2011 GMC SIERRA Owner's Manual

Black plate (5,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-5
To replace the battery:
1. Separate the transmitter with aflat, thin object, such as a flat
head screwdriver.
.Carefully insert the tool into
the notch located along
the parting line of the
transmitter. Do not insert
the tool too far. Stop as
soon as resistance is felt.
.Twist the tool until the
transmitter is separated.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object. 3. Insert the new battery, positive
side facing down. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
4. Snap the transmitter back together.
Remote Vehicle Start
If available, this feature allows you
to start the engine from outside of
the vehicle. It may also start up the
vehicle's heating or air conditioning
systems and rear window defogger.
Normal operation of the system will
return after the key is turned to the
ON/RUN position.
If the vehicle has an automatic
climate control system, the climate
control system will default to a
heating or cooling mode depending
on the outside temperatures. If the
vehicle does not have an automatic
climate control system, the system
will turn on at the setting the vehicle
was set to when the vehicle was
last turned off. During a remote start, if the vehicle
has an automatic climate control
system and heated seats, the
heated seats will turn on during
colder outside temperatures and
will shut off when the key is turned
to ON/RUN. If the vehicle does
not have an automatic climate
control system, during remote start,
manually turn the heated seats on
and off. See
Heated Front Seats on
page 3‑8 for additional information.
Laws in some communities may
restrict the use of remote starters.
For example, some laws may
require a person using the remote
start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local
regulations for any requirements
on remote starting of vehicles.

Black plate (6,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
2-6 Keys, Doors and Windows
Do not use the remote start
feature if the vehicle is low on fuel.
The vehicle may run out of fuel.
If the vehicle has the remote
start feature, the RKE transmitter
functions will have an increased
range of operation. However,
the range may be less while
the vehicle is running.
There are other conditions which
can affect the performance of the
transmitter. SeeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2‑3
for additional information.
/(Remote Start): This button will
be on the RKE transmitter if the
vehicle has remote start. To start the vehicle using the remote
start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the
vehicle.
2. Press and release
Q.
The vehicle's doors will
lock. Immediately press and
hold
/until the turn signal
lamps flash. If you cannot see
the vehicle's lamps, press and
hold
/for two to four seconds.
Pressing
/again after the
vehicle has started will turn
the engine off.
When the vehicle starts, the
parking lamps will turn on and
remain on while the vehicle is
running.
If the vehicle is left running,
it will automatically shut off
after 10 minutes unless a time
extension has been done. 3. If it is the first remote start since
the vehicle has been driven,
repeat these steps, while the
engine is still running, to extend
the engine running time by
10 minutes. Remote start can
be extended one time.
After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, insert and turn the key
to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
To cancel a remote start:.Aim the RKE transmitter at
the vehicle and press and
hold
/until the parking
lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Turn the ignition on and then
back off.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-7
The vehicle can be remote started
two separate times between driving
sequences. The engine will run for
10 minutes after each remote start.
Or, you can extend the engine run
time by another 10 minutes within
the first 10 minute remote start time
frame, and before the engine stops.
For example, if
Qand then/are
pressed again after the vehicle
has been running for 5 minutes,
10 minutes are added, allowing
the engine to run for 15 minutes.
The additional 10 minutes are
considered a second remote vehicle
start. Once two remote starts, or a single
remote start with one time extension
has been done, the vehicle must be
started with the key. After the key
is removed from the ignition, the
vehicle can be remote started again.
The vehicle cannot be remote
started if the key is in the ignition,
the hood is not closed, or if there
is an emission control system
malfunction and the check engine
light is on.
Also, the engine will turn off during a
remote vehicle start if the coolant
temperature gets too high or if the
oil pressure gets low.
Remote Start Ready
If the vehicle does not have the
remote vehicle start feature, it may
have the remote start ready feature.
This feature allows your dealer to
add the manufacturer's remote
vehicle start feature.
See your dealer to add the
manufacturer's remote vehicle
start feature to the vehicle.

Black plate (8,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
2-8 Keys, Doors and Windows
Door Locks
{WARNING
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
.Passengers, especially
children, can easily open
the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door
is locked, the handle will not
open it. The chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in
a crash is increased if the
doors are not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and
the doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it.
.Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
the vehicle. Locking the doors
can help prevent this from
happening.
There are several ways to lock and
unlock the vehicle.
From outside, use the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
or the key in the driver door. From inside, use the power door
locks or manual door locks. To lock
or unlock the door with the manual
locks, push down or pull up on the
manual lock knob.
Power Door Locks
With power door locks, the switches
on the front doors can be used to
lock and unlock the vehicle.
K(Unlock):
Press to unlock the
doors.
Q(Lock): Press to lock the doors.
Delayed Locking
The vehicle may have the delayed
locking feature. When locking the
doors with the power lock switch
and a door is open, the doors will
lock five seconds after the last door
is closed. You will hear three chimes
to signal that the delayed locking
feature is in use.

Black plate (9,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-9
Pressing the power lock switch
twice will override the delayed
locking feature and immediately
lock all the doors.
This feature will not operate if the
key is in the ignition.
This feature can be programmed
using the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See“Delay Door
Lock” under Vehicle Personalization
(with DIC Buttons) on page 5‑52.
Automatic Door Locks
The vehicle may have an automatic
lock/unlock feature. This feature
can be programmed using the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Vehicle Personalization (with
DIC Buttons) on page 5‑52 for more
information on DIC programming.
Lockout Protection
If the driver side power door lock
switch is pressed when the driver
door is open and the key is in the
ignition, all of the doors will lock and
then the driver door will unlock.
If the passenger side power door
lock switch is pressed when the
front passenger door is open and
the key is in the ignition, all of the
doors will lock and then the front
passenger door will unlock.
Safety Locks
The vehicle has rear door security
locks to prevent passengers from
opening the rear doors from the
inside.
Open the rear doors to access the
security locks on the inside edge of
each door.
To set the locks, insert a key into
the slot and turn it to the horizontal
position. The door can only be
opened from the outside with the
door unlocked. To return the door
to normal operation, turn the slot
to the vertical position.

Black plate (10,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
2-10 Keys, Doors and Windows
Doors
Rear Doors
(Extended Cab)
To open a rear access door from
the outside, first open the front door.
Then, use the handle located on the
front edge of the rear access door to
open it.The rear access door must be
closed before the front door can
close.
To open a rear access door from
the inside, first open the front door.
Then, use the handle located on
the inside of the rear access door
to open.
Tailgate
{WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to
ride on the tailgate, even when
the vehicle is operated at low
speeds. People riding on the
tailgate can easily lose their
balance and fall in response
to vehicle maneuvers. Falling
from a moving vehicle may
result in serious injuries or death.
Do not allow people to ride on the
tailgate. Be sure everyone in your
vehicle is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
On vehicles with a lock on the
tailgate, use the key to lock or
unlock the tailgate.

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.