmission.
This could lead to costly repairs that would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not drive your
vehicle while the transmission temperature gage
reading is above normal. See your dealer for service. United States
Canada
3-43

SERVICE AIRBAG
If there is a problem with the airbag system, this
message will be displayed on the DIC. Have your
GM dealer inspect the system for problems. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 3-34andAirbag System on
page 1-66for more information. Pressing any of the
four DIC buttons, if equipped, will acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display. If your
vehicle is not equipped with the four DIC buttons,
pressing the trip odometer reset stem will acknowledge
the message and clear it from the DIC display.
SERVICE BRAKE BOOSTER
If your vehicle has vacuum assist power brakes, this
message will be displayed on the DIC when there is a
problem with the Supplemental Brake Assist system.
If the message is displayed immediately after starting
the vehicle or the message appears while driving,
your Supplemental Brake Assist system needs service.
See your GM dealer. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-39for additional information.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the SERVICE BRAKE BOOSTER
message is displayed.
If the brake system warning light is also on,
you should have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-39.
If the brake system warning light is not on, you
still have brakes, but the supplemental brake
assist system on vehicles with rear disc
brakes may not operate properly. In the event
of a vacuum loss, you may not have vacuum
power assist for braking. The brake pedal will
be harder to push and it will take longer to
stop. If you continue to drive with this
message displayed it can lead to a crash.
Have the brake system serviced as soon
as possible.
3-60

SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
If there is a problem with the brake system, this
message will be displayed on the DIC. If this message
appears, stop as soon as possible and turn off the
vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the brake
system needs service. See your GM dealer.
SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM
On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the battery
charging system, this message will appear on the
DIC. Under certain conditions, the battery warning light
may also turn on in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeBattery Warning Light on page 3-38. The battery
will not be charging at an optimal rate and the vehicle
will lose the ability to enter the fuel economy mode. The
vehicle is safe to drive, however you should have the
electrical system checked by your GM dealer. Pressing
any of the four DIC buttons, if equipped, will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display. If your vehicle is not equipped with the four DIC
buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display.
SERVICE RIDE CONTROL
If a problem occurs with the suspension system, this
message will appear on the DIC. If this message
appears, stop and turn off the vehicle. Restart the
vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display.
If the message is still displayed or appears again
when you begin driving, the air suspension system
needs service. See your GM dealer.
TIGHTEN FUEL CAP
If the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly, this
message may appear along with the check engine light
on the instrument panel. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-44. Fully reinstall the fuel cap.
SeeFilling Your Tank on page 5-10. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap will
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap properly installed should turn
the light and message off.
TRACTION ACTIVE
When the traction control system had detected that any
of the vehicle’s wheels are slipping, the traction
control system will activate and this message will appear
on the DIC. For more information, seeTraction Assist
System (TAS) on page 4-8.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-5
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Assist System (TAS)...........................4-8
Manual Selectable Ride.................................4-10
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-11
Steering......................................................4-12
QUADRASTEER™........................................4-14
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-17
Passing.......................................................4-17
Loss of Control.............................................4-19
Off-Road Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle....................................................4-20
Driving at Night............................................4-35
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-36
City Driving..................................................4-39Freeway Driving...........................................4-40
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-41
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-42
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-42
Winter Driving..............................................4-44
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow........4-48
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-48
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-49
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-50
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-56
Truck-Camper Loading Information..................4-60
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab..................4-62
Towing..........................................................4-62
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-62
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-62
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-67
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-68
Power Take-Off (PTO)...................................4-98
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive
defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
vehicle: Buckle up. SeeSafety Belts: They Are for
Everyone on page 1-11.
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.”
On city streets, rural roads, or freeways, it means
“always expect the unexpected.”
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to
be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what
they might do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following
distance. It is the best defensive driving maneuver, in
both city and rural driving. You never know when
the vehicle in front of you is going to brake or
turn suddenly.
Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate on
the driving task. Anything that distracts from the
driving task — such as concentrating on a cellular
telephone call, reading, or reaching for something onthe oor — makes proper defensive driving more
difficult and can even cause a collision, with resulting
injury. Ask a passenger to help do things like this, or pull
off the road in a safe place to do them yourself.
These simple defensive driving techniques could save
your life.Drunken Driving
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a national tragedy. It is the number one contributor
to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims
every year.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle:
Judgment
Muscular Coordination
Vision
Attentiveness
Police records show that almost half of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was
drinking and driving. In recent years, more than
16,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been
associated with the use of alcohol, with more than
300,000 people injured.
4-2