2011 GMC SIERRA Owner's Manual

Black plate (51,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-51
Low Traction Mode
If your vehicle has the Allison
Transmission, or the Hydra-Matic
6-Speed Automatic Transmission,
it has a Low Traction Mode that
can assist in vehicle acceleration
when road conditions are slippery,
such as with ice or snow. While
the vehicle is at a stop, select the
second gear range using Range
Selection Mode. This will limit
torque to the wheels after it detects
wheel slip, preventing the tires from
spinning.
Tow/Haul Mode
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission have a Tow/Haul
Mode. The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts
the transmission shift pattern to
reduce shift cycling, providing
increased performance, vehicle
control, and transmission cooling
when towing or hauling heavy loads.The selector button is located on
the end of the shift lever. Turn
the Tow/Haul Mode on and off
by pressing the button. When
the tow/haul is on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster will
come on.
See
Tow/Haul Mode Light on
page 5‑29 for more information.
Also see “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing Equipment on page 9‑112
for more information.

Black plate (52,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-52 Driving and Operating
Tow/Haul Mode
(Allison Transmission
or Hydra-Matic 6-Speed
Automatic Transmission)
Vehicles with an Allison
Transmission or Hydra-Matic
6-Speed Automatic Transmission
have a Tow/Haul Mode. The Tow/
Haul Mode adjusts the transmission
shift pattern to reduce shift cycling,
providing increased performance,
vehicle control, and transmission
cooling when towing or hauling
heavy loads.Turn the Tow/Haul Mode on and
off by pressing the button, located
on the end of the shift lever. When
the tow/haul is on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster will
come on.
See
Tow/Haul Mode Light on
page 5‑29 for more information.
Also see “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing Equipment on page 9‑112
for more information.
Grade Braking
(Allison Transmission
or Hydra-Matic 6-Speed
Automatic Transmission)
The Grade Braking shift modes
can be activated by pressing the
button on the end of the shift control
lever. While in Range Selection
Mode, Grade Braking is deactivated
allowing the driver to select a
desired range of gears.
Grade Braking is only active while
the Tow/Haul Mode is selected and
you are not in the Range Selection
Mode. See “Tow/Haul Mode” listed
previously and Manual Mode on
page 9‑50 for more information
on the Range Selection Mode.

Black plate (53,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-53
Grade Braking assists in
maintaining desired vehicle
speeds when driving on
downhill grades by automatically
implementing a shift schedule that
utilizes the engine and transmission
to slow the vehicle. This reduces
wear on the braking system and
increases control of the vehicle.
Grade Braking monitors vehicle
speed, acceleration, engine torque
and brake pedal usage. Using this
information, it detects when the
truck is on a downhill grade and
the driver desires to slow the
vehicle by pressing the brake.
This feature is active when
the exhaust brake is enabled
(if equipped).
Also seeTowing Equipment on
page 9‑112 for more information.Cruise Grade Braking
(Allison Transmission
or Hydra-Matic 6-Speed
Automatic Transmission)
Cruise Grade Braking assists
when driving on a downhill grade.
It maintains vehicle speed by
automatically implementing a shift
schedule that uses the engine
and the transmission to slow the
vehicle. Cruise Grade Braking
operates while Cruise Control is
engaged in Tow/Haul Mode to assist
in maintaining vehicle speed under
loaded vehicle conditions. It utilizes
vehicle acceleration and deviation
from desired speed to determine the correct gear for the operating
condition. If vehicle speed is above
the desired speed the transmission
will downshift to slow the vehicle.
If vehicle speed is near or below
desired speed the trans will upshift,
allowing vehicle speed to increase.
While in the Range Selection Mode,
Cruise Grade Braking is not
available.
This feature is active when
the exhaust brake is enabled
(if equipped).
See
“Range Selection Mode” under
Manual Mode on page 9‑50.

Black plate (54,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-54 Driving and Operating
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle has Four-Wheel
Drive, you can send the engine's
driving power to all four wheels
for extra traction. To get the most
satisfaction out of Four-Wheel
Drive, you must be familiar with its
operation. Read the following before
using Four-Wheel Drive. See the
appropriate text for the transfer
case in the vehicle.
Notice:Driving on clean, dry
pavement in Four-Wheel Drive
High or Four-Wheel Drive Low for
an extended period of time may
cause premature wear on the
vehicle's powertrain. Do not
drive on clean, dry pavement
in Four-Wheel Drive High or
Four-Wheel Drive Low for
extended periods of time. While driving on clean dry pavement
and during tight turns, you may
experience vibration in the steering
system.
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak®,
shifting into Four-Wheel Drive
Low will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak off. See StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑70.
Front Axle
The front axle engages and
disengages automatically when you
shift the transfer case. Some delay
for the axle to engage or disengage
is normal.
Manual Transfer Case
The transfer case shift lever is on
the floor to the right of the driver.
Use this lever to shift into and out
of Four-Wheel Drive.

Black plate (55,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-55
A Four-Wheel Drive indicator light
comes on when you shift into
four-wheel drive and the front axle
engages. SeeFour-Wheel-Drive
Light on page 5‑29.
Some delay between shifting and
when the indicator light comes on is
normal.
Recommended Transfer Case Settings
Driving Conditions Transfer Case Settings
2m 4m4n N
Normal YES Severe YES
Extreme YES
Vehicle in Tow* YES
*See Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 10‑103 orTowing the Vehicle
on page 10‑103.
Notice: Driving on clean, dry
pavement in four-wheel drive for
an extended period of time can
cause premature wear on the
vehicle's powertrain. Do not
drive on clean, dry pavement in
Four-Wheel Drive for extended
periods of time. 4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low):
This
setting also engages the front axle
and delivers extra torque. You may
never need Four-Wheel Drive Low.
It sends maximum power to all
four wheels. You might choose
Four-Wheel Drive Low if you are
driving off-road in deep sand,
deep mud, deep snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills.

Black plate (56,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-56 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak®,
shifting into Four-Wheel Drive
Low will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak off. See StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑70.
A parking brake symbol is located
next to the N (Neutral) symbol as a
reminder to set the parking brake
before shifting the transfer case into
N (Neutral).
{WARNING
Shifting the transfer case to
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission
is in P (Park). You or someone
else could be seriously injured.
Be sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case
in N (Neutral). SeeParking Brake
on page 9‑69.
N (Neutral): Shift to this setting
only when the vehicle needs to be
towed. See Recreational Vehicle
Towing on page 10‑103 orTowing
the Vehicle on page 10‑103. 2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High):
This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations.
The front axle is not engaged in
two-wheel drive. This setting also
provides the best fuel economy.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High): Use
this setting when you need extra
traction, such as on snowy or icy
roads or in most off-road situations.
This setting also engages the front
axle to help drive your vehicle.
This is the best setting to use
when plowing snow.
You can shift from Two-Wheel Drive
High to Four-Wheel Drive High
or Four-Wheel Drive High to
Two-Wheel Drive High while the
vehicle is moving. In extremely
cold weather, it may be necessary
to stop or slow the vehicle to shift
into Four-Wheel Drive High.

Black plate (57,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-57
When Using the Manual
Transfer Case
.Shifts into or out of Four-Wheel
Drive Low or N (Neutral) should
be made using quick motions to
avoid excessive gear grinding.
Shifting slowly may make it more
difficult to shift.
.You may notice that it is harder
to shift when the vehicle is cold.
After the vehicle warms up the
shifting will return to normal.
.While in Four-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel Drive Low you
may experience reduced fuel
economy.
.Avoid driving in Four-Wheel
Drive on clean, dry pavement.
It may cause your tires to wear
faster, make the transfer case
harder to shift, and run noisier.
.If the transfer case shifter is in
the N (Neutral) position and
you have difficulty reaching the
selected transfer case mode,
with the engine running, shift
the transmission momentarily
to D (Drive) and then back to
N (Neutral). This will realign the
gear teeth in the transfer case
and allow you to complete the
shift.
Shifting from Two-Wheel Drive
High to Four-Wheel Drive High
.Shifts between Two-Wheel Drive
High and Four-Wheel Drive High
can be made at any vehicle
speed.
.Shift the transfer case lever in
one continuous motion into
either the Four-Wheel Drive
High or Two-Wheel Drive
High position.
.Shifting from Two-Wheel Drive
High to Four-Wheel Drive High
while the vehicle is in motion
may require that moderate force
be applied to the shift lever for a
few seconds before Four-Wheel
Drive High can be engaged,
especially in cold weather.
.In extremely cold weather, it may
be necessary to slow or stop the
vehicle to shift into Four-Wheel
Drive High.
.While in Four-Wheel Drive High,
the vehicle can be driven at any
posted legal speed limit.

Black plate (58,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-58 Driving and Operating
Shifting In or Out of Four-Wheel
Drive Low
Notice:Shifting the transfer
case into Four-Wheel-Drive Low
while moving at speeds faster
than 5 km/h (3 mph) may cause
premature wear to the transfer
case, and may cause the gears
to grind. To avoid causing
premature wear, and grinding the
gears, do not shift the transfer
case into Four-Wheel-Drive Low
while the vehicle is moving faster
than 5 km/h (3 mph).
.Shifting into Four-Wheel Drive
Low should be done, if possible,
with the vehicle at a slight roll,
5 km/h (3 mph) or less.
.Shift the transmission into
N (Neutral).
{WARNING
Shifting the transfer case to
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission
is in P (Park). You or someone
else could be seriously injured.
Be sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case in
N (Neutral). See Parking Brake on
page 9‑69.
.Shifting into Four-Wheel Drive
Low with the vehicle at a stop
may be more difficult. You may
be unable to complete the shift
to Four-Wheel Drive Low, and
the transfer case will end up in
N (Neutral). This is normal, and
is a function of the gear teeth
aligning in the transfer case.
When this happens, make
sure the engine is on, shift
the transmission momentarily
to D (Drive) and back to
N (Neutral), and then complete
the transfer case shift.
.Shift the transfer case shift lever
in one continuous motion into
the Four-Wheel Drive Low
position.
.When in Four-Wheel Drive
Low do not drive faster than
72 km/h (45 mph). This will
reduce wear and extend the
life of your transfer case.
Shifting In or Out of Neutral
1. With the vehicle running and the engine at an idle, set the parking
brake.
2. Place the transmission into N (Neutral).
Shift the transfer case in one
continuous motion into or out of the
N (Neutral) position.