
Seats and Restraint System............................. 1-1
Head Restraints
......................................... 1-3
Front Seats
............................................... 1-4
Rear Seats
..............................................1-14
Safety Belts
.............................................1-16
Child Restraints
.......................................1-38
Airbag System
.........................................1-73
Restraint System Check
............................1-90
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-22
Mirrors
....................................................2-57
Object Detection Systems
..........................2-62
OnStar
®System
......................................2-71
Universal Home Remote System
................2-74
Storage Areas
.........................................2-81
Sunroof
..................................................2-85Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-24
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-33
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-53
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-85
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-45
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-4
Fuel
......................................................... 5-6
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
Rear Axle
...............................................5-49
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-51
Front Axle
...............................................5-53
Noise Control System
...............................5-54
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-55
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-58
2009 GMC Sierra Owner ManualM

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-5
Remote Vehicle Start......................................2-7
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-10
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-11
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Rear Doors..................................................2-12
Tailgate.......................................................2-13
Windows........................................................2-15
Manual Windows..........................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-16
Power Sliding Rear Window...........................2-17
Sun Visors...................................................2-18
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer.............2-20
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation.................................................2-20Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-22
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-22
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-23
Starting the Engine.......................................2-24
Fast Idle System..........................................2-25
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal................2-26
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-27
Active Fuel Management™.............................2-28
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-28
Tow/Haul Mode............................................2-34
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-37
Parking Brake..............................................2-50
Shifting Into Park..........................................2-52
Shifting Out of Park......................................2-54
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-54
Engine Exhaust............................................2-55
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-56
Mirrors...........................................................2-57
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-57
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-57
Outside Manual Mirrors..................................2-58
Outside Towing Mirrors..................................2-58
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-59
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors.....................2-59
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

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 2-71for 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 2-65for more information.
If the vehicle has RVC, the
O(On/Off) button for
turning the automatic dimming feature on or off will
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.
2-57

Outside Manual Mirrors
Adjust the outside mirrors to see the side of the vehicle
and have a clear view of objects behind you.
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 de ectors and add-on convex
mirror attachments could decrease mirror performance.
Outside Towing Mirrors
If the vehicle has towing mirrors, they can be adjusted
for a clearer view of the objects behind you. Manually
pull out the mirror head to extend it for better visibility
when towing a trailer.
Manually fold the mirrors forward or rearward. The lower
portion of the mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s surface
is curved to see more from the driver seat. The convex
mirror can be adjusted manually to the driver preferred
position for better vision.
The mirror may have a turn signal arrow that ashes in
the direction of the turn or lane change.
2-58

Resetting the Power Foldaway Mirrors
Reset the power foldaway mirrors if:
The mirrors are accidentally obstructed while
folding.
They are accidentally manually folded/unfolded.
The mirrors will not stay in the unfolded position.
The mirrors vibrate at normal driving speeds.
To reset the power foldaway mirrors, fold and unfold
them one time using the mirror controls. This will reset
them to their normal position.
Automatic Dimming
The driver outside mirror adjusts for the glare of the
headlamps behind you. SeeAutomatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror on page 2-57for more information.
Turn Signal Indicator
The vehicle may also have a turn signal indicator on the
mirror. An arrow on the mirror ashes in the direction
of the turn or lane change.
Park Tilt Mirrors
If the vehicle has the memory package, the passenger
and/or driver mirror tilts to a preselected position when
the vehicle is in R (Reverse). This feature lets the driver
view the curb when parallel parking. The mirror(s) return
to the original position when the vehicle is shifted out of
R (Reverse), or the ignition is turned off or to OFF/LOCK.
Turn this feature on or off through the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle Customization (With
DIC Buttons) on page 3-76for more information.
2-60

Rear Vision Camera (RVC)
This vehicle may have a Rear Vision Camera system.
Read this entire section before using it.
{CAUTION:
The Rear Vision Camera (RVC) system does not
replace driver vision. RVC does not:
Detect objects that are outside the camera’s
eld of view, below the bumper, or underneath
the vehicle.
Detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists, or pets.
Do not back the vehicle by only looking at the rear
vision camera screen, or use the screen during
longer, higher speed backing maneuvers or where
there could be cross-traffic. Your judged distances
using the screen will differ from actual distances.
So if you do not use proper care before backing up,
you could hit a vehicle, child, pedestrian, bicyclist,
or pet, resulting in vehicle damage, injury, or death.
Even though the vehicle has the RVC system,
always check carefully before backing up by
checking behind and around the vehicle.
Vehicles Without Navigation System
The rear vision camera system is designed to help the
driver when backing up by displaying a view of the area
behind the vehicle. When the key is in the ON/RUN
position and the driver shifts the vehicle into R (Reverse),
the video image automatically appears on the inside rear
view mirror. Once the driver shifts out of R (Reverse), the
video image automatically disappears from the inside
rear view mirror.
Turning the Rear Vision Camera System
OfforOn
To turn off the rear vision camera system, press and
hold
z, located on the inside rearview mirror, until the
left indicator light turns off. The rear camera vision
display is now disabled.
To turn the rear vision camera system on again, press
and hold
zuntil the left indicator light illuminates.
The rear vision camera system display is now enabled
and the display will appear in the mirror normally.
2-65

When the System Does Not Seem To
Work Properly
The rear vision camera system might not work properly
or display a clear image if:
The RVC is turned off. See “Turning the Rear
Camera System On or Off” earlier in this section.
It is dark.
The sun or the beam of headlights is shining
directly into the camera lens.
Ice, snow, mud, or anything else builds up on the
camera lens. Clean the lens, rinse it with water,
and wipe it with a soft cloth.
The back of the vehicle is in an accident, the
position and mounting angle of the camera
can change or the camera can be affected.
Be sure to have the camera and its position and
mounting angle checked at your dealer/retailer.
There are extreme temperature changes.The rear vision camera system display in the rearview
mirror may turn off or not appear as expected due to
one of the following conditions. If this occurs the
left indicator light on the mirror will ash.
A slow ash may indicate a loss of video signal, or
no video signal present during the reverse cycle.
A fast ash may indicate that the display has been
on for the maximum allowable time during a reverse
cycle, or the display has reached an Over
Temperature limit.
The fast ash conditions are used to protect the
video device from high temperature conditions.
Once conditions return to normal the device will
reset and the green indicator will stop ashing.
During any of these fault conditions, the display will be
blank and the indicator will continue to ash as long
as the vehicle is in R (Reverse) or until the conditions
return to normal.
Pressing and holding
zwhen the left indicator light is
ashing will turn off the video display along with the
left indicator light.
2-70

Sunroof
On vehicle with a power sliding sunroof, the ignition
needs to be turned to RUN, or the Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) must be activated to open or close the
sunroof. When RAP is active, the sunroof will work
for 10 minutes after the ignition is turned off, or until
the driver’s door is opened. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 2-23for more information.
Extended Cab
If your vehicle is an
extended cab, the sunroof
switch is located on the
headliner above the
rearview mirror.
Vent:From the closed position, press and hold the rear
of the switch to vent the sunroof. To close the sunroof,
press and hold the front of the switch.Open:From the vent position, the sunroof can be fully
opened either manually or by using the express-open
feature. To open manually, press the rear of the switch
to the rst depression and hold until the sunroof
has reached the desired position. To open using
express-open, press the rear of the switch fully and
release. The sunroof will move to the full open position.
To stop the sunroof partway, press the switch a
second time.
Close:From the vent, or open position, press and hold
the front of the switch to close the sunroof.
The sunroof also has a roller sunshade that can be
used to block the rays of the sun. The roller sunshade
can be manually operated with the sunroof in an open
or closed position. To open the sunshade, press
and unlatch it, and roll it back. To close, pull it
forward and latch it into the closed position.
When the sunroof is opened, an air de ector will
automatically raise. The air de ector will retract when
the sunroof is closed.
2-85