2011 GMC SIERRA check engine

Black plate (6,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
11-6 Service and Maintenance
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 40 000 km/25,000 Miles
.Four‐wheel drive only: Transfer
case fluid change (extreme duty
service) for vehicles mainly
driven off‐road in four‐wheel
drive. Vehicles used for farming,
mining, forestry, Department of
Natural Resources (DNR), and
snow plowing occupations meet
this definition. Check vent hose
at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation. Check to be
sure vent hose is unobstructed,
clear, and free of debris. During
any maintenance, if a power
washer is used to clean mud
and dirt from the underbody,
care should be taken to not
directly spray the transfer case
output seals. High pressure
water can overcome the seals
and contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated fluid
will decrease the life of the
transfer case and should be
replaced.First Engine Oil Change After
Every 80 000 km/50,000 Miles.Engine air cleaner filter
replacement. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑19.
.Automatic transmission fluid
change (severe service) for
vehicles with Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) over
3 901 kg (8,600 lbs) or mainly
driven in heavy city traffic in hot
weather, in hilly or mountainous
terrain, when frequently towing
a trailer, or used for taxi,
police, or delivery service.
See Automatic Transmission
Fluid (4-Speed Transmission) on
page 10‑13 orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) on page 10‑16.
.Four‐wheel drive only: Transfer
case fluid change (severe
service) for vehicles mainly
driven when frequently towing
a trailer, or used for taxi, police,
or delivery service. Check
vent hose at transfer case for
kinks and proper installation.
Check to be sure vent hose is
unobstructed, clear, and free of
debris. During any maintenance,
if a power washer is used to
clean mud and dirt from the
underbody, care should be taken
to not directly spray the transfer
case output seals. High pressure
water can overcome the seals
and contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated fluid
will decrease the life of the
transfer case and should be
replaced.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-7
.Evaporative control system
inspection. Check all fuel and
vapor lines and hoses for proper
hook‐up, routing, and condition.
Check that the purge valve,
if the vehicle has one, works
properly. Replace as needed.
An Emission Control Service.
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board
has determined that the failure
to perform this maintenance
item will not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability
prior to the completion of
the vehicle's useful life.
We, however, urge that all
recommended maintenance
services be performed at the
indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.First Engine Oil Change After
Every 160 000 km/100,000 Miles
.Automatic transmission fluid
change (normal service).
See
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (4-Speed Transmission) on
page 10‑13 orAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (6-Speed
Transmission) on page 10‑16.
.Four‐wheel drive only: Transfer
case fluid change (normal
service). Check vent hose at
transfer case for kinks and
proper installation. Check to be
sure vent hose is unobstructed,
clear, and free of debris. During
any maintenance, if a power
washer is used to clean mud
and dirt from the underbody,
care should be taken to not
directly spray the transfer case
output seals. High pressure
water can overcome the seals and contaminate the transfer
case fluid. Contaminated fluid
will decrease the life of the
transfer case and should be
replaced.
.Spark plug replacement and
spark plug wires inspection.
An Emission Control Service.
First Engine Oil Change After
Every 240 000 km/150,000 Miles
.Engine cooling system drain,
flush, and refill (or every five
years, whichever occurs first).
See Engine Coolant on
page 10‑22. An Emission
Control Service.
.Engine drive belts inspection
for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage (or every
10 years, whichever occurs
first). Replace, if needed.

Black plate (15,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Customer Information 13-15
If another party's insurance
company is paying for the repairs,
you are not obligated to accept
a repair valuation based on that
insurance company's collision
policy repair limits, as you have no
contractual limits with that company.
In such cases, you can have control
of the repair and parts choices
as long as the cost stays within
reasonable limits.
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the
diagnosis and repair information
on the engines, transmission, axle,
suspension, brakes, electrical,
steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional
technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks.Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the diagnosis and
service of the vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written
specifically for owners and intended
to provide basic operational
information about the vehicle.
The Owner Manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all
models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio,
Owner Manual, and Warranty
Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$35.00 (U.S.) plus handling and
shipping fees.
Without Portfolio: Owner
Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00 (U.S.) plus handling and
shipping fees.
Current and Past Models
Technical Service Bulletins and
Manuals are available for current
and past model GM vehicles.
ORDER TOLL FREE:
1-800-551-4123 Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit
Helm, Inc. at: www.helminc.com.
Or write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change
without notice and without incurring
obligation. Allow ample time for
delivery.
All listed prices are quoted in
U.S. funds. Make checks payable
in U.S. funds.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-1
A
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Active Fuel Management
®. . . . . 9-44
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-125
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-125
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . 10-19
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11
Airbag Light On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34 Airbag System (cont.)
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . 3-31
Airbags Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46
On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 5-23
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Alarm System Anti-Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Antenna Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Anti-Theft Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Alarm System Messages . . . . . 5-48 Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-108
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-112
Armrest Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Assistance Program,
Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8, 13-10
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22
Audio System Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14
Rear Seat (RSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-48
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . 7-2
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . 9-46 Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13, 10-16
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Shift Lock ControlFunction Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40

Black plate (3,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-3
Center High-MountedStoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Check Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
IgnitionTransmission Lock . . . . . . . . 10-40
Child Restraints Infants and YoungChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-51
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Securing . . . . . . . . . . 3-66, 3-69, 3-78
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-54 Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-108
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-112
Climate Control Systems . . . 8-1, 8-4 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . 8-1, 8-4
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1, 8-4
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . 13-12
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Coolant Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Engine TemperatureGauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17 Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-11
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-73 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
Text Telephone (TTY)Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
Customer Information Service PublicationsOrdering Information . . . . . . 13-15
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1, 13-3

Black plate (4,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
i-4 INDEX
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . 13-12
Danger, Warnings, andCautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . 13-17
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Devices, Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-34
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Rear Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33 Driving
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-91
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-20
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-35
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Dual Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
DVD
Rear Seat EntertainmentSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-39
DVD/CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22
E
E85 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-87
Electrical Equipment, Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-125
Electrical System Engine CompartmentFuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20

Black plate (9,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-9
Messages (cont.)Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46
Object Detection System . . . . . 5-46
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Starting the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-51
Mirrors Automatic Dimming
Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Park Tilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Trailer Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Monitor System, Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68N
NavigationVehicle Data Recordingand Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 10-38
O
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . .10-11
Engine Oil PressureGauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31 Older Children, Restraints . . . . . 3-49
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . 13-6
OnStar
®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36
Operation, Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
P
Park
Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Parking Assist, Ultrasonic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-76
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-69
Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-40
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 9-43

Black plate (11,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
INDEX i-11
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
ReplacementGlass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-11
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . 3-48
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 3-66
Replacing Safety Belt
System Parts After a
Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-16
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40 Ride Control Systems
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8, 13-10
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-21, 2-22
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . 12-6
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Replacing After a Crash . . . . . . 3-28
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . 3-26 Safety Defects Reporting
Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-16
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . . 11-2
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 13-10
Seats Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . 3-6
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 3-4
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10, 3-11
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Securing Child Restraints . . . . . . . . 3-66, 3-69, 3-78
Security
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12