GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
416 Vehicle Care
11. Spare Tire Cable (IfEquipped)
1. If equipped with a spare tire cable, reinstall the cable to the
spare wheel by looping the
cable around a wheel vent
window then pass the clip end
of the cable through the looped
end. The excess cable wire
should be on the valve stem
side of the spare tire.
2. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle with the
valve stem pointed down, and
to the rear.
3. Pull the cable and spring through the center of the
wheel. Tilt the wheel retainer
plate down and through the
center wheel.
Make sure the retainer is fully
seated across the underside of
the wheel.
4. Attach the wheel wrench (7)and extensions (6) together, as
shown.
Caution
Use of an air wrench or other
power tools with the hoist
mechanism is not recommended
and could damage the system.
Use only the tools supplied with
the hoist mechanism.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Vehicle Care 421
The jump start positive post (4) and
the negative grounding point (3) for
the discharged battery are on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
The positive jump start connection
for the discharged battery is under a
cover. Slide the cover to expose the
terminal.
6.6L V8 Engine (L8T) Only
1. Good Battery PositiveTerminal
2. Good Battery Negative Terminal
3. Discharged Battery Remote Positive Terminal 4. Discharged Battery Remote
Negative Terminal
The jump start positive post (1) and
negative post (2) are on the battery
of the vehicle providing the jump
start.
The jump start positive post (3) and
the negative grounding point (4) for
the discharged battery are on the
passenger side of the vehicle.
The positive jump start connection
for the discharged battery is under a
cover. Slide the cover to expose the
terminal.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery
with a negative ground system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have
a 12-volt system with a negative
ground, both vehicles can be
damaged. Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting. 2. If you have a vehicle with a
diesel engine with two
batteries, you should know
before you begin that,
especially in cold weather, you
may not be able to get enough
power from a single battery in
another vehicle to start your
diesel engine. If your vehicle
has more than one battery,
using the battery that is closer
to the starter will reduce
electrical resistance. This is
located on the passenger side,
in the rear of the engine
compartment.
3. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can
reach, but be sure the vehicles
are not touching each other.
If they are, it could cause an
unwanted ground connection.
You would not be able to start
your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
424 Vehicle Care
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled
vehicle may cause damage. The
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not lash
or hook to suspension
components. Use the proper
straps around the tires to secure
the vehicle. Do not drag a locked
wheel/tire. Use tire skates or
dollies under any locked wheel/
tire while loading the vehicle. Do
not use a sling type lift to tow the
vehicle. This could damage the
vehicle.
Caution
If the vehicle cannot be shifted
into Neutral (N), do not use the
tow eye to tow the vehicle.
Vehicle damage may occur.GM recommends a flatbed tow truck
to transport a disabled vehicle. Use
ramps to help reduce approach
angles, if necessary. A towed
vehicle should have its drive wheels
off the ground. Contact Roadside
Assistance or a professional towing
service if the disabled vehicle must
be towed.
Front Attachment Points
1500
2500/3500
The vehicle is equipped with
specific attachment points to be
used to pull the vehicle onto a
flatbed car carrier from a flat road
surface. Do not use these
attachment points to pull the vehicle
from snow, mud or sand.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a motor home. The
two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Vehicle Care 425
dinghy and dolly towing. Dinghy
towing is towing the vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground. Dolly
towing is towing the vehicle with two
wheels on the ground and two
wheels on a dolly.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.Before towing the vehicle,
become familiar with the local
laws that apply to recreational
vehicle towing. These laws may
vary by region.
. The towing capacity of the
towing vehicle. Read the tow
vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
. How far the vehicle can be
towed. Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long the vehicle can be towed.
. Whether the vehicle has the
proper towing equipment. See
your dealer or trailering
professional for additional advice
and equipment
recommendations. .
Whether the vehicle is ready to
be towed. Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Follow the tow vehicle
manufacturer ’s instructions.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front
of the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the
towing vehicle.
Dinghy Towing
(Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles and
Vehicles with a Single-Speed
Transfer Case)
Caution
If a vehicle with two-wheel drive
or a single-speed transfer case is
towed with all four wheels on the
ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
426 Vehicle Care
Two-wheel-drive vehicles and
vehicles with a single-speed transfer
case should not be towed with all
four wheels on the ground.
Dinghy Towing (Vehicles with a
Two-Speed Transfer Case)
Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive
vehicles with a two-speed transfer
case that have an N (Neutral) and a
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) setting.
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive
vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can allow the vehicle
to move even if the transmission
is in P (Park). You or others could
be injured. Set the parking brake
and use wheel blocks before
shifting the transfer case to
N (Neutral).
To dinghy tow: 1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle,
facing forward and on a level
surface.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
3. Start the engine.
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive 0227. 5. With the engine running,
release the parking brake and
verify that the transfer case is
in N (Neutral) by shifting the
transmission to D (Drive) and
then to R (Reverse). There
should be no movement while
shifting the transmission.
6. Shift the transmission to D (Drive).
7. If equipped with an ignition key, turn the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY. If equipped with
Keyless Access, turn the
engine off. Disregard the Shift
to P (Park) DIC message. See
Ignition Positions (Keyless
Access) 0208 or
Ignition Positions (Key Access)
0 210.
{Warning
To avoid death, serious injury,
or property damage, before
dinghy towing the vehicle, always
disconnect and secure the
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
428 Vehicle Care
light in the instrument cluster
will stop flashing and stay lit.
SeeFour-Wheel-Drive Light
0 142.
8. Start the engine. Check that the vehicle is in 2
m
(Two-Wheel Drive High) by
starting the engine and shifting
the transmission to D (Drive)
and then to R (Reverse). There
should be movement of the
vehicle while shifting.
9. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn off the
ignition.
10. Release the parking brake and remove the wheel blocks.
11. Reset any lost presets. The outside temperature
display will default to 0 °C (32 °
F) but will reset with normal
usage.
Dolly TowingCaution
Do not tow this vehicle with two
wheels on the ground, or vehicle
damage could occur. This
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Dolly towing this vehicle is not
allowed with either the front or the
rear tires on the ground for
two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive,
regardless of transfer case.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
430 Vehicle Care
Automatic Car Wash
Caution
Some automatic car washes can
cause damage to the vehicle,
wheels and ground effects.
Automatic car washes are not
recommended, due to lack of
clearance for the undercarriage
and/or wide rear tires and wheels.
Caution
Automatic car washes can cause
damage to the vehicle, wheels,
ground effects, and convertible
top (if equipped).
Do not use automatic car washes
due to lack of clearance for the
undercarriage, wide rear tires,
and wheels.
If using an automatic car wash,
follow with the car wash
instructions. The windshield wiper
and rear window wiper, if equipped, must be turned off. Remove any
accessories that may be damaged
or interfere with the car wash
equipment.
See
Power Assist Steps 036 for
cleaning information.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces
are damaged, see your dealer to
have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such as
calcium chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree
sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle's finish if they
remain on painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Occasional hand waxing or mild
polishing should be done to remove
residue from the paint finish. See
your dealer for approved cleaning
products.
Do not apply waxes or polishes to
uncoated plastic, vinyl, rubber,
decals, simulated wood, or flat paint
as damage can occur.
Caution
Machine compounding or
aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and polishes
that are made for a basecoat/
clearcoat paint finish on the
vehicle.