2009 GMC SIERRA climate control

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

To replace the battery:
1. Separate the transmitter with a at, thin object
inserted into the notch on the side.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down.
Replace with a CR2032 or equivalent battery.
4. Snap the transmitter back together.
Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have a remote starting feature. This
feature allows you to start the engine from outside of the
vehicle. It may also start up the vehicle’s heating or air
conditioning systems and rear window defogger. Normal
operation of the system will return after the key is turned
to the ON/RUN position.
If your vehicle has an automatic climate control system,
the climate control system will default to a heating or
cooling mode depending on the outside temperatures.
If your vehicle does not have an automatic climate control
system, the system will turn on at the setting the vehicle
was set to when the vehicle was last turned off.
During a remote start, if your vehicle has an automatic
climate control system and heated seats, the heated
seats will turn on during colder outside temperatures
and will shut off when the key is turned to ON/RUN.
If your vehicle does not have an automatic climate control
system, during remote start, you will need to manually
turn the heated seats on and off. SeeHeated Seats on
page 1-8for additional information.
Laws in some communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, some laws may require
a person using the remote start to have the vehicle
in view when doing so. Check local regulations for
any requirements on remote starting of vehicles.
2-7

To control the fast idle:
To Enable the Fast idle, press and release the
Cruise Control On/Off button and ensure that
the LED is lit.
For the preset Fast Idle, press and release the
cruise set switch. This will set the preset fast
idle speed.
For the variable fast idle, press and hold the
accelerator at the desired RPM, then press
and release the cruise control cruise set switch
to set the desired idle speed.
When the fast idle is active the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display “FAST IDLE ON.”
One of the following actions will turn off the fast idle:
Pressing the brake.
Selecting the Cancel button.
Releasing the Parking Brake.
The transmission shifter is moved out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral).
Selecting the cruise control on/off button when it
was previously on.
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal
On vehicles with this feature, you can change the
position of the throttle and brake pedals.
No adjustment to the pedals can be made when the
vehicle is in R (Reverse) or while using the cruise control.
The switch used to adjust
the pedals is located on the
instrument panel below the
climate control system.
Press the arrow at the bottom of the switch to move the
pedals closer to your body. Press the arrow at the top of
the switch to move the pedals away from your body.
Before you start driving, fully press the brake pedal to
conrm the adjustment is right for you. While driving,
make only small adjustments.
2-26

Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on the right. Check the inside
mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Outside Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with heated mirrors:
<(Rear Window Defogger):Press to heat the
mirrors. Only the upper glass of the mirror is heated.
The lower convex part of the mirror is not heated.
Depending on the vehicle’s features, see “Rear Window
Defogger” under,Climate Control System (With Heater
Only) on page 3-24orClimate Control System (With Air
Conditioning) on page 3-25orDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-27for more information.
2-61

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..............................................3-13
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...............................................3-20Exit Lighting.................................................3-20
Reading 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................................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............................................3-41
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-42
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-33.
B.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-9.
C.Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53.
D.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
E.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-34.
F. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-28. Tow/Haul Selector Button
(If Equipped). SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34.
Range Selection Mode (Allison Transmission
and Hydra-Matic
®6-Speed Button (If Equipped).
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on
page 2-28.
G.Audio System(s) on page 3-85.
H.Instrument Panel Storage on page 2-81.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-51.
J.Exterior Lamps on page 3-16.
K.Hood Release on page 5-13.
L.Parking Brake on page 2-50.
M.Dome Lamp Override on page 3-20.Dome Lamps
on page 3-20.Fog Lamps on page 3-19
(If Equipped).
N.Cruise Control on page 3-13.
O.Tilt Wheel on page 3-8.P.Horn on page 3-8.
Q.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-141
(If Equipped).
R. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped).
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-37.
S. Ashtray (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-23.
T.StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6(If Equipped).
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-62
(If Equipped). Pedal Adjust Button (If Equipped).
SeeAdjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal on
page 2-26. Heated Windshield Washer Fluid Button
(If Equipped).Windshield Washer on page 3-12.
U.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-22.
V.Climate Control System (With Heater Only) on
page 3-24orClimate Control System (With Air
Conditioning) on page 3-25andDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-27.
W. Power Take Off (PTO) Control (If Equipped).
See Power Take Off (PTO) in the Duramax Diesel
Supplement Index.
X. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped).
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-81.
Y.Glove Box on page 2-81.
3-5

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-33.
B.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-9.
C.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-34.
D.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
E. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28.
F.Tow/Haul Mode on page 2-34(If Equipped).
G.Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53.
H.Audio System(s) on page 3-85.
I.Exterior Lamps on page 3-16.
J. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-51.
K.Dome Lamp Override on page 3-20.Dome Lamps
on page 3-20.
L. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped).
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-37.
M.Hood Release on page 5-13.
N.Parking Brake on page 2-50.
O.Cruise Control on page 3-13.P.Tilt Wheel on page 3-8.
Q.Horn on page 3-8.
R.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-141.
S.Climate Control System (With Heater Only)
on page 3-24orClimate Control System (With Air
Conditioning) on page 3-25orDual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 3-27(If Equipped).
T.Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-22.
Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s)
and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-23.
U.StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6(If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button (If Equipped). SeeAdjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal on page 2-26.Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-62
(If Equipped). Heated Windshield Washer Fluid
Button (If Equipped). SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-12.
V. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped).
SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-81.
W.Glove Box on page 2-81.
3-7

Reading Lamps
For vehicles with reading lamps, they are located on
the overhead console.
To turn on the reading lamps, press the button
located next to each lamp. To turn them off, press the
button again.
The vehicle may also have reading lamps in other
locations. To turn the lamps on or off, press the button
located next to the lamp.
If the vehicle has a DVD Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE)
system, press the lamp lenses to turn the lamps
on or off.
The lamps are xed and cannot be adjusted.
Cargo Lamp
The cargo lamps come on by turning the instrument
panel brightness control knob to the farthest clockwise
position. This knob is located on the instrument
panel and also turns on the dome lamps.
The cargo lamp can be used if more light is needed
in the cargo area of the vehicle or in the top-box
storage units.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM)
that estimates the battery’s temperature and state
of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best
performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage
is raised slightly to quickly bring the charge back
up. When the state of charge is high, the voltage is
lowered slightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle
has a voltmeter gage or a voltage display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), you may see the
voltage move up or down. This is normal. If there is a
problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power
that is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following are on, such as: headlamps, high beams,
fog lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
3-21