2010 GMC SIERRA tow

Transmission Temperature
Press the trip odometer reset stem until TRANS TEMP
displays. This display shows the temperature of the
automatic transmission fluid in either degrees
Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees Celsius (°C).
Trailer Gain and Output
On vehicles with the Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, the trailer brake display
appears in the DIC. Press the trip odometer reset
stem until TRAILER GAIN and OUTPUT display.
TRAILER GAIN shows the trailer gain setting. This
setting can be adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0 with either a
trailer connected or disconnected. To adjust this setting,
see“Integrated Trailer Brake Control System” under
Towing a Trailer
on page 5‑50for more information.
OUTPUT shows the power output to the trailer anytime
a trailer with electric brakes is connected. Output is
displayed in 0 to 10 bars. Dashes may appear in the
OUTPUT display. See “Integrated Trailer Brake Control
System” underTowing a Trailer
on page 5‑50for
more information.
Compass Zone Setting
This display allows for setting the compass zone.
See DIC Compasson page 4‑62for more information.
Compass Recalibration
This display allows for calibrating the compass.
SeeDIC Compasson page 4‑62for more information.
Oil Life
To access this display, the vehicle must be in P (Park).
Press the trip odometer reset stem until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays. This display shows an estimate
of the oil's remaining useful life. If you see 99% OIL
LIFE REMAINING on the display, that means 99% of
the current oil life remains. The engine oil life system
will alert you to change the oil on a schedule consistent
with your driving conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will appear on the
display. See “CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON” underDIC
Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑65. You should
change the oil as soon as you can. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑18. In addition to the engine oil life system
monitoring the oil life, additional maintenance is
recommended in the Maintenance Schedule in this
manual. See Scheduled Maintenance
on page 7‑3for more information.
4-60

CHECK TRAILER WIRING
On vehicles with the Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, this message may display and a chime
may sound when one of the following conditions exists:
.A trailer with electric brakes becomes
disconnected from the vehicle.
‐If the disconnect occurs while the vehicle is
stopped, this message clears itself after a
short time.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while the vehicle is
moving, this message stays on until the ignition
is turned off.
.There is a short in the wiring to the electric trailer
brakes.
When this message displays, power is no longer
available to the trailer brakes.
As soon as it is safe to do so, carefully pull your vehicle
over to the side of the road and turn the ignition off.
Check the wiring connection to the trailer and turn the
ignition back on. This message clears if the trailer is
reconnected. This message also clears if you
acknowledge it. If this message still displays, either
your vehicle or the trailer needs service. See your
dealer/retailer.
See “Integrated Trailer Brake Control System” under
Towing a Trailer
on page 5‑50for more information.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime may sound if the
driver door is not fully closed and the vehicle is shifted
out of P (Park). Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and close the door again.
Check to see if the message still appears on the DIC.
ENGINE HOT A/C (Air Conditioning)
TURNED OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
See Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 4‑41.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor automatically turns off.
When the coolant temperature returns to normal,
the air conditioning compressor turns back on. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the system
repaired by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible to
avoid damage to the engine.
ENGINE OIL HOT IDLE ENGINE
This message displays when the engine oil becomes
hotter than the normal operating temperature. Stop and
allow the vehicle to idle until it cools down. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 4‑41.
4-66

SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem with
the theft-deterrent system. The vehicle may or may not
restart so you may want to take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer before turning off the engine. See
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer Operationon
page 3‑19for more information.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS), this message displays if a part on the system
is not working properly. The tire pressure light also
flashes and then remains on during the same ignition
cycle. See Tire Pressure Light
on page 4‑42. Several
conditions may cause this message to appear. See Tire
Pressure Monitor Operation
on page 6‑76for more
information. If the warning comes on and stays on,
there may be a problem with the TPMS.
See your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak, this message displays
when there is a problem with the Traction Control
System (TCS). When this message displays, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly. See your dealer/retailer for service.
See StabiliTrak
®Systemon page 5‑6for more
information.
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
On vehicles with the Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, this message displays and a chime may
sound when there is a problem with the ITBC system.
When this message displays, power is no longer
available to the trailer brakes.
As soon as it is safe to do so, carefully pull your vehicle
over to the side of the road and turn the ignition off.
Check the wiring connection to the trailer and turn the
ignition back on. If this message still displays, either
your vehicle or the trailer needs service.
See your dealer/retailer.
See “Integrated Trailer Brake Control System” under
Towing a Trailer
on page 5‑50for more information.
4-71

TRAILER CONNECTED
On vehicles with the Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, this message displays
briefly when a trailer with electric brakes is
first connected to the vehicle.
This message clears itself after several seconds. This
message also clears if you acknowledge it. After this
message clears, the TRAILER GAIN/OUTPUT display
appears in the DIC.
See“TRAILER GAIN/OUTPUT” underDIC Operation
and Displays (With DIC Buttons)
on page 4‑51or DIC
Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons)on
page 4‑58and “Integrated Trailer Brake Control
System” underTowing a Traileron page 5‑50for
more information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
Notice: If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission fluid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you can
damage the transmission. This could lead to costly
repairs that would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not drive your vehicle with overheated
transmission fluid or while the transmission
temperature warning is displayed. This message displays and a chime may sound if the
transmission fluid in the vehicle gets hot. Driving with
the transmission fluid temperature high can cause
damage to the vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it idle to
allow the transmission to cool. This message clears and
the chime stops when the fluid temperature reaches a
safe level.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime may sound if a turn
signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km). Move the turn
signal/multifunction lever to the off position.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID
This message displays when the windshield washer
fluid is low. Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir as
soon as possible. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 6‑16for the location of the windshield washer
fluid reservoir. Also, see Windshield Washer Fluidon
page 6‑38for more information.
4-74

Tips and Troubleshooting Chart (cont'd)
ProblemRecommended Action
The auxiliary source is
running but there is no
picture or sound. Check that the RSE video
screen is in the auxiliary
source mode.
Check the auxiliary input
connections at both
devices.
Sometimes the wireless
headphone audio cuts out
or buzzes. Check for obstructions, low
batteries, reception range,
and interference from
cellular telephone towers
or by using a cellular
telephone in the vehicle.
Check that the headphones
are on correctly using the
L (left) and R (right) on
the headphones.
I lost the remote and/or the
headphones. See your dealer/retailer for
assistance.
The DVD is playing, but
there is no picture or
sound. Check that the RSE video
screen is sourced to the
DVD player.
DVD Display Error Messages
The DVD display error message depends on the radio
that is in the vehicle. The video screen can display one
of the following:
Disc Load/Eject Error :
This message displays when
there are disc load or eject problems.
Disc Format Error : This message displays, if the disc
is inserted with the disc label wrong side up, or if the
disc is damaged.
Disc Region Error : This message displays, if the disc
is not from a correct region.
No Disc Inserted : This message displays, if no disc
is present when EJECT or DVD AUX is pressed on
the radio.
DVD Distortion
Video distortion can occur when operating cellular
phones, scanners, CB radios, Global Position
Systems (GPS)*, two-way radios, mobile fax, or
walkie talkies.
It might be necessary to turn off the DVD player when
operating one of these devices in or near the vehicle.
*Excludes the OnStar
®System.
4-142

Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle. . . . . . . . . .5-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Braking in Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
StabiliTrak
®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Driving at Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Before Leaving on a Long Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24 Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Recovery Hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment . . . . 5-36
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Towing Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Trailer Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-77
5-1

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 5‑28.
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help
to free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle's traction
system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{WARNING:
If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat, causing an engine
compartment fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
55 km/h (35 mph) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,
see Tire Chains on page 6‑89.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the
area around the front wheels. For four-wheel-drive
vehicles, shift into Four‐Wheel High. For vehicles with
StabiliTrak
®, turn the traction control part of the system
off. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes
a rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does
not get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need
to be towed out. Recovery hooks can be used, if the
vehicle has them. If the vehicle does need to be towed
out, see Towing Your Vehicle on page 5‑43.
5-28

Recovery Hooks
{WARNING:
These hooks, when used, are under a lot of force.
Always pull the vehicle straight out. Never pull on
the hooks at a sideways angle. The hooks could
break off and you or others could be injured from
the chain or cable snapping back.
Notice:Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged and it
would not be covered by warranty.
For vehicles with recovery hooks at the front of the
vehicle, you can use them if you are stuck off-road and
need to be pulled to some place where you can
continue driving.
5-29