
Black plate (11,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-11
Open the tailgate by lifting up on
its handle while pulling the tailgate
toward you.
To shut the tailgate, firmly push it
upward until it latches.
After you put the tailgate back up,
pull it back towards you to be sure it
latches securely.
Tailgate Removal
The tailgate can be removed to
allow for different loading situations.
Someone may need to assist with
removal to avoid damage to the
vehicle.
On vehicles with a Rear Vision
Camera, it must be disconnected
before removing the tailgate.
SeeRear Vision Camera (RVC) on
page 9‑78 for more information. To remove the tailgate:
1. Raise the tailgate slightly and
release both retaining cable
clips. To release the retaining
cable clips, lift the cable so it
points straight out. Lift the clip
over the bolt, and push the cable
forward then rotate down. 2. With the tailgate about halfway
open, lift the right edge of the
tailgate from the lower pivot.
On vehicles with the tailgate
assist feature, raise the tailgate
nearly all the way to the closed
position prior to removing the
left edge.
3. Move the tailgate to the right to release the left edge.
Reverse this procedure to reinstall
the tailgate. Make sure the tailgate
is secure.

Black plate (12,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
2-12 Keys, Doors and Windows
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
it impossible to steal.
Anti-Theft Alarm System
This vehicle may have a content
theft-deterrent alarm system.
This is the security light.
To arm the theft-deterrent system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the RemoteKeyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
The security light should flash. If the delayed locking feature
is active, the alarm will not be
activated until all doors are
closed and the security light
goes off.
3. Close all doors. The security light will stop flashing and go off
after approximately 30 seconds.
The system is armed when the
security light goes off.
If a locked driver door is opened
without using the RKE transmitter,
a 10 second pre-alarm will occur.
The horn will chirp and the lights
will flash. If the key is not placed
in the ignition and turned to START
or the door is not unlocked by
pressing the unlock button on
the RKE transmitter during the
10 second pre-alarm, the alarm
will go off. The vehicle's headlamps
will flash and the horn will sound
for about 30 seconds, then will turn
off to save the battery power. The theft-deterrent system will not
activate if the doors are locked
with the key or the manual door
lock. It activates only if you use
the power door lock switch or the
RKE transmitter. The vehicle can
be started with the correct key if
the alarm is set off.
To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
.If you do not want to activate
the theft-deterrent system, the
vehicle should be locked with
the door key after the doors are
closed.
.Always unlock a door with the
RKE transmitter.
If the alarm is set off, press unlock
on the RKE transmitter or place
the key in the ignition and turn it
to START.

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 (18,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
2-18 Keys, Doors and Windows
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the mirror in the center to
move it for a clearer view of behind
your vehicle. Adjust the mirror to
avoid glare from the headlamps
behind you. Push the tab at the
bottom of the mirror forward
for daytime use and pull it for
nighttime use.
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic
dimming inside rearview mirror.
Automatic dimming reduces the
glare from the headlamps of the
vehicle behind you. The dimming
feature comes on and the indicator
light illuminates each time the
ignition is turned to start.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the
dimming feature on or off. The vehicle may also have a Rear
Vision Camera (RVC). See
Rear
Vision Camera (RVC) on page 9‑78
for more information.
If the vehicle has RVC, the
Obutton
for turning the dimming feature on or
off will not be available.
Vehicles with OnStar have three
additional control buttons for the
OnStar system. See your dealer
for more information about OnStar
and how to subscribe to it. See the
OnStar Owner Guide for more
information about the services
OnStar provides.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
Windows
{WARNING
Leaving children, helpless adults,
or pets in a vehicle with the
windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by
the extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Never leave a
child, a helpless adult, or a pet
alone in a vehicle, especially with
the windows closed in warm or
hot weather.

Black plate (20,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
2-20 Keys, Doors and Windows
Express-down Windows
Vehicles with the express-down
feature allow the driver and
front passenger windows to
be lowered without holding the
switch. Push the switch down to
the second detent, then release,
to activate the express-down mode.
The express-down mode can be
canceled at any time by pulling up
on the front of the switch. To open
the window partway, push the switch
down to the first detent until the
window is at the desired position.
Window Lockout
o(Window Lockout):If a crew
cab or extended cab vehicle has
power windows, the driver door
power window switch has a lockout
feature. This feature prevents the
rear windows from operating, except
from the driver position. Press the
switch to engage or disengage the
lockout feature. An indicator light
on the switch will come on when the
lockout feature is engaged, and will
go off when disengaged.
Rear Windows
Power Sliding Rear Window
On vehicles with a power sliding
rear window, the switch is located in
the overhead console.
The power sliding rear window
works when the ignition has been
turned to ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN, or when Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active.
See Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑40 for more
information. The power sliding rear window
cannot be operated manually.
.Push to open the window.
.Pull to close the window.
Sun Visors
Pull the sun visor down to block
glare. Detach the sun visor from the
center mount to pivot to the side
window, or to extend along the rod,
if available.

Black plate (9,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-9
If available, the buttons are on the
front doors.
I(Heated Seatback):Press to
heat the seatback only.
J(Heated Seat and Seatback):
Press to heat the seat and
seatback. Press the button once for the
highest setting. With each press
of the button, the heated seat
will change to the next lower
setting, and then to the off setting.
The lights indicate three for the
highest setting and one for the
lowest.
The passenger seat may take
longer to heat up.
The heated seats will be canceled
10 seconds after the ignition is
turned off.
Remote Start Heated Seats
When it is cold outside, the heated
seats may turn on automatically
during a remote vehicle start.
The heated seats will be canceled
when the ignition is turned on. Press
the desired button to use the heated
seats after the vehicle is started.
The lights on the heated seat
buttons do not turn on during a
remote start.
The temperature performance of an
unoccupied seat may be reduced.
This is normal.
See
Remote Vehicle Start on
page 2‑5 for more information.

Black plate (21,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-21
Lap-Shoulder Belt
If the vehicle is a regular cab,
then all seating positions in the
vehicle have a lap-shoulder belt.
If the vehicle is a crew or extended
cab, then all seating positions in
the vehicle have a lap-shoulder
belt except for the center front
passenger position (if equipped),
which has a lap belt. SeeLap Belt
(Crew and Extended Cab) on
page 3‑26 for more information.
The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up
straight. To see how, see “Seats”
in the Index. 2. Pick up the latch plate and pull
the belt across you. Do not let it
get twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock if
you pull the belt across you very
quickly. If this happens, let the
belt go back slightly to unlock it.
Then pull the belt across you
more slowly.
If the shoulder portion of a
passenger belt is pulled out
all the way, the child restraint
locking feature may be engaged.
If this happens, let the belt go
back all the way and start again.
Engaging the child restraint
locking feature may affect the
passenger sensing system,
if equipped. See Passenger
Sensing System on page 3‑40
for more information.
If the belt stops before it reaches
the buckle, when using the
lap-shoulder belt in a rear center
seating position of a crew-cab,
tilt the latch plate and keep
pulling the safety belt until it
can be buckled.