
Black plate (75,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-75
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts to which it is fastened,
can make wheel nuts become
loose after time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident.
When changing a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where
the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure
to use a scraper or wire brush
later, if needed, to get all the rust
or dirt off. SeeIf a Tire Goes Flat
on page 10‑84.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on
the wheel nuts or bolts.
If your vehicle has a Tire
Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS), reset the TPMS
sensors after rotating the tires.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10‑69. Make sure the spare tire, if your
vehicle has one, is stored
securely. Push, pull, and then
try to rotate or turn the tire.
If it moves, tighten the cable.
See
“Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools” underTire
Changing on page 10‑86.
Dual Tire Rotation
When the vehicle is new,
or whenever a wheel, wheel
bolt or wheel nut is replaced,
check the wheel nut torque
after 160, 1 600 and 10 000 km
(100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles) of
driving. For proper torque and
wheel nut tightening information,
see “Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools” underTire Changing on
page 10‑86.

Black plate (84,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-84 Vehicle Care
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while you are driving, especially if
you maintain your vehicle's tires
properly. If air goes out of a tire,
it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have
a blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal and grip
the steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear
blowout remove your foot from theaccelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you
can still steer. Gently brake to a
stop, well off the road, if possible.
{WARNING
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has
been driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause
a blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon
as possible.
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting
under it to do maintenance or
repairs is dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part
shows how to use the jacking
equipment to change a flat tire
safely.

Black plate (85,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-85
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 6‑5.
{WARNING
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can
slip off the jack and roll over
or fall on you or other people.
You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level
place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
3. If you have afour-wheel-drive vehicle,
be sure the transfer case
is in a drive gear –not in
N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
To be even more certain the
vehicle will not move, put blocks
at the front and rear of the tire
farthest away from the one being
changed. That would be the tire
on the other side, at the opposite
end of the vehicle. When the vehicle has a flat tire (B),
use the following example as a
guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to use the jack and change
a tire.

Black plate (6,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
11-6 Service and Maintenance
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 40 000 km/25,000 Miles
.Four‐wheel drive only: Transfer
case fluid change (extreme duty
service) for vehicles mainly
driven off‐road in four‐wheel
drive. Vehicles used for farming,
mining, forestry, Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), and
snow plowing occupations meet
this definition. Check vent hose
at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation. Check to be
sure vent hose is unobstructed,
clear, and free of debris. During
any maintenance, if a power
washer is used to clean mud
and dirt from the underbody,
care should be taken to not
directly spray the transfer case
output seals. High pressure
water can overcome the seals
and contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated fluid
will decrease the life of the
transfer case and should be
replaced.First Engine Oil Change After
Every 80 000 km/50,000 Miles.Engine air cleaner filter
replacement. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑19.
.Automatic transmission fluid
change (severe service) for
vehicles with Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) over
3 901 kg (8,600 lbs) or mainly
driven in heavy city traffic in hot
weather, in hilly or mountainous
terrain, when frequently towing
a trailer, or used for taxi,
police, or delivery service.
See Automatic Transmission
Fluid (4-Speed Transmission) on
page 10‑13 orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) on page 10‑16.
.Four‐wheel drive only: Transfer
case fluid change (severe
service) for vehicles mainly
driven when frequently towing
a trailer, or used for taxi, police,
or delivery service. Check
vent hose at transfer case for
kinks and proper installation.
Check to be sure vent hose is
unobstructed, clear, and free of
debris. During any maintenance,
if a power washer is used to
clean mud and dirt from the
underbody, care should be taken
to not directly spray the transfer
case output seals. High pressure
water can overcome the seals
and contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated fluid
will decrease the life of the
transfer case and should be
replaced.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-7
.Evaporative control system
inspection. Check all fuel and
vapor lines and hoses for proper
hook‐up, routing, and condition.
Check that the purge valve,
if the vehicle has one, works
properly. Replace as needed.
An Emission Control Service.
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board
has determined that the failure
to perform this maintenance
item will not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability
prior to the completion of
the vehicle's useful life.
We, however, urge that all
recommended maintenance
services be performed at the
indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.First Engine Oil Change After
Every 160 000 km/100,000 Miles
.Automatic transmission fluid
change (normal service).
See
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (4-Speed Transmission) on
page 10‑13 orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) on page 10‑16.
.Four‐wheel drive only: Transfer
case fluid change (normal
service). Check vent hose at
transfer case for kinks and
proper installation. Check to be
sure vent hose is unobstructed,
clear, and free of debris. During
any maintenance, if a power
washer is used to clean mud
and dirt from the underbody,
care should be taken to not
directly spray the transfer case
output seals. High pressure
water can overcome the seals and contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated fluid
will decrease the life of the
transfer case and should be
replaced.
.Spark plug replacement and
spark plug wires inspection.
An Emission Control Service.
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 240 000 km/150,000 Miles
.Engine cooling system drain,
flush, and refill (or every five
years, whichever occurs first).
See Engine Coolant on
page 10‑22. An Emission
Control Service.
.Engine drive belts inspection
for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage (or every
10 years, whichever occurs
first). Replace, if needed.

Black plate (8,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
i-8 INDEX
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
LATCH SystemReplacing Parts After aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-66
Latch, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Lighter, Cigarette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Lights Airbag On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 5-27
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Four-Wheel-Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Front Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32 Lights (cont.)
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-3
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 5-19
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
StabiliTrak
®Indicator . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-73
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . 5-31
Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children
(LATCH SYSTEM) . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-12
Maintenance Schedule Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . 11-2
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . 5-25
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Messages Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Anti-Theft Alarm System . . . . . . 5-48
Battery Voltage andCharging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . 5-44
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45

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

Black plate (13,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-13
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-6
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . 2-13 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Throttle, Adjustable . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Tires Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-77
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Dual Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
Full-Size Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-97
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-84
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-69
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49 Tires (cont.)
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-68
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58
Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-80
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-81
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-82
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 9-91
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9-112
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 9-90
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . 10-103 Towing (cont.)
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-95
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-124
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-103
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . 9-124
Tow Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-95
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Transmission
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . 10-13, 10-16
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-11
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-46