GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 9
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys (Key Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Keys (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . 12
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation (Key
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation (Keyless
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . 25
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 27
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Doors
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Power Assist Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . 36 Steering Column Lock . . . . . . . . . 37
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . . 37
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Trailer-Tow Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Automatic Dimming Mirror . . . . . 43
Blind Spot Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . 44
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . 44
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Rear Camera Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Rear Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Keys and Locks
Keys (Key Access)
{Warning
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous and
children or others could be
seriously injured or killed. They
could operate the power windows
or other controls or make the
vehicle move. The windows will
function with the keys in the
ignition, and children or others
could be caught in the path of a
closing window. Do not leave
children in a vehicle with the
ignition key.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
10 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-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
Instruments and Controls 117
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 118
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 119
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 119
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 119
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 135
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 135
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 137
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 137
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . 141
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 141
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . 141
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light (2500/3500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light (1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 142
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 142
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Traction Control System (TCS)/ Electronic Stability Control
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Driver Mode Control Light . . . . 144
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Engine Oil Pressure Light
(Uplevel Cluster) . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 145
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 146
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 146
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 146
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 146
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel and Uplevel) . . . . . . 148
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 152
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 155
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 156
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 156
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
Instruments and Controls 155
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 0365.
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's 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-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
Lighting 165
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . 165
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 169
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Task Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . 171
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Battery Load Management . . . 174
Battery Power Protection . . . . . 174
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174Exterior 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-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
Driving and Operating 185
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 196
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 197
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 199
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 208
Ignition Positions (KeylessAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 Ignition Positions (Key
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 219
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 221
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . 232
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 233 Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 235
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 237
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 238
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . 242
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Adaptive Cruise Control (1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 255
Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 257
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System (1500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
188 Driving and Operating
.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.
Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering
system, do not drive over curbs,
parking barriers, or similar objects
at speeds greater than 3 km/h
(1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane
dividers and speed bumps.
Damage caused by misuse of the
vehicle is not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 8/27/19
Driving and Operating 189
Electric Power Steering (1500
Series)
This vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is not moving, power assist
may be reduced.If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel, and is
held in that position for an extended
period of time, power steering assist
may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Power Steering (2500/3500
Series)
(2500/3500 Series - All Regular
Cab, Double Cab/Crew Cab
without Digital Steer Assist)
The power steering system may
require maintenance. See
Power
Steering Fluid 0354.
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or the
system malfunctions, the vehicle
can be steered but may require
increased effort. See your dealer. (2500/3500 Series - Double Cab/
Crew Cab with Digital Steer
Assist)
The vehicle has a Digital Steer
Assist power steering system that
varies the amount of effort required
to steer the vehicle. Less steering
effort is required at slower speeds.
At faster speeds, the required
steering effort increases. The
system helps the steering wheel
return to center at low speeds.
Pressing the Tow/Haul button
adjusts steering effort for driving
conditions described in
Tow/Haul
Mode 0227.
The power steering system may
require maintenance. See Power
Steering Fluid 0354.
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or the
system malfunctions, the vehicle
can be steered but may require
increased effort. See your dealer.