2008 GMC SIERRA display

Reading Lamps
If your vehicle has reading lamps they are located on
the overhead console.
To turn on the reading lamps, press the button
located next to each lamp. To turn them off, press the
button again.
Your vehicle may also have reading lamps in other
locations. To turn the lamps on or off, press the button
located next to the lamp.
If your vehicle has a DVD Rear Seat Entertainment
(RSE) system, press the lamp lenses to turn the lamps
on or off.
The lamps are xed and cannot be adjusted.
Cargo Lamp
The cargo lamps come on by turning the instrument
panel brightness control knob to the farthest clockwise
position. This knob is located on the instrument
panel and also turns on the dome lamps.
The cargo lamp can be used if more light is needed in
the cargo area of the vehicle or in the top-box
storage units.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of
charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When
the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly
to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter
gage or a voltage display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up
or down. This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert
will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power
that is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
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EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as Battery Saver
Active or Service Battery Charging System. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome and reading lamps, if
they are left on for more than 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned off. The cargo lamp shuts off
after 20 minutes. This prevents the battery from
running down.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
auxiliary electrical equipment, such as a cellular
telephone or CB radio.
The vehicle may have two accessory power outlets
located below the climate control system, or may have
one accessory power outlet and one cigarette lighter.
The cigarette lighter is designed to t only in the
receptacle closest to the driver.
There may be another accessory power outlet in the
rear cargo area. If the vehicle has a oor console, there
is an accessory power outlet inside the storage bin
and one on the rear of the oor console.
To use an accessory power outlet, remove the protective
cap. When not in use, always cover the accessory
power outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment plugged in for
an extended period of time while the vehicle is off
will drain the battery. Power is always supplied
to the outlets. Always unplug electrical equipment
when not in use and do not plug in equipment
that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere rating.
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Driver and Passenger Side Temperature
Controls
The driver and passenger side temperature buttons are
used to adjust the temperature of the air coming
through the system on the driver or passenger’s side of
the vehicle. The temperature can be adjusted even if
the system is turned off. This is possible since outside
air always ows through the system as the vehicle
is moving forward unless it is set to recirculation mode.
See “Recirculation” later in this section.
Press the + or−buttons to increase or decrease the
cabin temperature. The driver side or passenger
side temperature display shows the temperature setting
decreasing or increasing.
The passenger’s temperature setting can be set to
match the driver’s temperature setting by pressing the
PASS button and turning off the PASS indicator.
When the passenger’s temperature setting is set
different than the driver’s setting, the indicator on the
PASS button illuminates and both the driver’s side and
passenger’s side temperature displays are shown.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When automatic operation is
active the system controls 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 changes to
show the current temperature(s) and AUTO is lit on
the display. The current air delivery mode and
fan speed are also displayed for about 5 seconds.
When AUTO is selected, the air conditioning
operation and air inlet are automatically controlled.
The air conditioning compressor may run when
the outside temperature is above freezing. The air
inlet will normally be set to outside air. If it is
hot outside, the air inlet may automatically switch to
the recirculate mode to help quickly cool down
the air inside the vehicle. The light on the button
comes on 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. Use the driver’s or
passenger’s temperature buttons to adjust the
temperature setting as necessary. If you choose the
temperature setting of 60°F (15°C), the system
remains at the maximum cooling setting. If
you choose the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C),
the system remains at the maximum heat setting.
Choosing either maximum setting will not cause the
vehicle to heat or cool any faster.
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Be careful not to cover the solar sensor located on the
top of the instrument panel near the windshield. This
sensor regulates air temperature based on sun load. For
more information on the solar sensor, see “Sensors”
later in this section.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the system
delays turning the fan on until warm air is available. The
length of delay depends on the engine coolant
temperature. Pressing the fan switch overrides this
delay and changes the fan to a selected speed.
O(On/Off):Press this button to turn off the climate
control system. Outside air still enters the vehicle, and is
directed to the oor. This direction can be changed by
pressing the mode button. Recirculation can be selected
once you have selected vent or bi-level mode. The
temperature can also be adjusted using either
temperature button. If the air delivery mode or
temperature settings are adjusted with the system off,
the display illuminates briey to show the settings
and then returns to off. Press the on/off button or the up
down arrows on the fan switch, the defrost button,
AUTO button, or the air conditioning button to turn the
system on when it is off.
Manual Operation
The air delivery mode or fan speed can be manually
adjusted.
DC(Fan):These buttons let you manually adjust the
fan speed. Press
Dto increase fan speed andC
to decrease fan speed.
Pressing either fan button while the system is off turns
the system on. Pressing either fan button while in
automatic control places the fan under manual control.
The fan setting remains displayed and the AUTO
light turns off. The air delivery mode remains under
automatic control.
HG(Mode):PressHandGto manually change the
direction of the airow in the vehicle. Repeatedly
press either button until the desired mode appears on
the display. Pressing either mode button while the
system is off changes the air delivery mode without
turning the system on. Pressing either mode button
while in automatic control places the mode under
manual control.
The air delivery mode setting is displayed and the
AUTO light turns off. The fan remains under automatic
control.
H(Vent):Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
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On hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot
inside air escape. This helps to reduce the time it
takes for the vehicle to cool down. It also helps the
system to operate more efficiently.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water might drip underneath
the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
Sensors
The solar sensor, located in the defrost grille, in the
middle of the instrument panel, monitors the solar
radiation. Do not cover the solar sensor or the system
will not work properly.The interior temperature
sensor, located in the
headliner, measures the
temperature of the air
inside the vehicle.
There is also an exterior temperature sensor located
behind the front grille. This sensor reads the outside air
temperature and helps maintain the temperature
inside the vehicle. Any cover on the front of the vehicle
could cause a false reading in the displayed
temperature on the rearview mirror.
The climate control system uses the information from
these sensors to maintain your comfort setting by
adjusting the outlet temperature, fan speed, and the air
delivery mode. The system may also supply cooler
air to the side of the vehicle facing the sun. The
recirculation mode will also be used as needed to
maintain cool outlet temperatures.
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both
miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has
been driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
Engine Hour Meter Display
The Driver Information Center (DIC) can also display
the number of hours the engine has run. To display the
engine hours, turn the ignition off, press and hold the
reset button for at least four seconds. The hour
meter will be displayed for up to 30 seconds, or until the
ignition is turned on. SeeDIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons) on page 3-55orDIC Operation
and Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on page 3-60for
more information.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has
been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero.
Press the reset button, located on the instrument panel
cluster next to the voltmeter, to toggle between the
trip odometer and the regular odometer. Holding
the reset button for approximately one second while the
trip odometer is displayed will reset it.
To display the odometer reading with the ignition off,
press the reset button.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-55orDIC Operation and Displays (Without
DIC Buttons) on page 3-60for more information.
Tachometer
Your tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm). See “Grade Braking
(Allison Transmission
®)” underTow/Haul Mode on
page 2-34for more information.
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Here are some situations you may experience with your
fuel gage. None of these indicate a problem with the
fuel gage.
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may
have indicated the tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than half the tank’s
capacity to ll the tank.
The gage goes back to empty when you turn off the
ignition.
If you have a diesel engine, see “Fuel Gage” in the
Diesel Engine Supplement.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, under the fuel
gage, will come on briey
when you are starting
the engine.This light and a chime will come on when the fuel tank
is low on fuel. There will also be a “FUEL LEVEL
LOW” message on the Driver Information Center, see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63for more
information. When you add fuel this light and message
should go off. If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
The DIC displays information about your vehicle. It also
displays warning messages if a system problem is
detected.
All messages will appear in the DIC display located
below the tachometer in the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC will display the information that was
last displayed before the engine was turned off.
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, see “DIC Operation and
Displays (With DIC Buttons)” later in this section and
DIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-72for the displays available.
If your vehicle does not have DIC buttons, see “DIC
Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons)” later in
this section for the displays available.
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DIC Operation and Displays (With
DIC Buttons)
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, the information below
explains the operation of this system.
The DIC has different displays which can be accessed
by pressing the DIC buttons located on the instrument
panel, next to the steering wheel.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system problem
is detected.
The DIC also allows some features to be customized.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 3-72for more information.
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, you can also use the
trip odometer reset stem to view some of the DIC
displays. See “DIC Operation and Displays (Without DIC
Buttons)” later in this section.
DIC Buttons
The buttons are the
trip/fuel, vehicle
information, customization,
and set/reset buttons.
The button functions are
detailed in the following
pages.
3(Trip/Fuel):Press this button to display the
odometer, trip odometer, fuel range, average economy,
fuel used, timer, and transmission temperature.
Some vehicles also display instantaneous economy and
an Active Fuel Management™ indicator.
T(Vehicle Information):Press this button to display
the oil life, units, tire pressure readings for vehicles
with the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), trailer
brake gain and output information for vehicles with
the Integrated Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
engine hours, and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter programming.
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