2011 GMC SIERRA trailer

Black plate (3,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-3
A.Air Vents on page 8‑11.
B. Turn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 6‑6.
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑5.
C. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑33.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑5.
E. Instrument Cluster on
page 5‑13.
F. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑46.
Tow/Haul Selector Button
(If Equipped). See Tow/Haul
Mode on page 9‑51.
Range Selection Mode (Allison
Transmission and Hydra-Matic
®
6‐Speed Button (If Equipped).
See Manual Mode on
page 9‑50. G.
Infotainment on page 7‑1.
H. Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4‑1.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
See Trailer Towing on
page 9‑95.
J. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
K. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑25.
L. Hood on page 10‑5.
M. Parking Brake on page 9‑69.
N. Dome Lamps on page 6‑8.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑6
(If Equipped).
O. Cruise Control on page 9‑73.
P. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2. Q.
Horn on page 5‑5.
R. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑3 (If Equipped).
S. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped).
See Four-Wheel Drive on
page 10‑34.
T. Ashtray (If Equipped). See Ashtrays on page 5‑12 and
Cigarette Lighter on page 5‑11.
U. StabiliTrak
®System on
page 9‑70 (If Equipped).
Ultrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑76 (If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button
(If Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal on
page 9‑35.
Exhaust Brake (If Equipped).
See “Brakes” in the Duramax
Diesel Supplement.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-7
A.Air Vents on page 8‑11.
B. Turn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 6‑6.
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑5.
C. Instrument Cluster on
page 5‑13.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑5.
E. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑46.
F. Tow/Haul Mode on page 9‑51
(If Equipped).
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑33.
H. Infotainment on page 7‑1.
I. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
J. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
See Trailer Towing on
page 9‑95. K.
Dome Lamps on page 6‑8.
L. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped).
See Four-Wheel Drive on
page 10‑34.
M. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑25.
N. Hood on page 10‑5.
O. Parking Brake on page 9‑69.
P. Cruise Control on page 9‑73.
Q. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
R. Horn on page 5‑5.
S. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑3.
T. Climate Control Systems
(with Air Conditioning) on
page 8‑1 orClimate Control
Systems (with Heater Only) on
page 8‑4 (If Equipped).
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 8‑5
(If Equipped). U.
Power Outlets on page 5‑10.
Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped).
See Ashtrays on page 5‑12 and
Cigarette Lighter on page 5‑11.
V. StabiliTrak
®System on
page 9‑70 (If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button
(If Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal on
page 9‑35.
Ultrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑76 (If Equipped).
Exhaust Brake (If Equipped).
See “Brakes” in the Duramax
Diesel Supplement.
W. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped). See Airbag
On-Off Switch on page 3‑37.

Black plate (17,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-17
SeeManual Mirrors on page 2‑15 or
Power Mirrors on page 2‑16.
If the vehicle has towing mirrors,
they can be adjusted for a clearer
view of the objects behind you.
Manually pull out the mirror head to
extend it for better visibility when
towing a trailer. See Trailer-Tow
Mirrors on page 2‑15.
Power Foldaway Mirrors
To fold the mirrors:
1. Press (C) to fold the mirrors out
to the driving position.
2. Press (D) to fold the mirrors in to the folded position.
Manual Foldaway Mirrors
Manually fold the mirrors inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash.
To fold, pull the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward,
to return to its original position.
See Folding Mirrors on page 2‑16.Interior Mirror
Vehicles with a manual rearview
mirror can be adjusted to see
clearly behind the vehicle. Hold the
mirror in the center to move it up or
down and side to side. To reduce
headlamp glare during nighttime
use, push the tab forward for
daytime use and pull it for
nighttime use.
Vehicles with the automatic dimming
feature will automatically reduce
the glare of lights from behind the
vehicle. The dimming feature comes
on and the indicator light illuminates
each time the vehicle is started.
SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror on page 2‑18 for more
information.
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
The tilt lever is located on the lower
left side of the steering column.
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Hold the steering wheel and pull the lever.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down.
3. Release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.

Black plate (25,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-25
Automatic Transfer Case
This transfer case knob is located
next to the steering column.
Each transfer case design offers
different drive options. The list
below described the different drive
options that may be available.2
m(Two-Wheel-Drive High):
This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive): This setting is ideal for
use when road surface traction
conditions are variable.
4
m(Four-Wheel High): Use the
Four-Wheel-Drive High position
when extra traction is needed, such
as on snowy or icy roads or in most
off-road situations. N (Neutral):
Shift the transfer case
to Neutral only when towing the
vehicle. See Recreational Vehicle
Towing on page 10‑103 orTrailer
Towing on page 9‑95.
4
n(Four-Wheel-Drive Low): This
setting 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.
See Four-Wheel Drive on
page 9‑54.

Black plate (30,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
1-30 In Brief
Navigation System
If the vehicle has a navigation
system, there is a separate
Navigation System Manual that
includes information on the radio,
audio players, and navigation
system.
The navigation system provides
detailed maps of most major
freeways and roads. After a
destination has been set, the
system provides turn-by-turn
instructions for reaching the
destination. In addition, the system
can help locate a variety of points
of interest (POI), such as banks,
airports, restaurants, and more.
See the Navigation System Manual
for more information.
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC display is located at
the bottom of the instrument
panel cluster. It shows the status of
many vehicle systems and enables
access to the personalization menu.
The DIC buttons are located on
the instrument panel, next to the
steering wheel.
Some vehicles do not have the
buttons shown, however some of
the menus can be viewed by using
the trip odometer reset stem.
3:Press to display the
odometer, trip odometer, fuel
range, average economy, fuel
used, timer, instantaneous economy
and Active Fuel Management™
indicator, and transmission
temperature. The compass
and outside air temperature
will also be shown in the display.
The temperature will be shown
in °C or °F depending on the
units selected.
T: Press to display the oil life,
units, tire pressure readings for
vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), trailer
brake gain and output information
for vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
engine hours, compass zone
setting, and compass recalibration.
U: Press to customize the
feature settings on your vehicle.
See Vehicle Personalization (with
DIC Buttons) on page 5‑52 for more
information.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-1
Keys, Doors and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Doors
Rear Doors (Extended Cab) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Anti-Theft Alarm System . . . . . 2-12
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . 2-13
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Trailer-Tow Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . 2-18
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Rear Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Roof
Sunroof (Extended Cab) . . . . . 2-21
Sunroof (Crew Cab) . . . . . . . . . 2-22

Black plate (15,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-15
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{WARNING
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Manual Mirrors
Adjust the outside mirrors for a
clearer view.
Using hood-mounted air deflectors
and add-on convex mirror
attachments could decrease
mirror performance.
Trailer-Tow Mirrors
If the vehicle has towing mirrors,
they can be adjusted for a clearer
view of the objects behind you. Manually pull out the mirror head to
extend it for better visibility when
towing a trailer.
The lower portion of the mirror is
convex. A convex mirror's surface
is curved to see more from the
driver seat. The convex mirror can
be adjusted manually to the driver
preferred position for better vision.
The mirror may have a turn signal
arrow that flashes in the direction
of the turn or lane change.

Black plate (26,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-26 Instruments and Controls
To prevent more serious damage to
the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
.If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to flash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle.
Find a safe place to park the
vehicle. Turn the vehicle off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps and see
your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
Light On Steady: An emission
control system malfunction has
been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be
required. The following may correct an
emissions system malfunction:
.Make sure the fuel cap is
fully installed. See
Filling
the Tank on page 9‑88.
The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap allows fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
.Make sure the electrical system
is not wet. The system could
be wet if the vehicle was driven
through a deep puddle of water.
The condition is usually
corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving
trips should turn the light off.
.Make sure to fuel the vehicle
with quality fuel. Poor fuel quality
causes the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and can
cause: stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is
changed into gear, misfiring,
hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these
conditions occurs, change the
fuel brand used. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑84.
If none of the above have made
the light turn off, your dealer can
check the vehicle. The dealer
has the proper test equipment
and diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems
that might have developed.