2006 GMC SIERRA 1500 automatic transmission

{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 2-53.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-67.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Pull or push the tab under the mirror to adjust 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
®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic-dimming rearview
mirror with a compass and the OnStar®system.
There are three additional buttons for the OnStar
®
system. See your dealer for more information on the
system and how to subscribe to OnStar®. SeeOnStar®
System on page 2-73for more information about the
services OnStar®provides.
Mirror Operation
When turned on, this mirror automatically dims to the
proper level to minimize glare from any headlamps
behind you after dark.
O(On/Off): This is the on/off button for the automatic
dimming feature and compass. Press the far left button,
located below the mirror face, for up to three seconds
to turn the feature on and off. A light on the mirror will
be lit while the feature is turned on.
2-59

Memory Seat
If your vehicle has this
feature, the controls for
the memory function are
located on the driver’s door.
These buttons are used to program and recall memory
settings for the driver’s seat and both the driver’s
and passenger’s outside mirrors. The settings for
these features can be saved for up to two drivers.
To store the memory settings, do the following:
1. If you have an automatic transmission, place the
vehicle in PARK (P).
If you have a manual transmission, set the parking
brake.
2. Adjust the driver’s seat, including the seatback
recliner and lumbar, and both outside mirrors to
your preference.3. Press and hold the 1 or 2 button of the memory
control for three seconds. A double chime will
sound to let you know that the position has been
stored.
To repeat the procedure for a second driver, follow
the preceding steps, but press the other numbered
memory control button.
To recall a memory position, do one of the following:
If you have an automatic transmission, press
and release the desired button 1 or 2 while
the vehicle is in PARK (P). A single chime will
sound and the memory position will be recalled.
If the vehicle is not in PARK (P), the memory
position will not be recalled.
If you have a manual transmission, press and
release the desired button 1 or 2 while the parking
brake is set. A single chime will sound and the
memory position will be recalled.
If the parking brake is not set, the memory position
will not be recalled.
To stop recall movement of the memory seat feature at
any time, press one of the memory buttons or power
seat controls.
2-83

Easy Exit Seat
The controls for this memory function are located on the
driver’s door.
B(Easy Exit Seat):This button is used to program
and recall the desired driver’s seat position when exiting
or entering the vehicle. The seat position can be saved
for up to two drivers.
To store the seat exit position, do the following:
1. If you have an automatic transmission, place the
vehicle in PARK (P).
If you have a manual transmission, set the
parking brake.
2. Press and release the 1 or 2 button. The seat will
move to the stored memory position.
3. Adjust the seat to the desired exit position.
4. Press and hold the exit button of the memory control
for three seconds. A double chime will sound to let
you know that the position has been stored for the
selected button 1 or 2.
To repeat the procedure for a second driver, follow the
preceding steps, but press the other numbered memory
control button.To use the seat exit position, do one of the following:
If you have an automatic transmission, press and
release the exit button on the memory control while
the vehicle is in PARK (P).
If you have a manual transmission, press and
release the exit button on the memory control while
the parking brake is set.
If this feature is activated in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), removing the key from the ignition will
move the seat to the exit position.
See “Easy Exit Seat” underDIC Vehicle Customization
on page 3-64for more information on activating this
feature in the DIC.
2-84

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

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

Windshield Washer
LQ(Washer Fluid):There is a paddle marked
with the windshield washer symbol at the top of the
multifunction lever. To spray washer uid on the
windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will clear the
window and then either stop or return to your preset
speed.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
Cruise Control
9(Off):This position
turns the system off.
If your vehicle is equipped with an Allison
®automatic
transmission, see “Grade Braking and Cruise Grade
Braking (Allison Transmission
®) underTow/Haul Mode
on page 2-31for an explanation of how cruise control
interacts with the tap up/down gear selection, tow/haul
and grade braking systems.
R(On):This position activates the system.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):Push the lever to this symbol
to make the vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously
set speed.
T(Set):Press this button to set the speed.
3-10

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold in
Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO
The automatic transmission is not in PARK (P)
The light sensor determines it is daytime
When the DRL are on, only your DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won’t be on.
The instrument panel won’t be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.When you turn the headlamp switch off, the headlamps
will go off, and your DRL lamps will illuminate, provided it
is not dark outside.
Shifting the transmission into PARK (P) will allow you to
idle the vehicle with the DRL off. The DRL will stay off
until you shift the transmission out of PARK (P). This
procedure applies only to vehicles rst sold in the
United States.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic headlamp
system will turn on your headlamps at the normal
brightness along with other lamps such as the taillamps,
sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument panel
lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn the
exterior lamps switch to the off position and then release.
Turning off the automatic headlamp system with the
headlamp switch is not available for vehicles rst sold in
Canada. For vehicles rst sold in Canada, you can turn
off the automatic headlamp system when parked at
night by applying the parking brake before starting your
vehicle. The headlamps will remain off once the vehicle is
started for as long as you are parked. If you release the
parking brake, the lights will turn on. If the parking brake
is not released before you begin to drive, the exterior
lamps will turn on above 2 mph (3.2 km/h).
3-15