2009 GMC SIERRA wheel

4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking
brake and shift into P (Park).
5. If the vehicle is four-wheel-drive, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear and not in N (Neutral).
6. Release the brake pedal.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
If the engine has been left running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when
on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow.
Always put the shift lever fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake rmly set.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If the transfer case on four-wheel drive vehicles is
in N (Neutral), the vehicle will be free to roll, even
if the shift lever is in P (Park). Be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear — not in N (Neutral).
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-37.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
Start the engine
Shift into a gear
Release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
4-80

Camper/Fifth-Wheel Trailer Wiring Package
The seven-wire camper harness is located under the
front edge of the pickup box on the drivers side of
the vehicle, attached to the frame bracket. A connector
must be added to the wiring harness which connects
to the camper.
The harness contains the following camper/trailer
circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red: Battery Feed
Dark Blue: Trailer BrakeIf the vehicle is equipped with the “Heavy-Duty
Trailering” option, please refer to “Heavy-Duty Trailer
Wiring Package” earlier in this section.
When the camper-wiring harness is ordered without the
heavy-duty trailering package, an eight-wire harness
with a seven-pin connector is located at the rear of
the vehicle and is tied to the vehicle’s frame.
4-83

Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-5
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements.............................................5-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle.................................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-7
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-9
Filling the Tank............................................5-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-19Automatic Transmission Fluid (4-Speed
Transmission)...........................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission)...........................................5-24
Cooling System............................................5-28
Engine Coolant.............................................5-29
Engine Overheating.......................................5-34
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-37
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-37
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-38
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-39
Brakes........................................................5-40
Battery........................................................5-43
Jump Starting...............................................5-44
Rear Axle.......................................................5-49
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-51
Front Axle......................................................5-53
Noise Control System.....................................5-54
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-54
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-55
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Bulb Replacement..........................................5-58
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-58
Headlamps..................................................5-58
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp.......................................5-59
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps...........................................5-60
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-61
License Plate Lamp......................................5-63
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-63
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-64
Tires..............................................................5-65
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-66
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-70
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-73
High-Speed Operation...................................5-74
Dual Tire Operation.......................................5-75
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-76
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-77
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-81
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-83
Buying New Tires.........................................5-84
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-86Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-86
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-88
Wheel Replacement......................................5-89
Tire Chains..................................................5-90
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-91
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-92
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-93
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire..........................................5-98
Secondary Latch System..............................5-106
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...........5-109
Spare Tire.................................................5-113
Appearance Care
..........................................5-113
Interior Cleaning.........................................5-113
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-115
Leather......................................................5-115
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-116
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-116
Weatherstrips.............................................5-116
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-117
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-117
Finish Care................................................5-118
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-118
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim................................................5-119
Tires.........................................................5-120
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-120
Finish Damage...........................................5-120
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-120
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-120
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-121
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-121
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-121Electrical System..........................................5-122
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-122
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-122
Power Windows and Other
Power Options........................................5-122
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-122
Instrument Panel Fuse Block........................5-123
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block..............5-125
Underhood Fuse Block................................5-126
Capacities and Specications........................5-129
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-3

Brake Wear
This vehicle has front disc brakes and could have rear
drum brakes or rear disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound can come
and go or be heard all the time the vehicle is moving,
except when applying the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to an
accident. When the brake wear warning sound is
heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with the brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque specications in
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-129.
If the vehicle has rear drum brakes, they do not have
wear indicators, but if a rear brake rubbing noise is heard,
have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Rear brake drums should be removed and inspected
each time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
Drum brakes have an inspection hole to inspect lining
wear during scheduled maintenance. When the front
brake pads are replaced, have the rear brakes
inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service
might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every brake stop, the brakes adjust for wear.
5-42

Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. If you have a vehicle with a diesel engine with two
batteries, you should know before you begin that,
especially in cold weather, you may not be able
to get enough power from a single battery in another
vehicle to start your diesel engine. If your vehicle
has more than one battery, use the battery that
is closer to the starter -- this will reduce electrical
resistance. This is located on the passenger side, in
the rear of the engine compartment.
3. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause an unwanted
ground connection. You would not be able to start
your vehicle, and the bad grounding could damage
the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set the
parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved in the
jump start procedure. Put the automatic transmission
in P (Park) or a manual transmission in Neutral
before setting the parking brake. If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear, not in Neutral.Notice:If you leave the radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the radio and other
accessories when jump starting the vehicle.
4. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlets. Turn off
the radio and all the lamps that are not needed.
This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save the radio!
5. Open the hood on the other vehicle and locate the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on
that vehicle.
The positive (+) terminal, is located under a red
plastic cover at the positive battery post. To uncover
the positive (+) terminal, open the red plastic cover.
5-45

For all 6.0L and 6.2L 2500HD Series applications,
the proper level is from 0 to 0.5 inches
(0 mm to 13 mm) below the bottom of the ller
plug hole, located on the rear axle. Add only
enough uid to reach the proper level.
For all 6.6L DURAMAX DIESEL 2500HD Series
applications and all 3500 Series applications,
the proper level is from 0.6 inches to 0.8 inches
(17 mm to 21 mm) below the bottom of the ller plug
hole, located on the rear axle. Add only enough
uid to reach the proper level.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-15.
Four-Wheel Drive
Lubricant checks in this section also apply to these
vehicles.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check transfer case uid
unless you suspect there is a leak, or you hear an
unusual noise. A uid loss could indicate a problem.
Have it inspected and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
A. Fill Plug
B. Drain PlugElectric Shift Transfer Case
5-51