
Black plate (60,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
9-60 Driving and Operating
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated,
.Press and hold the SET–button
on the steering wheel until the
desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
.To slow down in small amounts,
press the SET– button on the
steering wheel briefly. Each time
this is done, the vehicle goes
about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal,
the vehicle will slow down to the
previous set cruise speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works
on hills depends on the vehicle
speed, the load, and the steepness
of the hills. When going up steep hills, pressing the accelerator pedal
may be necessary to maintain
vehicle speed.
While going downhill:
.Vehicles with a four speed
automatic transmission may
need to have the brakes applied
or the transmission shifted
to a lower gear to keep the
speed down.
.Vehicles with a six speed
automatic transmission have a
Cruise Grade Braking feature
that may automatically shift to a
lower gear to keep the speed
down. It may be necessary to
apply the brake or manually
shift the transmission to a lower
gear. The vehicle may shift to a
higher gear when grade braking
assistance is no longer required.
Cruise Grade Braking is not
available while in Range
Selection Mode. This feature is
active when the exhaust brake
is enabled (if equipped). See
"Range Selection Mode" under
Manual Mode on page 9‑38.
When the brakes are manually
applied the cruise control is
disengaged.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise
control:.To disengage cruise control;
step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press[on the steering wheel.
.To turn off the cruise control,
press
Ion the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed
is erased from memory by
pressing
Ior if the ignition is
turned off.

Black plate (61,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Driving and Operating 9-61
Object Detection
Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
If available, the Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) system
assists the driver with parking
and avoiding objects while in
R (Reverse). URPA operates at
speeds less than 8 km/h (5 mph).
The sensors on the rear bumper
detect objects up to 2.5 m (8 ft)
behind the vehicle, and at least
25 cm (10 in) off the ground.
{WARNING
The URPA system does not
detect pedestrians, bicyclists,
animals, or objects below the
bumper or that are too close or
too far from the vehicle. To
prevent injury, death, or vehicle
damage, even with URPA, always(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
check the area around the vehicle
and check all mirrors before
backing.
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). A single tone sounds
to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
An obstacle is indicated by audible
beeps. The interval between the
beeps becomes shorter as the
vehicle gets closer to the obstacle.
When the distance is less than
30 cm (12 in) the beeping is a
continuous tone for five seconds.
To be detected, objects must be at
least 25 cm (10 in) off the ground
and below tailgate level. Objects
must also be within 2.5 m (8 ft) from the rear bumper. This distance may
be less during warmer or humid
weather.
Turning the System On and Off
The URPA system can be turned
on and off using the rear park aid
disable button located next to the
radio.
The indicator light comes on when
the system is disabled and turns off
when the system is on.
When the system is off, PARK
ASSIST OFF displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The
message disappears after a short
period of time.

Black plate (63,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Driving and Operating 9-63
WARNING (Continued)
using only the RVC screen, such
as during longer, higher speed
backing maneuvers, or where
there could be cross-traffic.
Perceived distances may be
different from actual distances.
Failure to use proper care before
backing may result in injury,
death, or vehicle damage. Always
check behind and around the
vehicle before backing.
Vehicles without Navigation
System
The RVC system displays a view of
the area behind the vehicle. When
the vehicle is on and shifted into
R (Reverse) the video image
appears on the inside rearview
mirror. The video image disappears
after the vehicle is shifted out of
R (Reverse).Turning the RVC System On or Off
To turn off the RVC system, press
and hold
z, located on the
inside rearview mirror, until the left
indicator light turns off. The RVC
display is now disabled.
To turn the RVC system on, press
and hold
zuntil the left indicator
light comes on. The RVC system
display will appear in the mirror.
Vehicles with Navigation
System
The RVC system is designed to
help the driver when backing up by
displaying a view of the area behind
the vehicle. When the vehicle is
shifted into R (Reverse), the video
image appears on the navigation
screen. After a delay, the navigation
screen displays the last screen after
the vehicle is shifted out of
R (Reverse). Turning the RVC System On or Off
To turn the RVC system on or off:
1. Shift into P (Park).
2. Press MENU to enter the
configure menu options. Turn
the Multifunction knob until the
Display feature is highlighted
and press the Multifunction
knob. Or press the Display
screen button
3. Select the Rear Camera Options screen button. The Rear Camera
Options screen displays.
4. Select the Video screen button.When the Video screen button
is highlighted the RVC
system is on.

Black plate (64,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
9-64 Driving and Operating
The delay after shifting out of
R (Reverse) is approximately
10 seconds. The delay can be
canceled by performing one of the
following:
.Pressing a hard key on the
navigation system.
.Shifting into P (Park).
.Reaching a vehicle speed of
8 km/h (5 mph).
Adjusting the Brightness and
Contrast of the Screen
To adjust the brightness and
contrast of the screen, press the
MENU button while the RVC image
is on the display. Any adjustments
made will only affect the RVC
screen.
](Brightness): Touch the + (plus)
or –(minus) screen buttons to
increase or decrease the brightness
of the screen.
_(Contrast): Touch the + (plus)
or –(minus) screen buttons to
increase or decrease the contrast of
the screen.
Symbols
The navigation system may have a
feature that allows for viewing
parking assist symbols on the
navigation screen while using the
RVC. The Ultrasonic Rear Park
Assist (URPA) system must not be
disabled to use the caution symbols.
If URPA has been disabled and the
symbols have been turned on,
the Rear Parking Assist Symbols
Unavailable error message may
display. See Ultrasonic Parking
Assist on page 9‑61.
The symbols appear near objects
detected by the URPA system. The
symbol may cover the object when
viewing the navigation screen.
To turn the symbols on or off:
1. Make sure that URPA has not been disabled.
2. Shift into P (Park). 3. Press MENU to enter the
configure menu options. Turn
the Multifunction knob until the
Display feature is highlighted
and press the Multifunction
knob. Or press the Display
screen button
4. Select the Rear Camera Options screen button. The Rear Camera
Options screen displays.
5. Touch the Symbols screen button. The screen button will
be highlighted when on.
Guidelines
The RVC system has a guideline
overlay that can help the driver align
the vehicle when backing into a
parking spot.
If the vehicle has dual rear wheels,
this feature will not be available.
To turn the guidelines on or off:
1. Make sure that URPA has not been disabled.
2. Shift into P (Park).

Black plate (65,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Driving and Operating 9-65
3. Press MENU to enter theconfigure menu options. Turn
the Multifunction knob until the
Display feature is highlighted
and press the Multifunction
knob. Or press the Display
screen button
4. Select the Rear Camera Options screen button. The Rear Camera
Options screen displays.
5. Touch the Guidelines screen button. The screen button will be
highlighted when on.RVC Location
The camera is located in the bezel
for the tailgate handle.
This shows the field of view that the
camera provides.
A. View displayed by the camera
A. View displayed by the camera
B. Corners of the rear bumper

Black plate (67,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Driving and Operating 9-67
Reverse this procedure to reinstall
the RVC and make sure the
grommet and connection are
secure.
When the System Does Not
Seem To Work Properly
The RVC system might not work
properly or display a clear image if:
.The RVC is turned off. See
“Turning the RVC System On or
Off”earlier in this section.
.It is dark.
.The sun or the beam of
headlamps is shining directly
into the camera lens.
.Ice, snow, mud, or anything else
builds up on the camera lens.
Clean the lens, rinse it with
water, and wipe it with a soft
cloth.
.The back of the vehicle is in
an accident, the position and
mounting angle of the camera
can change or the camera can
be affected. Be sure to have the
camera and its position and
mounting angle checked at your
dealer.
The RVC system display in the
rearview mirror may turn off or not
appear as expected due to one of
the following conditions. If this
occurs the left indicator light on the
mirror will flash.
.A slow flash may indicate a loss
of video signal, or no video
signal present during the reverse
cycle.
.A fast flash may indicate that
the display has been on for
the maximum allowable time
during a reverse cycle, or the
display has reached an Over
Temperature limit. The fast flash conditions are
used to protect the video
device from high temperature
conditions. Once conditions
return to normal the device will
reset and the green indicator will
stop flashing.
During any of these fault conditions,
the display will be blank and the
indicator will flash while the vehicle
is in R (Reverse) or until the
conditions return to normal.
Press and hold
zwhen the left
indicator light is flashing to turn off
the video display along with the left
indicator light.

Black plate (69,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Driving and Operating 9-69
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code 2), use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. You
can also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher, but the vehicle's acceleration
could be slightly reduced, and a
slight audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard. If the octane
is less than 87, you might notice a
heavy knocking noise when you
drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon
as possible. Otherwise, you could
damage the engine. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher, the engine needs service.Gasoline Specifications
(U.S. and Canada Only)
At a minimum, gasoline should
meet ASTM specification D 4814
in the United States or
CAN/CGSB‐3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. SeeFuel Additives
on page 9‑70 for additional
information.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission control system performance might
be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog‐check test.
See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑22. If this occurs, return to
your authorized dealer for diagnosis.
If it is determined that the condition
is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
Never use leaded gasoline or any
other fuel not recommended in the
previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an
auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.

Black plate (73,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Driving and Operating 9-73
The TIGHTEN GAS CAP message
displays on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) if the fuel cap is not
properly installed. SeeFuel System
Messages on page 5‑43 for more
information.
{WARNING
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel
by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Notice: If a new fuel cap is
needed, be sure to get the right
type of cap from your dealer. The
wrong type of fuel cap might not
fit properly, might cause the
malfunction indicator lamp to
light, and could damage the fuel
tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑22.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{WARNING
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You can be badly burned
and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you
and others:
.Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
.Do not fill a container while it
is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than
the ground.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Bring the fill nozzle in contact
with the inside of the fill
opening before operating the
nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
.Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
.Do not use a cellular phone
while pumping fuel.