2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 lock

PROG (Program):Press this button to go to the next
preset radio station or channel set on the main radio. This
function is inactive, with some radios, if the front seat
passengers are listening to the radio.
While a CD or DVD audio disc is playing, press this
button to go to the beginning of the CD or DVD audio.
This function is inactive, with some radios, if the front seat
passengers are listening to the CD or DVD audio.
While a disc is playing in the CD or DVD changer, press
this button to select the next disc, if multiple discs are
loaded. This function is inactive, with some radios, if the
front seat passengers are listening to the disc.
While a DVD video menu is being displayed, press the
PROG button to perform the menu function, Enter.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft of the
vehicle’s radio by learning a portion of the Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN). The radio does not operate if
it is stolen or moved to a different vehicle.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Vehicles with audio
steering wheel controls
could differ depending on
the vehicle’s options.
Some audio controls
can be adjusted at the
steering wheel.
w(Next):Press to go to the next radio station stored
as a favorite, or the next track if a CD/DVD is playing.
xc(Previous/End):Press to go to the previous
radio station stored as a favorite, the next track if
a CD/DVD is playing, to reject an incoming call, or end
a current call.
3-140

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Driving for Better Fuel Economy.......................4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-6
Locking Rear Axle..........................................4-9
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-10
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-11
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-13
Driving at Night............................................4-26
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-27Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-28
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-28
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-28
Winter Driving..............................................4-30
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-32
Recovery Hooks...........................................4-33
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-34
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.......4-40
Truck-Camper Loading Information..................4-44
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab....................4-47
Towing..........................................................4-47
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-47
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-47
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-53
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-84
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent a
braking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to
drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor
or clicking noise might be heard while this test is going
on. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light
stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on
page 3-43.
Along with ABS, the vehicle has a Dynamic Rear
Proportioning (DRP) system. If there is a DRP problem,
both the brake and ABS warning lights come on
accompanied by a 10-second chime. The lights and
chime will come on each time the ignition is turned on
until the problem is repaired. See your dealer/retailer for
service.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to get
a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping
distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to apply the brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work. The brakes might
vibrate or some noise might be heard, but this is normal.
4-5

If the system fails to turn on or activate, the StabiliTrak
light along with one of the following messages will
be displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC):
TRACTION CONTROL OFF, SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL, STABILITRAK OFF, SERVICE
STABILITRAK. If these DIC messages appear, make
sure the StabiliTrak system has not been turned
off using the StabiliTrak on/off button. Then turn the
steering wheel clockwise from the nine o’clock position
to the three o’clock position. If this clears the
message(s), the vehicle does not need servicing. If this
does not clear the message(s), then turn the vehicle
off, wait 15 seconds, and then turn it back on again to
reset the system. If any of these messages still
appear on the DIC, the vehicle should be taken in for
service. For more information on the DIC messages,
seeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53.
The StabiliTrak light will
ash on the instrument
panel cluster when the
system is both on and
activated.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working; this
is normal.The traction control disable
button is located on the
instrument panel below the
climate controls.
The traction control part of StabiliTrak can be turned off
by pressing and releasing the StabiliTrak button if
both systems (traction control and StabiliTrak) were
previously on. To disable both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the button for ve seconds.
TCS and StabiliTrak can be turned on by pressing and
releasing the StabiliTrak button if not automatically
shut off for any other reason.
When TCS or StabiliTrak is turned off, the StabiliTrak
light and the appropriate message will be displayed
on the DIC to warn the driver. The vehicle will still have
brake-traction control when traction control is off, but
will not be able to use the engine speed management
system. See “Traction Control Operation” next for
more information.
When the traction control system has been turned off,
system noises may still be heard as a result of the
brake-traction control coming on.
4-7

Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a locking rear axle can give more traction
on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but when traction is low,
this feature will allow the rear wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
Steering
Power Steering
If the vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode
Hybrid manual for more information.
If power steering assist is lost because the engine stops
or the system is not functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor that can be controlled.If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before entering
the curve, while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait
to accelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and nd
a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. These
problems can be avoided by braking — if you can stop
in time. But sometimes you cannot stop in time
because there is no room. That is the time for evasive
action — steering around the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First, apply the brakes. SeeBraking on page 4-4.
It is better to remove as much speed as possible
from a collision. Then steer around the problem, to the
left or right depending on the space available.
4-9

An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If holding the steering wheel at the
recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, it can be turned
a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle’s right wheels can drop off the edge of a
road onto the shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way,
steer so that the vehicle straddles the edge of the
pavement. Turn the steering wheel 3 to 5 inches,
8 to 13 cm, (about one-eighth turn) until the right front
tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn the steering
wheel to go straight down the roadway.
4-10

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to the vehicle’s three
control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are not
rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed
or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
Remember: StabiliTrak
®helps avoid only the
acceleration skid. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6.
If the StabiliTrak®System is off, then an acceleration
skid is best handled by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
the vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for
a second skid if it occurs.Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, slow
down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is
important to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more
limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the
tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-12

There are some important things to remember about
how to load your vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the oor, forward
of the rear axle. Put heavier items as far forward
as you can.
Be sure the load is properly secured, so things are
not tossed around.
You will nd other important information underLoading
the Vehicle on page 4-34andTires on page 5-67.
Environmental Concerns
Off-road driving can provide wholesome and satisfying
recreation. However, it also raises environmental
concerns. We recognize these concerns and urge every
off-roader to follow these basic rules for protecting
the environment:
Always use established trails, roads, and areas that
have been specially set aside for public off-road
recreational driving and obey all posted regulations.
Avoid any driving practice that could damage
shrubs, owers, trees, or grasses or disturb wildlife.
This includes wheel-spinning, breaking down
trees, or unnecessary driving through streams or
over soft ground.
Always carry a litter bag and make sure all refuse is
removed from any campsite before leaving.
Take extreme care with open res (where
permitted), camp stoves, and lanterns.
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other
combustible materials that could catch re from
the heat of the vehicle’s exhaust system.
Traveling to Remote Areas
It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when going
to a remote area. Know the terrain and plan your
route. Get accurate maps of trails and terrain. Check to
see if there are any blocked or closed roads.
It is also a good idea to travel with at least one other
vehicle in case something happens to one of them.
For vehicles with a winch, be sure to read the winch
instructions. In a remote area, a winch can be handy if
you get stuck but you will want to know how to use
it properly.
4-15