2006 GMC SIERRA 1500 instrument panel

Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case buttons
are located to the left of the
instrument panel cluster.
Use these switches to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive.
Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving
ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2
mAUTO
4WD4m4nN
Normal YES
Variable YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in
Tow*YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-62for
further information.
You can choose among four driving settings:
Notice:Driving on clean, dry pavement in
Four-Wheel-Drive High or Four-Wheel-Drive Low for
an extended period of time may cause premature
wear on your vehicle’s powertrain. Do not drive on
clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel Drive High or
Four-Wheel-Drive Low for extended periods of time.
AUTO 4WD (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive):This
setting is ideal for use when road surface traction
conditions are variable. When driving your vehicle in
Automatic Four-Wheel Drive, the front axle is engaged,
but the vehicle’s power is sent to the rear wheels.
2-42

7. If the engine is running, 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.
8. Turn the engine off, by turning the key to
ACCESSORY.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in PARK (P).
10. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
Shifting Out of NEUTRAL
To shift out of NEUTRAL:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake
pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to RUN with the engine off.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Press the button for the desired transfer case
shift position (Two-Wheel High, Four-Wheel
High, AUTO 4WD, or Four-Wheel Low).
5. After the transfer case has shifted out of NEUTRAL
the red light will go out.
6. Release the parking brake.
7. You may start the engine and shift the transmission
to the desired position.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.
2-46

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-17
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp.........................3-18
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-18
Dome Lamps...............................................3-18
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-19
Entry Lighting...............................................3-19
Exit Lighting.................................................3-19
Front Reading Lamps....................................3-19
Cargo Lamp.................................................3-19
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-20
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-20Climate Controls............................................3-21
Climate Control System.................................3-21
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-22
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-25
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-30
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-31
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-32
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-33
Trip Odometer..............................................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-34
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-35
Airbag Off Light............................................3-35
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-37
Battery Warning Light....................................3-40
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-40
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transmission)...............3-41
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-41
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...............3-42
Traction Off Light..........................................3-43
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-43
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-44
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-46
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-48
Security Light...............................................3-49
Cruise Control Light......................................3-49
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Highbeam On Light.......................................3-49
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-50
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-50
Cargo Lamp Light.........................................3-50
Fuel Gage...................................................3-51
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-51
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-52
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-53
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-55
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-64
Audio System(s).............................................3-70
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)........................3-71
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS)........................3-71
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-72Radio with CD..............................................3-75
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-85
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-100
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-115
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-127
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-129
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-129
Radio Reception.........................................3-130
Care of the Cassette Tape Player.................3-131
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-132
Care of the CD and DVD Player...................3-132
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-132
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-133
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-133
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

Instrument Panel Overview
Automatic Transmission Version shown, Manual Transmission Version similar
3-4

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-19.
B. Headlamp Controls. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-14.
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 2-38andTraction Assist System (TAS)
on page 4-8.
E. Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction
Lever on page 3-7.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-32.
G. Range Selection Mode (Allison Transmission
®only)
Button (If Equipped). SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-26.
H. Gearshift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-26orManual Transmission
Operation on page 2-34for manual transmissions.
I. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If Equipped).
SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-31.
J. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-70.
K. 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.L. Instrument Panel Fuse Block.Instrument Panel Fuse
Block on page 5-124.
M. Cargo Lamp Button. SeeCargo Lamp on page 3-19.
N. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
O. Steering Wheel Control Buttons (If Equipped).
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-52
orAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-129.
P. Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block. SeeCenter
Instrument Panel Fuse Block on page 5-126.
Q. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-52.
R. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-6.
S. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-20.
T. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-20.
U. Manual Selectable Ride Control (If Equipped).
SeeManual Selectable Ride on page 4-10.
V. Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp Button (If Equipped).
SeeAuxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp on page 3-18.
W. Passenger Airbag Off Switch (If Equipped).
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-78.
X. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-79.
3-5

An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
ash more quickly than normal, a signal bulb may
be burned out and other drivers won’t see your turn
signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal
a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and a blown fuse.
SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-123.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each ash of the turn
signal and the message TURN SIGNAL ON will also
appear in the DIC. To turn the chime and message off,
move the turn signal lever to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
53(Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer):To
change the headlamps from low to high beam, push the
lever toward the instrument panel. To return to low-beam
headlamps, pull the multifunction lever toward you. Then
release it.
When the high beams are
on, this indicator light on
the instrument panel
cluster will also be on.
3-8

Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass. It
works even if your headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
If your headlamps are in the automatic position or on
low beam, your high-beam headlamps will turn on.
They’ll stay on as long as you hold the lever toward
you. The high-beam indicator on the instrument panel
cluster will come on. Release the lever to return to
normal operation.
Windshield Wipers
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they are frozen to the windshield,
gently loosen or thaw them. Damaged wiper blades
may not clear the windshield well, making it harder to
see and drive safely. If the blades do become damaged,
install new blades or blade inserts. For more information,
seeWindshield Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-71
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
8(Mist):For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to
mist. Hold it there until the wipers start. Then let go. The
wipers will stop after one wipe. If you want more wipes,
hold the band on mist longer.
N(Delay):You can set the wiper speed for a long or
short delay between wipes. This can be very useful in
light rain or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay
time. The closer to the top of the lever, the shorter
the delay.
6(Low Speed):For steady wiping at low speed,
turn the band away from you to the rst solid band past
the delay settings. For high-speed wiping, turn the band
further, to the second solid band past the delay settings.
To stop the wipers, move the band to off.
1(High Speed):For high-speed wiping, turn
the band further, to the second solid band past the
delay settings.
9(Off):To stop the wipers, move the band to off.
3-9