
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
In Brief 5
In Brief Instrument Panel Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 13
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 14
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Passenger Sensing System . . . 14
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 16
Throttle and Brake Pedal
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 19
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Vehicle Features Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . . . 25
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 26
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 28
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 28
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Universal Remote System . . . . . 29
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Performance and Maintenance Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 31
Fuel (Gasoline - Except
L86 6.2L Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Fuel (Gasoline - L86 6.2L
Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 32
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Roadside Assistance
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
In Brief 71. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0 182 .
2. Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) System (If Equipped).
See Towing Equipment 0 325 .
3. Exterior Lamp Controls 0 176 .
Fog Lamps 0 181 (If
Equipped).
4. Air Vents 0 231 .
5. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0 181 .
Windshield Wiper/Washer
0 130 .
6. Favorite Switches (Out of
View). See Steering Wheel
Controls 0 129 .
Volume Switches (Out of View).
See Steering Wheel Controls
0 129 .
7. Instrument Cluster 0 138 .
8. Hazard Warning Flashers
0 180 .
9. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0 265 . Tow/Haul Selector Button (If
Equipped). See Tow/Haul
Mode 0 271 .
Range Selection Mode (If
Equipped). See Manual Mode
0 268 .
10. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0 179 .
11. Infotainment 0 186 .
12. Passenger Airbag On-Off
Switch (If Equipped) (Out of
View). See Airbag On-Off
Switch 0 84 .
13. Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats 0 65 (If Equipped).
14. Power Outlet 110/120V
Alternating Current (If
Equipped). See Power Outlets
0 133 .
15. Power Outlets 0 133 (If
Equipped).
16. USB Port 0 197 (If Equipped).
17.
g Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 282 .0 Pedal Adjust Switch (If
Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal
0 256 .
{ Cargo Lamp 0 183 .
X Parking Assist Button (If
Equipped). See Assistance
Systems for Parking or Backing
0 289 .
A Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
(1500 Series) 0 297 (If
Equipped).
5 Hill Descent Control Switch
(If Equipped). See Hill Descent
Control (HDC) 0 284 .
q Exhaust Brake Switch (If
Equipped). See “ Exhaust
Brake ” in the Duramax diesel
supplement.
g Power Take Off (PTO)
Switch (If Equipped). See the
Duramax diesel supplement. 

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
28 In Brief vehicle. This can help avoid or
lessen the severity of crashes when
driving in a forward gear.
See Forward Automatic Braking
(FAB) 0 294 .
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) If equipped, LDW may help avoid
unintentional lane departures at
speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or
greater. LDW uses a camera sensor
to detect the lane markings. The
LDW light,
@ , is green if a lane
marking is detected. If the vehicle
departs the lane, the light will
change to amber and flash. In
addition, beeps will sound or the
driver seat will pulse.
See Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
(2500/3500 Series) 0 295 .
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) If equipped, LKA may help avoid
crashes due to unintentional lane
departures. It may assist by gently
turning the steering wheel if the vehicle approaches a detected lane
marking without using a turn signal
in that direction. It may also provide
a Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
alert as the lane marking is crossed.
The system will not assist or alert if
it detects that you are actively
steering. Override LKA by turning
the steering wheel. LKA uses a
camera to detect lane markings
between 60 km/h (37 mph) and
180 km/h (112 mph).
See Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
(2500/3500 Series) 0 295 and Lane
Keep Assist (LKA) (1500 Series)
0 297 .
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC) If equipped, RVC shows a view of
the area behind the vehicle on the
infotainment display when the
vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse) to
aid with parking and low-speed
backing maneuvers.
See Assistance Systems for Parking
or Backing 0 289 .Parking Assist If equipped, Rear Parking
Assist (RPA) uses sensors on the
rear bumper to assist with parking
and avoiding objects while in
R (Reverse). It operates at speeds
less than 8 km/h (5 mph). RPA may
show a warning triangle on the
infotainment display and a graphic
on the instrument cluster to provide
the object distance. In addition,
multiple beeps or seat pulses may
occur if very close to an object.
The vehicle may also have the Front
Parking Assist system.
See Assistance Systems for Parking
or Backing 0 289 .
Power Outlets Accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone, MP3
player, etc.
The vehicle may have up to four
accessory power outlets. 

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
128 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls Controls Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 129
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 129
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 130
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 130
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Transmission Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 146
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 147
Airbag On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 149
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 150
Brake System Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . 153
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 153
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . 153
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) Light (2500/3500) . . . . 153
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light
(1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 154
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 154
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Engine Oil Pressure Light
(Denali Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 156
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 157
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 157
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 157
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 158
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Information Displays Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level Cluster) . . . . . . . . 158
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel and Denali
Cluster) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Vehicle Messages Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 164
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 164
Vehicle Personalization Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 165
Universal Remote System Universal Remote System . . . . 172
Universal Remote System
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Universal Remote System
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
154 Instruments and Controls
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Light (1500 Series)
If available, this light comes on
briefly while starting the vehicle.
This light is green if LKA is available
to assist.
LKA may assist by gently turning
the steering wheel if the vehicle
approaches a detected lane marking
without using the turn signal in that
direction. The LKA light will turn
amber.
This light is amber and flashes as a
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
alert, to indicate that the lane
marking has been crossed.
See Lane Keep Assist (LKA) (1500
Series) 0 297 . Vehicle Ahead Indicator If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0 292 .
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak
button.
This light and the StabiliTrak OFF
light come on when StabiliTrak is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 282 .
StabiliTrak OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. 

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Instruments and Controls 167Maximum Startup Volume
This feature sets the maximum
startup volume. If the vehicle is
started and the volume is greater
than this level, the volume is
adjusted to this level. To set the
maximum startup volume, touch +
or − to increase or decrease.
Audio Cue Volume
This feature sets the volume of
audio files played at system startup
and shutdown.
Select On, then touch + or − to
increase or decrease the volume.
Vehicle Select and the following may
display:
.
Climate and Air Quality
.
Collision/Detection Systems
.
Comfort and Convenience
.
Lighting
.
Power Door Locks
.
Remote Lock, Unlock, Start Climate and Air Quality Select and the following may
display:
.
Auto Fan Speed
.
Auto Rear Defog
Auto Fan Speed
This feature will set the auto fan
speed.
Select Low, Medium, or High.
Auto Rear Defog
This feature will automatically turn
on the rear defogger when it is cold
outside.
Select Off or On.
Collision/Detection Systems Select and the following may
display:
.
Alert Type
.
Forward Collision System
.
Park Assist Alert Type
This feature will set crash alerts to
beeps or seat vibrations. This
setting affects all crash alerts
including Forward Collision, Lane
Departure Warning, and Parking
Assist alerts.
Select Beeps or Safety Alert Seat.
Forward Collision System
This feature will turn on or off
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) and
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB).
The Off setting disables all FCA and
FAB functions. With the Alert and
Brake setting, both FCA and FAB
are available. The Alert setting
disables FAB. See Forward
Automatic Braking (FAB) 0 294 .
Select Off, Alert and Brake, or Alert.
Park Assist
If equipped, this feature can assist
in backing up and parking the
vehicle. See Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing 0 289 .
Select Off, On, or On with Towbar. 

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
234 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating Driving Information Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 244
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 245
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 247
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Truck-Camper Loading
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Starting and Operating New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 255
Adjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 260
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 264
Engine Exhaust Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Automatic Transmission Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 265
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Drive Systems Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Brakes Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 282
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 284
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Cruise Control Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Driver Assistance Systems Driver Assistance Systems . . . 288
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 289
Assistance Systems for
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) (2500/3500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) (1500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Fuel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
California Fuel
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 300
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Driving and Operating 245
Hill and Mountain Roads Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.
Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.
Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{ WarningUsing the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope. { WarningCoasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering assist. Always
have the engine running and the
vehicle in gear.
.
Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
.
Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
.
Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action. Winter Driving Driving on Snow or Ice Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.
Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
.
Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 282 .
.
The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0 280 .