2019 GMC SIERRA DENALI ECO mode

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
146 Instruments and Controls
Voltmeter Gauge
Uplevel Shown, Base Level and
Midlevel Similar
When the ignition is on, this gauge
indicates the battery voltage.
When the engine is running, this
gauge shows the condition of the
charging system. The gauge can
transition from a higher to lower or a
lower to higher reading. This is
normal. If the vehicle is operating
outside the normal operating range,
the charging system light comes on.
See Charging System Light 0 148 . The voltmeter gauge may also read
lower when in fuel economy mode.
This is normal.
Readings outside the normal
operating range can also occur
when a large number of electrical
accessories are operating in the
vehicle and the engine is left idling
for an extended period. This
condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to
provide full power at engine idle. As
engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as
higher engine speeds allow the
charging system to create maximum
power.
The vehicle can only be driven for a
short time with the readings outside
the normal operating range. If the
vehicle must be driven, turn off all
accessories, such as the radio and
air conditioner.
Readings outside the normal
operating range indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system.
Have the vehicle serviced as soon
as possible. Seat Belt Reminders Driver Seat Belt Reminder
Light There is a driver seat belt reminder
light on the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind the driver to fasten
their seat belt. Then the light stays
on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle may continue several
times if the driver remains or
becomes unbuckled while the
vehicle is moving.
If the driver seat belt is buckled,
neither the light nor the chime
comes on.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
Lighting 181
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
An arrow on the instrument cluster
flashes in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
Move the turn signal lever all the
way up or down to signal a turn.
Partially raise or lower the lever for
less than one second until the arrow
starts to flash to signal a lane
change. This causes the turn
signals to automatically flash three
times. It will flash six times if Tow/
Haul Mode is active. Holding the
turn signal lever for more than
one second will cause the turn
signals to flash until the lever is
released. The lever returns to its starting
position whenever it is released.
If after signaling a turn or a lane
change the arrows flash rapidly or
do not come on, a signal bulb could
be burned out. If equipped with LED
turn signals, see your dealer.
Replace any burned out bulbs. If a
bulb is not burned out, check the
fuse. See Fuses and Circuit
Breakers 0 350 .
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more
than 1.2 km (0.75 mi), a chime
sounds at each flash of the turn
signal. A message may appear in
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Vehicle Messages 0 166 . To
turn the chime and message off,
move the turn signal lever to the off
position. Fog Lamps
If equipped, the fog lamp control is
near the exterior lamp control to the
left of the steering column.
The ignition must be on for the fog
lamps to come on.
# : Press to turn the fog lamps on
or off. A light will come on in the
instrument cluster.
When the fog lamps are turned on,
the parking lamps automatically
turn on.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/16/18
196 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating Driving Information Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 205
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 206
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 208
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Truck-Camper Loading
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Starting and Operating New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 216
Ignition Positions (Key
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Ignition Positions (Keyless
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 227
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Engine Exhaust Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Automatic Transmission Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 229
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Drive Systems Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Brakes Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 241
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 242 Ride Control Systems Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 245
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 246
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . 250
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Cruise Control Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Driver Assistance Systems Driver Assistance Systems . . . 253
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 254
Assistance Systems for
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Front Pedestrian Braking
(FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 267
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 269

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/16/18
220 Driving and Operating Stopping the Engine/LOCK/
OFF (No Indicator Lights) : When
the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP once to turn
the engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0 225 .
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), the
ignition will return to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
When the vehicle is shifted into
P (Park), the ignition system will
turn off.
The vehicle may have an electric
steering column lock. The lock is
activated when the ignition is turned
off and either front door is opened.
A sound may be heard as the lock
actuates or releases. The steering
column lock may not release with
the wheels turned off center. If this
happens, the vehicle may not start.
Move the steering wheel from left to right while attempting to start the
vehicle. If this does not work, the
vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady
pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).
This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to
a safe location.
3. Come to a complete stop.
4. Hold the brake pedal down,
Shift to P (Park) with an
automatic transmission. The
shift lever must be in P (Park)
to turn the ignition off.
5. Continue to hold the brake
pedal down.
6. Set the parking brake, see
Electric Parking Brake 0 241 . 7. Press ENGINE START/STOP
once to turn the ignition off.
8. Release the brake pedal.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold ENGINE START/
STOP for longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber
Indicator Light) : This mode allows
some electrical accessories to be
used when the engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing the
button one time without the brake
pedal applied will place the ignition
system in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to off after
five minutes to prevent battery
rundown.
ON/RUN/START (Green Indicator
Light) : This mode is for driving and
starting. With the ignition off, and
the brake pedal applied, pressing
the button once will turn the ignition
on. Once engine cranking begins,

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/16/18
Driving and Operating 221release the button. Engine cranking
will continue until the engine starts.
See Starting the Engine 0 221 .
Service Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may
be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off, and
the brake pedal not applied,
pressing and holding the button for
more than five seconds will place
the vehicle in Service Mode. The
instruments and audio systems will
operate as they do when the ignition
is on, but the vehicle will not be able
to be driven. The engine will not
start in Service Mode. Press the
button again to turn the ignition off.
Starting the Engine If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement. CautionIf you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment
0 306 .
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
CautionDo not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped. Starting Procedure 1. For Key Access vehicles, turn
the ignition key to START.
When the engine starts, let go
of the key.
For Keyless Access vehicles,
the RKE transmitter must be in
the vehicle. Press ENGINE
START/STOP with the brake
pedal applied. When the
engine begins cranking, let go
of the button.
The idle speed will go down as
the engine gets warm. Do not
race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
to allow the oil to warm up and
lubricate all moving parts.
When the low fuel warning light
is on and the FUEL LEVEL
LOW message is displayed in
the Driver Information Center
(DIC), hold the ignition switch
in the START position to
continue engine cranking.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/16/18
Driving and Operating 223.
The vehicle battery has recently
been disconnected.
.
Minimum vehicle speed has not
been reached since the last
Auto Stop.
.
The accelerator pedal is
pressed.
.
The engine or transmission is
not at the required operating
temperature.
.
The outside temperature is not
in the required operating range.
.
The vehicle is in any gear other
than D (Drive).
.
Tow/Haul Mode or other driver
modes have been selected.
.
The vehicle is on a steep hill or
grade.
.
The driver door has been
opened or the driver seat belt
has been unbuckled.
.
The hood has been opened.
.
The Auto Stop has reached the
maximum allowed time. Auto Stop Disable Switch
If equipped, the automatic engine
Stop/Start feature can be disabled
and enabled by pressing the switch
with the
h symbol. Auto Stop is
enabled each time you start the
vehicle.
When
h is illuminated, the system
is enabled.
Engine Heater The engine heater can provide
easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up in
cold weather conditions at or below − 18 °C (0 °F). Vehicles with an
engine heater should be plugged in
at least four hours before starting.
An internal thermostat in the
plug-end of the cord may exist,
which will prevent engine heater
operation at temperatures above
− 18 °C (0 °F).
{ WarningDo not plug in the engine block
heater while the vehicle is parked
in a garage or under a carport.
Property damage or personal
injury may result. Always park the
vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
To Use the Engine Heater 1. Turn off the engine.
2. Check the heater cord for
damage. If it is damaged, do
not use it. See your dealer for
a replacement. Inspect the
cord for damage yearly.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/16/18
224 Driving and Operating
Base model shown other models
are similar
3. Remove the engine heater
connector cover by gently
prying with a flat blade tool. 4. Plug the heater cord into the
connector in the front fascia.
5. Plug the cord into a grounded
110-volt AC outlet that is
protected by a ground fault
detection function. { WarningImproper use of the heater cord
or an extension cord can damage
the cord and may result in
overheating and fire.
.
Plug the cord into a
three-prong electrical utility
receptacle that is protected
by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded
outlet could cause an
electric shock.
.
Use a weatherproof,
heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated
extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the
recommended extension
cord in good operating
condition, or using a
damaged heater or
extension cord, could make
(Continued)

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/16/18
Driving and Operating 227If torque lock does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission. You will then be
able to pull the shift lever out of
P (Park).
Shifting out of Park This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic shift lock release system.
The system is designed to prevent
movement of the shift lever out of
P (Park), unless the brake pedal is
applied and the ignition is on or in
Service Mode.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage – less
than 9 volt – battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged or
low voltage battery, try charging or
jump starting the battery. See Jump
Starting - North America 0 395 .
To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal. 2. Release the parking brake if it
is applied. See Electric Parking
Brake 0 241 .
3. Pull the shift lever toward you,
then move it to the desired
position, and release.
If the vehicle still cannot be shifted
out of P (Park):
1. Ease the pressure on,
or release the shift lever.
2. While holding the brake pedal,
push the shift lever all the way
into P (Park).
3. Pull the shift lever toward you,
then move it to the desired
position, and release.
If there is still a problem shifting,
have the vehicle serviced soon. Parking over Things
That Burn
{ WarningThings that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Active Fuel Management If equipped, Active Fuel
Management allows a V8, V6, or L4
gasoline engine to operate on either
all of its cylinders, or a reduced
number of cylinders, depending on
the driving conditions.
When less power is required, such
as cruising at a constant vehicle
speed, the system will enable
reduced cylinder operation, allowing
the vehicle to achieve better fuel
economy. When greater power is
required, such as accelerating from