2011 GMC SIERRA air condition

Black plate (5,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-5
6(Floor):Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some air directed
to the windshield, side window, and
second row floor outlets. In this
mode, the system automatically
selects outside air.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents.
0(Defrost): This mode
removes fog or frost from the
windshield more quickly. Air is
directed to the windshield and
the side window vents, with some
air directed to the floor vents.
The system automatically forces
outside air into the vehicle.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be controlled with
this system. The vehicle also has a flow-through ventilation system
described later in this section.
A. Driver and Passenger Temperature Controls
B. Fan Control
C. AUTO
D. Defrost
E. Recirculation
F. Outside Air G. Air Delivery Mode Control
H. Display
I. On/Off
J. Rear Window Defogger
K. Air Conditioning
L. PASS (Passenger)

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-7
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When
automatic operation is active,
the system controls the inside
temperature, the air delivery,
and the fan speed.
Use the steps below to place the
entire system in automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected, the
display changes to show the
current temperature(s) and
AUTO is lit on the display.
The current air delivery mode
and fan speed are also
displayed for about five seconds.
When AUTO is selected, the air
conditioning operation and air
inlet are automatically controlled.
The air conditioning compressor
may run when the outside
temperature is above freezing. The air inlet will normally be set
to outside air. If it is hot outside,
the air inlet may automatically
switch to the recirculate mode to
help quickly cool down the air
inside the vehicle. The light
on the button comes on in
recirculation.
2. Set the driver and passenger temperature.
To find your comfort setting, start
with a 23°C (74°F) temperature
setting and allow about
20 minutes for the system to
regulate. Use the driver or
passenger temperature buttons
to adjust the temperature setting
as necessary. If a temperature
setting of 15°C (60°F) is chosen,
the system remains at the
maximum cooling setting.
If a temperature setting of
32°C (90°F) is chosen, the system remains at the maximum
heat setting. Choosing either
maximum setting will not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool any
faster.
Do not cover the solar sensor
located on the top of the instrument
panel near the windshield.
This sensor regulates air
temperature based on sun load.
For more information on the solar
sensor, see “Sensors”later in this
section.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold
weather, the system delays
turning the fan on until warm air
is available. The length of delay
depends on the engine coolant
temperature. Pressing the fan
switch overrides this delay and
changes the fan to a selected
speed.

Black plate (8,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
8-8 Climate Controls
Manual Operation
D C(Fan Control):Press these
buttons to increase or decrease the
fan speed.
Pressing either fan button while in
automatic control places the fan
under manual control. The fan
setting remains displayed and
the AUTO light turns off. The air
delivery mode remains under
automatic control.
H G(Air Delivery Mode Control):
Press these buttons to change the
direction of the airflow in the vehicle.
Repeatedly press either button until
the desired mode appears on the
display.
Pressing either mode button while
the system is off changes the air
delivery mode without turning the
system on. Pressing either mode button while in
automatic control places the mode
under manual control. The air
delivery mode setting displays and
the AUTO light turns off. The fan
remains under automatic control.
H(Vent):
Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air is directed
toward the windshield and side
window outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some to the
windshield, side window outlets,
and second row floor outlets. In this
mode, the system automatically
selects outside air.
-(Defog): This mode clears
the windows of fog or moisture.
Air is directed to the windshield,
floor outlets, and side window vents.
In this mode, the system turns
off recirculation and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is close to
freezing. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in the
defrost mode.
0(Defrost): This mode removes
fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and side window vents,
with some directed to the floor
vents. In this mode, the system
automatically forces outside air
into the vehicle and runs the air
conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is close to
freezing. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in the
defrost mode.

Black plate (9,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-9
The passenger temperature
control cannot be activated while in
defrost mode. If the PASS button is
pressed, the button indicator flashes
three times and will not work. If the
passenger temperature buttons are
adjusted, the driver temperature
indicator changes. The passenger
temperature will not be displayed.
If vent, bi-level, or floor mode is
selected again, the climate control
system displays the previous
temperature settings.
Do not drive the vehicle until all
windows are clear.
#(Air Conditioning):Press
to turn the air conditioning (A/C)
compressor on and off. An indicator
light comes on to show that the air
conditioning is on. If this button is pressed when
the air conditioning compressor
is unavailable due to outside
conditions, the indicator flashes
three times and then turns off.
If the air conditioning is on and the
outside temperature drops below a
temperature which is too cool for air
conditioning to be effective, the air
conditioning light turns off to show
that the air conditioning mode has
been canceled.
On hot days, open the windows long
enough to let hot inside air escape.
This helps to reduce the time it
takes for the vehicle to cool down.
It also helps the system to operate
more efficiently.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so
a small amount of water might
drip under the vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
@(Recirculation):
Press
to turn the recirculation mode on.
An indicator light comes on to show
that recirculation is on.
This mode recirculates and helps
to quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to help
prevent outside air and odors
from entering the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot
be used with floor, defog, or
defrost modes. If recirculation is
selected with one of those modes,
the indicator light flashes three
times and then turns off. The air
conditioning compressor also comes
on when this mode is activated.
While in recirculation mode, the
windows may fog when the weather
is cold and damp. To clear the fog,
select either the defog or defrost
mode and increase the fan speed.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-7
Off-Road Driving
Vehicles with four-wheel drive
can be used for off-road driving.
Vehicles without four-wheel drive
and vehicles with 20‐inch tire/wheel
assemblies should not be driven
off-road except on a level, solid
surface.
The airbag system is designed to
work properly under a wide range
of conditions, including off‐road
usage. Always wear your safety belt
and observe safe driving speeds,
especially on rough terrain.
Drinking and driving can be very
dangerous on any road and this is
certainly true for off-road driving.
At the very time you need special
alertness and driving skills, your
reflexes, perceptions, and judgment
can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You could have aserious
—or even fatal —accident
if you drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking.
Off-roading can be great fun but has
some definite hazards. The greatest
of these is the terrain itself. When
off-road driving, traffic lanes are not
marked, curves are not banked, and
there are no road signs. Surfaces
can be slippery, rough, uphill,
or downhill.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers. Failure to operate the
vehicle correctly off‐road could
result in loss of vehicle control
or vehicle rollover.
Off-roading involves some new
skills. That is why it is very
important that you read these
driving tips and suggestions to
help make off-road driving safer
and more enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
.Have all necessary maintenance
and service work done.
.Make sure there is enough fuel,
that fluid levels are where they
should be, and that the spare
tire is fully inflated.
.Be sure to read all
the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles
in this manual.
.Make sure all underbody
shields, if the vehicle has them,
are properly attached.
.Know the local laws that apply
to off-roading where you will
be driving or check with law
enforcement people in the area.
.Be sure to get the necessary
permission if you will be on
private land.

Black plate (22,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-22 Driving and Operating
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑8 orRoadside
Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑10. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
Carbon Monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from
the wind to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside
the vehicle and set the fan
speed to the highest setting.
See Climate Control System
in the Index.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑44.
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your vehicle. This can
cause deadly CO (Carbon
Monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill
you. You cannot see it or smell it,
so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking the
exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm, but
be careful.

Black plate (44,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-44 Driving and Operating
Active Fuel Management®
Vehicles with V8 engines may
have Active Fuel Management™.
This system allows the engine to
operate on either all or half of its
cylinders, depending on the driving
conditions.
When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will operate in
the half cylinder mode, allowing
the vehicle to achieve better fuel
economy. When greater power
demands are required, such as
accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the
system will maintain full-cylinder
operation.
If the vehicle has an Active
Fuel Management™indicator, see
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑33 for more information on
using this display.
Engine Exhaust
{WARNING
Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow
that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes).
.The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different.
.The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.
.The vehicle exhaust system
has been modified, damaged
or improperly repaired.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or after-market
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.

Black plate (49,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-49
M (Manual Mode):This position
is available on vehicles with the
Allison Transmission or Hydra-Matic
6-Speed transmission. It lets
drivers select the range of gears
appropriate for current driving
conditions. If the vehicle has this
feature, see “Range Selection
Mode” underManual Mode on
page 9‑50.
3 (Third): This position is also used
for normal driving. It reduces vehicle
speed more than D (Drive) without
using the brakes. You might choose
3 (Third) instead of D (Drive) when
driving on hilly, winding roads, when
towing a trailer, so there is less
shifting between gears and when
going down a steep hill.
2 (Second): This position reduces
vehicle speed even more than
3 (Third) without using the brakes.
You can use 2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle speed as
you go down steep mountain roads,
but then you would also want to use
the brakes off and on.
If you manually select 2 (Second)
in an automatic transmission, the
transmission will start in second
gear. You can use this feature for
reducing the speed of the rear
wheels when you are trying to
start the vehicle from a stop on
slippery road surfaces.
1 (First):
For the Hydra-Matic
4-Speed transmission this position
reduces vehicle speed even more
than 2 (Second) without using the
brakes. You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever is put in 1 (First) while
the vehicle is moving forward, the
transmission does not shift into first
gear until the vehicle is going slowly
enough. For an Allison Transmission or
Hydra-Matic 6-Speed transmission,
this position reduces vehicle speed
without using the brakes. You can
use it for major/severe downgrades
and off-road driving where the
vehicle would otherwise accelerate
due to steepness of grade. When
you shift to 1 (First) it provides the
lowest gear appropriate to current
road speed and continues to
downshift as the vehicle slows,
eventually downshifting to
1 (First) gear.
Notice:
Spinning the tires or
holding the vehicle in one
place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage
the transmission. The repair will
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If you are stuck, do not
spin the tires. When stopping on
a hill, use the brakes to hold the
vehicle in place.