2017 GMC SIERRA cooling

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
18 In Brief
For vehicles first sold in Canada, off
will only work when the vehicle is in
P (Park).
AUTO :Automatically turns on the
headlamps, parking lamps,
taillamps, instrument panel lights,
roof marker lamps (if equipped),
front/rear sidemarker lamps, and
license plate lamps.
;: Turns on the parking lamps
including all lamps, except the
headlamps.
5: Turns on the headlamps
together with the parking lamps and
instrument panel lights.
See:
. Exterior Lamp Controls 0178.
. Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
0181.
. Fog Lamps 0183.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper control is on
the turn signal lever.
The windshield wipers are controlled
by turning the band with
zon it.
1:Fast wipes.
w:Slow wipes.
3INT : Turn the band up for more
frequent wipes or down for less
frequent wipes.
OFF : Turns the windshield
wipers off.
8: For a single wipe, turn to8,
then release. For several wipes,
hold the band on
8longer.
Lm: Push the paddle at the top of
the lever to spray washer fluid on
the windshield. See
Windshield Wiper/Washer
0 126.
Climate Controls
These systems control the heating,
cooling, and ventilation.
For an eAssist vehicle, see the
Silverado/Sierra eAssist
supplement.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Instruments and Controls 123
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 124
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 125
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 125
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 126
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Transmission Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 140
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 141
Airbag On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 143
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 144
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . 147
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 147
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . 147
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light (2500/3500) . . . . 147
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light (1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 148
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 148
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 150 Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 150
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 151
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 151
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 151
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 152
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level Cluster) . . . . . . . . 152
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel and Denali
Cluster) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Brake System Messages . . . . . 158
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 158
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 158
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 159
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 160
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 160
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 160
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Instruments and Controls 159
obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the hood is not fully
closed. Stop and turn off the
vehicle, check the hood for
obstructions, and close the hood
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
Engine Cooling System
Messages
A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH
ENGINE TEMP
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gauge 0138. To avoid added strain
on a hot engine, the air conditioning
compressor automatically turns off.
When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor turns back
on. You can continue to drive your
vehicle. 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. See
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 0138.
When towing, use Tow/Haul mode
to prevent damage to the engine or
transmission. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 288.
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 0367 for
information on how to reset the
message.
See Engine Oil 0364 and
Maintenance Schedule 0455.
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 0364.
ENGINE OIL HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine oil becomes hotter than the
normal operating temperature. Stop

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. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0138.
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 0364.
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 0376 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 0136 andFuel
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) 0144. Reinstall the fuel cap fully. See
Filling the Tank
0317. 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 036.
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
186 Lighting
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
Some exterior lamps and the interior
lamps turn on briefly at night, or in
areas with limited lighting, when
K
is pressed on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter. When a
door is opened, the interior lamps
come on if the dome lamp control is
in the DOOR position. After about
30 seconds the exterior lamps turn
off. Entry lighting can be disabled
manually by changing the ignition
out of the OFF position, or by
pressing the RKE transmitter
Q
button.
This feature can be changed. See
“Vehicle Locator Lights”under
Vehicle Personalization 0167.
Exit Lighting
Some exterior lamps and the interior
lamps come on at night, or in areas
with limited lighting when the key is
removed from the ignition. The
exterior and interior lamps remain
on for a set amount of time and then automatically turn off. The interior
lamps do not come on if the dome
lamp control is in the Off position.
The exterior lamps turn off
immediately by turning the exterior
lamps control off.
This feature can be changed. See
Vehicle Personalization
0167.
Battery Load
Management
The vehicle has Electric Power
Management (EPM), which
estimates the battery's temperature
and state of charge. It then adjusts
the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge
is low, the voltage is raised slightly
to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high,
the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. The voltmeter
gauge or the voltage display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC),
if equipped, may show the voltage moving up or down. This is normal.
If there is a problem, an alert will be
displayed.
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all the
power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.
It can increase engine idle speed to
generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Climate Controls 245
Climate Control Systems (with Air Conditioning)
With this system the heating, cooling, and ventilation can be controlled.
1. Fan Control
2. A/C (Air Conditioning)
3. Air Delivery Mode Controls
4. Defrost
5. TEMP (Temperature Control)
6.
K(Rear Window Defogger, If
Equipped)
f(Outside Heated Mirror, If
Equipped)
8(Outside Air, If Equipped) 7.
@Air Recirculation
TEMP (Temperature Control) :
Turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
9(Fan Control) : Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise
to turn the fan off. Air Delivery Mode Controls :
Press
Y,\,[, or-to change
the direction of the airflow. An
indicator light comes on in the
selected mode button.
Y(Vent) : Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level) : Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets.
[(Floor) : Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some air directed
to the windshield and side window
outlets.
-(Defog) : This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents.
0(Defrost) : Press to clear the
windshield of fog or frost more
quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and the side window
vents. The system automatically
forces outside air into the vehicle
and the air conditioning compressor
will run, unless the outside
temperature is close to freezing.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
246 Climate Controls
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
SeeAir Vents 0250.
@(Recirculation) : Press to turn
on recirculation. An indicator light
comes on. Air is recirculated to
quickly cool the inside of the
vehicle. It can also be used to help
reduce outside air and odors that
enter the vehicle.
8(Outside Air, If Equipped) :
Press to turn the outside air mode
on. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that outside is
on. When selected, air from outside
the vehicle circulates throughout the
vehicle. The recirculation mode
cannot be used with the outside
air mode.
A/C (Air Conditioning) : Press to
turn the air conditioning system on
or off. An indicator light comes on to
show that the air conditioning is
enabled. If the fan is turned off, the
air conditioner will not run. The A/C
light will stay on even if the outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Rear Window Defogger
K(Rear Window Defogger) :
If equipped, press to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. An
indicator light on the button comes
on to show that the rear window
defogger is on.
The rear window defogger only
works when the ignition is in ON/
RUN. The defogger turns off if the
ignition is turned to ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.
If equipped with heated outside
mirrors, they turn on when the rear
window defogger button is on. They
help to clear fog or frost from the
surface of the mirrors. See Heated
Mirrors 048.
Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp
object to clear the inside rear
window can damage the rear
window defogger. Repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not clear the inside
rear window with sharp objects.
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System
With this system the heating,
cooling, and ventilation in the
vehicle can be controlled.
For an eAssist vehicle, see the
Silverado/Sierra eAssist
supplement.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Driving and Operating 261
Traction is reduced on hard packed
snow and ice and it is easy to lose
control. Reduce vehicle speed when
driving on hard packed snow
and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds,
or rivers can be dangerous. Ice
conditions vary greatly and the
vehicle could fall through the ice;
you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Traction could be lost, and the
vehicle could roll over. Do not
drive through rushing water.
Caution
Do not drive through standing
water if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep,
drive slowly through it. At faster
speeds, water splashes and the
vehicle can stall. When going
through water, the brakes get wet
and it may take longer to stop. See
“Driving on Wet Roads” later in this
section.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that
has collected on the underbody or
chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand,
have the brake linings cleaned and
checked. These substances can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage and
check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
More frequent maintenance service
is required. See the Maintenance
Schedule 0455.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.