2006 GMC SIERRA 1500 transmission

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 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).
2-54

Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)
when the ignition is in the LOCK position. You have to
fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-26and “Torque Lock”
underShifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-55.
If your vehicle has an Allison Transmission
®, the
transmission is equipped with a park pawl designed to
hold the higher weight of commercial medium duty trucks.
Therefore, the Allison Transmission
®uses larger parts
than other automatic transmissions. These larger parts
may sometimes make a clunk noise when the selector
lever is moved from DRIVE (D) or REVERSE (R) to
PARK (P). This is normal and there is no damage
occurring during these shifts.If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then, move
the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACCESSORY. There is no shift
interlock in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
2-55

Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the manual
transmission is in gear. Your 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 2-52
for more information.
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R), and rmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the ignition
key to LOCK, press the key release button, remove the
key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-67.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
2-56

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-57.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-42.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the automatic transmission shift lever is not
fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave your
vehicle when the engine is running unless you
have to. 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 it is on fairly level
ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transmission shift lever
to PARK (P), or the manual transmission shift
lever to NEUTRAL.
2-58

{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

Universal Home Remote
System Operation
Do not use the Universal Home Remote with any garage
door opener that does not have the “stop and reverse”
feature. This includes any garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982. If you have a newer
garage door opener with rolling codes, please be sure to
follow Steps 6 through 8 to complete the programming of
your Universal Home Remote Transmitter.
Read the instructions completely before attempting to
program the Universal Home Remote. Because of
the steps involved, it may be helpful to have another
person available to assist you in the programming steps.
Keep the original hand-held transmitter for use in other
vehicles as well as for future Universal Home Remote
programming. It is also recommended that upon the sale
of the vehicle, the programmed Universal Home Remote
buttons should be erased for security purposes. See
“Erasing Universal Home Remote Buttons” later in this
section or, for assistance, seeCustomer Assistance
Offices on page 7-4.
Be sure that people and objects are clear of the garage
door or gate operator you are programming. When
programming a garage door, it is advised to park outside
of the garage.
It is recommended that a new battery be installed
in your hand-held transmitter for quicker and more
accurate transmission of the radio-frequency signal.
Programming Universal Home Remote
Follow these steps to program up to three channels:
1. Press and hold down the two outside Universal
Home Remote buttons, releasing only when the
Universal Home Remote indicator light begins to
ash, after 20 seconds. Do not hold down the
buttons for longer than 30 seconds and do not repeat
this step to program a second and/or third hand-held
transmitter to the remaining two Universal Home
Remote buttons.
2. Position the end of your hand-held transmitter
about 1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm) away from the
Universal Home Remote buttons while keeping
the indicator light in view.
3. Simultaneously press and hold both the desired
Universal Home Remote button and the hand-held
transmitter button. Do not release the buttons
until Step 4 has been completed.
Some entry gates and garage door openers
may require you to substitute Step 3 with the
procedure noted in “Gate Operator and Canadian
Programming” later in this section.
4. The indicator light will ash slowly at rst and then
rapidly after Universal Home Remote successfully
receives the frequency signal from the hand-held
transmitter. Release both buttons.
2-76

Gate Operator and
Canadian Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require transmitter
signals to time out or quit after several seconds of
transmission. This may not be long enough for Universal
Home Remote to pick up the signal during programming.
Similarly, some U.S. gate operators are manufactured to
time out in the same manner.
If you live in Canada, or you are having difficulty
programming a gate operator or garage door opener
by using the “Programming Universal Home Remote”
procedures, regardless of where you live, replace Step 3
under “Programming Universal Home Remote” with the
following:
Continue to press and hold the Universal Home
Remote button while you press and release every
two seconds (cycle) the hand-held transmitter button
until the frequency signal has been successfully accepted
by the Universal Home Remote. The Universal Home
Remote indicator light will ash slowly at rst and then
rapidly. Proceed with Step 4 under “Programming
Universal Home Remote” to complete.
Using Universal Home Remote
Press and hold the appropriate Universal Home Remote
button for at least half of a second. The indicator light
will come on while the signal is being transmitted.
Erasing Universal Home Remote
Buttons
To erase programming from the three Universal Home
Remote buttons do the following:
1. Press and hold down the two outside buttons until
the indicator light begins to ash, after 20 seconds.
Do not hold the two outside buttons for longer
than 30 seconds.
2. Release both buttons.
The Universal Home Remote is now in the train (learning)
mode and can be programmed at any time beginning with
Step 2 under “Programming Universal Home Remote”
shown earlier in this section.
Individual buttons cannot be erased, but they can be
reprogrammed. See “Reprogramming a Single Universal
Home Remote Button” following this section.
2-78

Reprogramming a Single Universal
Home Remote Button
To program a device to Universal Home Remote using
a Universal Home Remote button previously trained,
follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired Universal Home
Remote button. Do not release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to ash after
20 seconds. While still holding the Universal
Home Remote button, proceed with Step 2 under
“Programming Universal Home Remote” shown
earlier in this section.
For additional information on Universal Home Remote,
seeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 7-4.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
Open the glove box by pulling the bottom of the handle
upward.
Cupholder(s)
Your vehicle may have cupholders located in the front
console, or in the fold-down armrest.
Coinholder(s)
Your vehicle may have a coin holder inside the center
console storage area.
Front Storage Area
Your vehicle may have a center armrest storage
compartment in the front bench seat.
To open it, fold down the armrest and press the latch
handle located at the front of the armrest. Then, let the
lid pop up and swing open.
The storage compartment may have a cassette/compact
disc holder.
Center Console Storage Area
Your vehicle may be equipped with a console
compartment between the bucket seats.
To open it, press the button located on the right side of
the front of the lid and swing the lid open.
Your vehicle may have a compact disc holder in the
console.
Your console may have a cupholder that swings down
for the rear seat passengers to use. The front cupholder
pulls out and swivels 180° to provide clearance between
tall beverage containers and the manual transmission
shift lever (if equipped).
2-79