2016 GMC SIERRA check engine

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
324 Driving and Operating
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination will not accelerate as
quickly and is longer so it is
necessary to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before
returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move your hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to
come in contact with the vehicle.
The vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering. When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn
out, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will still flash for turns. It is
important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear
before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might get hot and no longer
work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0292. When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes
on, see
Engine Overheating 0375.Parking on Hills
{Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Driving and Operating 325
If parking the rig on a hill:1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks. 7. Stop and have someone pick
up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule 0454.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
If the vehicle is bi-fuel, see the
bi-fuel supplement.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See New Vehicle Break-In 0277.
{Warning
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too heavy
or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load, the
vehicle may not stop as expected.
The driver and passengers could
be seriously injured. The vehicle
may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
Caution
Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
(Continued)

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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348 Driving and Operating
A GM dealer may be able to
diagnose and repair problems with
the trailer. However, any diagnosis
and repair of the trailer is not
covered under the vehicle warranty.
Contact your trailer dealer for
assistance with trailer repairs and
trailer warranty information.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak have a
TSC feature. Trailer sway is
unintended side-to-side motion of a
trailer while being towed. If the
vehicle is towing a trailer and the
TSC detects that sway is increasing,
the vehicle brakes are selectively
applied at each wheel, to help
reduce excessive trailer sway. If the
vehicle is equipped with the
Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, and the trailer has
the electric actuated brake system,
StabiliTrak may also apply the trailer
brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
warning light will flash on theinstrument cluster. Vehicle speed
must be reduced. If trailer sway
continues, StabiliTrak can reduce
engine torque to help slow the
vehicle. See
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0303.
{Warning
Even if the vehicle is equipped
with TSC, trailer sway could result
in loss of control and the vehicle
could crash. If excessive trailer
sway is detected, slow down to a
safe speed. Check the trailer and
vehicle to help correct possible
causes. These could include an
improperly or overloaded trailer,
unrestrained cargo, improper
trailer hitch configuration,
excessive vehicle-trailer speed,
or improperly inflated or incorrect
vehicle or trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment 0339 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations. Adding non-dealer accessories can
affect the vehicle performance. See
Accessories and
Modifications
0356.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 349
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light)
0 141. A device connected to the
DLC —such as an aftermarket
fleet or driver-behavior tracking
device —may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could affect
vehicle operation and cause a
crash. Such devices may also
access information stored in the
vehicle’s systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 085 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 085.
For information on wiring auxiliary
switches, see www.gmupfitter.com
or contact your dealer.
Adding a Snow Plow or
Similar Equipment
Caution
Do not exceed 64 km/h (40 mph)
with a snow plow mounted to the
vehicle. The vehicle could
overheat and be damaged.
Before installing a snow plow on the
vehicle, here are some things you
need to know:
Caution
If the vehicle does not have the
snow plow prep package, adding
a plow can damage the vehicle,
and the repairs would not be
covered by warranty. Unless the
vehicle was built to carry a snow
plow, do not add one to the
vehicle. If the vehicle has the
snow plow prep package, called
RPO VYU, then the payload the
vehicle can carry will be reduced (Continued)

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
354 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 355
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 356
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 366
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 367
Automatic Transmission Fluid (8 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 370
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 370
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 375
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377 Power Steering Fluid (1500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Power Steering Fluid (2500/ 3500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Battery - North America . . . . . . 382
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 385
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 386
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 387
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 387
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 388
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388 LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Electrical System Overload . . . 391
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 401
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Vehicle Care 359
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0434.
2. Battery - North America 0382.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0371.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0370.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6 Speed Transmission) 0367
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) 0370.
6. Remote Negative (–) Location. See Jump Starting - North
America 0434.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0371.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0363. 9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0363.
10. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0380.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0379.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0392.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Vehicle Care 361
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0434.
2. Battery - North America 0382.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0371.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0370.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6 Speed Transmission) 0367
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) 0370.
6. Remote Negative (–) Location (Out of View). See Jump
Starting - North America 0434.
7. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0371.
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0363. 9. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
“Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0363.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0379.
11. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0380.
12. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0392.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 363
1. Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting - North
America 0434.
2. Battery - North America 0382.
3. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System 0371.
4. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0370.
5. Automatic Transmission Dipstick (If Equipped). See
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6 Speed Transmission) 0367
or Automatic Transmission
Fluid (8 Speed
Transmission) 0370.
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0363.
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil 0363.
8. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0371. 9. Remote Negative (–) Location.
See Jump Starting - North
America 0434.
10. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering
Fluid (1500 Series) 0378 or
Power Steering Fluid (2500/
3500 Series) 0378.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer
Fluid 0379.
12. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0380.
13. Auxiliary Battery (If Equipped). SeeBattery - North
America 0382.
14. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0392.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine
and/or an Allison Transmission, see
the Duramax diesel supplement.
For an eAssist vehicle, see the
Silverado/Sierra supplement.Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see
“Engine Oil” in the Duramax diesel
supplement.
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
. Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0366.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.