2008 GMC SIERRA tow

OUTPUT shows the power output to the trailer anytime
a trailer with electric brakes is connected. Output is
displayed in 0 to 10 bars. Dashes may appear in
the OUTPUT display. See “Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System” underTowing a Trailer on page 4-55
for more information.
Oil Life
To access this display, the vehicle must be in PARK (P).
Press the trip odometer reset stem until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays. This display shows an estimate
of the oil’s remaining useful life. If you see 99% OIL LIFE
REMAINING on the display, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains. The engine oil life system
will alert you to change the oil on a schedule consistent
with your driving conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will appear on the display.
See “CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-63. You should
change the oil as soon as you can. SeeEngine
Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-15. In addition to the
engine oil life system monitoring the oil life, additional
maintenance is recommended in the Maintenance
Schedule in this manual. SeeScheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4for more information.
Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE display
yourself after each oil change. It will not reset itself.Also, be careful not to reset the OIL LIFE display
accidentally at any time other than when the oil has just
been changed. It cannot be reset accurately until the
next oil change. To reset the engine oil life system, see
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-18.
Relearn Tire Positions
Your vehicle may have this display. To access this
display, the vehicle must be in PARK (P). If your vehicle
has the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), after
rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor, the
system must re-learn the tire positions. To re-learn
the tire positions, seeTire Pressure Monitor System on
page 5-76. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-81andDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-63for more information.
Relearn Remote Key
To access this display, the vehicle must be in PARK (P).
This display allows you to match Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitters to your vehicle. To match an
RKE transmitter to your vehicle:
1. Press the trip odometer reset stem until RELEARN
REMOTE KEY displays.
2. Press and hold the trip odometer reset stem for
three seconds.
The message REMOTE KEY LEARNING ACTIVE
will display.
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is reconnected. This message also clears if you
acknowledge it. If this message still displays, either your
vehicle or the trailer needs service. See your
dealer/retailer.
See “Integrated Trailer Brake Control System” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-55for more information.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the driver
door is not fully closed and the vehicle is in a drive
gear. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for
obstructions, and close the door again. Check to
see if the message still appears on the DIC.
ENGINE HOT A/C (Air Conditioning)
TURNED OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-46.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor automatically turns off. When
the coolant temperature returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor turns back on. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the system
repaired by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible
to avoid damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine is
overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-30
for more information.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-46.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode (V8
Engines Only) on page 5-33for information on driving
to a safe place in an emergency.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-30
for more information.
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
engine cooling system reaches unsafe temperatures for
operation. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so to avoid severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled to a safe operating
temperature.
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SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem with
the theft-deterrent system. The vehicle may or may not
restart so you may want to take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer before turning off the engine. See
PASS-Key
®III+ Operation on page 2-20for more
information.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS), this message displays if a part on the system is
not working properly. The tire pressure light also
ashes and then remains on during the same ignition
cycle. SeeTire Pressure Light on page 3-47. Several
conditions may cause this message to appear. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor Operation on page 5-78for more
information. If the warning comes on and stays on, there
may be a problem with the TPMS. See your
dealer/retailer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message displays
when there is a problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS). When this message displays, the system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
See your dealer/retailer for service. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-6for more information.
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
On vehicles with the Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, this message displays and a chime
sounds when there is a problem with the ITBC system.
When this message displays, power is no longer
available to the trailer brakes.
As soon as it is safe to do so, carefully pull your vehicle
over to the side of the road and turn the ignition off.
Check the wiring connection to the trailer and turn the
ignition back on. If this message still displays, either your
vehicle or the trailer needs service. See your
dealer/retailer.
See “Integrated Trailer Brake Control System” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-55for more information.
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TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
If your vehicle has the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS), this message displays when the system
is re-learning the tire positions on your vehicle. See
“DIC Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons)”
earlier in this section for more information. The tire
positions must be re-learned after rotating the tires or
after replacing a tire or sensor. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-81,Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 5-76, andInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-74
for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message displays
when the Traction Control System (TCS) is turned
off. Adjust your driving accordingly. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-6for more information.
TRAILER CONNECTED
On vehicles with the Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, this message displays briey when
a trailer with electric brakes is rst connected to
the vehicle.
This message clears itself after several seconds. This
message also clears if you acknowledge it. After
this message clears, the TRAILER GAIN/OUTPUT
display appears in the DIC.See “TRAILER GAIN/OUTPUT” underDIC Operation
and Displays (With DIC Buttons) on page 3-55or
DIC Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on
page 3-60and “Integrated Trailer Brake Control System”
underTowing a Trailer on page 4-55for more
information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while the
transmission temperature warning is displayed.
This message displays along with a continuous chime if
the transmission uid in the vehicle gets hot. Driving
with the transmission uid temperature high can cause
damage to the vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it
idle to allow the transmission to cool. This message
clears and the chime stops when the uid temperature
reaches a safe level.
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Problem Recommended Action
Sometimes the wireless
headphone audio cuts out
or buzzes.Check for obstructions,
low batteries, reception
range, and interference
from cellular telephone
towers or by using your
cellular telephone in the
vehicle.
Check that the
headphones are on
correctly using the L (left)
and R (right) on the
headphones.
I lost the remote and/or
the headphones.See your dealer/retailer
for assistance.
The DVD is playing, but
there is no picture or
sound.Check that the RSE video
screen is sourced to the
DVD player.
DVD Display Error Messages
The DVD display error message depends on the radio
that is in the vehicle. The video screen can display
one of the following:
Disc Load/Eject Error:This message displays when
there are disc load or eject problems.
Disc Format Error:This message displays, if the disc
is inserted with the disc label wrong side up, or if
the disc is damaged.Disc Region Error:This message displays, if the disc
is not from a correct region.
No Disc Inserted:This message displays, if no disc is
present when EJECT or DVD AUX is pressed on the
radio.
DVD Distortion
Video distortion can occur when operating cellular
phones, scanners, CB radios, Global Position Systems
(GPS)*, two-way radios, mobile fax, or walkie talkies.
It might be necessary to turn off the DVD player when
operating one of these devices in or near the vehicle.
*Excludes the OnStar
®System.
Cleaning the RSE Overhead Console
When cleaning the RSE overhead console surface, use
only a clean cloth dampened with clean water.
Cleaning the Video Screen
When cleaning the video screen, use only a clean cloth
dampened with clean water. Use care when directly
touching or cleaning the screen, as damage could result.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
Locking Rear Axle..........................................4-5
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-6
Steering........................................................4-8
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-10
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-11
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-12
Driving at Night............................................4-27
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-28
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-29Highway Hypnosis........................................4-29
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-30
Winter Driving..............................................4-31
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-34
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-34
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-35
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-36
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-43
Truck-Camper Loading Information..................4-47
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab..................4-50
Towing..........................................................4-50
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-50
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-50
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-55
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-94
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. By slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that could
free your vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle
out after a few tries, it might need to be towed out.
Or, you can use recovery hooks, if your vehicle
has them. If your vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-50.
Recovery Hooks
{CAUTION:
These hooks, when used, are under a lot of
force. Always pull the vehicle straight out.
Never pull on the hooks at a sideways angle.
The hooks could break off and you or others
could be injured from the chain or cable
snapping back.Notice:Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged and it would
not be covered by warranty.
For vehicles with recovery hooks at the front of the
vehicle, you can use them if you are stuck off-road and
need to be pulled to some place where you can
continue driving.
4-35

The Tire and Loading Information label also shows
the size of the original equipment tires (C) and
the recommended cold tire ination pressures (D).
For more information on tires and ination see
Tires on page 5-66andInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-74.
There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certication/Tire label. It tells you the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the
front and rear axles. See “Certication/Tire Label”
later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1.Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-55for important
information on towing a trailer, towing safety
rules and trailering tips.
4-37