2017 GMC SIERRA DENALI tow

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
308 Driving and Operating When an object is first detected in
the rear, one beep will be heard
from the rear, or both sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse two
times. When an object is very close
(<0.6 m (2 ft) in the vehicle rear,
or <0.3 m (1 ft) in the vehicle front),
a continuous beep will sound from
the front or rear, or both sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse five
times. Beeps for FPA are higher
pitched than for RPA.
Turning the Features On or Off Press
X on the center stack to
turn the Front and Rear Parking
Assist on or off. The indicator light in
the button comes on when the
features are on and turns off when
the features have been disabled.
Front and Rear Parking Assist can
be turned off, on, or on with towbar
through vehicle personalization. See
“ Park Assist ” under Vehicle
Personalization 0 167 . If the parking
assist is turned off through vehicle
personalization, the parking assist
button on the center stack will be
disabled. To turn the parking assist
on again, select On in vehicle personalization. The On with Towbar
setting allows for the parking assist
to work properly with an attached
trailer hitch. Turn off parking assist
when towing a trailer.
To turn the rear parking assist
symbols or guidance lines on or off,
see “ Rear Camera ” under Vehicle
Personalization 0 167 .
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).
{ WarningFCA 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. It also may not
provide any warning at all. FCA
does not warn of pedestrians,
animals, signs, guardrails,
bridges, construction barrels,
or other objects. Be ready to take
action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving 0 254 .

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
312 Driving and Operating Warning (Continued)flow of traffic. If this occurs, take
your foot off the brake pedal and
then apply the brakes as needed.
FAB and IBA can be disabled
through vehicle personalization. See
“ Collision/Detection Systems ” under
Vehicle Personalization 0 167 .
{ WarningUsing FAB or IBA while towing a
trailer could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle and crash.
Turn the system to Alert or Off
when towing a trailer.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) (2500/3500 Series) If equipped, LDW may help avoid
crashes due to unintentional lane
departures. It may provide an alert if
the vehicle is crossing a lane
marking without using a turn signal
in that direction. LDW uses a camera sensor to detect the lane
markings at speeds of 56 km/h
(35 mph) or greater.
{ WarningThe LDW system does not steer
the vehicle. The LDW system
may not:
.
Provide enough time to
avoid a crash.
.
Detect lane markings under
poor weather or visibility
conditions. This can occur if
the windshield or
headlamps are blocked by
dirt, snow, or ice; if they are
not in proper condition; or if
the sun shines directly into
the camera.
.
Detect road edges.
.
Detect lanes on winding or
hilly roads.
If LDW only detects lane
markings on one side of the road,
it will only warn you when
(Continued) Warning (Continued) departing the lane on the side
where it has detected a lane
marking. Always keep your
attention on the road and
maintain proper vehicle position
within the lane, or vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Always keep the
windshield, headlamps, and
camera sensors clean and in
good repair. Do not use LDW in
bad weather conditions.
How the System Works The LDW camera sensor is on the
windshield ahead of the rearview
mirror.
To turn LDW on and off, press
@ on
the center stack. The control
indicator will light when LDW is on.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
314 Driving and Operating Warning (Continued).
Detect lanes on winding or
hilly roads.
If LKA only detects lane markings
on one side of the road, it will
only assist or provide an LDW
alert when approaching the lane
on the side where it has detected
a lane marking. Even with LKA
and LDW, you must steer the
vehicle. Always keep your
attention on the road and
maintain proper vehicle position
within the lane, or vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Always keep the
windshield, headlamps, and
camera sensors clean and in
good repair. Do not use LKA in
bad weather conditions. { WarningUsing LKA while towing a trailer
or on slippery roads could cause
loss of control of the vehicle and
a crash. Turn the system off.
How the System Works The LKA camera sensor is on the
windshield ahead of the rearview
mirror.
To turn LKA on and off, press
Aon the center stack.
When on,
A is green if LKA is
available to assist and provide LDW
alerts. It may assist by gently
turning the steering wheel and
display
A as amber if the vehicle
approaches a detected lane marking
without using a turn signal in that
direction. It may also provide an
LDW alert by flashing
A amber
as the lane marking is crossed.
Additionally, there may be three
beeps, or the driver seat may pulse three times, on the right or left,
depending on the lane departure
direction.
Take Steering
The LKA system does not
continuously steer the vehicle.
If LKA does not detect active driver
steering, an alert, chime, or DIC
message may be provided. Move
the steering wheel to dismiss.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly The system performance may be
affected by:
.
Close vehicles ahead.
.
Sudden lighting changes, such
as when driving through tunnels.
.
Banked roads.
.
Roads with poor lane markings,
such as two-lane roads.
If the LKA system is not functioning
properly when lane markings are
clearly visible, cleaning the
windshield may help.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
320 Driving and Operating
Trailer Towing General Towing
Information Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read
the entire section before towing a
trailer.
For towing a disabled vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle 0 439 . For
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0 440 .
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer:
.
Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply to
trailer towing. .
The trailer must be equipped
with brakes adequate for the
intended use. A loaded trailer
weighing more than 900 kg
(2,000 lb) must be equipped with
its own brake system, with
brakes working on all axles.
Trailer braking equipment
conforming to Canadian
Standards Association (CSA)
requirement CAN3-D313, or its
equivalent, is recommended.
.
Do not tow a trailer during the
first 800 km (500 mi) to prevent
damage to the engine, axle,
or other parts.
.
Then during the first 800 km
(500 mi) of trailer towing, do not
drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and
do not make starts at full throttle.
.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
The Tow/Haul Mode may be
used if the transmission shifts
too often. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 288 .
.
Turn off Park Assist when
towing. { WarningWhen towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the
liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window is open.
When towing a trailer:
.
Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
.
Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
.
Also adjust the climate
control system to a setting
that brings in only outside
air. See “ Climate Control
Systems ” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0 282 .
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. The
combination you are driving is
longer and not as responsive as the

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Driving and Operating 321vehicle itself. Get acquainted with
the handling and braking of the rig
before setting out for the open road.
The structure, tires, and brakes of
the trailer must be rated to carry the
load. Inadequate trailer equipment
can cause the combination to
operate in an unexpected or unsafe
manner.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. Get familiar with
the handling and braking of the rig.
If the trailer has electric brakes, start
the combination moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by
hand to be sure the brakes work.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure
and the lamps and any trailer
brakes still work.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving the vehicle without a trailer.
This can help to avoid heavy
braking and sudden turns. 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 Turns
Caution
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 0 288 .

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
322 Driving and Operating 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 0 376 .
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. 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 0 455 .
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.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Driving and Operating 323
Trailer Towing If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See New Vehicle Break-In 0 273 .
{ WarningThe 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. CautionPulling a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this
section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
See Vehicle Load Limits 0 265 for
more information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity.
To identify the trailering capacity of
the vehicle, read the information in
“ Weight of the Trailer ” later in this
section.
Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability, and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly. The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Weight of the Trailer Safe trailering requires monitoring
the weight, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature, and
how frequently the vehicle is used to
pull a trailer. Take into consideration
any special equipment on the
vehicle, and the amount of tongue
weight the vehicle can carry. See
“ Weight of the Trailer Tongue ” later
in this section for more information.
Trailer weight rating (TWR) for
pickup models is calculated
assuming the tow vehicle has the
driver, a front seat passenger, and
all required trailering equipment.
Weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers, and cargo
in the tow vehicle must be
subtracted from the trailer weight
rating.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or advice.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
326 Driving and Operating 1500/2500/3500 Series Pickups – SAE J2807 Compliant
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer
Weight (c) GCWR (a)
5.3L V8, 8-speed automatic
transmission with Enhanced
Towing Package – Conventional
Trailer 3.42 5 035 kg (11,100 lb) 7 575 kg (16,700 lb)
5.3L V8, 8-speed automatic
transmission with Enhanced
Towing Package – Gooseneck/
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42 4 990 kg (11,000 lb) 7 575 kg (16,700 lb)
5.3L V8 – Conventional Trailer 3.73 5 035 kg (11,100 lb) 7 575 kg (16,700 lb)
5.3L V8 – Gooseneck/Fifth-Wheel
Trailer 3.73 4 990 kg (11,000 lb) 7 575 kg (16,700 lb)
6.2L V8 – Conventional Trailer 3.23 4 264 kg (9,400 lb) 6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
6.2L V8 – Gooseneck/Fifth-Wheel
Trailer 3.23 4 082 kg (9,000 lb) 6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
6.2L V8 – Conventional Trailer 3.42 5 670 kg (12,500 lb) 8 255 kg (18,200 lb)
6.2L V8 – Gooseneck/Fifth-Wheel
Trailer 3.42 5 307 kg (11,700 lb) 8 255 kg (18,200 lb)
1500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Standard Box
4.3L V6 3.23 2 449 kg (5,400 lb) 4 990 kg (11,000 lb)