2011 GMC SIERRA ECU

Black plate (15,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Infotainment System 7-15
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna can
withstand most car washes without
being damaged as long as it is
securely attached to the base.
If the mast becomes slightly bent,
straighten it out by hand. If the
mast is badly bent, replace it.
Occasionally check to make sure
the antenna is tightened to its base.
If tightening is required, tighten
by hand until fully seated plus
one quarter turn.
Satellite Radio Antenna
The XM Satellite Radio antenna
is located on the roof of the
vehicle. Keep the antenna clear
of obstructions for clear radio
reception.
If the vehicle has a sunroof, the
performance of the XM system
(if equipped) may be affected
if the sunroof is open.
Audio Players
CD Player
Care of the CD Player
Do not add any label to a CD.
It could get caught in the CD.
If a CD is recorded on a personal
computer and a description label is
needed, try labeling the top of the
recorded CD with a marking pen.
The use of CD lens cleaners
is not advised, due to the risk of
contaminating the lens of the CD
optics with lubricants internal to
the CD player mechanism.Notice:
If a label is added to
a CD, or more than one CD is
inserted into the slot at a time,
or an attempt is made to play
scratched or damaged CDs, the
CD player could be damaged.
While using the CD player, use
only CDs in good condition
without any label, load one CD at
a time, and keep the CD player
and the loading slot free of
foreign materials, liquids, and
debris.
If an error displays, see “CD Player
Messages” later in this section.

Black plate (8,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-8 Driving and Operating
If you think you will need some
more ground clearance at the front
of your vehicle, you can remove the
front fascia lower air dam. The air
dam is held in place by 2 bolts
and 10 snaps accessible from
underneath the front fascia.
To remove the air dam:
1. Remove the 2 outboard air dambolts.
2. With a flat‐blade tool, disengage the snaps.
3. After the bolts are removed and the snaps are disengaged, push
forward on the air dam until it
is free. Notice:
Operating your vehicle
for extended periods without
the front fascia lower air dam
installed can cause improper air
flow to the engine. Always be
sure to replace the front fascia
air dam when you are finished
off-road driving.
After off-roading, be sure to reinstall
the air dam:
1. Line up the snaps and push the
air dam rearward to engage the
snaps.
2. Install the 2 outboard bolts.Loading Your Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving
{WARNING
.Cargo on the load floor piled
higher than the seatbacks
can be thrown forward during
a sudden stop. You or your
passengers could be injured.
Keep cargo below the top of
the seatbacks.
.Unsecured cargo on the
load floor can be tossed
about when driving over
rough terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck
by flying objects. Secure the
cargo properly. (Continued)

Black plate (9,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-9
WARNING (Continued)
.Heavy loads on the roof raise
the vehicle's center of gravity,
making it more likely to roll
over. You can be seriously or
fatally injured if the vehicle
rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on
the roof. Keep cargo in the
cargo area as far forward
and low as possible.
There are some important things to
remember about how to load your
vehicle.
.The heaviest things should be
on the floor, forward of the rear
axle. Put heavier items as far
forward as you can.
.Be sure the load is properly
secured, so things are not
tossed around.
You will find other important
information under Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑25 andTires on
page 10‑57.
Environmental Concerns
Off-road driving can provide
wholesome and satisfying
recreation. However, it also
raises environmental concerns.
We recognize these concerns
and urge every off-roader to follow
these basic rules for protecting
the environment:
.Always use established trails,
roads, and areas that have been
specially set aside for public
off-road recreational driving and
obey all posted regulations.
.Avoid any driving practice
that could damage shrubs,
flowers, trees, or grasses or
disturb wildlife. This includes
wheel-spinning, breaking down
trees, or unnecessary driving
through streams or over soft
ground.
.Always carry a litter bag and
make sure all refuse is removed
from any campsite before
leaving.
.Take extreme care with open
fires (where permitted), camp
stoves, and lanterns.
.Never park your vehicle over
dry grass or other combustible
materials that could catch fire
from the heat of the vehicle's
exhaust system.

Black plate (29,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-29
Never exceed the GVWR for
your vehicle, or the GAWR for
either the front or rear axle.
The Certification/Tire label also
contains important information
about your Front Axle Reserve
Capacity. See“What is front axle
reserve capacity, and how do I
calculate it?” underAdding a
Snow Plow or Similar Equipment
on page 9‑125.
{WARNING
In the case of a sudden stop
or collision, things carried in
the bed of your truck could
shift forward and come into
the passenger area, injuring
you and others. If you put
things in the bed of your truck,
you should make sure they
are properly secured.
{WARNING
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
shorten the life of the vehicle. Notice :
Overloading the
vehicle may cause damage.
Repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Do not overload the vehicle.
Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change
your weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your
vehicle the right way.

Black plate (30,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-30 Driving and Operating
If you put things inside your
vehicle—like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything
else —they go as fast as the
vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there
is a crash, they will keep going.
{WARNING
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. Try to
spread the weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
.When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.
There is also important loading
information for off-road driving in
this manual. See “Loading Your
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving“
under Off-Road Driving on
page 9‑7. Two-Tiered Loading
Depending on the model of your
pick‐up, an upper load platform
can be created by positioning
three or four 5 cm (2 inches) by
15 cm (6 inches) wooden planks
across the width of the pickup
box. The planks must be
inserted in the pickup box
depressions.
When using this upper load
platform, be sure the load is
securely tied down to prevent it
from shifting. The load's center
of gravity should be positioned
in a zone over the rear axle.
The zone is located in the area
between the front of each wheel
well and the rear of each wheel
well. The center of gravity height
must not extend above the top
of the pickup box flareboard.

Black plate (33,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-33
Here is an example of proper
truck and camper match:
A.Camper Center of Gravity
B.Recommended Center of
Gravity Location ZoneWhen the truck is used to carry
a slide‐in camper, the total cargo
load of the truck consists of the
manufacturer's camper weight
figure, the weight of installed
additional camper equipment not
included in the manufacturer's
camper weight figure, the weight
of camper cargo, and the weight
of passengers in the camper.
The total cargo load should
not exceed the truck's cargo
weight rating, and the camper's
center of gravity (A) should fall
within the truck's recommended
center of gravity zone (B) when
installed.
Any accessories or other
equipment that are added to
the vehicle must be weighed.
Then, subtract this extra weight
from the CWR. This extra weight
may shorten the center of
gravity zone of the vehicle.
If the slide-in camper and its
load weighs less than the CWR,
the center of gravity zone for
your vehicle may be larger.
Secure loose items to prevent
weight shifts that could affect
the balance of the vehicle.

Black plate (40,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-40 Driving and Operating
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
The following vehicle accessories
can be used for up to 10 minutes
after the engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
.OnStar System (if equipped)
.Sunroof (if equipped)
These features work when
the key is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once
the key is turned from ON/RUN
to LOCK/OFF, the windows and
sunroof continue to work up to
10 minutes until any door is opened.
The radio continues to work for
up to 10 minutes or until the driver
door is opened.
Engine Coolant Heater
The engine heater can provide
easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up
in cold weather conditions at
or below −18°C (0°F). Vehicles
with an engine heater should be
plugged in at least four hours before
starting. An internal thermostat in
the plug-end of the cord may exist
which will prevent engine coolant
heater operation at temperatures
above −18°C (0°F).
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax Diesel supplement
for more information.
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord
is secured to the Engine
Compartment Fuse Block
with a clip. Carefully remove
the wire tie which bundles the
electrical plug. Do not cut the
electrical cord.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a fire.
(Continued)

Black plate (82,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-82 Driving and Operating
Disconnecting the Rear Vision
Camera
The rear vision camera must be
disconnected if the tailgate needs
to be removed.
To disconnect the camera:
1. Remove the license plate.
2. Disconnect the cameraconnectors from the chassis
harness, located behind the
license plate, by pressing on the
release tab on each connector.
A. Chassis harness connector
B. Release tab
C. Camera connector
3. Plug the two exposed chassis harness connectors together to
prevent contamination.A. Chassis harness connector
B. Release tab
4. Feed the wiring harness through the pickup box, then plug the
camera connectors together
to prevent contamination.
5. Remove the tailgate. See Tailgate on page 2‑10
for more information.
6. Reinstall the license plate.
Reverse this procedure to reinstall
the rear vision camera and make
sure the grommet and connection
are secure.