GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Vehicle Care 439
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled
vehicle may cause damage. The
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Do not lash or hook to
suspension components. Use the
proper straps around the tires to
secure the vehicle.
Have the vehicle towed on a flatbed
car carrier. A wheel lift tow truck
could damage the vehicle.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a motor home. The
two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are dinghy and dolly towing. Dinghy
towing is towing the vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground. Dolly
towing is towing the vehicle with two
wheels on the ground and two
wheels on a dolly.
Follow the tow vehicle
manufacturer
’s instructions. See
your dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front
of the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the
towing vehicle.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Caution
If the two-wheel-drive vehicle is
towed with all four wheels on the
ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not
be towed with all four wheels on the
ground.
GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
440 Vehicle Care
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive
vehicles with a two-speed transfer
case that have an N (Neutral) and a
Four-Wheel Drive Low (4 (
n) setting.
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive
vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). You or others could
be injured. Set the parking brake
before shifting the transfer case
to N (Neutral).To dinghy tow:
1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle,
facing forward and on a level
surface.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
3. Apply the parking brake and start the engine.
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive 0293. Check that the
vehicle is in N (Neutral) by
shifting the transmission to
R (Reverse) and then to D
(Drive). There should be no
movement of the vehicle while
shifting.
5. Shift the transmission into D (Drive). Turn the engine off.
Then shift the transmission into
P (Park).
6. Wait for at least 10 seconds, then restart the engine.
7. Shift the transmission to D (Drive), then turn the engine off
again.
Caution
Failure to disconnect the negative
battery cable or to have it contact
the terminals can cause damage
to the vehicle.
8. Disconnect the negative battery cable at the battery and
secure the nut and bolt. Cover
the negative battery post with a
non-conductive material to
prevent any contact with the
negative battery terminal.
9. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
Caution
If the steering column is locked,
vehicle damage may occur.
10. Move the steering wheel to make sure the steering column
is unlocked.
GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Vehicle Care 441
11. With a foot on the brake pedal,release the parking brake.
Keep the ignition key in the
towed vehicle in ACC/
ACCESSORY to prevent the
steering column from locking.
Disconnecting the Towed Vehicle
Before disconnecting the towed
vehicle: 1. Park on a level surface.
2. Set the parking brake, then shift the transmission to
P (Park), and move the ignition
key to OFF.
3. Connect the battery.
4. Apply the brake pedal.
5. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off. Shift the
transfer case out of N (Neutral)
to Two-Wheel Drive High. See
“Shifting out of N (Neutral)”
under Four-Wheel Drive 0293.
See your dealer if the transfer
case cannot be shifted out of
N (Neutral). 6. Check that the vehicle is in
Two-Wheel Drive High by
shifting the transmission to
R (Reverse) and then to D
(Drive). There should be
movement of the vehicle while
shifting.
7. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn off the
ignition.
8. Disconnect the vehicle from the tow vehicle.
9. Release the parking brake.
10. Reset any lost presets. The outside temperature
display will default to 0 °C (32 °
F) but will reset with normal
usage.Dolly Towing
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off
the Ground) –Two-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles
Caution
If a two-wheel-drive vehicle is
towed with the rear wheels on the
ground, the transmission could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Never tow the vehicle
with the rear wheels on the
ground.
GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
442 Vehicle Care
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not
be towed with the rear wheels on
the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being
towed.
To dolly tow a two-wheel-drive
vehicle, the vehicle must be towed
with the rear wheels on the dolly.
See“Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off
the Ground)” later in this section.
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off
the Ground) –Four-Wheel-Drive
VehiclesTo dolly tow a four-wheel-drive
vehicle from the front:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
4. Set the parking brake.
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive
vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). You or others could
be injured. Set the parking brake
before shifting the transfer case
to N (Neutral).
5. Use a clamping device designed for towing to ensure
that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position. 6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly
following the manufacturer's
instructions.
7. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive 0293 for the proper
procedure.
8. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is
firmly attached to the tow
vehicle.
9. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Vehicle Care 443
Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off
the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
To dolly tow a two-wheel-drive
vehicle from the rear:1. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
2. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0301.
3. Put the transmission in P (Park).
4. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions. 5. Use a clamping device
designed for towing to ensure
that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive
vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). You or others could
be injured. Set the parking brake
before shifting the transfer case
to N (Neutral).
To dolly tow a four-wheel-drive
vehicle from the rear: 1. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
2. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0301.
3. Put the transmission in P (Park). 4. Secure the vehicle to the dolly
following the manufacturer's
instructions.
5. Use a clamping device designed for towing to ensure
that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
6. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
Neutral” underFour-Wheel
Drive 0293 for the proper
procedure.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Service and Maintenance 463
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a gasoline engine. If the vehicle has a diesel engine and/or an
Allison Transmission, see the recommended fluids and lubricants section in the Duramax diesel supplement.
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1™ specification of the proper SAE viscosity
grade. AC Delco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is recommended. See Engine
Oil 0363.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL
®coolant.
See Engine Coolant 0373.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 19299818, in Canada 19299819).
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.
Hydraulic Power Steering System (2500/3500 Series Only) GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. 19329450, in Canada 19329451).
Automatic Transmission (All except 6.2L with 8-Speed transmission) DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission (6.2L with 8-Speed transmission) DEXRON
®-HP Automatic Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 19300536, in
Canada 19300537).
Transfer Case (Four-Wheel Drive) DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
464 Service and Maintenance
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Floor Shift Linkage Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 89021668, in Canada 89021674) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2 Category LB or GC-LB.
Chassis Lubrication Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Front Axle –Four-Wheel Drive SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 88900401, in
Canada 89021678).
Rear Axle (1500 Series) SAE 75W-85 Synthetic Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 19300457, in Canada 19300458).
Rear Axle (2500/3500 Series) SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 88900401, in Canada 89021678).
Front Axle Driveshaft Splines (All
1500/2500/3500 Series) and Rear Axle Driveshaft Splines (All 1500
Series) Spline Lubricant, Special Lubricant (GM Part No. 19257121, in
Canada 19257122).
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood Hinges, Body Door Hinge Pins, Tailgate
Hinge and Linkage, Fuel Door Hinge, Tailgate Handle Pivot Points, Hinges, Latch Bolt, and Linkage Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) or Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579, in Canada 10953481).
Weatherstrip Squeaks Synthetic Grease with Teflon, Superlube (GM Part No. 12371287, in Canada 10953437).
GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
500 Index
F
FanEngine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Features Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 178
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 423 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424
FlexFuel
E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Floor Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . 119
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 452
Fluid Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . 367, 370
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Four-Wheel Drive Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 293, 382
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . . . 143
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 61
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 146
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 285
Requirements, California . . . . . 318
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 Fuses (cont'd)
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395, 397
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 170Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Gauges Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 134
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 453
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 476