2009 GMC SIERRA brake light

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
0:Adjustable Pedals
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_:Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
v

Heated Seats
On vehicles with heated front seats, the controls are
located on the driver and passenger doors.
I(Heated Seatback):Press to turn on the heated
seatback.
J(Heated Seat and Seatback):Press to turn on the
heated seat and seatback.
The light on the button will come on to indicate that the
feature is working. Press the button to cycle through
the temperature settings of high, medium, and low and
to turn the heat to the seat off. Indicator lights will
show the level of heat selected: three for high, two for
medium, and one for low.
The heated seats will be canceled 10 seconds after the
ignition is turned off. To use the heated seat feature
after restarting the vehicle, press the heated seat
or seatback button again.
Memory Seat, Mirrors, and Pedals
Your vehicle may have the memory package.
The controls for this feature
are located on the driver’s
door panel, and are used to
program and recall memory
settings for the driver’s
seat, outside mirrors, and
the adjustable throttle and
brake pedal.
1-8

See “Range Selection Mode” later in this section.
P (Park):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when starting the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily. When parked on a hill,
especially when the vehicle has a heavy load, you might
notice an increase in the effort to shift out of P (Park).
See Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission) under
Shifting Into Park on page 2-52for more information.
{CAUTION:
It is 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.
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). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-52. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-51. Heavy Duty 6-Speed Automatic Transmission
Shown (Light Duty 6 Speed Similar)
2-29

Some delay between shifting and when the indicator
light comes on is normal.
Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2m4m4nN
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-45
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-45
Notice:Driving on clean, dry pavement in
four-wheel drive for an extended period of time can
cause premature wear on the vehicle’s powertrain.
Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in Four-Wheel
Drive for extended periods of time.
4
n(Four-Wheel-Drive Low):This setting also engages
the front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never
need Four-Wheel-Drive Low. It sends maximum power to
all four wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel-Drive Low
if you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep
snow, and while climbing or descending steep hills.If the vehicle has StabiliTrak
®, shifting into
Four-Wheel-Drive Low will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak
®off. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6.
A parking brake symbol
is located next to the
N (Neutral) symbol as a
reminder to set the parking
brake before shifting the
transfer case into
N (Neutral).
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause
the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park). You or someone else could be seriously
injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in Neutral. SeeParking
Brake on page 2-50.
2-38

Shifting from Two-Wheel-Drive High to
Four-Wheel-Drive High

Shifts between Two-Wheel-Drive High and
Four-Wheel-Drive High can be made at any
vehicle speed.
Shift the transfer case lever in one continuous
motion into either the Four-Wheel-Drive High
or Two-Wheel-Drive High position.
In extremely cold weather, it may be
necessary to slow or stop the vehicle to shift
into Four-Wheel-Drive High until the vehicle
has warmed up.
While in Four-Wheel-Drive High, the vehicle can be
driven at any posted legal speed limit.
Shifting In or Out of Four-Wheel-Drive Low
Notice:Shifting the transfer case into
Four-Wheel-Drive Low while moving at speeds
faster than 3 mph (5 km/h) may cause premature
wear to the transfer case, and may cause the gears
to grind. To avoid causing premature wear, and
grinding the gears, do not shift the transfer case
into Four-Wheel-Drive Low while the vehicle is
moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).Shifting into Four-Wheel-Drive Low should be done, if
possible, with the vehicle at a slight roll, 3 mph (5 km/h)
or less.
Shift the transmission into N (Neutral).
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause
the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park). You or someone else could be seriously
injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before
placing the transfer case in Neutral. SeeParking
Brake on page 2-50.
Shifting into Four-Wheel-Drive Low with the vehicle
at a stop may be more difficult. You may be unable
to complete the shift to Four-Wheel-Drive Low, and
the transfer case will end up in N (Neutral). This is
normal, and is a function of the gear teeth aligning in
the transfer case. When this happens, make sure the
engine is on, shift the transmission momentarily to
D (Drive) and back to N (Neutral), and then complete
the transfer case shift.
Shift the transfer case shift lever in one continuous
motion into the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position.
When Four-Wheel-Drive Low do not drive faster than
45 mph. This will reduce wear and extend the life of
your transfer case.
2-40

Shifting In or Out of Neutral
1. With the vehicle running and the engine at an idle
set the parking brake.
2. Place the transmission into N (Neutral).
Shift the transfer case in one continuous motion into or
out of the N (Neutral) position.
Electronic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is
located next to the
steering column.
Use the dial to shift into and out of four-wheel drive.
Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving ConditionsTransfer Case Settings
2m4m4nN
Normal YES
Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-45
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-45
You can choose among four driving settings:
Indicator lights in the dial show which setting you are in.
The indicator lights will come on briey when you turn on
the ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do not come
on, you should take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer
for service. An indicator light ashes while shifting the
transfer case and remains illuminated when the shift is
complete. If for some reason the transfer case cannot
make a requested shift, it will return to the last chosen
setting.
2-41

Shifting into Neutral
To shift the transfer case to N (Neutral) do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll.
2. Set the parking brake and press and hold the
regular brake pedal. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-50for more information.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel-Drive High.
6. Turn the transfer case dial clockwise to N (Neutral)
until it stops and hold it there until the Neutral light
starts blinking. This will take at least 10 seconds.
Then slowly release the dial to the four low position.
The N (Neutral) light will come on when the transfer
case shift to N (Neutral) is complete.
7. If the engine is running, verify that the transfer
case is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission
to R (Reverse) for one second, then shift the
transmission to D (Drive) for one second.
8. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY, which will
turn the engine off.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park).
10. Release the parking brake prior to moving the
vehicle.
11. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Shifting Out of Neutral
To shift the transfer case out of N (Neutral) do the
following:
1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular
brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off,
and shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
3. Turn the transfer case dial to Two-Wheel-Drive High.
After the transfer case has shifted out of N (Neutral),
the N (Neutral) light will go out.
4. Release the parking brake prior to moving the
vehicle.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
ashing could damage the transfer case. To help
avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the mode
indicator lights to stop ashing before shifting the
transmission into gear.
5. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the
desired position.
Excessively shifting the transfer case into or out of the
different modes may cause the transfer case to enter the
shift protection mode. This will protect the transfer case
from possible damage and will only allow the transfer
case to respond to one shift per 10 seconds. The transfer
case may stay in this mode for up to three minutes.
2-45

If the vehicle has StabiliTrak®, shifting into
Four-Wheel-Drive Low will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak
®off. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to N (Neutral) can
cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in P (Park). You or someone else could be
seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case in N (Neutral).
SeeParking Brake on page 2-50.
N (Neutral):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case
to N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-45orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-45for more information.If the SERVICE 4-Wheel Drive message stays on,
you should take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer
for service. See “Service 4-Wheel Drive message”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel-Drive High
or AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive)
Turn the knob to the Four-Wheel-Drive High or AUTO
position. This can be done at any speed, except when
shifting from Four-Wheel-Drive Low. The indicator light
will ash while shifting. It will remain on when the shift is
completed.
Shifting Into Two-Wheel-Drive High
Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel-Drive High position.
This can be done at any speed, except when shifting
from Four-Wheel-Drive Low. The indicator light will
ash while shifting. It will remain on when the shift
is completed.
2-47