
Black plate (8,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-8 Instruments and Controls
To calibrate the compass, use the
following procedure:
Compass Calibration Procedure
1. Before calibrating the compass,make sure the compass zone
is set to the variance zone in
which the vehicle is located.
See “Compass Variance (Zone)
Procedure” earlier in this
section.
Do not operate any switches
such as window, sunroof,
climate controls, or seats during
the calibration procedure.
2. Press the vehicle information button until PRESS
VTO
CALIBRATE COMPASS
displays. Or, if the vehicle
does not have DIC buttons,
press the trip odometer
reset stem until CALIBRATE
COMPASS displays. 3. Press the set/reset button to
start the compass calibration.
Or, if the vehicle does not have
DIC buttons, press and hold
the trip odometer reset stem
for two seconds to start the
compass calibration.
4. The DIC will display CALIBRATING: DRIVE IN
CIRCLES. Drive the vehicle
in tight circles at less than
8 km/h (5 mph) to complete the
calibration. The DIC will display
CALIBRATION COMPLETE
for a few seconds when the
calibration is complete. The DIC
display will then return to the
previous menu.
Clock
AM-FM Radio and AM‐FM
Radio with CD Player
To set the clock:
1. Turn the ignition key to
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN,
then press the
Obutton to turn
the radio on.
2. Press the
Hbutton until the hour
numbers begin to flash, then
turn the
fknob to increase or
decrease the hour.
3. Press the
Hbutton until the
minute numbers begin to flash,
then turn the
fknob to increase
or decrease the minutes.

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 (40,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-40 Driving and Operating
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
The following vehicle accessories
can be used for up to 10 minutes
after the engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
.OnStar System (if equipped)
.Sunroof (if equipped)
These features work when
the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once
the key is turned from ON/RUN
to LOCK/OFF, the windows and
sunroof continue to work up to
10 minutes until any door is opened.
The radio continues to work for
up to 10 minutes or until the driver
door is opened.
Engine Coolant Heater
The engine heater can provide
easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up
in cold weather conditions at
or below −18°C (0°F). Vehicles
with an engine heater should be
plugged in at least four hours before
starting. An internal thermostat in
the plug-end of the cord may exist
which will prevent engine coolant
heater operation at temperatures
above −18°C (0°F).
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax Diesel supplement
for more information.
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord
is secured to the Engine
Compartment Fuse Block
with a clip. Carefully remove
the wire tie which bundles the
electrical plug. Do not cut the
electrical cord.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a fire.
(Continued)

Black plate (52,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-52 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
16 Passenger Side
Low-Beam
Headlamp
17 Air Conditioning
Compressor
18 Oxygen Sensors
19 Transmission
Controls (Ignition)
20 Fuel Pump
21 Fuel System
Control Module
22 Not Used
23 Not Used
24 Fuel Injectors,
Ignition Coils
(Left Side)
25 Trailer Park Lamps
26 Driver Side Park
Lamps
27 Passenger Side
Park Lamps Fuses
Usage
28 Fog Lamps
29 Horn
30 Passenger Side
High-Beam
Headlamp
31 Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
32 Driver Side
High-Beam
Headlamp
33 Daytime Running
Lamps 2
34 Sunroof
35 Key Ignition
System, Theft
Deterrent System
36 Windshield Wiper
37 SEO B2 Upfitter
Usage (Battery)
38 Electric Adjustable
Pedals Fuses
Usage
39 Climate Controls
(Battery)
40 Airbag System
(Ignition)
41 Amplifier
42 Audio System
43 Miscellaneous
(Ignition),
Cruise Control
44 Not Used
45 Airbag System
(Battery)
46 Instrument Panel
Cluster
47 Power Take-Off
48 Auxiliary Climate
Control (Ignition)
49 Center
High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)
50 Rear Defogger

Black plate (5,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-5
Additional Required Services
At the First 160 km/100 Miles,
1 600 km/1,000 Miles, and
10 000 km/6,000 Miles
.For vehicles with dual
wheels: Check dual wheel
nut torque. For proper
torque, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2.
Every 12 000 km/7,500 Miles
.Rotate tires. Tires should
be rotated every 12 000 km/
7,500 miles. See Tire Rotation
on page 10‑73.
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check.
See Engine Oil on page 10‑7.
.Engine coolant level check.
SeeEngine Coolant on
page 10‑22.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑29. Once a Month
.Tire inflation pressures
check. See
Tire Pressure on
page 10‑66.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑73.
.Sunroof track and seal
inspection, if equipped.
See Sunroof (Extended Cab) on
page 2‑21 orSunroof (Crew
Cab) on page 2‑22.
Once a Year
.See Starter Switch Check on
page 10‑39.
.See Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control Function
Check on page 10‑40.
.See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑40.
.See Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check on
page 10‑40.
.Accelerator pedal check for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Underbody flushing service.
.Hood/Decklid/Liftgate/Liftglass
Support Gas Strut Service:
Visually inspect gas strut,
if equipped, for signs of wear,
cracks, or other damage. Check
the hold open ability of the gas
strut. Contact your dealer if
service is required.

Black plate (11,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-11
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
ReplacementGlass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-11
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . 3-48
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 3-66
Replacing Safety Belt
System Parts After a
Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-16
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40 Ride Control Systems
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8, 13-10
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21, 2-22
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . 12-6
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Replacing After a Crash . . . . . . 3-28
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . 3-26 Safety Defects Reporting
Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-16
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . . 11-2
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 13-10
Seats Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . 3-6
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 3-4
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10, 3-11
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Securing Child Restraints . . . . . . . . 3-66, 3-69, 3-78
Security
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12

Black plate (12,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
i-12 INDEX
ServiceAccessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Maintenance Records . . . . . . .11-12
Maintenance, General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Parts Identification Label . . . . . 12-1
Publications Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15
Scheduling Appointments . . . 13-10
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46
Shift Lock Control Function Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43 Signals, Turn and
Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Snow Plow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-125
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light . . . . 5-30
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Start Assist, Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Starting the Vehicle Messsages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4 Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 Stoplamps and Back-Up Lamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Storage Areas Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21, 2-22
Switches Airbag On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
System Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Noise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38