GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
Vehicle Care 399
If the full-size tire is part of the
tire rotation, make sure the tire
rotated into the spare position is
stored securely. Push, pull, and
then try to rotate or turn the tire.
If it moves, use the wheel
wrench/hoist shaft to tighten the
cable. SeeTire Changing 0407.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Factors, such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road conditions
affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way to
tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear when
the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining. Some
commercial truck tires may not have
treadwear indicators. See Tire
Inspection 0396 and
Tire Rotation 0396 for additional
information.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies to the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple factors
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. GM recommends that
tires, including the spare if
equipped, be replaced after six
years, regardless of tread wear. To
identify the age of a tire, use the tire
manufacture date which is the last
four digits of the DOT Tire
Identification Number (TIN) which is
molded into one side of the tire
sidewall. The first two digits
represent the week (01-52) and the
last two digits, the year. For example, the third week of the year
2010 would have a four-digit DOT
date of 0310.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be free
of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.
Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
400 Vehicle Care
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When
replacement tires are needed,
GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of the
vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire's
sidewall near the tire size. If the
tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC Spec number
will be followed by MS for mud
and snow. SeeTire Sidewall
Labeling 0381 for additional
information.
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four (six
for dual rear wheels). Uniform tread depth on all tires will help
to maintain the performance of
the vehicle. Braking and
handling performance may be
adversely affected if all the tires
are not replaced at the same
time. If proper rotation and
maintenance have been done,
all four tires (six for dual rear
wheels) should wear out at
about the same time. See
Tire
Rotation 0396 for information
on proper tire rotation. However,
if it is necessary to replace only
one axle set of worn tires, place
the new tires on the rear axle
(two for single rear wheels, four
for dual rear wheels).
{Warning
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting
to mount or dismount a tire
could cause injury or death.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Only your dealer or authorized
tire service center should
mount or dismount the tires.
{Warning
Mixing tires of different sizes,
tread patterns, or types on the
same axle may cause loss of
control of the vehicle, resulting
in a crash or other vehicle
damage. Use the same size,
load range, and type of tires
as the original tires.
This vehicle may have a
different size spare than the
road tires originally installed
on the vehicle. When new, the
vehicle included a spare tire
and wheel assembly with a
similar overall diameter as the
road tires and wheels, so it is
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Vehicle Care 401
Warning (Continued)
all right to drive on it. The
spare tire was developed for
use on this vehicle and will not
affect vehicle handling.
{Warning
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment
tires may not be available for H,
V, W, Y and ZR speed rated
tires. Never exceed the winter tires’
maximum speed capability
when using winter tires with a
lower speed rating.
If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low-pressure warning if non-TPC
Spec rated tires are installed.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
System 0389.
The Tire and Loading
Information label indicates the
original equipment tires on the
vehicle. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 200 for the label location and
more information about the Tire
and Loading Information label.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, electronic stability control,
or All-Wheel Drive, the performance
of these systems can also be
affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
404 Vehicle Care
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel
nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) sensors with new
GM original equipment parts.
{Warning
Using the wrong replacement
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel
nuts can be dangerous. It could
affect the braking and handling of
the vehicle. Tires can lose air,
and cause loss of control, causing
a crash. Always use the correct
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.
Caution
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and
chassis.Whenever a wheel, wheel bolt,
or wheel nut is replaced on a dual
wheel setup, check the wheel nut
torque after 160,1 600, and
10 000 km (100,1,000, and
6,000 mi) of driving. For proper
torque, see
“Wheel Nut Torque”
under Capacities and Specifications
0 458.
See If a Tire Goes Flat 0405 for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
If the vehicle has LT275/65R18,
275/60R20, LT275/65R20,
or 275/50R22 size tires, do not
use tire chains. If the vehicle is a
1500 Series with LT265/70R17
size tires, do not use tire chains.
They can damage the vehicle
because there is not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a
vehicle without the proper amount
of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension,
or other vehicle parts. The area
damaged by the tire chains could
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle, and you or others may be
injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle's tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
Vehicle Care 405
Warning (Continued)
manufacturer's instructions. To
help avoid damage to the vehicle,
drive slowly, readjust, or remove
the device if it is contacting the
vehicle, and do not spin the
vehicle's wheels.
If you do find traction devices that
will fit, install them on the rear
tires.
Caution
Use tire chains only where legal
and only when necessary. Use
chains that are the proper size for
the tires. If the vehicle has
265/70R17 or 265/65R18 size
tires, they may be installed on the
tires of the rear axle only. If the
vehicle is a dual rear wheel model
and has LT235/80R17 tires,
chains may be installed on the
tires of the rear axle only. If the(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
vehicle has 255/70R17,
LT245/75R17, or LT275/70R18
size tires, they may be installed
on the tires of the front and rear
axle. If the vehicle is a 2500
Series with LT265/70R17 size
tires, chains may be installed on
the tires of both the front and rear
axle. Tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting the vehicle,
stop and retighten them. If the
contact continues, slow down
until it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage the vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out slowly. But if there ever is a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.
{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
Vehicle Care 419
should not be driven on over
112 km/h (70 mph), or 88 km/h
(55 mph) when pulling a trailer, at
the proper inflation pressure. Repair
and replace the road tire as soon as
it is convenient, and stow the spare
tire for future use.
Caution
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive
and a different size spare tire is
installed, do not drive in
four-wheel drive until the flat tire
is repaired and/or replaced. The
vehicle could be damaged and
the repairs would not be covered
by the warranty. Never use
four-wheel drive when a different
size spare tire is installed on the
vehicle.
The vehicle may have a different
size spare tire than the road tires
originally installed on the vehicle. This spare tire was developed for
use on this vehicle, so it is all right
to drive on it. If the vehicle has
four-wheel drive and a different size
spare tire is installed, drive only in
two-wheel drive.
After installing the spare tire on the
vehicle, stop as soon as possible
and check that the spare tire is
correctly inflated.
Have the damaged or flat road tire
repaired or replaced and installed
back onto the vehicle as soon as
possible so the spare tire will be
available in case it is needed again.
Do not mix tires and wheels of
different sizes, because they will not
fit. Keep your spare tire and its
wheel together. If the vehicle has a
spare tire that does not match the
original road tires and wheels in size
and type, do not include the spare in
the tire rotation.
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North
America
For more information about the
vehicle battery, see
Battery - North
America 0358.
If the vehicle's battery (or batteries)
has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper
cables to start your vehicle. Be sure
to use the following steps to do it
safely.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Batteries also
contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
Index 491
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . . . 171
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 165
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 167
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
F
FanEngine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 169
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
FlexFuel
E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Floor Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . 114
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 343
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Four-Wheel DriveTransfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . 227, 361
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . . . 141
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Front Pedestrian Braking
(FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . . . 60
Fuel
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Economy, Driving for Better . . . 186
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . 283, 285
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 145
Management, Active . . . . . . . . . . 219
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . 280, 281
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 418
Fuses
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 370
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374, 376G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Gauges
Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 132
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 439
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/-
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Index 497
Steering (cont'd)Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Steering Column Lock . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Steps
Power Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Storage Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Storage Areas Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Floor Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Underseat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . 112
Struts Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
System Brake Pad Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Engine Air Filter Life . . . . . . . . . . 343
Forward CollisionAlert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 System (cont'd)
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176, 475
Noise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Systems
Driver Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
TaillampsBulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Task Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . 465
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . 37 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379 All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
All-Terrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401
Full-Size Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 418
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 405
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Low Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380 Tires (cont'd)
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387, 389
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Pressure Monitor Operation . . 390
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . 389
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Terminology and Definitions . . 385
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 403
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Towing Driving Characteristics . . . . . . . . 287
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 287
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 424
Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 308
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424