2012 GMC SIERRA 1500 fuel

Black plate (30,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
5-30 Instruments and Controls
Cruise Control Light
For vehicles equipped with cruise
control, this light comes on
whenever the cruise control is set.
The light goes out when the cruise
control is turned off. SeeCruise
Control on page 9‑58 for more
information.
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The vehicle has a Driver Information
Center (DIC).
The DIC displays information about
this vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected.
All messages will appear in
the DIC display located below the
tachometer in the instrument panel
cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition
is on. After a short delay, the DIC
will display the information that was
last displayed before the engine
was turned off. The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by pressing
the DIC buttons located on the
instrument panel, next to the
steering wheel. If the vehicle does
not have DIC buttons, the trip
odometer reset stem can be used to
access some of the menu items.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and
vehicle system information, and
warning messages if a system
problem is detected.
The DIC also allows some features
to be customized. See
Vehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑48 for more information.
If the vehicle has a diesel
engine, see the Duramax
®diesel
supplement for more information.

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Instruments and Controls 5-31
DIC Buttons
The buttons are the trip/fuel, vehicle
information, customization, and set/
reset buttons. The button functions
are detailed in the following pages.
3(Trip/Fuel):Press this button
to display the odometer, trip
odometer, fuel range, average
economy, fuel used, timer,
transmission temperature, and
instantaneous economy and Active
Fuel Management™ indicator. The
compass and outside temperature
will also be shown in the display. The temperature will be shown
in °C or °F depending on the units
selected.
T(Vehicle Information):
Press
this button 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(Customization): Press this
button to customize the feature
settings on the vehicle. See Vehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑48 for more information.
V(Set/Reset):Press this button to
set or reset certain functions and to
turn off or acknowledge messages
on the DIC.
Trip/Fuel Menu Items (with DIC
Buttons)
3(Trip/Fuel): Press this button
to scroll through the following menu
items:
Odometer
Press the trip/fuel button until
ODOMETER displays. This display
shows the distance the vehicle has
been driven in either kilometers (km)
or miles. Pressing the trip odometer
reset stem will also display the
odometer.
To switch between metric and
English measurements, see “Units”
later in this section.
Trip Odometer
Press the trip/fuel button until TRIP
displays. This display shows the
current distance traveled in either
kilometers (km) or miles since the
last reset for the trip odometer.
Pressing the trip odometer reset
stem will also display the trip
odometer.

Black plate (32,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
5-32 Instruments and Controls
The trip odometer can be reset to
zero by pressing the set/reset
button while the trip odometer is
displayed. You can also reset the
trip odometer while it is displayed by
pressing and holding the trip
odometer reset stem.
The trip odometer has a feature
called the retro-active reset. This
can be used to set the trip odometer
to the number of miles (kilometers)
driven since the ignition was last
turned on. This can be used if the
trip odometer is not reset at the
beginning of the trip.
To use the retro-active reset feature,
press and hold the set/reset button
for at least four seconds. The trip
odometer will display the number of
kilometers (km) or miles driven since
the ignition was last turned on and
the vehicle was moving. Once the
vehicle begins moving, the trip
odometer will accumulate mileage.
For example, if the vehicle was
driven 8 km (5 miles) before it is
started again, and then the
retro-active reset feature isactivated, the display will show 8 km
(5 miles). As the vehicle begins
moving, the display will then
increase to 8.2 km (5.1 miles),
8.4 km (5.2 miles), etc.
Fuel Range
Press the trip/fuel button until FUEL
RANGE displays. This display
shows the approximate number of
remaining kilometers (km) or miles
the vehicle can be driven without
refueling. The display will show
LOW if the fuel level is low.
The fuel range estimate is based on
an average of the vehicle's fuel
economy over recent driving history
and the amount of fuel remaining in
the fuel tank. This estimate will
change if driving conditions change.
For example, if driving in traffic and
making frequent stops, this display
may read one number, but if the
vehicle is driven on a freeway, the
number may change even though
the same amount of fuel is in the
fuel tank. This is because different
driving conditions produce different
fuel economies. Generally, freeway
driving produces better fuel
economy than city driving. Fuel
range cannot be reset.
Average Economy
Press the trip/fuel button until AVG
ECONOMY displays. This display
shows the approximate average
liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km)
or miles per gallon (mpg). This
number is calculated based on the
number of L/100 km (mpg) recorded
since the last time this menu
item was reset. To reset AVG
ECONOMY, press and hold the set/
reset button.
Fuel Used
Press the trip/fuel button until
FUEL USED displays. This display
shows the number of liters (L) or
gallons (gal) of fuel used since the
last reset of this menu item. To reset
the fuel used information, press and
hold the set/reset button while FUEL
USED is displayed.

Black plate (33,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Instruments and Controls 5-33
Speedometer
The speedometer shows how fast
the vehicle is moving in either
kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles
per hour (mph). The speedometer
cannot be reset.
Timer
Press the trip/fuel button until
TIMER displays. This display can be
used as a timer.
To start the timer, press the
set/reset button while TIMER is
displayed. The display will show the
amount of time that has passed
since the timer was last reset, not
including time the ignition is off.
Time will continue to be counted as
long as the ignition is on, even if
another display is being shown on
the DIC. The timer will record
up to 99 hours, 59 minutes, and
59 seconds (99:59:59) after which
the display will return to zero.
To stop the timer, press the set/reset
button briefly while TIMER is
displayed.To reset the timer to zero, press
and hold the set/reset button while
TIMER is displayed.
Transmission Temperature
Press the trip/fuel button until
TRANS TEMP displays. This
display shows the temperature of
the automatic transmission fluid in
either degrees Celsius (°C) or
degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Instantaneous Economy and
Active Fuel Management™
Indicator
If the vehicle has this display, press
the trip/fuel button until INST ECON
V8 displays. This display shows the
current fuel economy at a particular
moment and will change frequently
as driving conditions change. This
display shows the instantaneous
fuel economy in liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles
per gallon (mpg). Unlike average
economy, this screen cannot be
reset.
An Active Fuel Management
indicator displays on the right side
of the DIC, while INST ECON
displays on the left side. Active Fuel
Management allows the engine to
operate on either four or eight
cylinders, depending on driving
demands. When Active Fuel
Management is active, V4 will
display on the DIC. When Active
Fuel Management is inactive,
V8 will display. See
Active Fuel
Management
®on page 9‑32 for
more information.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.

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Instruments and Controls 5-43
be reduced the next time the vehicle
is driven. The vehicle may be driven
at a reduced speed while this
message is on, but acceleration and
speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the fuel level is low.
Refuel as soon as possible. See
Fuel Gauge on page 5‑14andFuel
on page 9‑68 for more information.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along
with the check engine light on the
instrument panel cluster if the
vehicle's fuel cap is not tightened
properly. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 5‑22. Reinstall the
fuel cap fully. See Filling the Tank
on page 9‑72. 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 this light and message off.
Key and Lock Messages
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays if a Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
battery is low. The battery needs to
be replaced in the transmitter. See
“Battery Replacement”
under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
Lamp Messages
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime
sounds if a turn signal is left on for
1.2 km (0.75 mi). Move the turn
signal/multifunction lever to the off
position.
Object Detection System
Messages
PARK ASST BLOCKED SEE
OWNERS MANUAL
This message displays if there is
something interfering with the park
assist system. See Ultrasonic
Parking Assist on page 9‑61 for
more information.
PARK ASSIST OFF
After the vehicle has been started,
this message displays to remind the
driver that the URPA system has
been turned off. Press the set/reset
button or the trip odometer reset
stem to acknowledge this message
and clear it from the DIC display. To
turn the URPA system back on, see
Ultrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑61.

Black plate (55,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Instruments and Controls 5-55
Press the customization button until
REMOTE START appears on the
DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings
for this feature. Then press the
customization button to scroll
through the following settings:
OFF:The remote start feature will
be disabled.
ON (default): The remote start
feature will be enabled.
NO CHANGE: No change will be
made to this feature. The current
setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/
reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
FACTORY SETTINGS
This feature allows you to set all of
the customization features back to
their factory default settings. Press the customization button until
FACTORY SETTINGS appears on
the DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings
for this feature. Then press the
customization button to scroll
through the following settings:
RESTORE ALL (default):
The
customization features will be set to
their factory default settings.
DO NOT RESTORE: The
customization features will not be
set to their factory default settings.
To select a setting, press the set/
reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
EXIT FEATURE SETTINGS
This feature allows you to exit the
feature settings menu.
Press the customization button until
PRESS
VTO EXIT FEATURE
SETTINGS appears in the DIC
display. Press the set/reset button
once to exit the menu. If you do not exit, pressing the
customization button again will
return you to the beginning of the
feature settings menu.
Exiting the Feature
Settings Menu
The feature settings menu will be
exited when any of the following
occurs:
.The vehicle is no longer in
ON/RUN.
.The trip/fuel or vehicle
information DIC buttons are
pressed.
.The end of the feature settings
menu is reached and exited.
.A 40-second time period has
elapsed with no selection made.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 9-11
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-12
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-15
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Truck-Camper LoadingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-25
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26 Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 9-30
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Active Fuel Management
®. . . 9-32
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-35
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-54
Ride Control Systems
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-61
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Gasoline Specifications (U.S.and Canada Only) . . . . . . . . . . 9-69
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-69
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-69
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-70
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 9-71
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-72
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-73

Black plate (6,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
9-6 Driving and Operating
.Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can be
used for off-road driving. Vehicles
without four-wheel drive and
vehicles not equipped with All
Terrain (AT) or On-Off Road (OOR)
tires must not be driven off-road
except on a level, solid surface. To
contact the tire manufacturer for
more information about the original
equipment tires, see the Limited
Warranty and Owner Assistance
Information manual.
Controlling the vehicle is the key to
successful off-road driving. One of
the best ways to control the vehicle
is to control the speed.
{WARNING
When driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction
can easily throw you out of
position. This could cause you to
lose control and crash. You and
your passengers should always
wear safety belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
.Have all necessary maintenance
and service work completed.
.Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels,
and check inflation pressure in
all tires, including the spare,
if equipped.
.Read all the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this
manual.
.Make sure all underbody
shields, if equipped, are properly
attached.
.Know the local laws that apply to
off-road driving. To gain more ground clearance if
needed, it may be necessary to
remove the front fascia lower
air dam.
Notice:
Operating the vehicle
for extended periods without
the front fascia lower air dam
installed can cause improper air
flow to the engine. Re‐attach the
front fascia air dam after off-road
driving.
Loading the Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving
{WARNING
.Unsecured cargo on the
load floor can be tossed
about when driving over
rough terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck by
flying objects. Secure the
cargo properly.
(Continued)