GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/16/18
Driving and Operating 281the drive mode that is
appropriate for the road
conditions.
CautionIf the vehicle tires begin to spin
and the vehicle begins to slide
toward the water, remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal
and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing The vehicle needs service more
often when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0 415 . It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically to see that all
nuts and bolts on the trailer hitch
are tight. Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 331 .
Trailer Towing If equipped with a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
CautionTowing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips
and safety rules. Many of these are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Trailer Weight
{ WarningNever exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring
the weight, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature, and
how frequently the vehicle is used to
tow a trailer.
Trailer Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the combined
weight of the vehicle, vehicle
contents, trailer, and trailer contents
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
Vehicle Care 323Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo.
CautionFailure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 0W-20 viscosity grade
engine oil for the 5.3L and 6.2L
V8 engines. Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil for the 2.7L L4 and 4.3L
V6 engines. Cold Temperature
Operation: In an area of extreme
cold, where the temperature falls
below − 29 °C ( − 20 °F), use SAE
0W-30 oil in the 2.7L or 4.3L engine.
An oil of this viscosity grade will
provide easier cold starting for the
engine at extremely low
temperatures.
When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, it is
recommended to select an oil of the
correct specification. See
“ Specification ” earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty. What to Do with Used Oil Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
324 Vehicle Care include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
On some vehicles, when the system
has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on to
indicate that an oil change is
necessary. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). It is possible that, if driving
under the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system must
be reset. For vehicles without the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message, an oil change is needed
when the REMAINING OIL LIFE
percentage is near 0%. Your dealer
has trained service people who will
perform this work and reset the
system. It is also important to check the oil regularly over the course of
an oil drain interval and keep it at
the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. Always reset the
engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To
reset the engine oil life system:
1. Display the oil life percentage
on the DIC.
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Midlevel and Uplevel)
0 160 or Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Base Level)
0 159 .
2. Press the thumbwheel on the
steering wheel, or the trip
odometer reset stem if the vehicle does not have DIC
controls, for several seconds.
When the confirmation
message displays, select YES.
The oil life will change
to 100%.
The oil life system can also be reset
as follows:
1. Display the oil life percentage
on the DIC.
See Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Midlevel and Uplevel)
0 160 or Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Base Level)
0 159 .
2. Fully press the accelerator
pedal slowly three times within
five seconds.
3. If the display changes to 100%,
the system is reset.
If the vehicle has a CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message and it
comes back on when the vehicle is
started and/or the oil life percentage
is near 0%, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
328 Vehicle Care
5.3L V8 Engine (L84) Shown, 5.3L
V8 Engine (L82) and 6.2L
V8 Engine (L87) Similar
1. Engine Electric Cooling
Fans (Out of View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap
{ Warning
An underhood electric fan can
start up even when the engine is
not running and can cause injury.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan. { WarningDo not touch heater, radiator, a/c
pipes or hoses, or other engine
parts. They can be very hot and
can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all
coolant could leak out. That could
cause an engine fire and can
burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating 0 331 . What to Use
{ WarningPlain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. This mixture:
.
Gives freezing protection down
to − 37 °C ( − 34 °F), outside
temperature.
.
Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
.
Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
Vehicle Care 329.
Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
CautionDo not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, or by pouring
it on the ground, or into sewers,
streams, or bodies of water. Have
the coolant changed by an
authorized service center, familiar
with legal requirements regarding
used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health. Checking Coolant The coolant surge tank is in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0 316 .
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, wait until it cools down. The
coolant level should be at or above the indicated mark. If it is not, there
may be a leak in the cooling
system.
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the indicated
mark, see the following sections on
how to add coolant to the coolant
surge tank following.
Automatic Coolant Service Fill
Instructions (L3B Engine) See 3.0L Duramax Diesel
supplement for the diesel engine
procedure.
If equipped, this feature assists in
filling and removing air from the
cooling system after service of
components or when coolant is
added after being too low.
To activate the fill and air removal
process:
1. With a cold system, add
coolant to the COLD FILL mark
on the surge tank.
2. Replace the cap on the
surge tank.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/15/18
Vehicle Care 3333. When it is safe to do so, pull off
the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally
and have the cooling system
checked for proper fill and function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam and
the vehicle is equipped with an
engine driven cooling fan, push
down the accelerator until the
engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least
five minutes while the vehicle is
parked. If the warning is still there,
turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down. If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for five minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode If an overheated engine condition
exists and the ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED message displays, an
overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders
helps to prevent engine damage. In
this mode, a loss in power and
engine performance will be noticed.
This operating mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to a safe place
in an emergency. Driving extended
distances and/or towing a trailer in
the overheat protection mode
should be avoided. CautionAfter driving in the overheated
engine protection operating
mode, the engine oil will be
severely degraded. Any repairs
performed before the engine is
cool may cause engine damage.
Allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the
oil, and reset the oil life system.
See Engine Oil 0 321 .
Engine Fan The vehicle has electric cooling
fan(s). The fans may be heard
spinning at low speed during most
everyday driving. The fans may turn
off if no cooling is required. Under
heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing,
high outside temperatures,
or operation of the air conditioning
system, the fans may change to
high speed and an increase in fan
noise may be heard. This is normal
and indicates that the cooling
system is functioning properly. The
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/16/18
462 Index Door (cont'd)
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 432
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . 253
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159, 160
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Driver Mode Control Light . . . . . . 156
Driving
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 260
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 29
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 206
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 208
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Off-Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 E E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 241
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 152
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 350
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354, 356
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Emergency
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 448
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Check Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 316
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 432 Engine (cont'd)
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 144
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Overheated Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 229
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . 325
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 445
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 182
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 176
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 178
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - crc - 5/16/18
Index 463F Fan
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Features
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 180
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
FlexFuel
E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Floor Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . 127
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 325
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Four-Wheel Drive
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Forward Automatic Braking . . . . . 263
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 235, 340
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . . . 153 Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Front Pedestrian Braking
(FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 75
Fuel
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 157
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 227
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 394
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 350 Fuses (cont'd)
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354, 356
G Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Gauges
Engine Coolant
Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 144
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 413
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437