
Black plate (35,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Vehicle Care 10-35
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
See Parking Brake on
page 9‑54.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake on
page 9‑54.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move. 3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
.The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.

Black plate (46,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
10-46 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
9 Antilock Brakes System 2
10 Trailer Back-up Lamps
11 Driver Side Low-Beam
Headlamp
12 Engine Control Module
(Battery)
13 Fuel Injectors, Ignition
Coils (Right Side)
14 Transmission Control
Module (Battery)
15 Vehicle Back-up Lamps
16 Passenger Side
Low-Beam Headlamp
17 Air Conditioning
Compressor
18 Oxygen Sensors
19 Transmission Controls
(Ignition)
20 Fuel Pump
21 Fuel System Control
Module Fuses
Usage
22 Not Used
23 Not Used
24 Fuel Injectors, Ignition
Coils (Left Side)
25 Trailer Park Lamps
26 Driver Side Park Lamps
27 Passenger Side Park
Lamps
28 Fog Lamps
29 Horn
30 Passenger Side
High-Beam Headlamp
31 Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
32 Driver Side High-Beam
Headlamp
33 Daytime Running Lamps 2
34 Sunroof
35 Key Ignition System, Theft
Deterrent System Fuses
Usage
36 Windshield Wiper
37 SEO B2 Upfitter Usage
(Battery)
38 Electric Adjustable Pedals
39 Climate Controls (Battery)
40 Airbag System (Ignition)
41 Amplifier
42 Audio System
43 Miscellaneous (Ignition),
Cruise Control
44 Not Used
45 Airbag System (Battery)
46 Instrument Panel Cluster
47 Power Take-Off
48 Auxiliary Climate Control
(Ignition)
49 Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)
50 Rear Defogger

Black plate (49,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Vehicle Care 10-49
FusesUsage
6 Driver Side Turn
Signal, Stoplamp
7 Instrument Panel
Back Lighting
8 Passenger Side Turn
Signal, Stoplamp
9 Passenger Door
Module, Driver Unlock
10 Power Door Lock 2
(Unlock Feature)
11 Power Door Lock 2
(Lock Feature)
12 Stoplamps, Center
High‐Mounted
Stoplamp
13 Rear Climate Controls
14 Power Mirror
15 Body Control
Module (BCM)
16 Accessory Power
Outlets Fuses
Usage
17 Interior Lamps
18 Power Door Lock 1
(Unlock Feature)
19 Rear Seat
Entertainment
20 Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist, Power
Liftgate
21 Power Door Lock 1
(Lock Feature)
22 Driver Information
Center (DIC)
23 Rear Wiper
24 Cooled Seats
25 Driver Seat Module,
Remote Keyless Entry
System
26 Driver Power Door
Lock (Unlock Feature) Circuit
Breaker Usage
LT DR Driver Side Power
Window Circuit
Breaker
Harness
Connector Usage
LT DR Driver Door
Harness
Connection
BODY Harness Connector
BODY Harness Connector
Center Instrument Panel Fuse
Block
The center instrument panel fuse
block is located underneath the
instrument panel, to the left of the
steering column.

Black plate (64,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
10-64 Vehicle Care
The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next
ignition cycle. The sensors are
matched to the tire/wheel positions,
using a TPMS relearn tool, in the
following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger
side rear tire, and driver side rear.
See your dealer for service or to
purchase a relearn tool.
There are two minutes to match
the first tire/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all
four tire/wheel positions. If it takes
longer, the matching process stops
and must be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matching
process is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN withthe engine off.
3. Press the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter's LOCK
and UNLOCK buttons at the
same time for approximately
five seconds. The horn sounds twice to signal the receiver
is in relearn mode and TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message
displays on the DIC screen.
If the vehicle does not have
RKE, press the Driver
Information Center (DIC) vehicle
information button until the
PRESS
VTO RELEARN TIRE
POSITIONS message displays.
The horn sounds twice to signal
the receiver is in relearn mode
and TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
message displays on the DIC
screen.
If the vehicle does not have RKE
or DIC buttons, press the trip
odometer reset stem located on
the instrument panel cluster until
the PRESS
VTO RELEARN
TIRE POSITIONS message
displays. The horn sounds twice
to signal the receiver is in
relearn mode and TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message
displays on the DIC screen. 4. Start with the driver side
front tire.
5. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve
stem. Then press the button to
activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the
sensor identification code has
been matched to this tire and
wheel position.
6. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5.
7. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the
procedure in Step 5.
8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in
Step 5. The horn sounds two
times to indicate the sensor
identification code has been
matched to the driver side rear
tire, and the TPMS sensor
matching process is no longer
active. The TIRE LEARNING
ACTIVE message on the DIC
display screen goes off.

Black plate (78,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
10-78 Vehicle Care
A. Spare Tire (Valve StemPointed Down)
B. Hoist Assembly
C. Hoist Cable
D. Tire/Wheel Retainer
E. Hoist Shaft
F. Hoist End of Extension Tool
G. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
H. Wheel Wrench I. Jack Handle Extensions
J. Spare Tire Lock (If equipped)
1. Open the spare tire lock cover
on the bumper and use the
ignition key to remove the spare
tire lock (J). To remove the spare
tire lock, insert the ignition key
turn and pull straight out.
2. Assemble the wheel wrench (H)and the two jack handle
extensions (I), as shown.
3. Insert the hoist end (openend) (F) of the extension through
the hole (G) in the rear bumper.
Do not use the chiseled end of
the wheel wrench.
Be sure the hoist end of the
extension (F) connects to the
hoist shaft. The ribbed square
end of the extension is used to
lower the spare tire.
4. Turn the wheel wrench counterclockwise to lower
the spare tire to the ground.
Continue to turn the wheel
wrench until the spare tire can
be pulled out from under the
vehicle.

Black plate (95,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Vehicle Care 10-95
5. Release the parking brake onlyafter the vehicle being towed is
firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF and remove the key —the
steering wheel will still turn.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of
Neutral” underFour-Wheel Drive on
page 9‑40 for the proper procedure
to take the vehicle out of the Neutral
position.Dolly Towing
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off
the Ground) –Two-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles
Notice: If a two-wheel drive
vehicle is towed with the rear
wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Never
tow the vehicle with the rear
wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive vehicles should
not be towed with the rear wheels
on the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being
towed.
To dolly tow a two‐wheel‐drive
vehicle, the vehicle must be towed
with the rear wheels on the dolly.
See
“Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off
the Ground)” later in this section for
more information.

Black plate (100,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
10-100 Vehicle Care
Wheels and Trim—Aluminum
or Chrome
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild
soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean
water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft,
clean cloth with mild soap and
water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft,
clean towel. A wax may then be
applied.
Notice: Chrome wheels and other
chrome trim may be damaged if
the vehicle is not washed after
driving on roads that have been
sprayed with magnesium,
calcium, or sodium chloride.
These chlorides are used on
roads for conditions such as
ice and dust. Always wash the
chrome with soap and water after
exposure. Notice:
To avoid surface
damage, do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect the power
steering for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Visually
check constant velocity joints,
rubber boots, and axle seals for
leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and
steel fuel door hinge unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
Use plain water to flush dirt and
debris from the vehicle's underbody.
Your dealer or an underbody car
washing system can do this. If not
removed, rust and corrosion can
develop.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.

Black plate (12,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
11-12 Service and Maintenance
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a gasoline engine. If the vehicle has a diesel engine and/or an
Allison Transmission, see the maintenance schedule section in the DURAMAX® Diesel supplement.
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of
the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is
recommended. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑7.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL coolant.
See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑19.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 12377967, in
Canada 89021320).
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection
requirements.
Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. 89021184, in Canada 89021186).
Automatic Transmission DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).