
Black plate (66,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
9-66 Driving and Operating
Filling the Tank If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel supplement
for more information.
{ WarningFuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death. .
To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the fuel
pump island. .
Turn off the engine when
refueling. .
Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel. .
Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended. .
Do not reenter the vehicle
while pumping fuel.
(Continued) Warning (Continued) .
Keep children away from the
fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel. .
Fuel can spray out if the fuel
cap is opened too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly and
wait for any hiss noise to stop
then unscrew the cap all
the way. The fuel cap is behind a hinged fuel
door on the driver side of the
vehicle. Vehicles that have a
FlexFuel badge and a yellow fuel
cap can use either unleaded
gasoline or ethanol fuel containing
up to 85% ethanol (E85). See E85
or FlexFuel on page 9-65 .
To remove the fuel cap, turn it
slowly counterclockwise.
If the vehicle is a dual fuel tank
chassis cab model, and it runs out
of fuel, refuel the front fuel tank first
to ensure a quick restart.

Black plate (67,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Driving and Operating 9-67Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not
top off or overfill the tank and wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care on page 10-96 .
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks. It will require
more effort to turn the fuel cap on
the last turn as you tighten it. Make
sure the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5-18 .
The TIGHTEN GAS CAP message
displays on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) if the fuel cap is not
properly installed. See Fuel System
Messages on page 5-35 for more
information. { WarningIf 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.
{ CautionIf a new fuel cap is needed, be
sure to get the right type of cap
from your dealer. The wrong type
of fuel cap may not fit properly,
may cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to light, and could
damage the fuel tank and
emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5-18 . Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{ WarningFilling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always: .
Use approved fuel
containers. .
Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling. .
Place the container on the
ground. .
Place the nozzle inside the fill
opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
(Continued)

Black plate (83,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Driving and Operating 9-83Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
when lightly loaded or with no trailer
at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to the
selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may result
in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy. Tow/
Haul is recommended only when
pulling a heavy trailer or a large or
heavy load.
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System The vehicle may have an Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system
for use with electric trailer brakes or
most electric over hydraulic trailer
brakes. This symbol is on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel on vehicles with an
ITBC system. The power output to
the trailer brakes is based on the
amount of brake pressure being
applied by the vehicle ’ s brake
system, and on the type of trailer
brakes detected. This available
power output to the trailer brakes
can be adjusted to a wide range of
trailering situations.
The ITBC system is integrated with
the vehicle ’ s brake, antilock brake,
and StabiliTrak systems. In trailering
conditions that cause the vehicle ’ s
antilock brake or StabiliTrak
systems to activate, power sent to
the trailer's brakes will be
automatically adjusted to minimize
trailer wheel lock-up. This does not
imply that the trailer has StabiliTrak.
If the vehicle ’ s brake, antilock brake,
or StabiliTrak systems are not
functioning properly, the ITBC
system may not be fully functional
or may not function at all. Make sure all of these systems are fully
operational to ensure full
functionality of the ITBC system.
The ITBC system is powered
through the vehicle's electrical
system. Turning the ignition off will
also turn off the ITBC system. The
ITBC system is fully functional only
when the ignition is in ON/RUN.
{ WarningConnecting a trailer that has an
air brake system may result in
reduced or complete loss of trailer
braking. There may be an
increase in stopping distance or
trailer instability which could
result in personal injury or
damage to the vehicle, trailer,
or other property. Use the ITBC
system only with electric or
electric over hydraulic trailer
brakes.

Black plate (85,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Driving and Operating 9-85.
A trailer without electric brakes
is connected (no DIC message
will display). .
A trailer with electric brakes has
become disconnected (a
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also display on
the DIC). .
There is a fault present in the
wiring to the trailer brakes (a
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message will also display on
the DIC). .
The ITBC system is not working
due to a fault (a SERVICE
TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
message will also display in
the DIC).
Manual Trailer Brake Apply
The Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever is used to apply the trailer ’ s
electric brakes independent of the
vehicle ’ s brakes. Sliding the lever to
the left will apply only the trailer
brakes. Use this lever to adjust
Trailer Gain to properly adjust the
power output to the trailer brakes. The trailer's and the vehicle's brake
lamps will come on when either
vehicle brakes or manual trailer
brakes are applied.
Trailer Gain Adjustment Procedure
Trailer Gain should be set for a
specific trailering condition and must
be adjusted anytime vehicle loading,
trailer loading, or road surface
conditions change.
{ WarningTrailer brakes that are
over-gained or under-gained may
not stop the vehicle and the trailer
as intended and can result in a
crash. Always follow the
instructions to set the Trailer Gain
for the proper trailer stopping
performance. Use the following to adjust Trailer
Gain for each towing condition:
1. Drive the vehicle with the trailer
attached on a level road surface
representative of the towing
condition and free of traffic at
about 32 to 40 km/h (20 to
25 mph) and fully apply the
Manual Trailer Brake Apply
Lever.
Adjusting Trailer Gain at speeds
lower than 32 to 40 km/h (20 to
25 mph) may result in an
incorrect gain setting.
2. Adjust the Trailer Gain, using the
Trailer Gain Adjustment Buttons,
to just below the point of trailer
wheel lock-up, indicated by
trailer wheel squeal or tire
smoke when a trailer wheel
locks.
Trailer wheel lock-up may not
occur if towing a heavily loaded
trailer. In this case, adjust the
Trailer Gain to the highest
allowable setting for the towing
condition.

Black plate (86,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
9-86 Driving and Operating 3. Readjust Trailer Gain anytime
vehicle loading, trailer loading,
or road surface conditions
change or if trailer wheel lock-up
is noticed at any time while
towing.
Other ITBC-Related DIC Messages
In addition to displaying TRAILER
GAIN and OUTPUT through the
DIC, trailer connection and ITBC
system status are displayed on
the DIC.
TRAILER CONNECTED: This
message will briefly display when a
trailer with electric brakes is first
connected to the vehicle. This
message will automatically turn off
in about 10 seconds. This message
can be acknowledged before it
automatically turns off. CHECK TRAILER WIRING: This
message will display if: .
The ITBC system first
determines connection to a
trailer with electric brakes and
then the trailer harness becomes
disconnected from the vehicle.
If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is stationary, this
message will automatically turn
off in about 30 seconds. This
message will also turn off if it is
acknowledged or if the trailer
harness is reconnected.
If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is moving, this
message will continue until the
ignition is turned off. This
message will also turn off if it is
acknowledged or if the trailer
harness is reconnected. .
There is an electrical fault in the
wiring to the trailer brakes. This
message will continue as long
as there is an electrical fault in the trailer wiring. This message
will also turn off if it is
acknowledged.
To determine if the electrical fault is
on the vehicle side or trailer side of
the trailer wiring harness
connection:
1. Disconnect the trailer wiring
harness from the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition off.
3. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the
ignition back to RUN.
4. If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message reappears, the
electrical fault is on the
vehicle side.
If the CHECK TRAILER WIRING
message only reappears when
connecting the trailer wiring
harness to the vehicle, the
electrical fault is on the
trailer side.
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE
SYSTEM: This message will display
when there is a problem with the
ITBC system. If this message

Black plate (1,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care General Information General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks Doing Your Own
Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-11
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (6 Speed
Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-15
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18 Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-21
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Power Steering Fluid (1500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Power Steering Fluid (2500/
3500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Noise Control System . . . . . . 10-32
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-33
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-34
Wiper Blade
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-35 Headlamp Aiming Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Bulb Replacement Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Electrical System Electrical System
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48

Black plate (3,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Vehicle Care 10-3cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications Adding non ‐ dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non ‐ GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3-28 .Vehicle Checks Doing Your Own
Service Work
{ WarningIt can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service
Publications Ordering Information
on page 13-11 .

Black plate (6,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
10-6 Vehicle Care 1. Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump
Starting on page 10-87 .
2. Battery on page 10-29 .
3. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 10-17 .
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-15 .
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
(If Equipped). See “ How to
Check the Automatic
Transmission Fluid ” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6
Speed Transmission) on
page 10-12 or Automatic
Transmission Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) on page 10-15 . 6. Remote Negative (-) Location.
See Jump Starting on
page 10-87 .
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of
View). See Cooling System on
page 10-17 .
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “ When
to Add Engine Oil ” under Engine
Oil on page 10-8 .
9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“ Checking Engine Oil ” under
Engine Oil on page 10-8 . 10. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. See “ Adding Washer
Fluid ” under Washer Fluid on
page 10-25 .
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brake Fluid on page 10-27 .
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-41 .