2006 GMC SIERRA ignition

The horn may chirp for 10 seconds before the alarm
goes off if the theft-deterrent system is activated using
the remote keyless entry transmitter and the driver’s door
is opened. If this occurs, you can turn off the alarm by
pressing unlock on the remote keyless entry transmitter
or by placing the key in the ignition and turning it to
START.
Here is how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
If you do not want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with the
door key after the doors are closed.
Always unlock a door with the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
If you set off the alarm by accident, turn off the alarm by
pressing unlock on the remote keyless entry transmitter
or by placing the key in the ignition and turning it to
START.
Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by following these steps:
1. From inside the vehicle, activate the system by
locking the doors with the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
2. Wait for the security light to go out.
3. Unlock the door with the manual door lock and
open the door. This should set off the alarm.
4. Turn off the alarm by pressing unlock on the remote
keyless entry transmitter or by placing the key in
the ignition and turning it to START.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, but the
vehicle’s headlamps ash, check to see if the horn
works. The horn fuse may be blown. To replace the
fuse, seeInstrument Panel Fuse Block on page 5-124
andUnderhood Fuse Block on page 5-127.
If the alarm does not sound or the vehicle’s headlamps
do not ash, see your dealer for service.
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Passlock®
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock®
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
®is a passive theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is
turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the
ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes, wait until
the light stops ashing before trying to restart the engine.
Remember to release the key from START as soon as
the engine starts.
If the engine is running and the security light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the engine
off. However, your Passlock
®system is not working
properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your
vehicle is not protected by Passlock
®at this time. You
may also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-123. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the GM Roadside Assistance
Center. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 4-67for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
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Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
four different positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the key.
Use the correct key and turn the key only with your
hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If it is, turn
the steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. If none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.A (Lock):This position locks your ignition when the key
is removed. The steering locks when equipped with a
manual transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature. You
will only be able to remove your key when the ignition is
turned to LOCK.
B (Accessory):This position allows you to use things
like the radio, power windows and the windshield wipers
when the engine is off.
{CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the
key to LOCK will lock the steering column and
result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle.
This could cause a collision. If you need to turn
the engine off while the vehicle is moving, turn
the key only to ACCESSORY. Do not press the
key release button while the vehicle is moving.
C (Run):This is the position for driving.
D (Start):This position starts your engine.
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Key Release Button
(Manual Transmission)
The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition
of manual transmission
vehicles unless the key
release button is used.
To remove the key on manual transmission vehicles, turn
the key to ACCESSORY, then press the button and turn
the key to LOCK. Do not hold the button in while turning
the key to ACCESSORY. Pull the key straight out.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
If the vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP),
certain features will continue to operate for up to
10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to LOCK
unless a door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Your vehicle is equipped with Starter Motor Control. This
feature assists in starting the engine and protects the
electrical system. This feature may cause the engine
to crank even after the ignition key is not in START
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that
is a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. If you have a diesel
engine refer to the diesel supplement for the starting
procedure.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
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Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in neutral and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the oor and
start the engine. Your vehicle will not start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down — that is a safety feature.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will disengage the starter motor,
cause your battery to be drained much sooner, and
add excessive heat that can damage your starter
motor. Try not to hold the key in START for longer
than 15 seconds and wait about 15 seconds between
each try to help avoid draining your battery or
damaging your starter.
2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the oor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.When starting your engine in very cold weather
(below 0°F or−18°C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
the ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then
stops, it could be ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briey but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for ve or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
2-24

When the vehicle detects a loss of traction, the system
will automatically engage four-wheel drive. Driving in
this mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than
Two-Wheel High.
2
m(Two-Wheel High):This setting is used for driving
in most street and highway situations. Your front axle is
not engaged in two-wheel drive. This setting also
provides the best fuel economy.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL
can cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You 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.
N (NEUTRAL):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
N (NEUTRAL) only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-62orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-62for more information.4
m(Four-Wheel High):Use this setting when you
need extra traction, such a on snowy or icy roads or in
most off-road situations. This setting also engages your
front axle to help drive your vehicle. This is the best
setting to use when plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel Low):This setting also engages
your front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never
need Four-Wheel Low. It sends maximum power to all
four wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel Low if you
are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep snow,
and while climbing or descending steep hills. When
operating in Four-Wheel Low, the gear ratio provides
additional torque when compared to four-wheel high.
The transmission gear shift feel will be exaggerated.
Indicator lights in the switches show which setting your
transfer case is in. The indicator lights will come on briey
when you turn on the ignition and one will stay on. If the
lights do not come on, you should take your vehicle to
your dealer for service. An indicator light will ash while
the transfer case is being shifted. It will stay on when the
shift is complete. If for some reason the transfer case
cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the last
chosen setting.
If the SERVICE 4WD message stays on, you should take
your vehicle to your dealer for service. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-55for further information.
2-43

Shifting into Four-Wheel High or AUTO
4WD (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive)
Press and release the four-wheel high or AUTO 4WD
switch. This can be done at any speed, except when
shifting from Four-Wheel Low, and the indicator light
will ash while shifting. It will remain on when the shift is
completed.
Shifting into Two-Wheel High
Press and release the Two-Wheel High switch.
This can be done at any speed, except when shifting
from Four-Wheel Low.
Shifting into Four-Wheel Low
Notice:Shifting the transfer case into
Four-Wheel Low while moving at speeds faster
than 3 mph (5 km/h) may cause premature wear
to the transfer case, and may cause the gears to
grind. To avoid causing premature wear, and
grinding the gears, do not shift the transfer case
into Four-Wheel Low while the vehicle is moving
faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).To shift to Four-Wheel Low, the ignition must be in RUN
and the vehicle must be stopped or moving less than
3 mph (5 km/h) with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
The preferred method for shifting into Four-Wheel Low is
to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h).
Press and release the Four-Wheel Low switch. You must
wait for the Four-Wheel Low indicator light to stop
ashing and remain on before shifting your transmission
in gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To help
avoid damaging your vehicle, always wait for the
Four-Wheel Low indicator light to stop ashing
before shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for your vehicle to exhibit signicant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel Low and Four-Wheel High ranges or from
NEUTRAL (N) with the engine running.
If the Four-Wheel Low switch is pressed when your
vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the Four-Wheel Low
indicator light will ash for 30 seconds and not complete
the shift unless your vehicle is moving less than
3 mph (5 km/h) and the transmission is in NEUTRAL (N).
After 30 seconds the transfer case will shift to four-wheel
high mode.
2-44

Shifting Out of Four-Wheel Low
To shift from Four-Wheel Low to Four-Wheel High,
AUTO 4WD, or Two-Wheel High, your vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the
transmission in NEUTRAL (N) and the ignition in RUN.
The preferred method for shifting out of Four-Wheel
Low is to have your vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to
3.2 km/h). Press and release the Four-Wheel High,
AUTO 4WD, or Two-Wheel High switch. You must wait
for the Four-Wheel High, AUTO 4WD, or Two-Wheel
High indicator light to stop ashing and remain on before
shifting your transmission into gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the Four-Wheel Low indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To help
avoid damaging your vehicle, always wait for the
Four-Wheel Low indicator light to stop ashing
before shifting the transmission into gear.
The transfer case may make noise and the vehicle
may jerk when the transfer case is shifted between
Four-Wheel Low and Four-Wheel High ranges or
from NEUTRAL with the engine running.
If the four-wheel high, AUTO 4WD, or Two-Wheel High
switch is pressed when your vehicle is in gear and/or
moving, the Four-Wheel High, AUTO 4WD, or
Two-Wheel High indicator light will ash for 30 seconds
but will not complete the shift unless your vehicle is
moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and the transmission
is in NEUTRAL (N).
Shifting Into NEUTRAL
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL
can cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You 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.
To shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to RUN.
4. Put the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
5. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel High.
6. Simultaneously press and hold the Two-Wheel High
and Four-Wheel Low buttons for 10 seconds. The
red NEUTRAL light will come on when the transfer
case shift to NEUTRAL is complete.
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