2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 service

If the vehicle has StabiliTrak®, shifting into
Four-Wheel-Drive Low will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak
®off. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to N (Neutral) can
cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in P (Park). You or someone else could be
seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case in N (Neutral).
SeeParking Brake on page 2-50.
N (Neutral):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-47orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-47for more information.
If the SERVICE 4–Wheel Drive message stays on,
you should take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer for
service. See “Service 4–Wheel Drive message”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66.
Shifting Into Two-Wheel-Drive High
Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel-Drive High position.
This can be done at any speed, except when shifting
from Four-Wheel-Drive Low. See Shifting Out of
Four-Wheel-Drive Low for more information.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel Drive Low
When Four-Wheel-Drive Low is engaged, vehicle speed
should be kept below 45 mph. Extended high-speed
operation in Four-Wheel-Drive Low may damage or
shorten the life of the drivetrain.
To shift to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position, the
ignition must be in ON/RUN and the vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with
the transmission in N (Neutral). The preferred method
for shifting into Four-Wheel-Drive Low is to have
the vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h).
Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position.
You must wait for the Four-Wheel-Drive Low indicator
light to stop ashing and remain on before shifting
the transmission in gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To help
avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the mode
indicator lights to stop ashing before shifting the
transmission into gear.
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Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob
is located next to the
steering column.
Use the dial to shift into and out of Four-Wheel Drive.
You can choose among ve driving settings:
Indicator lights in the dial show which setting you are 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 the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service. An indicator light will ash
while shifting the transfer case. It will remain illuminated
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.2
m(Two-Wheel-Drive High):This setting is used
for driving in most street and highway situations.
The front axle is not engaged in Two-Wheel Drive.
This setting also provides the best fuel economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive):This setting is
ideal for use when road surface traction conditions
are variable. When driving the vehicle in AUTO, the front
axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s power is sent only
to the front and rear wheels automatically based
on driving conditions. Driving in this mode results in
slightly lower fuel economy than Two-Wheel-Drive High.
4
m(Four-Wheel-Drive High):Use the
Four-Wheel-Drive High position when extra traction is
needed, such as on snowy or icy roads or in most
off-road situations. This setting also engages the front
axle to help drive the vehicle. This is the best setting to
use when plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel-Drive Low):This setting also engages
the front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never
need this setting. It sends maximum power to all four
wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel-Drive Low if you
are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep snow,
and while climbing or descending steep hills.
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak
®, shifting into
Four-Wheel-Drive Low will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak
®off. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6.
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{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to N (Neutral) can
cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in P (Park). You or someone else could be
seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case in N (Neutral).
SeeParking Brake on page 2-50.
N (Neutral):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-47orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-47for more information.
If the SERVICE 4–Wheel Drive message stays on, you
should take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer for
service. See “Service 4–Wheel Drive message” under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel-Drive High or
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive)
Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel-Drive High or AUTO
position. This can be done at any speed, except when
shifting from Four-Wheel-Drive Low. The indicator
light will ash while shifting. It will remain on when the
shift is completed.
Shifting Into Two-Wheel-Drive High
Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel-Drive High position.
This can be done at any speed, except when shifting from
Four-Wheel-Drive Low. The indicator light will ash while
shifting. It will remain on when the shift is completed.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel-Drive Low
When Four-Wheel-Drive Low is engaged, vehicle speed
should be kept below 45 mph. Extended high-speed
operation in Four-Wheel-Drive Low may damage
or shorten the life of the drivetrain.
To shift to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position, the
ignition must be in ON/RUN and the vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with
the transmission in N (Neutral). The preferred method
for shifting into Four-Wheel-Drive Low is to have
the vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h).
Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position.
You must wait for the Four-Wheel-Drive Low indicator
light to stop ashing and remain on before shifting
the transmission into gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To help
avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the mode
indicator lights to stop ashing before shifting the
transmission into gear.
2-47

Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in P (Park) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
P (Park), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal
is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-46for more information.
To shift out of P (Park) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Move the shift lever to the desired position.If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Ease the pressure on the shift lever.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever all the way into P (Park).
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you are still having a problem shifting, then have the
vehicle serviced soon.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
2-54

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move it
for a clearer view behind your vehicle. Adjust the
mirror to avoid glare from the headlamps behind you.
Push the tab forward for daytime use and pull it for
nighttime use.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside
rearview mirror.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have three additional control
buttons for the OnStar®system. See your dealer/retailer
for more information about OnStar®and how to
subscribe to it. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-70for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the dimming feature on or off.
The vehicle may also have a Rear Vision Camera (RVC).
SeeRear Vision Camera (RVC) on page 2-64for more
information.
If the vehicle has RVC, the
Obutton may not be
available.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
Automatic dimming reduces the glare from the
headlamps of the vehicle behind you. The dimming
feature comes on and the indicator light illuminates
each time the ignition is turned to start.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror.
Use a soft towel dampened with water.
Outside Manual Mirrors
Adjust the outside mirror so that the side of the vehicle
and the area behind are seen.
Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To fold,
push the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror
outward, to return to its original position.
Using hood-mounted air deectors and add-on convex
mirror attachments could decrease mirror performance.
2-57

Adjusting the Brightness and Contrast of
the Screen
To adjust the brightness and contrast of the screen,
press the MENU button while the rear vision camera
image is on the display. Any adjustments made will only
affect the rear vision camera screen.
](Brightness):Touch the + (plus) or – (minus)
screen buttons to increase or decrease the brightness
of the screen.
_(Contrast):Touch the + (plus) or – (minus) screen
buttons to increase or decrease the contrast of the
screen.
Symbols
The navigation system may have a feature that lets the
driver view symbols on the navigation screen while
using the rear vision camera. The Ultrasonic Rear Park
Assist (URPA) system must not be disabled to use
the caution symbols. If URPA has been disabled and
the symbols have been turned on, the Rear Parking
Assist Symbols Unavailable error message may display.
SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 2-61.The symbols appear when an object has been detected
by the URPA system. The symbol may cover the
object when viewing the navigation screen.
To turn the symbols on or off:
1. Make sure that URPA has not been disabled.
2. Shift into P (Park).
3. Press the MENU hard key to enter the congure
menu options, then press the MENU hard key
repeatedly until Display is selected or touch
the Display screen button.
4. Select the Rear Camera Options screen button.
The Rear Camera Options screen will display.
5. Touch the Symbols screen button. The screen
button will be highlighted when on.Rear Vision Camera Error Messages
Service Rear Vision Camera System:This message
can display when the system is not receiving
information it requires from other vehicle systems.
If any other problem occurs or if a problem persists,
see your dealer/retailer.
2-66

OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide a wide range of safety, security,
information, and convenience services. If the airbags
deploy, the system is designed to make an automatic
call to OnStar Emergency advisors who can request
emergency services be sent to your location. If the
keys are locked in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR to have a signal sent to unlock
the doors. OnStar Hands-Free Calling, including
30 trial minutes good for 60 days, is available on most
vehicles. OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation service,
with one trial route, is available on most vehicles.
Press the OnStar button to have an OnStar advisor
contact Roadside Service.OnStar service is provided subject to the OnStar Terms
and Conditions included in the OnStar Subscriber
glove box literature.
Some services such as Remote Door Unlock or Stolen
Vehicle Location Assistance may not be available
until the owner of the vehicle registers with OnStar.
After the rst prepaid year, contact OnStar to select a
monthly or annual subscription payment plan. If a
payment plan is not selected, the OnStar system and all
services, including airbag notication and emergency
services, may be deactivated and no longer available.
For more information visit onstar.com (U.S.) or onstar.ca
(Canada), or press the OnStar button to speak with
an advisor.
Not all OnStar services are available on all vehicles.
To check if this vehicle is able to provide the services
described below, or for a full description of OnStar
services and system limitations, see the OnStar Owner’s
Guide in the glove box or visit onstar.com (U.S.) or
onstar.ca (Canada), contact OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827) or TTY 1-877-248-2080, or press
the OnStar button to speak with an OnStar advisor
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2-70

OnStar Services Available with the
Safe & Sound Plan
Automatic Notication of Airbag Deployment
Advanced Automatic Crash Notication (AACN)
(If equipped)
Link to Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle Alert
OnStar Vehicle Diagnostic Email
GM Goodwrench On Demand Diagnostics
OnStar Hands-Free Calling with 30 trial minutes
OnStar Virtual Advisor (U.S. Only)
OnStar Services Included with
Directions & Connections Plan
All Safe and Sound Plan Services
OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation (If equipped) or
Driving Directions - Advisor delivered
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
OnStar Hands-Free Calling
OnStar Hands-Free Calling allows eligible OnStar
subscribers to make and receive calls using voice
commands. Hands-Free Calling is fully integrated into
the vehicle, and can be used with OnStar Pre-Paid
Minute Packages. Most vehicles include 30 trial minutes
good for 60 days. Hands-Free Calling can also be
linked to a Verizon Wireless service plan in the U.S. or
a Bell Mobility service plan in Canada, depending
on eligibility. To nd out more, refer to the OnStar
Owner’s Guide in the vehicle’s glove box, visit
onstar.com or onstar.ca, or speak with an OnStar
advisor by pressing the OnStar button or calling
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Vehicles with the OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation
system can provide voice-guided driving directions.
Press the OnStar button to have an OnStar advisor
locate a business or address and download driving
directions to the vehicle. Voice-guided directions to the
desired destination will play through the audio system
speakers. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
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