2011 GMC SIERRA park assist

Black plate (20,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-20 Driving and Operating
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 10‑57.
.Turn off cruise control.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention
to your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find
a safe place to park the vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep interior temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving —scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{WARNING
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.

Black plate (36,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-36 Driving and Operating
A (STOPPING THE ENGINE/
LOCK/OFF):When the vehicle is
stopped, turn the ignition switch to
LOCK/OFF to turn the engine off.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
will remain active. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 9‑40.
This position locks the ignition.
It also locks the transmission on
automatic transmission vehicles.
The key can be removed in
LOCK/OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags. In an emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady
pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to neutral. This can be done while the vehicle is
moving. After shifting to neutral,
firmly apply the brakes and steer
the vehicle to a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park), and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF. On vehicles with
an automatic transmission, the
shift lever must be in P (Park)
to turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9‑69. The steering can bind with the
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turning the
key to ACC/ACCESSORY. If this
doesn't work, then the vehicle
needs service.
Notice:
Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct
key, make sure it is all the way in,
and turn it only with your hand.
If the key cannot be turned by
hand, see your dealer.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY): This
position lets things like the radio
and the windshield wipers operate
while the engine is off. Use this
position if the vehicle must be
pushed or towed.

Black plate (69,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-69
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake
Set the parking brake by holding
the regular brake pedal down, then
pushing down the parking brake
pedal.If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑27.
Notice: Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down, then
push down momentarily on the
parking brake pedal until you feel
the pedal release. Slowly pull your
foot up off the parking brake pedal.
If the parking brake is not released
when you begin to drive, the brake
system warning light will flash and a
chime will sound warning you that
the parking brake is still on.
If you are towing a trailer and
are parking on a hill, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑91.
Brake Assist (Except
With 4.3L V6 Engine)
If this vehicle has StabiliTrak®, it
also has a Brake Assist feature
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement
the power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle.
The stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.

Black plate (76,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-76 Driving and Operating
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control:
.To disengage cruise control;
step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press[on the steering wheel.
.To turn off the cruise control,
press
Ion the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory by pressing
the
Ibutton or if the ignition is
turned off.
Object Detection
Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
For vehicles with the Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system,
it operates at speeds less than
8 km/h (5 mph), and assists the
driver with parking and avoiding
objects while in R (Reverse).
The sensors on the rear bumper
are used to detect the distance to
an object up to 2.5 m (8 ft) behind
the vehicle, and at least 25.4 cm
(10 in) off the ground.
{WARNING
The Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist (URPA) system does not
replace driver vision. It cannot
detect:
.Objects that are below the
bumper, underneath the
vehicle, or too close or far
from the vehicle.
.Children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets.
If you do not use proper care
before and while backing, vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Even with URPA, always
check behind the vehicle before
backing up. While backing, be
sure to look for objects and check
the vehicle's mirrors.

Black plate (77,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-77
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). A single tone sounds
to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
An obstacle is indicated by audible
beeps. The interval between the
beeps becomes shorter as the
vehicle gets closer to the obstacle.
When the distance is less than
30 cm (12 in) the beeps are
continuous.
To be detected, objects must be at
least 25.4 cm (10 in) off the ground
and below tailgate level. Objects
must also be within 2.5 m (8 ft) from
the rear bumper. This distance may
be less during warmer or humid
weather.
The system can be disabled by
pressing the rear park aid disable
button located next to the radio.
The indicator light comes on and
PARK ASSIST OFF displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) to
indicate that URPA is off; seeObject
Detection System Messages on
page 5‑46.
Notice: If you use URPA while
the tailgate is lowered, it may
not detect an object behind your
vehicle, and you might back into
the object and damage your
vehicle. Always verify the tailgate
is closed when using URPA or
turn off URPA when driving with
the tailgate lowered.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
The following messages may be
displayed on the DIC:
SERVICE PARK ASSIST: If this
message occurs, take the vehicle to
your dealer to repair the system.
PARK ASSIST OFF: This message
occurs if the driver disables the
system.
PARK ASST BLOCKED SEE
OWNERS MANUAL: This
message can occur under the
following conditions:
.The ultrasonic sensors are not
clean. Keep the vehicle's rear
bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice, and slush. For cleaning
instructions, see “Washing the
Vehicle” underExterior Care on
page 10‑108.

Black plate (78,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-78 Driving and Operating
.The park assist sensors are
covered by frost or ice. Frost or
ice can form around and behind
the sensors and may not always
be seen; this can occur after
washing the vehicle in cold
weather. The message may
not clear until the frost or ice
has melted.
.A trailer was attached to the
vehicle, or a bicycle or an object
was hanging out of the tailgate
during the last drive cycle. Once
the attached object is removed
and the tailgate is raised, URPA
will return to normal operation.
.A tow bar is attached to the
vehicle.
.The vehicle's bumper is
damaged. Take the vehicle to
your dealer to repair the system.
.Other conditions are affecting
system performance. Examples
of this are vibrations from a
jackhammer or the compression
of air brakes on a very large
truck.
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
This vehicle may have a Rear
Vision Camera (RVC) system. Read
this entire section before using it.
{WARNING
The Rear Vision Camera (RVC)
system does not replace driver
vision. RVC does not:
.Detect objects that are
outside the camera's field
of view, below the bumper,
or underneath the vehicle.
.Detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or pets.
Do not back the vehicle by only
looking at the RVC screen, or use
the screen during longer, higher (Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
speed backing maneuvers or
where there could be cross-traffic.
Your judged distances using the
screen will differ from actual
distances.
If you do not use proper care
before backing up, you could
hit a vehicle, child, pedestrian,
bicyclist, or pet, resulting in
vehicle damage, injury, or death.
Even though the vehicle has
the RVC system, always check
carefully before backing up by
checking behind and around the
vehicle.

Black plate (80,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-80 Driving and Operating
The delay after shifting out of
R (Reverse) is approximately
10 seconds. The delay can be
cancelled by performing one of
the following:
.Pressing a hard key on the
navigation system.
.Shifting into P (Park).
.Reaching a vehicle speed of
8 km/h (5 mph).
There is a message on the rear
vision camera screen that states
“Check Surroundings for Safety.”
Adjusting the Brightness and
Contrast of the Screen
To adjust the brightness and
contrast of the screen, press the
MENU button while the rear vision
camera image is on the display.
Any adjustments made will only
affect the rear vision camera screen.
](Brightness): Touch the + (plus)
or –(minus) screen buttons to
increase or decrease the brightness
of the screen.
_(Contrast): Touch the + (plus) or
– (minus) screen buttons to increase
or decrease the contrast of the
screen.
Symbols
The navigation system may have
a feature that lets the driver view
symbols on the navigation screen
while using the RVC. The Ultrasonic
Rear Park Assist (URPA) system
must not be disabled to use the
caution symbols. If URPA has
been disabled and the symbols
have been turned on, the Rear
Parking Assist Symbols Unavailable
error message may display.
See Ultrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑76. The symbols appear when an object
has been detected by the URPA
system. The symbol may cover the
object when viewing the navigation
screen.
To turn the symbols on or off:
1. Make sure that URPA has not
been disabled.
2. Shift into P (Park).
3. Press the MENU hard key to enter the configure menu
options, then press the MENU
hard key repeatedly until Display
is selected or touch the Display
screen button.
4. Select the Rear Camera Options screen button. The Rear Camera
Options screen will display.
5. Touch the Symbols screen button. The screen button will
be highlighted when on.

Black plate (117,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-117
If the vehicle is equipped with an
Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) System, the blunt cuts
exist, but are not connected further
in the harness. If an aftermarket
trailer brake controller is installed,
the ITBC must be disconnected.
Do not power both ITBC and
aftermarket controllers to control
the trailer brakes at the same time.
Tow/Haul Mode
Pressing this button at the end of
the shift lever turns on and off the
Tow/Haul Mode.
This indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when the
Tow/Haul Mode is on.
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load. SeeTow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑51 for more
information.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing on page 9‑95.
Tow/Haul is most useful under
the following driving conditions:
.When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load through
rolling terrain.
.When pulling a heavy trailer
or a large or heavy load in
stop-and-go traffic.
.When pulling a heavy trailer
or a large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no
trailer at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to
the selection of Tow/Haul when
the vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may
result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large
or heavy load.