GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - CRC - 5/13/19
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 19
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 23
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 25
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 25
Surround Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 25
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Universal Remote System . . . . . 26
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 28
Fuel (Gasoline - Except L87 6.2L Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Fuel (Gasoline - L87 6.2L
Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 29
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - CRC - 5/13/19
22 In Brief
While using Range Selection Mode,
cruise control and the Tow/Haul
Mode can be used.
Grade Braking is not available when
Range Selection Mode is active.
SeeTow/Haul Mode 0238.
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped with four-wheel drive,
the engine's driving power can be
sent to all four wheels for extra
traction.
Transfer Case Controls
Use the transfer case controls to
shift into and out of the different
four-wheel drive modes. Automatic Transfer CaseThe transfer case controls are to the
left of the steering column.
The different drive options that may
be available are described as
follows.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) :
This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive) : This setting is ideal for use
when road surface conditions are
variable. If equipped, use 4
n, AUTO, or 4mto
provide additional traction when
parking on a steep grade with poor
traction such as ice, snow, mud,
or gravel.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use
this setting when extra traction is
needed for conditions such as rough
roads, deep snow or most off road
situations.
The following options are only
available with a two-speed
transfer case:
N (Neutral) : Shift to this setting
only when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing 0404
or
Towing the Vehicle 0403.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This
setting sends maximum power to all
four wheels. Choose 4
nwhen
driving in deep sand, mud, or snow,
and while climbing or descending
steep hills.
See Four-Wheel Drive 0239.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - CRC - 5/13/19
32 Keys, Doors, and Windows
{Warning
If the key is unintentionally
rotated while the vehicle is
running, the ignition could be
moved out of the RUN position.
This could be caused by heavy
items hanging from the key ring,
or by large or long items attached
to the key ring that could be
contacted by the driver or
steering wheel. If the ignition
moves out of the RUN position,
the engine will shut off, braking
and steering power assist may be(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
impacted, and airbags may not
deploy. To reduce the risk of
unintentional rotation of the
ignition key, do not change the
way the ignition key and Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
if equipped, are connected to the
provided key rings.
The ignition key and key rings, and
RKE transmitter, if equipped, are
designed to work together as a
system to reduce the risk of
unintentionally moving the key out
of the RUN position. The ignition
key has a small hole to allow
attachment of the provided key ring.
It is important that any replacement
ignition keys have a small hole. See
your dealer if a replacement key is
required.
The combination and size of the
rings that came with your keys were
specifically selected for your
vehicle. The rings are connected to
the key like two links of a chain to reduce the risk of unintentionally
moving the key out of the RUN
position. Do not add any additional
items to the ring attached to the
ignition key. Attach additional items
only to the second ring, and limit
added items to a few essential keys
or small, light items no larger than
an RKE transmitter.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - CRC - 5/14/19
Instruments and Controls 131
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 132
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 133
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 133
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 133
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 149
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 149
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 151
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 151
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . 155
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 155
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . 156
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 156
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 156
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Traction Control System (TCS)/ Electronic Stability Control
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Driver Mode Control Light . . . . 158
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Engine Oil Pressure Light (Uplevel Cluster) . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 160
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 160
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 160
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 161
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 161
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel and Uplevel) . . . . . . 163
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 166
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 169
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 170
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 170
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 175
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - CRC - 5/14/19
Instruments and Controls 169
Clean the HUD lens with a soft cloth
sprayed with glass cleaner. Wipe
the lens gently, then dry it.
HUD Troubleshooting
Check that:
.Nothing is covering the
HUD lens.
. The HUD brightness setting is
not too dim or too bright.
. The HUD is adjusted to the
proper height.
. Polarized sunglasses are
not worn.
. The windshield and HUD lens
are clean.
If the HUD image is not correct,
contact your dealer.
The windshield is part of the HUD
system. See Windshield
Replacement 0350.
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) indicate
the status of the vehicle or some
action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing the thumbwheel. The
messages that require immediate
action cannot be cleared until that
action is performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously; clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
If a SERVICE message appears,
see your dealer.
Follow the instructions given in the
messages. The system displays
messages regarding the following
topics:
.
Service Messages
. Fluid Levels .
Vehicle Security
. Brakes
. Steering
. Ride Control Systems
. Driver Assistance Systems
. Cruise Control
. Lighting and Bulb Replacement
. Wiper/Washer Systems
. Doors and Windows
. Seat Belts
. Airbag Systems
. Engine and Transmission
. Tire Pressure
. Battery
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle propulsion power is
reduced. A reduction in propulsion
power can affect the vehicle's ability
to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no observed reduction
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - CRC - 5/13/19
Lighting 179
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . 179
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 183
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Task Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . 185
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Battery Load Management . . . 188
Battery Power Protection . . . . . 188
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
O: Turns off the automatic
headlamps and Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL). Turn the headlamp
control to
Oagain to turn the
automatic headlamps or DRL
back on.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - CRC - 5/14/19
Driving and Operating 199
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 208
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 209
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 211
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Truck-Camper LoadingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 220
Ignition Positions (KeyAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 231
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 233
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 245
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 247
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 249
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 250
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . 255
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 258
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 259
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 272
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 274
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-1500-11698638) - 2019 - CRC - 5/14/19
Driving and Operating 201
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the infotainment manual for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the seat belt. See Seat Belts080.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
. Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you. .
Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
. Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops or a brake
fault occurs, the brakes may lose
power assist. More effort will be
required to stop the vehicle. It may
take longer to stop.