2016 GMC SIERRA transmission

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
152 Instruments and Controls
cylinders the vehicle is running on.
SeeActive Fuel
Management
®0 285.
Press
pto select the distance or
reset best value. Use
wandxto
choose the distance and press
V.
Press
wandxto select “Reset
Best Score.” Press
Vto reset the
best average fuel economy. After
reset, the momentary average fuel
economy will display.
The display provides information on
how current driving behavior affects
the running average and how well
recent driving compares to the best
that has been achieved for the
selected distance.
Timer : This display can be used as
a timer. To start the timer, press
V
while this display is active. The
display will show the amount of time
that has passed since the timer was
last reset. To stop the timer, press
V
briefly while this display is active
and the timer is running. To reset the timer to zero, press and hold
V
while this display is active, or
press
pand select reset.
Speed Limit (If Equipped) : Shows
sign information, which comes from
a roadway database in the onboard
navigation.
Engine Hours : Shows the total
number of hours the engine has run.
Transmission Fluid
Temperature : Shows the
temperature of the automatic
transmission fluid in either degrees
Celsius (°C) or degrees
Fahrenheit (°F).
Trailer Brake (If Equipped) : On
vehicles with the Integrated Trailer
Brake Control (ITBC) system, the
trailer brake display appears in
the DIC.
TRAILER GAIN shows the trailer
gain setting. This setting can be
adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0 with either
a trailer connected or disconnected.
OUTPUT shows the power output to
the trailer anytime a trailer with
electric brakes is connected. Output is displayed as a bar graph. Dashes
may appear in the OUTPUT display
if a trailer is not connected.
Off Road :
Displays vehicle pitch
and roll information, road wheel
angle, and four-wheel drive (4WD)
status.
Blank Page : Shows no
information.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Instruments and Controls 155
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATING IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 0135.
When towing, use Tow/Haul mode
to prevent damage to the engine or
transmission. See Tow/Haul
Mode 0292.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the engine cooling
system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation. Stop
and turn off the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so to avoid severe
damage. This message clears when
the engine has cooled to a safe
operating temperature.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be
sure to reset the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message. See Engine
Oil Life System 0366 for
information on how to reset the
message. See Engine Oil0363 and
Maintenance Schedule 0454.
ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL
On some vehicles, this message
displays when the engine oil level
may be too low. Check the oil level
before filling to the recommended
level. If the oil is not low and this
message remains on, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
See Engine Oil 0363.
ENGINE OIL HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine oil becomes hotter than the
normal operating temperature. Stop and allow the vehicle to idle until it
cools down. See
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0135.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP
ENGINE
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check the oil as soon as
possible and have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. See Engine
Oil 0363.
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays and a chime
may sound when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot and the
engine further enters the engine
coolant protection mode. See
Engine Overheating 0375 for more
information.
This message also displays when
the vehicle's engine power is
reduced. Reduced engine power
can affect the vehicle's ability to

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
160 Instruments and Controls
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
If equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the system
is relearning the tire positions on
your vehicle. The tire positions must
be relearned after rotating the tires
or after replacing a tire or sensor.
SeeTire Inspection 0414, Tire
Rotation 0414, Tire Pressure
Monitor System 0409, and Tire
Pressure 0408.
TIRE PRESSURE LOW ADD
AIR TO TIRE
If equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the
vehicle's tires is low. This message
also displays with a vehicle picture
to indicate the location of the low
tire. The low tire pressure warning
light will also come on. See Tire
Pressure Light 0146. You can
receive more than one tire pressure
message at a time. If a tire pressure
message appears on the DIC, stop
as soon as you can. Have the tire
pressures checked and set to those shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See
Tires0399,
Vehicle Load Limits 0269, and Tire
Pressure 0408. The DIC also
shows the tire pressure values. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0148
or Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0150.
Transmission Messages
4WD OFF
If equipped with four-wheel drive,
this message displays when the
four-wheel-drive system is
temporarily disabled due to an
overheated condition. The vehicle
will run in two-wheel drive when this
message is present. Once the
four-wheel-drive system cools down,
the message turns off and the
four-wheel-drive system returns to
normal operation.
4WD SHIFT IN PROGRESS
This message will display while the
four-wheel-drive system is shifting.
FOR 4WD LOW SHIFT TO
NEUTRAL
If a four-wheel drive shift into 4nis
requested, and the vehicle speed is
correct, but the transmission is not
in N (Neutral), this message will
display until the transmission is
shifted to N (Neutral).
FOR 4WD LOW SLOW TO XXX
If a four-wheel drive shift into 4nis
requested, but the vehicle speed is
too high, this message will display
until the correct vehicle speed is
reached.
GRADE BRAKING ACTIVE
This message displays when grade
braking has been activated while
driving on downhill grades. This
message will only appear the first
time the feature is activated in an
ignition cycle. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 292, Automatic Transmission
0 286, and Cruise Control 0306.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Instruments and Controls 161
GRADE BRAKING OFF
This message displays when grade
braking has been disabled with the
Tow/Haul Mode button on the end of
the shift lever. SeeTow/Haul Mode
0 292, Automatic Transmission
0 286, and Cruise Control 0306.
GRADE BRAKING ON
This message displays when grade
braking has been enabled with the
Tow/Haul Mode button on the end of
the shift lever. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 292, Automatic Transmission
0 286, and Cruise Control 0306.
SERVICE 4WD
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive,
this message may display if a
problem occurs with the
four-wheel-drive system. If this
message appears, stop as soon as
possible and turn off the vehicle.
Make sure the key is in the LOCK/
OFF position for at least
one minute, then restart the vehicle
and check for the message on the
DIC display. If the message is still
displayed or appears again when you begin driving, the
four-wheel-drive system needs
service. See your dealer.
SHIFT DENIED
This message displays when the
shift lever is in M (Manual Mode)
and a transmission range has been
selected that is unavailable at the
current vehicle speed.
TO EXIT 4WD LOW SHIFT TO
NEUTRAL
If a four-wheel drive shift out of 4nis
requested, and the vehicle speed is
correct, but the transmission is not
in N (Neutral), this message will
display until the transmission is
shifted to N (Neutral).
TO EXIT 4WD LOW SLOW
TO XXX
If a four-wheel drive shift out of 4nis
requested, but the vehicle speed is
too high, this message will display
until the correct vehicle speed is
reached.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the transmission fluid
in the vehicle gets hot. Driving with
the transmission fluid temperature
high can cause damage to the
vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it
idle to allow the transmission to
cool. This message clears and the
chime stops when the fluid
temperature reaches a safe level.
When towing, use Tow/Haul Mode
to prevent damage to the engine or
transmission. See Tow/Haul
Mode 0292.
VEHICLE IN 4WD LOW
This message will display if the
vehicle is driven in 4
nfor about
10 minutes above 72 km/h (45 mph).

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Instruments and Controls 171
Make sure the hand-held transmitter
has a new battery for quick and
accurate transmission of the
radio-frequency signal.
Programming the Universal
Remote System
For questions or help programming
the Universal Remote system, call
1-800-355-3515 or see
www.homelink.com.
Programming involves
time-sensitive actions, and may time
out causing the procedure to be
repeated.
To program up to three devices:1. Hold the end of the hand-held transmitter about 3 to 8 cm (1
to 3 in) away from the
Universal Remote system
buttons with the indicator light
in view. The hand-held
transmitter was supplied by the
manufacturer of the garage
door opener receiver.
2. At the same time, press and hold both the hand-held
transmitter button and one of
the three Universal Remote system buttons to be used to
operate the garage door. Do
not release either button until
the indicator light goes from a
slow to a rapid flashing light.
Then release both buttons.
Some garage door openers
may require substitution of
Step 2 with the procedure
under
“Radio Signals for
Canada and Some Gate
Operators” later in this section.
3. Press and hold the newly programmed Universal Remote
system button for five seconds
while watching the indicator
light and garage door
activation.
.If the indicator light stays on
continuously or the garage
door moves when the
button is pressed, then
programming is complete.
There is no need to
complete Steps 4–6.
. If the indicator light does
not come on or the garage
door does not move, a
second button press may be required. For a second
time, press and hold the
newly programmed button
for five seconds. If the light
stays on or the garage door
moves, programming is
complete.
. If the indicator light blinks
rapidly for two seconds,
then changes to a solid light
and the garage door does
not move, continue with
programming Steps 4–6.
Learn or Smart Button
4. After completing Steps 1–3, locate the Learn or Smart
button inside the garage on the
garage door opener receiver.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
172 Instruments and Controls
The name and color of the
button may vary by
manufacturer.
5. Press and release the Learn or Smart button. Step 6 must be
completed within 30 seconds of
pressing this button.
6. Inside the vehicle, press and hold the newly programmed
Universal Remote system
button for two seconds and
then release it. If the garage
door does not move or the
lamp on the garage door
opener receiver does not flash,
press and hold the same
button a second time for
two seconds, then release it.
Again, if the door does not
move or the garage door lamp
does not flash, press and hold
the same button a third time for
two seconds, then release it.
The Universal Remote system
should now activate the
garage door.
Repeat the process for
programming the two remaining
buttons.Radio Signals for Canada and
Some Gate Operators
For questions or programming help,
call 1-800-355-3515 or see
www.homelink.com.
Canadian radio-frequency laws and
some U.S. gate operators require
transmitter signals to time out or quit
after several seconds of
transmission. This may not be long
enough for the Universal Remote
system to pick up the signal during
programming.
If the programming did not work,
replace Step 2 under “Programming
the Universal Remote System” with
the following:
Press and hold the Universal
Remote system button while
pressing and releasing the
hand-held transmitter button every
two seconds until the signal has
been successfully accepted by the
Universal Remote system. The
Universal Remote system indicator
light will flash slowly at first and then
rapidly. Proceed with Step 3 under
“Programming the Universal Remote
System” to complete.
Universal Remote System
Operation
Using the Universal Remote
System
Press and hold the appropriate
Universal Remote system button for
at least one-half second. The
indicator light will come on while the
signal is being transmitted.
Erasing Universal Remote
System Buttons
Erase all programmed buttons when
vehicle ownership is terminated.
To erase:
1. Press and hold the two outside buttons until the indicator light
begins to flash. This should
take about 10 seconds.
2. Release both buttons.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Lighting 177
When the high-beam headlamps are
on, this indicator light on the
instrument cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the
high-beam headlamps to signal a
driver in front of you that you want
to pass. It works even if the
headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever
toward you, then release it.
If the headlamps are in the
automatic position or on low beam,
the high-beam headlamps will turn
on. Depending on the type of
headlamp, they will either turn off
after a short duration or stay on as
long as you hold the lever toward
you. The high-beam indicator on theinstrument cluster will come on.
Release the lever to return to
normal operation.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
DRL can make it easier for others to
see the front of the vehicle during
the day. Fully functional DRL are
required on all vehicles first sold in
Canada.
The DRL system comes on when
the following conditions are met:
.
The ignition is on.
. The exterior lamp control is
in AUTO.
. The transmission is not in
P (Park).
. The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
When the DRL system is on, only
the DRL are on. The taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, instrument panel
lights, and other lamps will not
be on. When it begins to get dark, the
automatic headlamp system
switches from DRL to the
headlamps.
To turn off the DRL, turn the exterior
lamp control to the off position and
then release. For vehicles first sold
in Canada, off will only work when
the vehicle is in P (Park).
Automatic Headlamp
System
When the exterior lamp control is
set to AUTO and it is dark enough
outside, the headlamps come on
automatically.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
256 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 265
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 266
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 268
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Truck-Camper LoadingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 277
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 281
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Active Fuel Management
®. . . . 285
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 286
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 302
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 305
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 309
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 309
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) (2500/3500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) (1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 319
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322