2005 GMC SIERRA warning

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and a proper coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove
the coolant surge
tank pressure
cap when the cooling
system, including
the coolant surge tank
pressure cap and
upper radiator hose,
is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise (left)
about one full turn. If you hear a hiss, wait for that
to stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.
5-43

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and may have rear
drum brakes or rear disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving, except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they do not have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Rear brake drums should be removed and inspected
each time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
Drum brakes have an inspection hole to inspect lining
wear during scheduled maintenance. When you
have the front brake pads replaced, have the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your brakes adjust
for wear.
5-51

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality GM brake parts.
When you replace parts of your braking system — for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
need new ones put in — be sure you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you do not, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change — for the
worse. The braking performance you have come to
expect can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When it is
time for a new battery, get one that has the replacement
number shown on the original battery’s label. We
recommend an ACDelco
®replacement battery. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (−) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
are not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-53for tips on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
Also, for your audio system, seeTheft-Deterrent
Feature on page 3-123.
5-52

Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underination, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
If you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling
one way or the other, the alignment may need to
be reset. If you notice your vehicle vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, your wheels may need to be
rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer if any of these conditions exist.
5-88

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning ashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
PARK (P), or shift a manual transmission to
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
3. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear—not in NEUTRAL.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
4. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t
move, you can put blocks at the front and rear
of the tire farthest away from the one being
changed. That would be the tire on the other
side, at the opposite end of the vehicle.
When you have a at tire, use the following as a guide
to assist you in the placement of the wheel blocks.
5-92

Spare Tire
Your vehicle, when new, had a fully inated spare tire.
A spare tire may lose air over time, so check its
ination pressure regularly. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-79andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-50
for information regarding proper tire ination and loading
your vehicle. For instruction on how to remove, install
or store a spare tire, seeRemoving the Flat Tire
and Installing the Spare Tire on page 5-97andStoring
a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools on page 5-109.
After installing the spare tire on your vehicle, you should
stop as soon as possible and make sure the spare is
correctly inated. Have the damaged or at road
tire repaired or replaced as soon as you can and
installed back onto your vehicle. This way, a spare tire
will be available in case you need it again.
Your vehicle may have a different size spare tire than
the road tires-those originally installed on your vehicle.
This spare tire was developed for use on your
vehicle, so it is all right to drive on it. If your vehicle has
four-wheel drive and the smaller spare is installed,
keep the vehicle in two-wheel drive as much as possible.
If your vehicle has a spare tire that does not match
your vehicle’s original road tires and wheels in size and
type, do not include the spare in the tire rotation.
Appearance Care
Cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic.
Other cleaning products can burst into ames if a match
is struck near them or if they get on a hot part of the
vehicle. Some are dangerous if their fumes are inhaled
in an enclosed space. When anything from a container
is used to clean the vehicle, be sure to follow the
manufacturer’s warnings and instructions. Always open
the doors or windows of the vehicle when cleaning
the inside.
Never use these to clean the vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous — some more than
others — and they can all damage the vehicle, too.
5-112

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-19
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-81
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-121
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-25
Air Conditioning..............................3-21, 3-22, 3-25
Airbag
Off Light.....................................................3-34
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-36
Readiness Light..........................................3-34
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-66
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-81
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-73
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-71
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-76
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-80
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-71
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-72
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-69
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-68
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-70
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-127
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . . 3-127
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-41Appearance Care..........................................5-112
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-117
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-115
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-119
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-116
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-113
Finish Care...............................................5-116
Finish Damage..........................................5-118
Glass Surfaces..........................................5-115
Instrument Panel........................................5-115
Interior Plastic Components.........................5-115
Leather....................................................5-114
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-118
Tires........................................................5-118
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-119
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-119
Vinyl........................................................5-114
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-116
Weatherstrips............................................5-115
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-117
Ashtrays........................................................3-20
Audio System(s).............................................3-69
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-70
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-124
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-125
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-126
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-126
Chime Level Adjustment.............................3-127
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-127
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-83
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Radio with CD............................................3-73
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-98
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)...............................3-122
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-70
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-69
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-123
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-125
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-127
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..................................................5-27, 5-30
Operation...................................................2-26
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Switch.................3-17
B
Battery..........................................................5-52
Battery Warning Light......................................3-38
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-41
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-6
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-48
System Warning Light..................................3-39
Brakes..........................................................5-49
Braking........................................................... 4-5Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-21
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-62
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp......................................5-67
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps...........................5-64
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-62
Headlamps.................................................5-63
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps.........................................5-69
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-71
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-65
Taillamps....................................................5-69
Buying New Tires...........................................5-86
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-7
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-130
Carbon Monoxide...................2-15, 2-53, 4-44, 4-68
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-115
Your Cassette Tape Player..........................3-125
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-126
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-126
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-19
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-71
2