2009 GMC SIERRA climate control

EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands
of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to
the driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or
LOW BATTERY. If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce the electrical loads
as much as possible. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-66.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome and reading lamps,
if they are left on for more than 10 minutes after
the ignition is turned off. The cargo lamp shuts off
after 20 minutes. This prevents the battery from
running down.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
auxiliary electrical equipment, such as a cellular
telephone.
The vehicle may have two accessory power outlets
located below the climate control system, or may have
one accessory power outlet and one cigarette lighter.
The cigarette lighter is designed to t only in the
receptacle closest to the driver.
There may be another accessory power outlet in the
rear cargo area. If the vehicle has a oor console, there
is an accessory power outlet inside the storage bin
and one on the rear of the oor console.
To use an accessory power outlet, remove the protective
cap. When not in use, always cover the accessory
power outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment plugged in for
an extended period of time while the vehicle is off
will drain the battery. Power is always supplied
to the outlets. Always unplug electrical equipment
when not in use and do not plug in equipment
that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere rating.
3-22

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
(With Heater Only)
With this system the heating and ventilation can be
controlled.
A. Fan Control
B. Temperature Control
C. Air Delivery Mode Control
Temperature Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
9(Fan Control):Turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the fan speed. Turn the knob
all the way counterclockwise to turn the front system off.
Air Delivery Mode Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle. The knob can be
positioned between two modes to select a combination
of those modes.
Select from the following:
H(Vent):Air is directed to the instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is divided between the instrument
panel and oor outlets.
6(Floor):Air is directed to the oor outlets, with
some air directed to the windshield, side window, and
second row oor outlets. In this mode, the system
automatically selects outside air.
-(Defog):This mode clears the windows of fog or
moisture. Air is directed to the windshield, oor outlets,
and side window vents.
0(Defrost):This mode removes fog or frost from the
windshield more quickly. Air is directed to the windshield
and the side window vents, with some air directed to the
oor vents. The system automatically forces outside air
into the vehicle.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
3-24

Climate Control System
(With Air Conditioning)
With this system the heating, cooling, and ventilation
can be controlled.
A. Fan Control
B. Temperature
Control
C. Air Delivery
Mode ControlD. Air Conditioning
E. Outside Air
F. Recirculation
G. Rear Window
Defogger
Temperature Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
9(Fan Control):Turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the fan speed. Turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise to turn the front
system off.
Air Delivery Mode Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to change the direction of the airow
inside the vehicle. The knob can be positioned between
two modes to select a combination of those modes.
Select from the following:
H(Vent):Air is directed to the instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is divided between the instrument
panel and oor outlets.
6(Floor):Air is directed to the oor outlets, with some
air directed to the windshield and side window outlets.
In this mode, the system automatically selects outside air.
Recirculation cannot be selected in oor mode.
-(Defog):This mode clears the windows of fog or
moisture. Air is directed to the windshield, oor outlets,
and side window vents.
0(Defrost):This mode removes fog or frost from
the windshield more quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and the side window vents, with some air
directed to the oor vents. The system automatically
forces outside air into the vehicle.
3-25

Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be
controlled with this system. The vehicle also has a
ow-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
A. Driver and Passenger
Temperature Controls
B. Fan Control
C. AUTO
D. Defrost
E. Recirculation
F. Outside AirG. Air Delivery Mode
Control
H. Display
I. Power Button
J. Rear Window
Defogger
K. Air Conditioning
L. PASS (Passenger)
O(On/Off):Press to turn the climate control system
on or off. Outside air still enters the vehicle, and is
directed to the oor. This direction can be changed
by pressing the mode button. Recirculation can
be selected once you have selected vent or bi-level
mode. The temperature can also be adjusted using
either temperature button. If the air delivery mode or
temperature settings are adjusted with the system
off, the display illuminates briey to show the settings
and then returns to off. The system can be turned back
on by pressing either
O,D,C,#, the defrost or
the AUTO button.
3-27

Sensors
The solar sensor, located
in the defrost grille, in the
middle of the instrument
panel, monitors the solar
heat. Do not cover the solar
sensor or the system will
not work properly.
The interior temperature
sensor, located in the
headliner, measures the
temperature of the air
inside the vehicle.There is also an exterior temperature sensor located
behind the front grille. This sensor reads the outside
air temperature and helps maintain the temperature
inside the vehicle. Any cover on the front of the
vehicle could cause a false reading in the displayed
temperature.
The climate control system uses the information from
these sensors to maintain your comfort setting by
adjusting the outlet temperature, fan speed, and the
air delivery mode. The system may also supply
cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the sun.
The recirculation mode will also be used as needed
to maintain cool outlet temperatures.
3-32

4. Press the trip/fuel button until the vehicle heading,
for example, N for North, is displayed in the DIC.
Or, if the vehicle does not have DIC buttons,
press and hold the trip odometer reset stem for
two seconds to select the next available variance
zone. Repeat this step until the appropriate variance
zone is displayed.
5. If calibration is necessary, calibrate the compass.
See “Compass Calibration Procedure” following.
Compass Calibration
The compass can be manually calibrated. Only calibrate
the compass in a magnetically clean and safe location,
such as an open parking lot, where driving the vehicle in
circles is not a danger. It is suggested to calibrate away
from tall buildings, utility wires, manhole covers, or
other industrial structures, if possible.
If CAL should ever appear in the DIC display, the
compass should be calibrated.
If the DIC display does not show a heading, for example,
N for North, or the heading does not change after
making turns, there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may be
caused by a magnetic CB or cell phone antenna mount,
a magnetic emergency light, magnetic note pad
holder, or any other magnetic item. Turn off the vehicle,
move the magnetic item, then turn on the vehicle
and calibrate the compass.To calibrate the compass, use the following procedure:
Compass Calibration Procedure
1. Before calibrating the compass, make sure the
compass zone is set to the variance zone in
which the vehicle is located. See “Compass
Variance (Zone) Procedure” earlier in this section.
Do not operate any switches such as window,
sunroof, climate controls, seats, etc. during
the calibration procedure.
2. Press the vehicle information button until PRESS
V
TO CALIBRATE COMPAS (Compass) displays.
Or, if the vehicle does not have DIC buttons, press
the trip odometer reset stem until CALIBRATE
COMPASS displays.
3. Press the set/reset button to start the compass
calibration. Or, if the vehicle does not have DIC
buttons, press and hold the trip odometer reset stem
for two seconds to start the compass calibration.
4. The DIC will display CALIBRATING: DRIVE IN
CIRCLES. Drive the vehicle in tight circles at
less than 5 mph (8 km/h) to complete the calibration.
The DIC will display CALIBRATION COMPLETE
for a few seconds when the calibration is
complete. The DIC display will then return to
the previous menu.
3-65

If the system fails to turn on or activate, the StabiliTrak
light along with one of the following messages will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC):
TRACTION CONTROL OFF, SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL, STABILITRAK OFF, SERVICE
STABILITRAK. If these DIC messages appear, make
sure the StabiliTrak system has not been turned off
using the StabiliTrak on/off button. Then turn the steering
wheel clockwise from the nine o’clock position to the
three o’clock position. If this clears the message(s), the
vehicle does not need servicing. If this does not clear the
message(s), then turn the vehicle off, wait 15 seconds,
and then turn it back on again to reset the system. If any
of these messages still appear on the DIC, the vehicle
should be taken in for service. For more information on
the DIC messages, seeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-53.
The StabiliTrak light will
ash on the instrument
panel cluster when the
system is both on and
activated.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working; this
is normal.The traction control disable
button is located on the
instrument panel below
the climate controls.
The traction control part of StabiliTrak can be turned off
by pressing and releasing the StabiliTrak button if both
systems (traction control and StabiliTrak) were previously
on. To disable both TCS and StabiliTrak, press and hold
the button for ve seconds.
TCS and StabiliTrak can be turned on by pressing and
releasing the StabiliTrak button if not automatically
shut off for any other reason.
When TCS or StabiliTrak is turned off, the StabiliTrak
light and the appropriate message will be displayed
on the DIC to warn the driver. The vehicle will still have
brake-traction control when traction control is off, but
will not be able to use the engine speed management
system. See “Traction Control Operation” next for
more information.
When the traction control system has been turned off,
system noises may still be heard as a result of the
brake-traction control coming on.
4-7

{CAUTION:
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
Clear away snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
Open a window about two inches (5 cm) on
the side of the vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that circulates the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest setting.
See Climate Control System in the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 2-55.
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods only as needed to
keep warm, but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as
needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of the way to save heat.
Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then
when you run the engine, push the accelerator pedal
slightly so the engine runs faster than the idle speed.
This keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicle and
to signal for help with the headlamps. Do this as little as
possible to save fuel.
4-29