
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 421Warning (Continued)towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
8. Remove any rust or dirt from
the wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces, and spare wheel.
9. Install the spare tire. { WarningNever use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
10. Put the wheel nuts back on
with the rounded end of the
nuts toward the wheel.
11. Tighten each wheel nut by
hand. Then use the wheel
wrench to tighten the nuts until
the wheel is held against
the hub.
12. Turn the wheel wrench
counterclockwise to lower the
vehicle. Lower the jack
completely.
{ Warning
If wheel studs are damaged, they
can break. If all the studs on a
wheel broke, the wheel could
come off and cause a crash.
(Continued) Warning (Continued) If any stud is damaged because
of a loose-running wheel, it could
be that all of the studs are
damaged. To be sure, replace all
studs on the wheel. If the stud
holes in a wheel have become
larger, the wheel could collapse in
operation. Replace any wheel if
its stud holes have become larger
or distorted in any way. Inspect
hubs and hub ‐ piloted wheels for
damage. Because of loose
running wheels, piloting pad
damage may occur and require
replacement of the entire hub, for
proper centering of the wheels.
When replacing studs, hubs,
wheel nuts or wheels, be sure to
use GM original equipment parts.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
422 Vehicle Care
{ WarningWheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. See Capacities and
Specifications 0 461 for original
equipment wheel nut torque
specifications.
Caution
Improperly tightened wheel nuts
can lead to brake pulsation and
rotor damage. To avoid expensive
brake repairs, evenly tighten the
wheel nuts in the proper
sequence and to the proper
(Continued) Caution (Continued) torque specification. See
Capacities and Specifications
0 461 for the wheel nut torque
specification.
13. Tighten the nuts firmly in a
crisscross sequence, as
shown, by turning the wheel
wrench clockwise.
For vehicles with dual wheels, have
a technician check the wheel nut
tightness of all wheels with a torque
wrench after the first 160, 1 600 and
10 000 km (100, 1,000 and 6,000 mi).
Repeat this service whenever you have a tire removed or serviced.
See Capacities and Specifications
0 461 .
When reinstalling the regular wheel
and tire, also reinstall either the
center cap, or bolt-on hub cap,
depending on what the vehicle is
equipped with. For center caps,
place the cap on the wheel and tap
it into place until it seats flush with
the wheel. The cap only goes on
one way. Be sure to line up the tab
on the center cap with the
indentation on the wheel. For
bolt-on hub caps, align the plastic
nut caps with the wheel nuts and
then tighten by hand. Then use the
wheel wrench to tighten.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{ Warning
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
(Continued)

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 423Warning (Continued)collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
CautionStoring an aluminum wheel with a
flat tire under your vehicle for an
extended period of time or with
the valve stem pointing up can
damage the wheel. Always stow
the wheel with the valve stem
pointing down and have the
wheel/tire repaired as soon as
possible.
Caution
The tire hoist can be damaged if
there is no tension on the cable
when using it. To have the
necessary tension, the spare or
(Continued) Caution (Continued) road tire and wheel assembly
must be installed on the tire hoist
to use it.
Store the tire under the rear of the
vehicle in the spare tire carrier.
1. Spare Tire (Valve Stem
Pointed Down)
2. Tire/Wheel Retainer
3. Hoist Cable
4. Hoist Assembly
5. Hoist Shaft
6. Jack Handle Extensions 7. Wheel Wrench
8. Spare Tire Lock (If
Equipped)
9. Hoist Shaft Access Hole
10. Hoist End of Extension Tool
1. Put the tire on the ground at
the rear of the vehicle with the
valve stem pointed down, and
to the rear.
2. Pull the cable and spring
through the center of the
wheel. Tilt the wheel retainer
plate down and through the
center wheel.
Make sure the retainer is fully
seated across the underside of
the wheel.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
424 Vehicle Care 3. Attach the wheel wrench (7)
and extensions (6) together, as
shown.
4. Insert the hoist end (10)
through the hole (9) in the rear
bumper and onto the hoist
shaft.
Do not use the chiseled end of
the wheel wrench.
5. Raise the tire part way upward.
Make sure the retainer is
seated in the wheel opening. 6. Raise the tire fully against the
underside of the vehicle by
turning the wheel wrench
clockwise until you hear two
clicks or feel it skip twice. You
cannot overtighten the cable.
7. Make sure the tire is stored
securely. Push, pull, and then
try to turn the tire. If the tire
moves, use the wheel wrench
to tighten the cable.
8. Reinstall the spare tire lock,
if the vehicle has one. To store the jack and jack tools:
1. Wing Nut Retaining Wheel
Blocks
2. Wheel Blocks
3. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
4. Wheel Wrench and
Extensions
5. Tool Bag
6. Jack Mounting Bracket
7. Jack
8. Bolt Retaining Wheel Blocks
1. Put the tools (4) in the tool
bag (5) and place them in the
retaining bracket (3).
2. Tighten down the wing nut (3).

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 4253. Assemble the wheel blocks (2)
and jack (7) together with the
wing nut (1) and retaining
bolt (8).
4. Position the jack (7) in the
mounting bracket (6). Position
the holes in the base of the
jack (7) onto the pin in the
mounting bracket (6).
5. Return them to their original
location in the vehicle. See
“ Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools. ”
Full-Size Spare Tire If this vehicle came with a full-size
spare tire, it was fully inflated when
new, however, it can lose air over
time. Check the inflation pressure
regularly. See Tire Pressure 0 397
and Vehicle Load Limits 0 248 . For
instructions on how to remove,
install, or store a spare tire, see Tire
Changing 0 415 .
If equipped with a temporary use
full-size spare tire, it is indicated on
the tire sidewall. See Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0 391 . This spare tire should not be driven on over
112 km/h (70 mph), or 88 km/h
(55 mph) when pulling a trailer, at
the proper inflation pressure. Repair
and replace the road tire as soon as
it is convenient, and stow the spare
tire for future use.
CautionIf the vehicle has four-wheel drive
and a different size spare tire is
installed, do not drive in
four-wheel drive until the flat tire
is repaired and/or replaced. The
vehicle could be damaged and
the repairs would not be covered
by the warranty. Never use
four-wheel drive when a different
size spare tire is installed on the
vehicle.
The vehicle may have a different
size spare tire than the road tires
originally installed on the vehicle.
This spare tire was developed for
use on this vehicle, so it is all right
to drive on it. If the vehicle has four-wheel drive and a different size
spare tire is installed, drive only in
two-wheel drive.
After installing the spare tire on the
vehicle, stop as soon as possible
and check that the spare tire is
correctly inflated.
Have the damaged or flat road tire
repaired or replaced and installed
back onto the vehicle as soon as
possible so the spare tire will be
available in case it is needed again.
Do not mix tires and wheels of
different sizes, because they will not
fit. Keep your spare tire and its
wheel together. If the vehicle has a
spare tire that does not match the
original road tires and wheels in size
and type, do not include the spare in
the tire rotation.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
432 Vehicle Care Warning (Continued)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) ” under Four-Wheel
Drive 0 272 . 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. Turn the engine off. CautionFailure to disconnect the negative
battery cable or to have it contact
the terminals can cause damage
to the vehicle.
6. 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.
7. Shift the transmission to
P (Park).
Caution
If the steering column is locked,
vehicle damage may occur.
8. Move the steering wheel to
make sure the steering column
is unlocked. 9. 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 turn the ignition
key off.
3. Connect the battery.
4. Apply the brake pedal.
5. Turn the ignition on 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 0 272 .
See your dealer if the transfer
case cannot be shifted out of
N (Neutral).

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
434 Vehicle Care To 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.
{ WarningShifting 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) ” under Four-Wheel
Drive 0 272 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 off. 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 0 281 .
3. Put the transmission in
P (Park).
4. Secure the vehicle to the dolly
following the manufacturer's
instructions.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 4355. Use a clamping device
designed for towing to ensure
that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
6. Turn the ignition off.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
{ WarningShifting 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 0 281 .
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) ” under Four-Wheel
Drive 0 272 for the proper
procedure.
7. Turn the ignition 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 0 456 .
Washing the Vehicle To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
{ Warning
Do not power wash any part of
the vehicle ’ s interior, including the
vinyl floor covering. This could
damage safety and other systems
in the vehicle, which would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.