2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 brake

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information,
seeEngine Exhaust on page 2-55.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if
the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to P (Park).
{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer case in
N (Neutral) will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the
automatic transmission shift lever is in P (Park). So,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not in
N (Neutral). Always set the parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-52.
If pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-53.
2-56

Notice:If you use URPA while the tailgate is
lowered, it may not detect an object behind your
vehicle, and you might back into the object and
damage your vehicle. Always verify the tailgate is
closed when using URPA or turn off URPA when
driving with the tailgate lowered.
When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporary
condition, the message PARK ASSIST OFF will be
displayed on the DIC and a red light will be shown on
the rear URPA display when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). This occurs under the following conditions:
The driver disables the system.
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep the
vehicle’s rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice and slush. For cleaning instructions, see
Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-118.
A trailer was attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was hanging out of the tailgate during the
last drive cycle, the red light may illuminate in
the rear display. Once the attached object is
removed, URPA will return to normal operation.
A tow bar is attached to the vehicle.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
2-63

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Instrument Panel Overview
(Base/Uplevel version).................................3-4
Instrument Panel Overview (Premium version). . . .3-6
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-8
Horn .............................................................3-8
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-9
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-9
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................3-10
Flash-to-Pass...............................................3-10
Windshield Wipers........................................3-10
Rainsense™ II Wipers...................................3-11
Windshield Washer.......................................3-12
Cruise Control..............................................3-12
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-16
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-17
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-17
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-18
Puddle Lamps..............................................3-19
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-19
Auxiliary Roof-Mounted Lamp.........................3-19
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-20
Dome Lamps ...............................................3-20
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-20
Entry Lighting...............................................3-20
Exit Lighting.................................................3-20Reading Lamps............................................3-21
Cargo Lamp.................................................3-21
Electric Power Management...........................3-21
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-22
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-22
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-23
Climate Controls............................................3-24
Climate Control System
(With Heater Only).....................................3-24
Climate Control System
(With Air Conditioning)...............................3-25
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-27
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-33
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-33
Instrument Panel Cluster (US-Canada).............3-34
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-35
Trip Odometer..............................................3-35
Tachometer.................................................3-35
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-36
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-37
Airbag Off Light............................................3-38
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-40
Charging System Light..................................3-41
Voltmeter Gage (US-Canada).........................3-41
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-42
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-43
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-33.
B.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-9.
C.Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53.
D.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
E.Instrument Panel Cluster (US-Canada) on page 3-34.
F. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-28. Tow/Haul Selector
Button (If Equipped). SeeTow/Haul Mode on
page 2-34. Range Selection Mode (Allison
Transmission and Hydra-Matic
®6-Speed Button
(If Equipped). SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28.
G.Audio System(s) on page 3-84.
H.Instrument Panel Storage on page 2-81.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-53.
J.Exterior Lamps on page 3-16.
K.Hood Release on page 5-14.
L.Parking Brake on page 2-50.
M.Dome Lamp Override on page 3-20.Dome Lamps on
page 3-20.Fog Lamps on page 3-19(If Equipped).
N.Cruise Control on page 3-12.
O.Tilt Wheel on page 3-8.P.Horn on page 3-8.
Q.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-140
(If Equipped).
R. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped).
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-37.
S. Ashtray (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-23.
T.StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6(If Equipped).
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-61
(If Equipped). Pedal Adjust Button (If Equipped).
SeeAdjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal on
page 2-26. Heated Windshield Washer Fluid Button
(If Equipped).Windshield Washer on page 3-12.
U.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-22.
V.Climate Control System (With Heater Only) on
page 3-24orClimate Control System (With Air
Conditioning) on page 3-25andDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-27.
W. Power Take Off (PTO) Control (If Equipped).
See Power Take Off (PTO) in the Duramax
Diesel Supplement Index.
X. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped).
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-81.
Y.Glove Box on page 2-80.
3-5

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-33.
B.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-9.
C.Instrument Panel Cluster (US-Canada) on page 3-34.
D.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
E. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28.
F.Tow/Haul Mode on page 2-34(If Equipped).
G.Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53.
H.Audio System(s) on page 3-84.
I.Exterior Lamps on page 3-16.
J. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-53.
K.Dome Lamp Override on page 3-20.Dome Lamps
on page 3-20.
L. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped).
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-37.
M.Hood Release on page 5-14.
N.Parking Brake on page 2-50.
O.Cruise Control on page 3-12.P.Tilt Wheel on page 3-8.
Q.Horn on page 3-8.
R.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-140.
S.Climate Control System (With Heater Only)
on page 3-24orClimate Control System (With Air
Conditioning) on page 3-25orDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-27(If Equipped).
T.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-22. Cigarette
Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-23.
U.StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6(If Equipped). Pedal
Adjust Button (If Equipped). SeeAdjustable Throttle
and Brake Pedal on page 2-26.Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-61(If Equipped).
Heated Windshield Washer Fluid Button (If
Equipped). SeeWindshield Washer on page 3-12.
V. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped).
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-81.
W.Glove Box on page 2-80.
3-7

With cruise control, a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more can be maintained without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. Cruise control does not work
at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When the brakes are applied, cruise control is
turned off.
For vehicles with an Allison
®or Hydra-Matic 6-speed
automatic transmission, see “Grade Braking and Cruise
Grade Braking (Allison Transmission) underTow/Haul
Mode on page 2-34for an explanation of how cruise
control interacts with the Range Selection Mode, tow/haul
and grade braking systems.
For vehicles with the StabiliTrak
®system that begins
to limit wheel spin while you are using cruise control,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. See
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6. When road conditions
allow the cruise control to be safely used again, it can be
turned back on.The cruise control buttons
are located on left side of
the steering wheel.
T(On/Off):Turns the system on or off. The indicator
light is on when cruise control is on and turns off
when cruise control is off.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):Press to make the
vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously set speed.
SET−(Set/Coast):Press to set the speed or make
the vehicle decelerate.
[(Cancel):Press to cancel cruise control without
erasing the set speed from memory.
3-13

Setting Cruise Control
Cruise control will not work if the parking brake is set, or
if the master cylinder brake uid level is low.
The cruise control light on the instrument panel cluster
will come on after the cruise control has been set to
the desired speed.
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you are not
using cruise, you might hit a button and go into
cruise when you do not want to. You could be
startled and even lose control. Keep the cruise
control switch off until you want to use cruise
control.
1. Press
T.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET−button located on the steering
wheel and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the brakes are applied while the cruise control is set,
the cruise control is disengaged. But it does not need to
be reset.
Once the vehicle speed reaches about 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more, press the +RES button on the steering wheel.
The vehicle will go back to the previous set speed and
stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To increase the cruise speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the +RES button on the steering
wheel until the desired speed is reached, then
release it.
To increase vehicle speed in small increments,
press the +RES button. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
3-14

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To reduce the vehicle speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the SET– button on the steering
wheel until the desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
SET– button on the steering wheel briey. Each
time this is done, the vehicle goes about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle will
slow down to the previous set cruise speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. While going up steep hills, you might have to step on
the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle’s speed.
While going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to a
lower gear to keep the vehicle’s speed down. When the
brakes are applied the cruise control turns off.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Press[on the steering wheel.
PressTon the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased, when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
3-15