GMC Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234761) - 2016 - crc - 7/24/15
200 Driving and Operating
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive
engages the front axle for extra
traction. Read the appropriate
section for transfer case operation
before using.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry
pavement in 4
mand 4n(if
equipped) for an extended period
of time. These conditions may
cause premature wear on the
vehicle’s powertrain.
Driving on clean, dry pavement in
four-wheel drive may:
. Cause a vibration to be felt in
the steering system.
. Cause tires to wear faster.
. Make the transfer case harder to
shift, and cause it to run noisier.
{Warning
Shifting the transfer case to
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). You or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be
sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case in
N (Neutral). See Parking Brake
0 207.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in
4
nmay damage or shorten the
life of the drivetrain.
Engagement noise and bump when
shifting between 4
nand 4mor from
N (Neutral), with the engine running,
is normal.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak®off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0208.
Electronic Transfer Case
Use the transfer case knob, next to
the steering wheel, to shift into and
out of four-wheel drive for extra
traction.
Indicator lights on the knob show
which setting the transfer case is in.
The N (Neutral) indicator is on the
face of the knob. The indicator lights
display briefly when the ignition is
turned on, and one will stay on.
If the lights display momentarily
when the ignition is in ON/RUN, but
none stay on, the knob may have
been turned while the vehicle was
off. To see the indicator, turn the
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Driving and Operating 201
knob to another position so that it
matches the actual transfer case
setting. If no lights display, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
An indicator light flashes while
shifting and until the shift is
complete.
If the transfer case cannot complete
a requested shift, it will return to the
last chosen setting. Turn the control
back to the previous setting to see
the indicator light.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode
indicator light has stopped
flashing could damage the
transfer case.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) : Shift the transfer case
to N (Neutral) only when towing the
vehicle. See Recreational Vehicle
Towing 0331 orTowing the Vehicle
0 331. 2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) :
Use
for driving on most streets and
highways. The front axle is not
engaged. This setting provides the
best fuel economy.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This
setting engages the front axle and
delivers extra torque. Choose 4
nif
driving off-road in deep sand, deep
mud, or deep snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills.
When engaged, keep vehicle speed
below 72 km/h (45 mph).
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0208.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use
when extra traction is needed. The
front axle engages and helps when
driving on snowy or icy roads, when
off-roading, or when plowing snow.
The vehicle can be shifted from 2
m
to 4mwhile the vehicle is moving. Shifting Into 4
m
Turn the knob to 4mat any speed
up to 121 km/h (75 mph), except
from 4
n. The indicator light will flash
while shifting and will remain on the
selected setting.
Shifting Into 2
m
Turn the knob to 2mat any speed,
except when shifting from 4
n.
Shifting Into 4
n
When 4nis engaged, vehicle speed
should be kept below 72 km/h
(45 mph).
1. The ignition must be in ON/ RUN and the vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than
5 km/h (3 mph) with the
transmission in N (Neutral). It is
best for the vehicle to be
moving 1.6 to 3.2 km/h
(1 to 2 mph).
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Driving and Operating 203
Shifting Out of N (Neutral)
To shift out of N (Neutral):1. Set the parking brake and apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
4. Turn the transfer case knob to 2
m.
After the transfer case has
shifted out of N (Neutral), the
N (Neutral) light will go out.
5. Release the parking brake.
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear
before the requested mode
indicator light has stopped
flashing could damage the
transfer case.
6. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the
desired gear.
Automatic Transfer Case
Use the transfer case knob next to
the steering wheel to shift into and
out of four-wheel drive.
Indicator lights display which setting
the transfer case is in. N (Neutral) is
indicated on the face of the knob.
The indicator lights will display
briefly when the ignition is turned on
and one will stay on. If the lights
display momentarily when the
ignition is in ON/RUN, but none stay
on, the knob may have been turned
while the vehicle was off. To see the
indicator, turn the knob to another
position so that it matches the actual transfer case setting. If no
lights display, take the vehicle to
your dealer for service. An indicator
light flashes while shifting the
transfer case and remains
illuminated when the shift is
complete.
If the transfer case cannot make a
requested shift, it will return to the
last chosen setting. Turn the knob
back to the previous transfer case
setting to see the indicator.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) :
Shift the vehicle's
transfer case to N (Neutral) only
when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0331
or Towing the Vehicle 0331.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use
for driving on most streets and
highways. The front axle is not
engaged. This setting provides the
best fuel economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive) : Use when road surface
traction conditions are variable.
When driving in AUTO, the front
axle is engaged, and the vehicle's
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218 Driving and Operating
Assistance Systems for
Driving
If equipped, when driving the
vehicle in a forward gear, Forward
Collision Alert (FCA), Lane
Departure Warning (LDW), and/or
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) can help to
avoid a crash or reduce crash
damage.
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
If equipped, the FCA system may
help to avoid or reduce the harm
caused by front-end crashes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a red flashing
alert on the windshield and rapidly
beeps or pulses the driver seat.
FCA also lights an amber visual
alert if following another vehicle
much too closely.
FCA detects vehicles within a
distance of approximately 60 m
(197 ft) and operates at speeds
above 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
FCA is a warning system and
does not apply the brakes. When
approaching a slower-moving or
stopped vehicle ahead too rapidly,
or when following a vehicle too
closely, FCA may not provide a
warning with enough time to help
avoid a crash. FCA does not warn
of pedestrians, animals, signs,
guardrails, bridges, construction
barrels, or other objects. Be ready
to take action and apply the
brakes. For more information, see
Defensive Driving0165.
FCA can be disabled with the FCA
steering wheel control.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
FCA warnings will not occur unless
the FCA system detects a vehicle
ahead. When a vehicle is detected,
the vehicle ahead indicator will
display green. Vehicles may not be
detected on curves, highway exit
ramps, or hills, due to poor visibility;
or if a vehicle ahead is partially
blocked by pedestrians or other
objects. FCA will not detect another
vehicle ahead until it is completely
in the driving lane.
{Warning
FCA does not provide a warning
to help avoid a crash, unless it
detects a vehicle. FCA may not
detect a vehicle ahead if the FCA
sensor is blocked by dirt, snow,
or ice, or if the windshield is
damaged. It may also not detect a
vehicle on winding or hilly roads,
or in conditions that can limit
visibility such as fog, rain,
or snow, or if the headlamps or
windshield are not cleaned or in (Continued)
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Service and Maintenance 353
.To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
. Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping. .
Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0355 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed. Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.
Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
. With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
. Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
. As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
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Index 391
Fog LampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 200, 277
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . . . 117
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Front Seats Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 52
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 121
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 192
Requirements, California . . . . . 224
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Fuses (cont'd)
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288, 290
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 142Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Gauges
Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 109
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Transmission Temperature . . . . . 111
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 345
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 150
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 121
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 148
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 122
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . 302
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 173
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . 210
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . . . 118
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392 Index
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 208
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
I
Idle SystemFast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Indicator Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Instrument Panel Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . 42
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . . 129
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . 28
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 294
Lamps Auxiliary RoofMounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 149
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . .115
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . 221
Lane Keep Assist Light . . . . . . . . . 118
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
LATCH System
Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
LATCH, Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Light Hill Decent Control . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 152
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . .116
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning . . . . . . . 120
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 120
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
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Index 393
Lights (cont'd)Four-Wheel-Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 148
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . .118
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . .112
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
StabiliTrak
®OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®. . . . . . . . . . .119
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 121
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294 Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 346
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 115
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Messages Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Battery Voltage and
Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . 128
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Messages (cont'd)
Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Key and Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Object Detection System . . . . . 130
Ride Control System . . . . . . . . . . 130
Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Steering System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Vehicle Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Vehicle Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Mirrors Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Automatic DimmingRearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Blind Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Tilt in Reverse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Trailer Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . 42
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