2011 GMC SIERRA 1500 audio

Black plate (8,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
7-8 Infotainment System
Radio Messages
Calibration Error:The audio
system has been calibrated
for the vehicle from the factory.
If Calibration Error displays, it
means that the radio has not been
configured properly for the vehicle
and it must be returned to your
dealer for service.
Locked or Loc: One of these
messages will display when the
THEFTLOCK
®system has locked
up the radio. Take the vehicle to
your dealer for service.
If any error occurs repeatedly or
if an error cannot be corrected,
contact your dealer.
Radio
AM-FM Radio
Radio Data System (RDS)
For radios with the Radio Data
System (RDS) feature, it only works
with FM stations that broadcast
RDS information. This system relies
upon receiving specific information
from these stations and only works
when the information is available.
While the radio is tuned to an
FM-RDS station, the station
name or call letters will display.
In rare cases, a radio station could
broadcast incorrect information
that causes the radio features to
work improperly. If this happens,
contact the radio station.
4(Information) (RDS Features):
For vehicles with RDS features,
press
4to display additional text
information related to the current
FM-RDS station. If information is
available, the song title information
displays on the top line of the display and artist information
displays on the bottom line.
When information is not available,
“NO INFO”
displays.
Finding a Station
BAND:Press to switch between
AM, FM, or XM™, if equipped.
f(Tune): Turn to manually select
radio stations.
©SEEK: Press to seek the
previous radio station. Press
and hold for a few seconds until
a beep sounds to scan for radio
stations in descending order; press
the
©SEEK button again to stop
scanning radio stations. The radio
only seeks and scans stations
with a strong signal that are in
the selected band.
For the AM-FM Radio, press and
hold the
©SEEK for four seconds
until a double beep sounds to scan
the preset stations. The station
frequency flashes while the radio
is in the scan mode.

Black plate (12,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
7-12 Infotainment System
Storing XM Channels
Drivers are encouraged to store
XM channels while the vehicle is
parked; seeDefensive Driving on
page 9‑2. Tune to stored radio
stations using the presets, favorites
button, and steering wheel controls,
if the vehicle has this feature.
Up to 36 stations can be
programmed as favorites using
the six softkeys below the radio
station frequency tabs and by
using the FAV button. Press the
FAV button to go through up to six
pages of favorites, each having six
favorite stations available per page.
Each page of favorites can contain
any combination of AM, FM, or XM,
if equipped, stations.
Storing an XM Channel as a
Favorite
To store a station as a favorite:
1. Tune to an XM channel.
2. Press the FAV button to display the page where the station will
be stored. 3. Press and hold one of the six
softkeys until a beep sounds.
4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to store additional radio stations.
The number of favorites pages can
be set up using the MENU button.
To set up the number of favorites
pages:
1. Press the MENU button.
2. Press the softkey located below the FAV 1-6 tab.
3. Select the number of favorites pages by pressing the softkey
located below the displayed
page numbers.
4. Press the FAV button, or let the menu time out, to return to
the original main radio screen
showing the radio station
frequency tabs and to begin
the process of programming
favorites.
XM Radio Messages
XL (Explicit Language
Channels): These channels,
or any others, can be blocked at
a customer's request, by calling
1-800-929-2100 in the U.S. and
1-877-438-9677 in Canada.
XM Updating: The encryption
code in the receiver is being
updated, and no action is required.
This process should take no longer
than 30 seconds.
No XM Signal: The system is
functioning correctly, but the vehicle
is in a location that is blocking the
XM signal. When the vehicle is
moved into an open area, the
signal should return.
Loading XM: The audio system is
acquiring and processing audio and
text data. No action is needed. This
message should disappear shortly.
Channel Off Air: This channel is
not currently in service. Tune in to
another channel.

Black plate (15,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-15
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna can
withstand most car washes without
being damaged as long as it is
securely attached to the base.
If the mast becomes slightly bent,
straighten it out by hand. If the
mast is badly bent, replace it.
Occasionally check to make sure
the antenna is tightened to its base.
If tightening is required, tighten
by hand until fully seated plus
one quarter turn.
Satellite Radio Antenna
The XM Satellite Radio antenna
is located on the roof of the
vehicle. Keep the antenna clear
of obstructions for clear radio
reception.
If the vehicle has a sunroof, the
performance of the XM system
(if equipped) may be affected
if the sunroof is open.
Audio Players
CD Player
Care of the CD Player
Do not add any label to a CD.
It could get caught in the CD.
If a CD is recorded on a personal
computer and a description label is
needed, try labeling the top of the
recorded CD with a marking pen.
The use of CD lens cleaners
is not advised, due to the risk of
contaminating the lens of the CD
optics with lubricants internal to
the CD player mechanism.Notice:
If a label is added to
a CD, or more than one CD is
inserted into the slot at a time,
or an attempt is made to play
scratched or damaged CDs, the
CD player could be damaged.
While using the CD player, use
only CDs in good condition
without any label, load one CD at
a time, and keep the CD player
and the loading slot free of
foreign materials, liquids, and
debris.
If an error displays, see “CD Player
Messages” later in this section.

Black plate (17,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-17
Ejecting a CD
(Six-Disc CD Player)
ZEJECT :Press and release
to eject the disc that is currently
playing. Remove the CD when
Remove Disc displays. If the disc is
not removed, after several seconds
the disc is automatically pulled back
into the player.
To eject all CDs, press and hold the
ZEJECT button for two seconds.
Playing a CD
If the ignition or radio is turned off
with a CD in the player, it stays in
the player. When the ignition or
radio is turned on, the CD starts
playing where it stopped, if it was
the last selected audio source.
The CD is controlled by the buttons
on the radio faceplate or by the RSA
unit. See Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
System on page 7‑48 for more
information. When a CD is inserted, the CD
symbol displays on the left side
of the radio display. As each new
track starts to play, the track number
displays.
The CD player can play the smaller
8 cm (3 in) single CDs with an
adapter ring. Full-size CDs and the
smaller CDs are loaded in the same
manner.
CD/AUX (CD/Auxiliary):
Press to
cycle between CD or Auxiliary when
listening to the radio. The CD icon
and a message showing the disc
and/or track number will display
when a CD is in the player. Press
again and the system automatically
searches for an auxiliary input
device; see Auxiliary Devices on
page 7‑34 for more information.
If a portable audio player is not
connected, “No Input Device Found”
displays.
4(Information): Press to display
additional text information related
to the current song. If information is
available, the song title information
displays on the top line of the
display and artist information
displays on the bottom line.
When information is not available,
“NO INFO” displays.
f(Tune):Turn to select tracks on
the CD that is currently playing.
©SEEK: Press to go to the start
of the current track if more than
10 seconds on the CD have played.
Press to go to the previous track if
less than 10 seconds on the CD
have played.
Press and hold, or press multiple
times, to continue moving backward
through the tracks on the CD.
¨SEEK: Press to go to the next
track.
Press and hold, or press multiple
times, to continue moving forward
through the tracks on the CD.

Black plate (18,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
7-18 Infotainment System
sREV (Fast Reverse):Press
and hold to reverse playback quickly
within a track.
\FWD (Fast Forward): Press
and hold to advance playback
quickly within a track.
RPT (Repeat): For the AM-FM
Radio with CD, press and release
the RPT button to repeat the current
track. Press RPT again to turn off
repeat play.
RDM (Random): Press to listen
to tracks in random, rather than
sequential order. To use random,
do one of the following:
For the AM-FM Radio with CD:
1. Press the RDM button until the random icon displays.
2. Press the RDM button again until the random icon disappears
from the display. For the Radio with CD (MP3) and
Radio with USB and CD (MP3):
1. Press the softkey positioned
under the RDM tab until Random
Current Disc displays.
2. Press the softkey again to turn off random play.
For the Radio with USB and
Six-Disc CD (MP3):
1. Press the softkey positioned under the RDM tab until
Randomize All Discs displays
to play tracks from all CDs
loaded in random order.
2. Press the softkey positioned under the RDM tab until Random
Current Disc displays to play
tracks from a single CD in
random order.
3. Press the same softkey again to turn off random play.
MP3‐Supported Files
The Radio with CD (MP3), Radio
with USB and CD (MP3), and Radio
with USB and Six-Disc CD (MP3)
have the capability of playing an
MP3 CD-R or CD-RW disc.
Format
Radios that have the capability of
playing MP3s can play .mp3 or .wma
files that were recorded onto a
CD-R or CD-RW disc. The files can
be recorded with the following fixed
bit rates: 32 kbps, 40 kbps, 56 kbps,
64 kbps, 80 kbps, 96 kbps, 112 kbps,
128 kbps, 160 kbps, 192 kbps,
224 kbps, 256 kbps, and 320 kbps
or a variable bit rate.
Compressed Audio or Mixed Mode
Discs
The radio can play discs that
contain both uncompressed CD
audio and MP3 files. If both formats
are on the disc, the radio reads
all MP3 files first, then the
uncompressed CD audio files.

Black plate (19,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-19
CD‐R‐or CD‐RW‐Supported File
and Folder Structure
The radio supports:
.Up to 50 folders.
.Up to 8 folders in depth.
.Up to 50 playlists.
.Up to 255 files.
.Playlists with an .m3u
or .wpl extension.
.Files with an .mp3, .wma,
or .cda file extension.
Root Directory
The root directory is treated as a
folder. Files are stored in the root
directory when the disc or storage
device does not contain folders.
Files accessed from the root
directory of a CD display as
F1 ROOT.
Empty Folder
Folders that do not contain files are
skipped, and the player advances to
the next folder that contains files. Order of Play
Compressed audio files are
accessed in the following order:
.Playlists (Px).
.Files stored in the root directory.
.Files stored in folders in the root
directory.
Tracks are played in the following
order:
.Play begins from the first track
in the first playlist and continues
sequentially through all tracks
in each playlist. When the last
track of the last playlist has
played, play continues from the
first track of the first playlist.
.Play begins from the first track
in the first folder and continues
sequentially through all tracks in
each folder. When the last track
of the last folder has played,
play continues from the first
track of the first folder. File System and Naming
The song name that displays is the
song name that is contained in the
ID3 tag. If the song name is not
present in the ID3 tag, then the
radio displays the file name without
the extension (such as .mp3) as
the track name.
Track names longer than
32 characters or 4 pages are
shortened. The display does not
show parts of words on the last
page of text and the extension of
the file name is not displayed.
Preprogrammed Playlists
CDs that have preprogrammed
playlists reated using WinAmp™,
MusicMatch™, or Real Jukebox™
software can be accessed; however,
there is no playlist‐editing capability
using the radio. These playlists are
treated as special folders containing
compressed audio song files.

Black plate (23,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-23
Notice:If a label is added to
a CD, or more than one CD is
inserted into the slot at a time,
or an attempt is made to play
scratched or damaged CDs, the
CD player could be damaged.
While using the CD player, use
only CDs in good condition
without any label, load one CD at
a time, and keep the CD player
and the loading slot free of
foreign materials, liquids, and
debris.
If an error displays, see “CD
Messages” later in this section.Care of CDs and DVDs
If playing a CD-R or CD-RW, the
sound quality can be reduced due to
CD-R or CD-RW quality, the method
of recording, the quality of the music
that has been recorded, and the
way the CD-R or CD-RW has been
handled. Handle them carefully.
Store CD-Rs or CD-RWs in their
original cases or other protective
cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. The CD or DVD player
scans the bottom surface of the
disc. If the surface of a disc is
damaged, such as cracked, broken,
or scratched, the disc does not play
properly or not at all. Do not touch
the bottom side of a disc while
handling it; this could damage the
surface. Pick up discs by grasping
the outer edges or the edge of the
hole and the outer edge. If the surface of a disc is soiled,
clean it with a soft, lint‐free cloth or
dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild,
neutral detergent solution mixed
with water. Make sure the wiping
process starts from the center to
the edge.
Audio Output
Only one audio source can be heard
through the speakers at one time.
An audio source is defined as DVD
slot, CD slot, XM, FM‐AM, front
auxiliary jack, USB port, or rear
auxiliary jack.
Press the
Obutton to turn the radio
on. The radio can be heard through
all of the vehicle speakers.

Black plate (24,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
7-24 Infotainment System
Front seat passengers can listen
to the radio (AM, FM, or XM if
equipped) by pressing the BAND
button or the DVD/CD AUX button
to select CD slot, DVD slot, front
auxiliary input, USB port, or rear
auxiliary input (if available).
If a playback device is plugged
into the radio’s front auxiliary input
jack, USB port, or the rear auxiliary
jack, the front seat passengers
are able to listen to playback
from this source through the
vehicle speakers. See“Using the
Auxiliary Input Jack” inAuxiliary
Devices on page 7‑34, or “Audio/
Video (A/V) Jacks” underRear
Seat Entertainment (RSE) System
on page 7‑39 for more information.
In some vehicles, depending on
audio options, the rear speakers
can be muted when the RSA power
is turned on. See Rear Seat Audio
(RSA) System on page 7‑48 for
more information.Inserting a Disc
Insert a disc partway into either slot,
label side up. The player pulls it in
and the disc should begin playing.
(Loading a disc into the system,
depending on media type and
format, ranges from 5 to 20 seconds
for a CD, and up to 30 seconds for
a DVD to begin playing.)
Ejecting a Disc
ZCD (Eject): Press and
release to eject the disc that is
currently playing. The CD ejects
from the bottom slot. A beep
sounds and Ejecting Disc displays.
Once the disc is ejected, Remove
Disc displays. The disc can be
removed. If the disc is not removed,
after several seconds the disc
automatically pulls back into
the player.
ZDVD (Eject): Press and
release to eject the disc that is
currently playing in the top slot.
A beep sounds and Ejecting Disc
displays. If loading and reading of a disc
cannot be completed, due to
unknown format, etc., and the disc
fails to eject, press and hold for
more than five seconds to force
the disc to eject.
Playing a CD (in Either the
DVD or CD Slot)
If the ignition or radio is turned off
with a CD in the player, it stays in
the player. When the ignition or
radio is turned on, the CD starts
playing where it stopped, if it was
the last selected audio source.
The CD is controlled by the buttons
on the radio faceplate or by the RSA
unit. See
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
System on page 7‑48 for more
information. The DVD/CD decks
(the upper slot is the DVD deck
and the lower slot is the CD deck)
of the radio are compatible with
most audio CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs,
and MP3s.