2006 GMC SIERRA headlamp

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.
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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.
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Headlamps
The control on the driver’s side of your instrument panel
operates the headlamps.
Turn the control clockwise to operate the lamps.
The headlamp control has four positions:
9(Off):Turning the control to this position turns off
the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) and the automatic
headlamps.
AUTO (Automatic):Turning the control to this position
puts the system into automatic headlamp mode.
;(Parking Lamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps, together with
the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Roof Marker Lamps (If Equipped)
5(Headlamps):Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
You can switch your headlamps from high to low-beam
by pushing the turn signal/high-beam lever towards the
instrument panel.
A circuit breaker protects your headlamps. If you have an
electrical overload, your headlamps will icker on and off.
Have your headlamp wiring checked right away if this
happens.
Headlamps on Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on and your ignition is
off, in LOCK, ACCESSORY, or a door is open. To disable
the chime, turn the light off then back on.
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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).
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Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor located on
the top of the instrument panel in the defroster grille.
Be sure it is not covered, or the system will be on
whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on your headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime and
nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
and the automatic headlamp systems so that driving
under bridges or bright overhead street lights does not
affect the system. The DRL and automatic headlamp
system will only be affected when the light sensor sees
a change in lighting lasting longer than the delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once you
leave the garage, it will take approximately one minute for
the automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if it is
bright enough outside. During that delay, your instrument
panel cluster may not be as bright as usual. Make sure
your instrument panel brightness control is in the full
bright position. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 3-18.To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, turn the control to the off position.
You may be able to turn off your Automatic Headlamp
System. SeeDaytime Running Lamps (DRL) on
page 3-15for more information.
Your headlamps will also stay on after you exit the
vehicle. You can program this feature using the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle Customization
on page 3-64.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need them.
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Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has fog lamps, use them for better vision
in foggy or misty conditions.
The fog lamp button is
located on the left side
of the instrument panel.
Your parking lamps and/or low-beam headlamps must
be on for your fog lamps to work.Press the button to turn the fog lamps on. Press the
button again to turn them off. An indicator light will glow
in the button when the fog lamps are on.
Remember, fog lamps alone will not give off as much
light as your headlamps. Never use your fog lamps
in the dark without turning on your headlamps.
The fog lamps will go off whenever your high-beam
headlamps come on. When the high beams go off,
the fog lamps will come on again.
The fog lamps will be cancelled after the ignition is
turned off. If you still want to use the fog lamps after you
restart the vehicle, you will need to press the fog
lamp button again.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
3-17

Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp
If your vehicle has this feature, this button includes
wiring provisions for a dealer or a qualied service
center to install an auxiliary roof lamp.
This button is located
on the center of the
instrument panel near
the climate controls.
When the wiring is connected to an auxiliary roof
mounted lamp, pressing the button will activate the lamp
and illuminate an indicator light near the button. Pressing
the button again will turn off the roof mounted lamp.
If your vehicle has this button, your vehicle may have the
snow plow prep package. For further information see
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment on page 4-54.
Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Brightness):This feature
controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature is located next to
the headlamp control.
Turn the thumbwheel up to adjust the instrument panel
lights. Turn the thumbwheel up to return the radio display
to full brightness when the headlamps or parking lamps
are on. To turn on the dome lamps, turn the thumbwheel
all the way up.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when you open a door.
You can also turn the dome lamps on by turning the
thumbwheel, located next to the exterior lamps control,
all the way up. In this position, the dome lamps will
remain on whether a door is opened or closed.
3-18

Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When automatic operation is
active the system will control the inside temperature,
the air delivery, and the fan speed.
Use the steps below to place the entire system in
automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected, the display will change to
show the current driver’s set temperature, delivery
mode and fan speed. Press the AUTO button again
within ve seconds to display the passenger’s set
temperature.
If the driver and passenger’s temperature settings
are not the same, the opposite side temperature
setting will be displayed for an additional
ve seconds. To make the passenger’s
temperature the same as the driver’s press and
hold the AUTO button for about four seconds.
When AUTO is selected, the air conditioning
operation and air inlet will be automatically
controlled. The air conditioning compressor will
run when the outside temperature is over about
40°F (4°C). The air inlet will normally be set to
outside air. If it’s hot outside, the air inlet may
automatically switch to recirculate inside air to help
quickly cool down your vehicle. The light on the
button will illuminate in recirculation.2. Set the driver’s and passenger’s temperature.
To nd your comfort setting, start with a 74°F (23°C)
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes
for the system to regulate. Turn the driver’s or
passenger’s side temperature knob to adjust the
temperature setting as necessary. If you choose the
temperature setting of 60°F (15°C) the system will
remain at the maximum cooling setting. If you choose
the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C) the system
will remain at the maximum heat setting. Choosing
either maximum setting will not cause the vehicle to
heat or cool any faster.
Be careful not to cover the sensor located on the
top of the instrument panel near the windshield.
This sensor regulates air temperature based on
sun load, and also turns on your headlamps.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the
system will delay turning on the fan until warm air is
available. The length of delay depends on the engine
coolant temperature. Pressing the fan switch will
override this delay and change the fan to a selected
speed.
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