2011 GMC SIERRA engine

Black plate (35,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-35
On all vehicles, the Engine Oil Life
System can be reset as follows:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN withthe engine off.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within
five seconds.
3. Display OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the display shows
100%, the system is reset.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑11.
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge
and a yellow fuel cap can use either
unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on
page 9‑87. For all other vehicles,
use only the unleaded gasoline
described under Recommended
Fuel on page 9‑84.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving
tips to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate,
use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.

Black plate (3,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-3
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑19 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range:
.Check the distance.
The transmitter may be
too far from the vehicle.
.Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
.Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
.If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter functions work up to
60 m (195 ft) away from the vehicle.
There are other conditions which
can affect the performance of the
transmitter. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2‑3.
With Remote Start
(without Remote Start Similar)
/(Remote Vehicle Start):
For vehicles with this feature,
press
/to start the engine from
outside the vehicle using the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Vehicle
Start on page 2‑5 for additional
information.
Q(Lock): Press to lock all the
doors.
If enabled through the Driver
Information Center (DIC),
the turn signal lamps flash once
to indicate locking has occurred.
If enabled through the DIC, the
horn chirps when
Qis pressed
again within three seconds.
See Vehicle Personalization
(with DIC Buttons) on page 5‑52
for additional information.
Pressing
Qarms the content
theft‐deterrent system.
See Anti-Theft Alarm
System on page 2‑12.

Black plate (5,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-5
To replace the battery:
1. Separate the transmitter with aflat, thin object, such as a flat
head screwdriver.
.Carefully insert the tool into
the notch located along
the parting line of the
transmitter. Do not insert
the tool too far. Stop as
soon as resistance is felt.
.Twist the tool until the
transmitter is separated.
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
If available, 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 the 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 the
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 the 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 the vehicle does
not have an automatic climate
control system, during remote start,
manually turn the heated seats on
and off. See
Heated Front Seats on
page 3‑8 for 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.

Black plate (6,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
2-6 Keys, Doors and Windows
Do not use the remote start
feature if the vehicle is low on fuel.
The vehicle may run out of fuel.
If the vehicle has the remote
start feature, the RKE transmitter
functions will have an increased
range of operation. However,
the range may be less while
the vehicle is running.
There are other conditions which
can affect the performance of the
transmitter. SeeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2‑3
for additional information.
/(Remote Start): This button will
be on the RKE transmitter if the
vehicle has remote start. To start the vehicle using the remote
start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the
vehicle.
2. Press and release
Q.
The vehicle's doors will
lock. Immediately press and
hold
/until the turn signal
lamps flash. If you cannot see
the vehicle's lamps, press and
hold
/for two to four seconds.
Pressing
/again after the
vehicle has started will turn
the engine off.
When the vehicle starts, the
parking lamps will turn on and
remain on while the vehicle is
running.
If the vehicle is left running,
it will automatically shut off
after 10 minutes unless a time
extension has been done. 3. If it is the first remote start since
the vehicle has been driven,
repeat these steps, while the
engine is still running, to extend
the engine running time by
10 minutes. Remote start can
be extended one time.
After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, insert and turn the key
to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
To cancel a remote start:.Aim the RKE transmitter at
the vehicle and press and
hold
/until the parking
lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Turn the ignition on and then
back off.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-7
The vehicle can be remote started
two separate times between driving
sequences. The engine will run for
10 minutes after each remote start.
Or, you can extend the engine run
time by another 10 minutes within
the first 10 minute remote start time
frame, and before the engine stops.
For example, if
Qand then/are
pressed again after the vehicle
has been running for 5 minutes,
10 minutes are added, allowing
the engine to run for 15 minutes.
The additional 10 minutes are
considered a second remote vehicle
start. Once two remote starts, or a single
remote start with one time extension
has been done, the vehicle must be
started with the key. After the key
is removed from the ignition, the
vehicle can be remote started again.
The vehicle cannot be remote
started if the key is in the ignition,
the hood is not closed, or if there
is an emission control system
malfunction and the check engine
light is on.
Also, the engine will turn off during a
remote vehicle start if the coolant
temperature gets too high or if the
oil pressure gets low.
Remote Start Ready
If the vehicle does not have the
remote vehicle start feature, it may
have the remote start ready feature.
This feature allows your dealer to
add the manufacturer's remote
vehicle start feature.
See your dealer to add the
manufacturer's remote vehicle
start feature to the vehicle.

Black plate (13,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-13
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. Lower the driver window andopen the driver door.
2. Press lock on the RKE transmitter.
3. Close the door and wait for the security light to go out.
4. Reach in through the window, unlock the door with the manual
door lock, and open the door.
This should set off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when
it should but the headlamps flash,
check to see if the horn works. The
horn fuse may be blown. To replace
the fuse, see Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 10‑50.
If the alarm does not sound or the
headlamps do not flash, see your
dealer for service.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑19 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has PASS-Key®III+
(Personalized Automotive Security
System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key III+ is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from the
ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the key is turned
to ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY,
or START from the LOCK/OFF
position. You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system.
The security light will come on if
there is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
When the PASS-Key III+ system
senses that someone is using the
wrong key, it prevents the vehicle
from starting. Anyone using a
trial-and-error method to start the
vehicle will be discouraged because
of the high number of electrical key
codes.
If the engine does not start and
the security light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when trying
to start the vehicle, there may be
a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. Turn the ignition off and
try again.

Black plate (14,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
2-14 Keys, Doors and Windows
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged,
try another ignition key. At this
time, you may also want to check
the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 10‑50. If the
engine still does not start with the
other key, the vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle does start, the first key
may be faulty. See your dealer who
can service the PASS-Key III+ to
have a new key made.
It is possible for the PASS-Key III+
decoder to learn the transponder
value of a new or replacement key.
Up to 10 keys may be programmed
for the vehicle. The following
procedure is for programming
additional keys only. If all the
currently programmed keys are
lost or do not operate, you must
see your dealer or a locksmith who
can service PASS-Key III+ to have
keys made and programmed to the
system. See your dealer or a locksmith who
can service PASS-Key III+ to get a
new key blank cut exactly as the
ignition key that operates the
system.
To program the new additional key:
1. Verify that the new key has
a
1stamped on it.
2. Insert the original, already programmed key in the ignition
and start the engine. If the
engine will not start, see your
dealer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/OFF, and
remove the key. 4. Insert the new key to be
programmed and turn it to
the ON/RUN position within
five seconds of turning the
ignition to the LOCK/OFF
position in Step 3.
The security light will turn
off once the key has been
programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to be
programmed.
If you lose or damage your
PASS-Key III+ key, see your dealer
or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key III+ to have a new
key made.
Do not leave the key or device
that disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.

Black plate (36,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
3-36 Seats and Restraints
Airbag inflation does not prevent
the driver from seeing out of the
windshield or being able to steer the
vehicle, nor does it prevent people
from leaving the vehicle.
{WARNING
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon
as it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.The vehicle may have a feature
that may automatically unlock the
doors, turn on the interior lamps and
hazard warning flashers, and shut
off the fuel system after the airbags
inflate. You can lock the doors, turn
off the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers by using the
controls for those features.
{WARNING
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions
in the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage
may also occur from the right
front passenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some
new parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for your vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.