GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Instruments and Controls 143
SeeLane Departure Warning (LDW)
(2500/3500 Series) 0276.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Light (1500 Series)
After the vehicle is started, this light
turns off and stays off if LKA has not
been turned on or is unavailable.
If available, this light is white if LKA
is turned on, but not ready to assist.
This light is green if LKA is turned
on and is ready to assist.
LKA may assist by gently turning
the steering wheel if the vehicle
approaches a detected lane
marking. The LKA light is amber
when assisting.
This light flashes amber as a Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) alert, to
indicate that the lane marking has
been crossed. LKA will not assist or alert if the turn
signal is active in the direction of
lane departure, or if LKA detects
that you are accelerating, braking,
or actively steering.
See
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) (1500
Series) 0278.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0268.
Pedestrian Ahead
Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display amber when a nearby
pedestrian is detected in front of the
vehicle.
See Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System (1500 Series) 0272.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
144 Instruments and Controls
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the TCS/ESC button.
This light and the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) OFF light come on
when ESC is turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0235.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/Electronic Stability
Control Light
If equipped, the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) or TCS indicator/
warning light comes on briefly when
the engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS, and potentially the ESC
system have been disabled.
If the indicator/warning light is on
and flashing, the TCS and/or the
ESC system is actively working.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0235.
Trailer Sway Control Light
(Uplevel Cluster)
This light will flash when Trailer
Sway Control is active. See Trailer
Sway Control (TSC) 0308.
Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the ESC
system is turned off. If ESC is off,
the Traction Control System (TCS)
is also off.
If the ESC and TCS are off, the
system does not assist in controlling
the vehicle. Turn on the TCS and
the ESC systems and the warning
light turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0235.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Instruments and Controls 145
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving
with this light on can damage the
engine and it may not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. See
Engine Overheating0351. The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
See
Engine Overheating 0351.
Driver Mode Control Light
This light comes on when Sport
Mode is selected (1500 Series).
This light comes on when Snow/Ice
Mode is selected.
This light comes on when Terrain
Mode is selected (1500 Series).
This light comes on when Off-Road
Mode is selected.
Tire Pressure Light
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Instruments and Controls 147
Security Light
The security light should come on
briefly as the engine is started. If it
does not come on, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off.
If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. SeeImmobilizer Operation
0 39.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer 0167.
IntelliBeam Light
This light comes on when the
IntelliBeam system, if equipped, is
enabled. See Exterior Lamp
Controls 0165.
Front Fog Lamp Light
For vehicles with fog lamps, this
light comes on when the fog lamps
are on. The light goes out when the fog
lamps are turned off. See
Fog
Lamps 0170.
Lamps On Reminder
This light comes on when the
exterior lamps are in use, except
when only the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) are active. See
Exterior Lamp Controls 0165.
Cruise Control Light
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Driving and Operating 209
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Keyless Access)
015.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be on or in Service Mode, and
the brake pedal must be applied.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
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) 0217. 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 driver 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.
Unless an emergency exists, do not
turn the engine off when the vehicle
is moving. This will cause a loss of
power assist in the brake and
steering systems and disable the
airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency: 1. If the vehicle cannot be pulled
over, and must be shut off
while driving, press and hold
ENGINE START/STOP button
for longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.
2. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
3. 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.
4. Come to a complete stop, shift to P (Park) with an automatic
transmission, or Neutral with a
manual transmission, and
make sure engine is off. On
vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever
must be in P (Park) to turn the
ignition off.
5. Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake 0233.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
210 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber
Indicator Light) : This mode allows
some electrical accessories to be
used when the engine is off. For a
manual transmission, set the
parking brake before putting the
ignition in ACC/ACCESSORY.
With the ignition off, pressing the
ENGINE START/STOP 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
ENGINE START/STOP button once
will turn the ignition on. Once engine
cranking begins, release the button.
Engine cranking will continue until
the engine starts. See Starting the
Engine 0212.
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 ENGINE
START/STOP 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 ENGINE START/
STOP button again to turn the
ignition off.
Ignition Positions (Key
Access)
0. Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF
1. ACC/ACCESSORY
2. ON/RUN
3. START
The ignition switch has four
positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be ON/RUN and the brake
pedal must be applied.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
212 Driving and Operating
5. Shift to P (Park) with anautomatic transmission, or stay
in Neutral with a manual
transmission.
6. Push the key all the way in toward the steering column (1),
then turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF (2).
7. Set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake 0233.
8. Remove the key.
9. Release the brake pedal.
Caution
Use the correct key, make sure it
is all the way in —or pushed all
the way in toward the steering
column when turning off the
vehicle —and turn it only with
your hand.
1 (ACC/ACCESSORY) : This
position allows features such as the
infotainment system to operate
while the vehicle is off. It also
unlocks the steering column, if equipped with a locking steering
column. Use this position if the
vehicle must be pushed or towed.
See
Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) 0217.
From ON/RUN, push the key all the
way in toward the steering column,
then turn the key to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
If the key is left in ACC/
ACCESSORY with the engine off,
the battery could drain and the
vehicle may not start.
A warning chime will sound when
the driver door is opened and the
key is in the ignition.
2 (ON/RUN) : This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument cluster warning and
indicator lights. This position can
also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position when the engine is running. The
transmission is also unlocked in this
position.
If the key is left in ON/RUN with the
engine off, the battery could drain
and the vehicle may not start.
3 (START) :
This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
returns to ON/RUN for driving.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
Caution
If 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
0 322.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Driving and Operating 221
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
SeeShifting Into Park 0217 and
Engine Exhaust 0220.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips 0287.Automatic
Transmission
If equipped, there is an electronic
shift lever position indicator within
the instrument cluster. This display
comes on when the ignition is in
ACC/ACCESSORY, on or
service mode.
There are several different positions
for the shift lever.
See Driver Mode Control 0238 and
“Range Selection Mode” under
Manual Mode 0224.
P : This position locks the rear
wheels. Use P (Park) when starting
the engine because the vehicle
cannot move easily.
When parked on a hill, especially
when the vehicle has a heavy load,
you might notice an increase in the effort to shift out of P (Park). See
“Torque Lock”
underShifting Into
Park 0217.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park 0217 and
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0287.