GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Seats and Restraints 61
Reclining Seatbacks
{ WarningSitting in a reclined position when
the vehicle is in motion can be
dangerous. Even when buckled
up, the seat belts cannot do
their job.
The shoulder belt will not be
against your body. Instead, it will
be in front of you. In a crash, you
could go into it, receiving neck or
other injuries.
The lap belt could go up over
your abdomen. The belt forces
would be there, not at your pelvic
bones. This could cause serious
internal injuries.
For proper protection when the
vehicle is in motion, have the
seatback upright. Then sit well
back in the seat and wear the
seat belt properly. Do not have a seatback reclined if
the vehicle is moving.
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
{ Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked. To adjust a manual seatback:
1. Lift the lever.
The seatback will automatically
fold forward.
2. To recline, move the seatback
rearward to the desired
position, then release the lever
to lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback
to make sure it is locked.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Seats and Restraints 65To stop Easy Exit Recall movement,
press any of the following memory
controls:
.
Power seat
.
Memory SET, 1, 2, or
B.
Power mirror, with the driver or
passenger side mirror selected
.
Power steering wheel,
if equipped
.
Adjustable pedals, if equipped
Obstructions
If something has blocked the driver
seat and/or power steering wheel
while recalling a memory position,
the recall may stop. Remove the
obstruction and try the recall again.
If the memory position still does not
recall, see your dealer for service. Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats
{ WarningIf temperature change or pain to
the skin cannot be felt, the seat
heater may cause burns. To
reduce the risk of burns, use care
when using the seat heater,
especially for long periods of
time. Do not place anything on
the seat that insulates against
heat, such as a blanket, cushion,
cover, or similar item. This may
cause the seat heater to
overheat. An overheated seat
heater may cause a burn or may
damage the seat. Heated and Ventilated Seat
Buttons Shown, Heated Seat
Buttons Similar
If equipped, the buttons are on the
center stack. To operate, the engine
must be running.
Press
I to heat the driver or
passenger seatback only.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Seats and Restraints 67The feature is active only once each
time the vehicle is turned on and off,
and will require reactivation by
opening and closing the second row
doors. There may be an alert even
when there is nothing in the rear
seat; for example, if a child entered
the vehicle through the rear door
and left the vehicle without the
vehicle being shut off.
The feature can be turned on or off.
See Vehicle Personalization 0 165 .
Folding the Rear Seat
CautionFolding a rear seat with the seat
belts still fastened may cause
damage to the seat or the seat
belts. Always unbuckle the seat
belts and return them to their
normal stowed position before
folding a rear seat. To fold the seat:
1. Pull up on the front of the seat
cushion while pulling down on
the release strap loop under
the seat cushion.
2. Pull the seat cushion up until it
latches with the seatback.
3. Pull forward on the seat
cushion to make sure it is
locked in place. To unfold the seat:
1. Push the seat cushion
rearward while pulling the
release strap loop under the
seat cushion. Pull the seat
cushion down until it latches.
2. Pull up on the seat cushion to
make sure it is locked in place.
Make sure the seat belts are
not twisted or caught in the
seat cushion.
{ WarningA seat belt that is improperly
routed, not properly attached,
or twisted will not provide the
protection needed in a crash. The
person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After raising the
rear seatback, always check to be
sure that the seat belts are
properly routed and attached, and
are not twisted.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
68 Seats and Restraints
Rear Seats (Split Bench) Folding the Rear Seat Either side of the rear seat can be
folded for added cargo space.
CautionFolding a rear seat with the seat
belts still fastened may cause
damage to the seat or the seat
belts. Always unbuckle the seat
belts and return them to their
normal stowed position before
folding a rear seat.
Make sure that nothing is on the
seat cushion. To fold the seat, slowly pull the seat
cushion up.
To return the seat to the normal
seating position, slowly pull the seat
cushion down.
Make sure the seat belts are not
twisted or caught in the seat
cushion. { WarningA seat belt that is improperly
routed, not properly attached,
or twisted will not provide the
protection needed in a crash. The
person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After raising the
rear seatback, always check to be
sure that the seat belts are
properly routed and attached, and
are not twisted.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Seats and Restraints 69
Seat Belts This section describes how to use
seat belts properly, and some things
not to do.
{ WarningDo not let anyone ride where a
seat belt cannot be worn properly.
In a crash, if you or your
passenger(s) are not wearing
seat belts, injuries can be much
worse than if you are wearing
seat belts. You can be seriously
injured or killed by hitting things
inside the vehicle harder or by
being ejected from the vehicle. In
addition, anyone who is not
buckled up can strike other
passengers in the vehicle.
It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area, inside or outside
of a vehicle. In a collision,
passengers riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed. Do not allow
(Continued) Warning (Continued) passengers to ride in any area of
the vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and seat belts.
Always wear a seat belt, and
check that all passenger(s) are
restrained properly too.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the seat belts.
See Seat Belt Reminders 0 146 .
Seat Belt Assurance System This vehicle may have the Seat Belt
Assurance System, which prevents
the vehicle from shifting out of
P (Park). A message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
indicating the shift lever is locked
when the brake pedal is applied and
the seat belts for either the driver or
front outboard passenger are not
buckled. The vehicle will not shift
out of P (Park). Buckle the seat
belts to unlock the shift lever. If the front passenger seat is unoccupied,
only the driver seat belt must be
buckled to unlock the shift lever.
This system may not allow the
vehicle to shift out of P (Park) if an
object — such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop,
or other electronic device — is on
the front outboard passenger seat.
If this happens, remove the object
from the seat or buckle the
seat belt.
If the driver or front outboard
passenger unbuckles their seat belt
while driving, the seat belt reminder
chime and light(s) will come on. See
Seat Belt Reminders 0 146 .
The Seat Belt Assurance System
will time out 30 seconds after the
brake pedal is initially pressed.
A message displays in the DIC
indicating the shift lever is unlocked
allowing the vehicle to be shifted out
of P (Park). See “ Seat Belts ” and
“ Child Restraints ” in the Index for
information about the importance of
proper restraint use.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Seats and Restraints 71
.
Sit up straight and always keep
your feet on the floor in front
of you.
.
Always use the correct buckle
for your seating position.
.
Wear the lap part of the belt low
and snug on the hips, just
touching the thighs. In a crash,
this applies force to the strong
pelvic bones and you would be
less likely to slide under the lap
belt. If you slid under it, the belt
would apply force on your
abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. .
Wear the shoulder belt over the
shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best
able to take belt restraining
forces. The shoulder belt locks if
there is a sudden stop or crash.
{ WarningYou can be seriously injured,
or even killed, by not wearing
your seat belt properly.
.
Never allow the lap or
shoulder belt to become
loose or twisted.
.
Never wear the shoulder
belt under both arms or
behind your back.
.
Never route the lap or
shoulder belt over an
armrest.
Lap-Shoulder Belt If the vehicle is a regular cab, then
all seating positions in the vehicle
have a lap-shoulder belt. If the
vehicle is a double or crew cab, then all seating positions in the
vehicle have a lap-shoulder belt
except for the center front
passenger position (if equipped),
which has a lap belt. See Lap Belt
0 75 .
The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is
adjustable, so you can sit up
straight. To see how, see
“ Seats ” in the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull
the belt across you. Do not let
it get twisted.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
76 Seats and Restraints Make sure the seat belt reminder
light is working. See Seat Belt
Reminders 0 146 .
Keep seat belts clean and dry. See
Seat Belt Care 0 76 .
Seat Belt Care Keep belts clean and dry.
{ WarningDo not bleach or dye seat belt
webbing. It may severely weaken
the webbing. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide
adequate protection. Clean and
rinse seat belt webbing only with
mild soap and lukewarm water.
Allow the webbing to dry.
Seat belts should be properly cared
for and maintained.
Seat belt hardware should be kept
dry and free of dust or debris. As
necessary exterior hard surfaces
and seat belt webbing may be lightly cleaned with mild soap and water.
Ensure there is not excessive dust
or debris in the mechanism. If dust
or debris exists in the system please
see the dealer. Parts may need to
be replaced to ensure proper
functionality of the system.
Replacing Seat Belt
System Parts after a
Crash
{ WarningA crash can damage the seat belt
system in the vehicle. A damaged
seat belt system may not properly
protect the person using it,
resulting in serious injury or even
death in a crash. To help make
sure the seat belt systems are
working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any
necessary replacements made as
soon as possible. After a minor crash, replacement of
seat belts may not be necessary.
But the seat belt assemblies that
were used during any crash may
have been stressed or damaged.
See your dealer to have the seat
belt assemblies inspected or
replaced.
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the seat belt
system was not being used at the
time of the crash.
Have the seat belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in a
crash, or if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start the vehicle
or while you are driving. See Airbag
Readiness Light 0 147 .
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Seats and Restraints 77
Airbag System The vehicle has the following
airbags:
.
A frontal airbag for the driver
.
A frontal airbag for the front
outboard passenger
The vehicle may have the following
airbags:
.
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver
.
A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the front outboard
passenger
.
A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and the passenger seated
directly behind the driver
.
A roof-rail airbag for the front
outboard passenger and the
person seated directly behind
the front outboard passenger
All of the airbags in the vehicle will
have the word AIRBAG on the trim
or on a label near the deployment
opening. For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the center of the
steering wheel for the driver and on
the instrument panel for the front
outboard passenger.
For seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG is on the
seatback closest to the door.
For roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the ceiling or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by seat
belts. Even though today's airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things
to know about the airbag system:
{ Warning
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your seat belt, even with
airbags. Airbags are designed to
(Continued) Warning (Continued) work with seat belts, not replace
them. Also, airbags are not
designed to inflate in every crash.
In some crashes seat belts are
the only restraint. See When
Should an Airbag Inflate? 0 80 .
Wearing your seat belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance
of hitting things inside the vehicle
or being ejected from it. Airbags
are “ supplemental restraints ” to
the seat belts. Everyone in the
vehicle should wear a seat belt
properly, whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.
{ Warning
Because airbags inflate with great
force and faster than the blink of
an eye, anyone who is up
against, or very close to, any
airbag when it inflates can be
(Continued)