
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
36 Keys, Doors, and Windows and all previously known keys
will no longer work with the
vehicle.
6. To learn a second key, turn to
OFF, insert the second key to
be learned, and rotate to
ON/RUN.
After two keys are learned, the
remaining keys can be learned by
following the procedure in
“ Programming with Two
Recognized Keys. ”
The key has a bar-coded key tag
that the dealer or qualified locksmith
can use to make new keys. Store
this information in a safe place, not
in the vehicle.
See your dealer if a replacement
key or additional key is needed.
If it becomes difficult to turn a key,
inspect the key blade for debris.
Periodically clean with a brush
or pick.
With an active OnStar subscription,
an OnStar Advisor may remotely
unlock the vehicle. See OnStar
Overview 0 488 . Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System See Radio Frequency Statement
0 484 .
If there is a decrease in the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) operating
range:
.
Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
.
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
.
Check the transmitter's battery.
See “ Battery Replacement ” later
in this section.
.
If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation The RKE transmitter functions may
work up to 60 m (197 ft) away from
the vehicle. Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System 0 36 .
With Remote Start (without
Remote Start Similar)
/ : If equipped,
/ is used to start
the engine from outside the vehicle
using the RKE transmitter. See
Remote Vehicle Start 0 38 .
Q : Press to lock all doors and the
tailgate.
If enabled in vehicle personalization,
the turn signal lamps flash once to
indicate locking has occurred.
If enabled through vehicle

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Keys, Doors, and Windows 37personalization, the horn chirps
when
Q is pressed again within
three seconds. See Vehicle
Personalization 0 167 .
Pressing
Q arms the alarm system.
See Vehicle Alarm System 0 43 .
If equipped with auto mirror folding,
pressing and holding
Q for
one second will fold the mirrors. The
auto mirror folding feature will not
operate unless it is enabled.
See Folding Mirrors 0 48 and
Vehicle Personalization 0 167 .
K : Press once to unlock only the
driver door. If
K is pressed again
within three seconds, all remaining
doors and the tailgate unlock. The
interior lamps may come on and
stay on for 20 seconds or until the
ignition is turned on.
If enabled in Vehicle
Personalization, the turn signal
lamps flash twice to indicate
unlocking has occurred. See Vehicle
Personalization 0 167 . If enabled
through vehicle personalization, the
exterior lamps may turn on. See
Vehicle Personalization 0 167 . Pressing
K on the RKE transmitter
disarms the alarm system. See
Vehicle Alarm System 0 43 .
If equipped with auto mirror folding,
pressing and holding
K for
one second will unfold the mirrors.
The auto mirror folding feature will
not operate unless it is enabled.
See Folding Mirrors 0 48 and
Vehicle Personalization 0 167 .
On some models, press, release
and then press and hold
K to open
all of the windows. Pressing the
button again will stop the windows.
See Vehicle Personalization 0 167 .
7 : Press and release one time to
initiate vehicle locator. The turn
signal lamps flash and the horn
sounds three times.
Press and hold
7 for at least
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The turn signal lamps flash
and the horn sounds repeatedly for
30 seconds. The alarm turns off
when the ignition is moved to ON/ RUN or
7 is pressed again. The
ignition must be in LOCK/OFF for
the panic alarm to work.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
Each vehicle can have up to
eight transmitters programmed to it.
See your dealer for transmitter
programming.
Battery Replacement Replace the battery in the
transmitter soon if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC.
Caution
When replacing the battery, do
not touch any of the circuitry on
the transmitter. Static from your
body could damage the
transmitter.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
144 Instruments and Controls system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, or is
flashing, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) also displays a
message.
See Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages 0 157 .
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine
Light) This light is part of the vehicle ’ s
emission control on-board
diagnostic system. If this light is on
while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and
the vehicle may require service. The
light should come on to show that it
is working when the ignition is in
ON/RUN and the engine is not
running. See Ignition Positions
0 274 . Malfunctions are often indicated by
the system before any problem is
noticeable. Being aware of the light
and seeking service promptly when
it comes on may prevent damage.
CautionIf the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. CautionModifications to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake,
or fuel system, or the use of
replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire
specifications, can cause this light
to come on. This could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also
affect the vehicle ’ s ability to pass
an Emissions Inspection/
Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 357 .
If the light is flashing : A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service
may be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
160 Instruments and Controls and allow the vehicle to idle until it
cools down. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0 138 .
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 0 364 .
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 0 376 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 accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in
performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may
be reduced the next time the vehicle
is driven. The vehicle may be driven
at a reduced speed while this
message is on, but acceleration and
speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, or displays
repeatedly, the vehicle should be
taken to your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages FUEL LEVEL LOW This message displays and a chime
may sound if the fuel level is low.
Refuel as soon as possible.
See Fuel Gauge 0 136 and Fuel
0 315 .
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along
with the malfunction indicator lamp
on the instrument cluster if the
vehicle's fuel cap is not tightened
properly. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0 144 . Reinstall the fuel cap fully. See
Filling the Tank 0 317 . The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn this
light and message off.
Key and Lock Messages REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY This message displays if a Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
battery is low. The battery needs to
be replaced in the transmitter. See
“ Battery Replacement ” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 0 36 .
Lamp Messages TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime
sounds if a turn signal is left on for
1.2 km (0.75 mi). Move the turn
signal lever to the off position.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Vehicle Care 355
Vehicle Care General Information General Information . . . . . . . . . . 356
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements . . . . . 357
Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Vehicle Checks Doing Your Own
Service Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Engine Compartment
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 367
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 368
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(8 Speed Transmission) . . . . . 371
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 371
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 376
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378 Power Steering Fluid (1500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Power Steering Fluid (2500/
3500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Battery - North America . . . . . . 383
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . 386
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 387
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 388
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 388
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 389
Headlamp Aiming Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390 LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Electrical System High Voltage Devices and
Wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Electrical System Overload . . . 392
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Wheels and Tires Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 402
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Tire Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Vehicle Care 383
{ WarningThe wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
CautionIf brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 359 for battery location. { WarningWARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER
HANDLING.
See California Proposition
65 Warning 0 357 .
Vehicle Storage
{ Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting -
North America 0 435 for tips on
working around a battery without
getting hurt. Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative ( − ) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative ( − ) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
Four-Wheel Drive Transfer Case When to Check Lubricant
Refer to Maintenance Schedule
0 455 to determine when to check
the lubricant.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
462 Service and Maintenance .
To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
.
Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
.
Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
.
Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
.
Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping. .
Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle ’ s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0 464 for GM approved
fluids.
.
Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
.
Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed. Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.
Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
.
With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
.
Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
.
As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Customer Information 479General Motors North America and
GMC reserve the right to limit
services or payment to an owner or
driver if they decide the claims are
made too often, or the same type of
claim is made many times.
Services Provided .
Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
.
Lock-Out Service: Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out. A remote unlock may
be available if you have OnStar.
For security reasons, the driver
must present identification
before this service is given.
.
Emergency Tow from a Public
Road or Highway: Tow to the
nearest GMC dealer for warranty
service, or if the vehicle was in a
crash and cannot be driven.
Assistance is not given when the
vehicle is stuck in the sand,
mud, or snow. .
Flat Tire Change: Service to
change a flat tire with the spare
tire. The spare tire, if equipped,
must be in good condition and
properly inflated. It is the owner's
responsibility for the repair or
replacement of the tire if it is not
covered by the warranty.
.
Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
.
Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance: If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
event, incidental expenses may
be reimbursed within the
Powertrain warranty period.
Items considered are reasonable
and customary hotel, meals,
rental car, or a vehicle being
delivered back to the customer,
up to 805 km (500 mi).
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance
.
Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws
.
Legal fines .
Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices
Service is not provided if a vehicle
is in an area that is not accessible
to the service vehicle or is not a
regularly traveled or maintained
public road, which includes ice and
winter roads. Off-road use is not
covered.
Services Specific to
Canadian-Purchased Vehicles .
Fuel Delivery: Reimbursement
is up to 7 L. Diesel fuel delivery
may be restricted. Propane and
other fuels are not provided
through this service.
.
Lock-Out Service: Vehicle
registration is required.
.
Trip Interruption Benefits and
Assistance: Must be over
150 km from where your trip was
started to qualify.
Pre-authorization, original
detailed receipts, and a copy of
the repair orders are required.
Once authorization has been
received, the Roadside