2011 GMC SIERRA transmission

Black plate (94,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
9-94 Driving and Operating
To avoid this, let the engine
run while parked, preferably on
level ground, with the automatic
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes
on, seeEngine Overheating on
page 10‑25.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill
with the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface. If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but
do not shift into P (Park) yet.
Turn the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. If the vehicle is four-wheel-drive, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear and not in N (Neutral).
6. Release the brake pedal.
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle
can roll.
If the engine has been left
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when on fairly
level ground, use the steps that
follow.
Always put the shift lever fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set.
If the transfer case on a
four-wheel-drive vehicle is in
N (Neutral), the vehicle will be
free to roll, even if the shift lever
is in P (Park). Be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear —not in
N (Neutral).

Black plate (95,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-95
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer isclear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual's Maintenance Schedule
or Index for more information.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system,
and brake system. It is a good
idea to inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel supplement
for more information.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
Do not tow a trailer during break‐in.
See New Vehicle Break-In on
page 9‑34 for more information.
{WARNING
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well or even at all. The driver and
passengers could be seriously
injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs
would not be covered by the
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer
only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your
dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the
vehicle.
Notice: Pulling a trailer
improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in
this section and see your dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of
the vehicle, read the information in
“Weight of the Trailer” later in this
section.

Black plate (97,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-97
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Standard Box (b) 4.3L V6 (c) 3.232 177 kg (4,800 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.3L V6 —With Automatic
Transmission (c) 3.73
2 449 kg (5,400 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.8L V8 3.733 266 kg (7,200 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8 3.082 994 kg (6,600 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8, K5L HD
Cooling Pkg 3.08
3 357 kg (7,400 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 4 128 kg (9,100 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg
Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 128 kg (9,100 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 128 kg (9,100 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Standard Box (b) 4.3L V6 (c) 3.231 996 kg (4,400 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.8L V8 (c) 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 3.733 039 kg (6,700 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)

Black plate (117,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-117
If the vehicle is equipped with an
Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) System, the blunt cuts
exist, but are not connected further
in the harness. If an aftermarket
trailer brake controller is installed,
the ITBC must be disconnected.
Do not power both ITBC and
aftermarket controllers to control
the trailer brakes at the same time.
Tow/Haul Mode
Pressing this button at the end of
the shift lever turns on and off the
Tow/Haul Mode.
This indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when the
Tow/Haul Mode is on.
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists
when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load. SeeTow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑51 for more
information.
Tow/Haul is designed to be most
effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75 percent of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing on page 9‑95.
Tow/Haul is most useful under
the following driving conditions:
.When pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load through
rolling terrain.
.When pulling a heavy trailer
or a large or heavy load in
stop-and-go traffic.
.When pulling a heavy trailer
or a large or heavy load in busy
parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is
desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no
trailer at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to
the selection of Tow/Haul when
the vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may
result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large
or heavy load.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-11
Automatic Transmission Fluid (4-Speed
Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-19
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22 Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-25
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-29
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Noise Control System . . . . . . 10-38
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-39
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-40
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-41
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Pick-Up Box Identification and Fender Marker
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Taillamps (Chassis Cab Models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-48
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-7
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑19.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 10‑20.
C. Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump
Starting on page 10‑98.
D. Battery on page 10‑34.
E. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump
Starting on page 10‑98.
F. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid (4-Speed Transmission)
on page 10‑13 orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) on page 10‑16.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑7. H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil on
page 10‑7.
I. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10‑20.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on
page 10‑29.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brake Fluid on
page 10‑32.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑50.
M. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑29.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine
and/or an Allison Transmission, see
the Duramax Diesel Supplement.Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see
“Engine Oil” in the Duramax Diesel
Supplement.
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine
oil. Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and
of the proper viscosity grade.
See “Selecting the Right Engine
Oil” in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine
Oil Life System on page 10‑11.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.

Black plate (13,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-13
Automatic
Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission)
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check the automatic
transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at
the intervals listed inScheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2 and be
sure to use the transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑8.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, it may be best to have
this done at the dealer service
department.
If not taken to the dealer, be sure to
follow all the instructions here or a
false reading on the dipstick could
result.
Notice: Too much or too
little fluid can damage the
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts,
starting a fire. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission
to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if checking
the transmission fluid. Wait at least 30 minutes before
checking the transmission fluid
level if you have been driving:.When outside temperatures are
above 32°C (90°F).
.At high speed for quite a while.
.In heavy traffic
—especially in
hot weather.
.While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid
should be at normal operating
temperature, which is 82°C to 93°C
(180°F to 200°F).
Get the vehicle warmed up by
driving about 24 km (15 miles) when
outside temperatures are above
10°C (50°F). If it is colder than 10°C
(50°F), drive the vehicle in 3 (Third)
until the engine temperature gauge
moves and then remains steady for
10 minutes.

Black plate (14,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
10-14 Vehicle Care
A cold fluid check can be made
after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the
engine off, but this is used only
as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for five minutes if outside
temperatures are 10°C (50°F)
or more. If it is colder than 10°C
(50°F), the engine may have to idle
longer. Should the fluid level be low
during this cold check, the fluid must
be checked when hot before adding
fluid. Checking the fluid hot will give
you a more accurate reading of the
fluid level.Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level
place. Keep the engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever
through each gear range,
pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more. Then, without shutting off the
engine, follow these steps:
1. Locate the transmission dipstick
handle with this graphic which is
located at the rear of the engine
compartment, on the passenger
side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for
more information on location.
2. Flip the handle up, then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it
back out again.