2016 GMC SIERRA DENALI Owners Manual

GMC Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234761) - 2016 - crc - 7/24/15
248 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
when a snow plow is installed.
The vehicle can be damaged if
either the front or rear axle ratings
or the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) are exceeded.
Some vehicles are built with a
special snow plow prep package,
called RPO VYU. If the vehicle has
this option, you can add a plow to it,
provided certain weights, such as
the weights on the vehicle's axles
and the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR), are not exceeded.
The plow the vehicle can carry
depends on many things, such as:
. The options the vehicle came
with, and the weight of those
options.
. The weight and number of
passengers intended to be
carried.
. The weight of items added to the
vehicle, like a tool box or
truck cap. .
The total weight of any
additional cargo intended to be
carried.
Say, for example, you have a 318 kg
(700 lb) snow plow. The total weight
of all occupants and cargo inside
the cab should not exceed 135 kg
(300 lb). This means that you may
only be able to carry one passenger.
But, even this may be too much if
there is other equipment already
adding to the weight of the vehicle.
Here are some guidelines for safely
carrying a snow plow on the vehicle:
. Make sure the weight on the
front and rear axles does not
exceed the axle rating for each.
. For the front axle, if more cargo
or passengers must be carried,
appropriate counter ballast must
be installed rear of the rear axle.
Counter ballast must be properly
secured so it will not move
during driving.
. Follow the snow plow
manufacturer's
recommendations regarding rear
ballast. Rear ballast may be required to ensure a proper front
and rear weight distribution ratio,
even though the actual weight at
the front axle may be less than
the front axle rating.
. The snow plow manufacturer or
installer can assist you in
determining the amount of rear
ballast required, to help make
sure the snow plow/vehicle
combination does not exceed
the GVW rating, the front and
rear axle ratings, and the front
and rear weight distribution ratio.
. The total vehicle must not
exceed the GVW rating.
Front axle reserve capacity is the
difference between the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) and the front
axle weight of the vehicle with full
fuel and passengers. Basically, it is
the amount of weight that can be
added to the front axle before
reaching the front GAWR.
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GMC Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234761) - 2016 - crc - 7/24/15
Driving and Operating 249
United States
CanadaThe front axle reserve capacity for
the vehicle can be found in the
lower right corner of the
Certification/Tire label, as shown.
In order to calculate the amount of
weight any front accessory, such as
a snow plow, is adding to the front
axle, use the following formula:
(W x (A + W.B.)) /W.B.= Weight the
accessory is adding to the
front axle.
Where:
W = Weight of added accessory
A = Distance that the accessory
is in front of the front axle
W.B. = Vehicle Wheelbase For example, adding a 318 kg
(700 lb) snow plow actually adds
more than 318 kg (700 lb) to the
front axle. Using the formula, if the
snow plow is 122 cm (4 ft) in front of
the front axle and the wheel base is
305 cm (10 ft), then:
W = 318 kg (700 lb)
A = 122 cm (4 ft)
W.B. = 305 cm (10 ft)
(W x (A + W.B.)/W.B. =
(318 x (122 + 305))/305 = 445 kg
(980 lb)
So, if the front axle reserve capacity
is more than 445 kg (980 lb), the
snow plow could be added without
exceeding the front GAWR.
Heavier equipment can be added on
the front of the vehicle if it is
compensated for by carrying fewer
passengers or less cargo, or by
positioning cargo toward the rear.
This has the effect of reducing the
load on the front. However, the front
GAWR, rear GAWR, and Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) must
never be exceeded.
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GMC Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234761) - 2016 - crc - 7/24/15
250 Driving and Operating
{Warning
On some vehicles that have
certain front mounted equipment,
such as a snow plow, it may be
possible to load the front axle to
the front gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) but not have enough
weight on the rear axle to have
proper braking performance. If the
brakes cannot work properly, you
could have a crash. To help the
brakes work properly when a
snow plow is installed, always
follow the snow plow
manufacturer or installer's
recommendation for rear ballast
to ensure a proper front and rear
weight distribution ratio, even
though the actual front weight
may be less than the front
GAWR, and the total vehicle
weight is less than the gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
Maintaining a proper front and
rear weight distribution ratio is
necessary to provide proper
braking performance.Total vehicle reserve capacity is the
difference between the GVWR and
the weight of the truck with full fuel
and passengers. It is the amount of
weight that can be added to the
vehicle before reaching the GVWR.
Keep in mind that reserve capacity
numbers are intended as a guide
when selecting the amount of
equipment or cargo the truck can
carry. If unsure of the vehicle's front,
rear, or total weight, go to a weigh
station and weigh the vehicle. Your
dealer can also help with this.
The total vehicle reserve capacity
for the vehicle can be found in the
lower right corner of the
Certification/Tire label as shown
previously.
See your dealer for additional
advice and information about using
a snow plow on the vehicle. Also,
see
Vehicle Load Limits 0176.
Emergency Roof Lamp
Provisions
Vehicles with the RPO VYU snow
plow prep package also have an
emergency roof lamp provision
package, RPO TRW. Wiring for the
emergency roof lamp is provided
above the overhead console. See
Auxiliary Roof-Mounted Lamp 0151
for switch location.
Pickup Conversion to
Chassis Cab
We are aware that some vehicle
owners might consider having the
pickup box removed and a
commercial or recreational body
installed. Owners should be aware
that, as manufactured, there are
differences between a chassis cab
and a pickup with the box removed
which could affect vehicle safety.
The components necessary to adapt
a pickup to permit its safe use with
a specialized body should be
installed by the body builder.
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GMC Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234761) - 2016 - crc - 7/24/15
Vehicle Care 251
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 252
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 252
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 261
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 261
Automatic Transmission Fluid (8 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 264
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 265
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 270
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Power Steering Fluid (1500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Power Steering Fluid (2500/ 3500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Battery - North America . . . . . . 277
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 280
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 281
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 282
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 282
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 283
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 284
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 294
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Tire Pressure Monitor
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
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GMC Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234761) - 2016 - crc - 7/24/15
252 Vehicle Care
Tire Pressure MonitorOperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 313
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 325
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
WARNING: Most motor vehicles,
including this one, contain and/or
emit chemicals known to the State
of California to cause 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.
See
Battery - North America 0277
and Jump Starting - North America
0 326.
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
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GMC Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234761) - 2016 - crc - 7/24/15
Vehicle Care 253
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, seeAdding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 072.Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It 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
0 372.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 071.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0358.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
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GMC Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234761) - 2016 - crc - 7/24/15
254 Vehicle Care
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the handle with this symbolon it. It is inside the vehicle
under the steering wheel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle tofind the secondary hood
release. The handle is under
the front edge of the hood near
the center. Push the handle to
the right and at the same time
raise the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all
the filler caps are on properly. Then
bring the hood from full open to
within 15 cm (6 in) from the closed
position, pause, and push the front
center of the hood with a swift, firm
motion to fully close the hood.
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GMC Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234761) - 2016 - crc - 7/24/15
Vehicle Care 255
Engine Compartment Overview
5.3L V8 Engine Shown, 6.2L V8 Engine Similar
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