GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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412 Vehicle Care
located on the instrument cluster.
If the warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeVehicle Load
Limits 0265.
A message to check the pressure in
a specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low
tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on at
each ignition cycle until the tires are
inflated to the correct inflation
pressure. If the vehicle has DIC
buttons, tire pressure levels can be
viewed. For additional information
and details about the DIC operation
and displays, see Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Base Level Cluster)
0 152 orDriver Information Center
(DIC) (Uplevel and Denali Cluster)
0 154 andTire Messages 0164.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
could be an early indicator that the air pressure is getting low and
needs to be inflated to the proper
pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label
shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when
they are cold. See
Vehicle Load
Limits 0265, for an example of the
Tire and Loading Information label
and its location. Also see Tire
Pressure 0408.
The TPMS can warn about a low
tire pressure condition but it does
not replace normal tire
maintenance. See Tire Inspection
0 414, Tire Rotation 0415 andTires
0 400.
Caution
Tire sealant materials are not all
the same. A non-approved tire
sealant could damage the TPMS
sensors. TPMS sensor damage
caused by using an incorrect tire
sealant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use only
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the GM approved tire sealant
available through your dealer or
included in the vehicle.
TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the
low tire pressure warning light
flashes for about one minute and
then stays on for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. A DIC warning
message also displays. The
malfunction light and DIC warning
message come on at each ignition
cycle until the problem is corrected.
Some of the conditions that can
cause these to come on are:
.One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire. The
spare tire does not have a
TPMS sensor. The malfunction
light and the DIC message
should go off after the road tire
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Vehicle Care 417
Warning (Continued)
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the inner diameter of
the wheel hub opening with
wheel bearing grease after a
wheel change or tire rotation to
prevent corrosion or rust
build-up. Do not get grease on
the flat wheel mounting surface
or on the wheel nuts or bolts.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), if the vehicle
has one. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor Operation 0411.
Check that the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, is stored
properly. Push, pull, and then try
to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves, tighten the cable. See
“Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools”
underTire Changing
0 425.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Factors, such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road conditions
affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way to
tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear when
the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining. Some commercial truck tires may not have
treadwear indicators.
See
Tire Inspection 0414 andTire
Rotation 0415 for additional
information.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies to the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple factors
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. GM recommends that
tires, including the spare if
equipped, be replaced after six
years, regardless of tread wear. The
tire manufacture date is the last four
digits of the DOT Tire Identification
Number (TIN) which is molded into
one side of the tire sidewall. The
first two digits represent the week
(01-52) and the last two digits, the
year. For example, the third week of
the year 2010 would have a
four-digit DOT date of 0310.Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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418 Vehicle Care
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be free
of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.
Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When
replacement tires are needed,
GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating.GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of the
vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire's
sidewall near the tire size. If the
tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC Spec number
will be followed by MS for mud
and snow. See
Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0402 for additional
information.
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four (six
for dual rear wheels). Uniform
tread depth on all tires will help
to maintain the performance of
the vehicle. Braking and
handling performance may be
adversely affected if all the tires
are not replaced at the same
time. If proper rotation and maintenance have been done,
all four tires (six for dual rear
wheels) should wear out at
about the same time. See
Tire
Rotation 0415 for information
on proper tire rotation. However,
if it is necessary to replace only
one axle set of worn tires, place
the new tires on the rear axle
(two for single rear wheels, four
for dual rear wheels).
{Warning
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting
to mount or dismount a tire
could cause injury or death.
Only your dealer or authorized
tire service center should
mount or dismount the tires.
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420 Vehicle Care
or All-Wheel Drive, the performance
of these systems can also be
affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires 0418 and
Accessories and Modifications
0 357.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter tires,
compact spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1½) times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
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Vehicle Care 421
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistanceto the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all
passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned
and balanced at the factory to
provide the longest tire life and best
overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing
are not necessary on a regular
basis. Consider an alignment check
if there is unusual tire wear or the
vehicle is significantly pulling to one
side or the other. Some slight pull to
the left or right, depending on the
crown of the road and/or other road
surface variations such as troughs
or ruts, is normal. If the vehicle is
vibrating when driving on a smooth
road, the tires and wheels may need
to be rebalanced. See your dealer
for proper diagnosis.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent,
cracked, or badly rusted or
corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming
loose, the wheel, wheel bolts and
wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it.
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Vehicle Care 437
The positive (+) terminal is
under a red plastic cover at the
positive battery post. To
uncover the positive (+)
terminal, open the red plastic
cover.
For more information on the
location of the remote
positive (+) and remote
negative (−) terminals, see
Engine Compartment Overview
0359.
{Warning
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
6. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too. Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will
go to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one. Negative (−)
will go to a heavy, unpainted
metal engine part or to a
remote negative (−) terminal if
the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a
short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts
too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal on the
dead battery because this can
cause sparks.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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444 Vehicle Care
5. Use a clamping devicedesigned 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 0297.
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
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive 0289 for the proper
procedure.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0464.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
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GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Index 499
Antilock Brake System(ABS) (cont'd)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Appearance Care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 449
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Assistance Program,
Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Assistance Systems for
Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . 306
Audio Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . 189
Audio Players
CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Automatic Dimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Forward Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . 368, 371
Automatic Transmission
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 Automatic Transmission (cont'd)
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Auxiliary
Roof Mounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 183
Auxiliary Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Axle, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
B
Battery Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Battery - North America . . . . 383, 435
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 388
Blind Spot Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Bluetooth Overview . . . . . . . . 222, 224, 228, 233
Bluetooth Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Brake
Pedal and AdjustableThrottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 145
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298 Brakes (cont'd)
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Automatic Forward . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 273
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 418
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 316