2006 GMC SIERRA four wheel drive

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-11
Child Restraints
.......................................1-31
Airbag System
.........................................1-70
Restraint System Check
............................1-87
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-19
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-59
OnStar
®System
......................................2-73
Universal Home
Remote System
....................................2-75
Storage Areas
.........................................2-79
Sunroof
..................................................2-82
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-82
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-31
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-52
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-70Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-62
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-4
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under
the Hood
.............................................5-12
Rear Axle
...............................................5-58
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-59
Front Axle
...............................................5-60
Noise Control System
...............................5-62
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-63
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-71
Tires
......................................................5-72
Appearance Care
...................................5-113
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-122
Electrical System
....................................5-123
Capacities and Specications
...................5-133
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-13
Index................................................................ 1
2006 GMC Sierra Owner ManualM

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Delayed Locking...........................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks (Crew Cab)................2-13
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Rear Doors..................................................2-14
Tailgate.......................................................2-14
Windows........................................................2-16
Manual Windows..........................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-17
Swing-Out Windows......................................2-18
Sliding Rear Window.....................................2-18
Sun Visors...................................................2-18
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-19
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-19
Passlock
®....................................................2-21Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-21
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-21
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-23
Starting the Engine.......................................2-23
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-25
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-26
Tow/Haul Mode............................................2-31
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-34
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-38
Parking Brake..............................................2-52
Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)............................2-53
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)............................2-55
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)...............................2-56
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-56
Engine Exhaust............................................2-57
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-58
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the 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 you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-53. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-67.
{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to roll — even if your shift lever is in
PARK (P) — if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL. So, be sure the transfer case is
in a drive gear, two-wheel high (2H) or
four-wheel high (4H) or four-wheel
low (4L) — not in NEUTRAL. SeeShifting
Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on
page 2-53.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up. If your vehicle
has the Allison Transmission
®, the R on the shift display,
may blink if the shift inhibitor is active.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging your transmission, seeIf
Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-46.
2-27

Up-Shift Light
If you have a manual
transmission, you may
have a shift light. This light
will show you when to shift
to the next higher gear for
best fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next higher
gear if weather, road and traffic conditions allow. For the
best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and shift when the
light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to
go on and off if you quickly change the position of the
accelerator.
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive and is equipped with
a manual transmission, disregard the shift light when the
transfer case is in Four-Wheel Low.
Ignore the shift light when you downshift.
Four-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send your
engine’s driving power to all four wheels for extra traction.
To get the most satisfaction out of four-wheel drive, you
must be familiar with its operation. Read the part that
follows before using four-wheel drive. See the
appropriate text for the transfer case in your vehicle.
Front Axle Locking Feature
The front axle locks and unlocks automatically when
you shift the transfer case. Some delay for the axle
to lock or unlock is normal.
2-38

Manual Transfer Case
The transfer case shift lever is on the oor to the right
of the driver. Use this lever to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive.A 4WD indicator light
comes on when you shift
into four-wheel drive and
the front axle engages. See
Four-Wheel-Drive Light on
page 3-50.
Some delay between shifting and when the indicator
light comes on is normal.
Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2H 4H 4L N
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-62
orTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-62for further
information.
2-39

An indicator light near the lever shows you the transfer
case settings:
Notice:Driving on clean, dry pavement in
four-wheel drive 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 for extended periods of time.
4L (Four-Wheel Low):This setting also engages your
front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never need
4L. It sends maximum power to all four wheels. You might
choose 4L 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.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL
can cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P), or if you have a
manual transmission, even if you are in gear.
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 to this setting only when your vehicle
needs to be towed. SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing
on page 4-62orTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-62.
2H (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.
4H (Four-Wheel High):Use this setting when you need
extra traction, such as 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.
You can shift from 2H to 4H or 4H high to 2H while the
vehicle is moving. Your front axle will engage faster if
you take your foot off of the accelerator for a couple of
seconds after you shift. In extremely cold weather,
it may be necessary to stop or slow the vehicle to shift
into four-wheel high.
2-40

When Using the Manual Transfer Case

Shifting should be made using quick motions.
Shifting slowly may make it more difficult to shift.
You may notice that it is harder to shift when the
vehicle is cold. After the vehicle warms up the
shifting will return to normal.
While in 4H or 4L you may experience reduced fuel
economy.
Avoid driving in four-wheel drive on clean, dry
pavement. It may cause your tires to wear faster,
and make your transfer case harder to shift and run
noisier.
Shifting from 2H (Two-Wheel High) to
4H (Four-Wheel High)

Shifts between 2H and 4H can be made at any
vehicle speed.
It is easiest to shift the transfer case when
maintaining a constant speed or a slight acceleration.
If possible, avoid shifting while slowing down, as it
will may make it harder to shift.
Shift your transfer case lever in one continuous
motion into either the 4H or 2H position.
In extremely cold weather, it may be necessary to
slow or stop the vehicle to shift into four-wheel high
until your vehicle has warmed up.
While in 4H, your vehicle can be driven at any posted
legal speed limit.
Shifting In or Out of 4L (Four-Wheel Low)
Notice:Shifting the transfer case into 4L 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 4L while the vehicle is moving faster than
3 mph (5 km/h).
Shifts into 4L can be made with the vehicle at a stop, or
while slowly rolling about 1 to 3 mph (2 to 5 km/h).
Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL (N),
or with a manual transmission, press the clutch
pedal, or shift into NEUTRAL (N).
Shift the transfer case shift lever in one continuous
motion into the 4L position.
When in 4L do not drive faster than 45 mph.
This will reduce wear and extend the life of
your transfer case.
Shifting In or Out of NEUTRAL
1. With the vehicle running and the engine at an idle
set the parking brake.
2. Place the transmission into NEUTRAL (N).
Shift the transfer case in one continuous motion into or
out of the NEUTRAL position.
2-41

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