2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 wipers

The steering can bind with the wheels turned off center.
If this happens, move the steering wheel from right to
left while turning the key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If this doesn’t work, then the vehicle needs service.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key to turn in
the ignition could cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key, make sure it is all
the way in, and turn it only with your hand. If the
key cannot be turned by hand, see your
dealer/retailer.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position lets things like
the radio and the windshield wipers operate while
the engine is off. Use this position if the vehicle must be
pushed or towed.
C (ON/RUN):This position can be used to operate the
electrical accessories and to display some instrument
panel cluster warning and indicator lights. The switch
stays in this position when the engine is running.
The transmission is also unlocked in this position on
automatic transmission vehicles.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to start the vehicle
if the battery is allowed to drain for an extended period
of time.D (START):This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for driving.
A warning tone will sound when the driver door is
opened, the ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF and the key is in the ignition.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following vehicle accessories can be used for
up to 10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
OnStar®System (if equipped)
Sunroof (if equipped)
These features work when the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from
ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF, the windows and sunroof
continue to work up to 10 minutes until any door
is opened. The radio continues to work for up to
10 minutes or until the driver door is opened.
2-23

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

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
G: Turn and Lane Change Signals
53: Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
N: Windshield Wipers
L: Windshield Washer
Flash-to-Pass.
Exterior Lamps.
Information for these features is on the pages following.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster ashes in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever for less than one second until the
arrow starts to ash to signal a lane change. This causes
the turn signals to automatically ash three times. It will
ash six times if tow-haul mode is active. Holding the turn
signal lever for more than one second will cause the turn
signals to ash until you release the lever.
The lever returns to its starting position whenever it is
released.
If after signaling a turn or a lane change the arrows
ash rapidly or do not come on, a signal bulb could be
burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-124.
3-9

Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each ash of the
turn signal and the message TURN SIGNAL ON will
also appear in the Driver Information Control (DIC).
To turn the chime and message off, move the turn
signal lever to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
53(Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer):To
change the headlamps from low to high beam, push the
lever toward the instrument panel. To return to low-beam
headlamps, pull the multifunction lever toward you. Then
release it.
When the high beams are
on, this indicator light on
the instrument panel
cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the high-beam headlamps
to signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if the headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
If the headlamps are in the automatic position or on low
beam, the high-beam headlamps will turn on. They will
stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you. The
high-beam indicator on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. Release the lever to return to normal operation.
Windshield Wipers
Turn the band with the wiper symbol to control the
windshield wipers.
8(Mist):Turn to mist for a single wiping cycle. Hold it
there until the wipers start. Then let go. The wipers
stop after one wipe. Hold the band on mist longer, for
more wipe cycles.
9(Off):Turns the wipers off.
3-10

6(Delay):Turn the band to adjust the delay time.
The delay between wiping cycles becomes shorter as
the band is moved to the top of the lever. This can
be very useful in light rain or snow.
6(Low Speed):For steady wiping at low speed.
?(High Speed):For high-speed wiping.
Clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before using
them. If they are frozen to the windshield, gently
loosen or thaw them. Damaged wiper blades may not
clear the windshield well, making it harder to see
and drive safely. If the blades do become damaged,
install new blades or blade inserts. For more information,
seeWindshield Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-66.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Rainsense™ II Wipers
For vehicles with Rainsense™ II windshield wipers, the
moisture sensor is located next to the inside rearview
mirror and is mounted on the windshield. When active,
these sensors are able to detect moisture on the
windshield and automatically turn on the wipers.
To turn on the Rainsense feature, the wipers must be set
to one of the ve delay settings on the multifunction lever.
Each of the ve settings adjusts the sensitivity of the
sensor.
Since different drivers have different setting preferences,
it is recommended that the mid-range setting (position 3)
be used initially. For more wipes, select the higher
settings; for fewer wipes, select the lower settings located
closer to the off position on the multifunction lever.
The sensor will automatically control the frequency of
the wipes from the off setting to the high speed setting
according to the weather conditions. The wipers can be
left in a rainsense mode even when it is not raining.
When Rainsense is active, the headlamps will turn on
automatically if the exterior lamp control is in the AUTO
position and the wipers are active.
Notice:Going through an automatic car wash with
the wipers on can damage them. Turn the wipers
off when going through an automatic car wash.
3-11

Windshield Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
uid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your
vision.
L(Washer Fluid):Push the paddle marked with the
windshield washer symbol at the top of the multifunction
lever, to spray washer uid on the windshield. The wipers
clear the window and then either stop or return to the
preset speed.
Heated Windshield Washer
For vehicles with the heated windshield washer uid
system it can be used to help clear ice, snow, tree sap,
or bugs from the windshield.
_(Heated Washer Fluid):Press the heated washer
uid button to activate the heated windshield washer uid
system. This activation initiates four heated wash/wipe
cycles. The rst heated wash/wipe cycle may take up to
40 seconds to occur, depending on outside temperature.
After the rst wash/wipe cycle, it may take up to
20 seconds for each of the remaining cycles to begin.Press the button again to turn off the heated windshield
washer uid system or it will automatically turn off after
four wipe cycles have been completed.
When the heated windshield washer uid system is
activated under certain outside temperature conditions,
steam may ow out of the washer nozzles for a short
period of time before washer uid is sprayed. This is a
normal condition.
HEATING WASH FLUID WASH WIPES PENDING is
displayed on the DIC when the washer system is heating
the uid. WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID is displayed
when the washer uid is low. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-66.
Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot
drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not use the
cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads.
On such roads, fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
3-12

Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly to keep
their luster. Washing with water is all that is usually
needed. However, chrome polish may be used on
chrome or stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid
damaging protective trim, never use auto or chrome
polish, steam or caustic soap to clean aluminum.
A coating of wax, rubbed to high polish, is recommended
for all bright metal parts.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint free cloth or
paper towel soaked with windshield washer uid or
a mild detergent. Wash the windshield thoroughly
when cleaning the blades. Bugs, road grime, sap,
and a buildup of vehicle wash/wax treatments may
cause wiper streaking. Replace the wiper blades if
they are worn or damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper removal
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim
The vehicle may have either aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with mild
soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After rinsing
thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax may then
be applied.
Notice:Chrome wheels and other chrome trim may
be damaged if the vehicle is not washed after driving
on roads that have been sprayed with magnesium,
calcium or sodium chloride. These chlorides are
used on roads for conditions such as ice and dust.
Always wash the vehicle’s chrome with soap and
water after exposure.
Notice:Using strong soaps, chemicals, abrasive
polishes, cleaners, brushes, or cleaners that contain
acid on aluminum or chrome-plated wheels, could
damage the surface of the wheel(s). The repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Use only approved cleaners on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
5-120

R
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID), Privacy....7-19
Radio(s)........................................................3-87
Radios
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.................................................3-118
Reception.................................................3-141
Setting the Clock.........................................3-85
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-140
Rainsense™ II Wipers.....................................3-11
Reading Lamps..............................................3-21
Rear Axle......................................................5-51
Locking........................................................ 4-9
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-11
Rear Doors....................................................2-12
Rear Seat Armrest..........................................2-82
Rear Seat Audio (RSA) System.......................3-138
Rear Seat Entertainment System.....................3-129
Rear Seat Operation...............................1-14, 1-15
Rear Vision Camera (RVC)..............................2-64
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-57
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-57
Reclining Seatbacks........................................1-10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-15
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-33Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-47
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility................. 7-7
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System, Operation . . . 2-5
Remote Vehicle Start........................................ 2-7
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-100
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-95
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-66
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-17
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors.......7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government................................................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the U.S.
Government................................................7-15
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-91
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a
Crash.....................................................1-92
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-23
Roadside Assistance Program............................ 7-7
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-32
Roof
Sunroof......................................................2-84
Running the Vehicle While Parked.....................2-56
12