GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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232 Driving and Operating
cannot complete a shift request, it
will go back to its last chosen
setting.
The settings are:
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) :Use
for driving on most streets and
highways. The front axle is not
engaged. This setting provides the
best fuel economy.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use
this setting when extra traction is
needed, such as when driving on
snowy or icy roads, when
off-roading, or when plowing snow.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive)
Use when road surface conditions
are variable. When driving in AUTO,
the front axle is engaged, and the
vehicle's power is sent to the front
and rear wheels automatically
based on driving conditions. This
setting provides slightly lower fuel
economy than 2
m. Shifts between 2
m, 4m, and AUTO
Any of these shifts can be made at
normal driving speed.
The actual 4x4 shift request is only
made after the button is released.
The 4x4 graphic will remain flashing
until the shift request has
completed. A DIC message
displays.
Once the 4x4 shift has completed,
the DIC message disappears, the
4x4 graphic stops flashing, and the
current setting is indicated.
The actual 4x4 shift request is only
made after the button is released.
The 4x4 graphic will remain flashing
until the shift request has
completed.
A DIC message displays. Once the
4x4 shift has completed, the DIC
message disappears, the 4x4
graphic stops flashing, and the
current setting is indicated.Brakes
Electric Brake Boost
Vehicles equipped with electric
brake boost have hydraulic brake
circuits that are electronically
controlled when the brake pedal is
applied during normal operation.
The system performs routine tests
and turns off within a few minutes
after the vehicle is shutdown. Noise
may be heard during this time. If the
brake pedal is pressed during the
tests or when the electric brake
boost system is off, a noticeable
change in pedal force and travel
may be felt. This is normal.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent a braking skid and
maintain steering while
braking hard.
ABS performs a system check when
the vehicle is first driven.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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238 Driving and Operating
If HDC is to be used for more than
three minutes or on grades steeper
than 25%, the transfer case should
be put into Four-Wheel Drive Low (4
n) to reduce the possibility of brake
overheating.
Noise from the Electronic Brake
Control Module (EBCM) is normal
when HDC is active.
When HDC is activated, the initial
HDC speed is set to the current
driving speed. It can be increased or
decreased by pressing +RES or
SET- on the steering wheel, or by
applying the accelerator or brake
pedal. This adjusted speed
becomes the new set speed.
HDC will remain enabled between
30 and 60 km/h (19 and 37 mph);
however, vehicle speed cannot be
set or maintained in this range. HDC
will automatically disable if the
vehicle speed is above 80 km/h
(50 mph) or above 60 km/h
(37 mph) for at least 30 seconds.
5must be pressed again to
re-enable HDC. HDC may disable
after an extended period of use. If this happens, HDC will require
time to cool down. The length of
time HDC remains active depends
on road conditions, grade, set
speed, vehicle loading, and outside
temperature.
When enabled, if the vehicle speed
is above 30 km/h (19 mph) and
below 60 km/h (37 mph), a DIC
message will display.
Driver Mode Control
This feature adds a sportier feel,
provides a more comfortable ride,
or assists in different weather
conditions or terrain. Depending on
the option package, available
features, and mode selected; the
suspension, steering, and
powertrain will change settings to
achieve the desired mode
characteristics. If the vehicle is
equipped with magnetic ride control,
selecting the various Driver Modes
enhances the ride performance for
the road conditions and the
selected mode.
Mode availability is dependent upon
vehicle trim level, region, and
optional features.
Not all drive modes are available
on. 1500 series vehicles may have
Normal, Sport, Off Road, Terrain,
and Tow Haul. 2500/3500 series
vehicles may have Normal, Off
Road, and Tow/Haul.
Mode Activation
To activate and deactivate Tow/Haul
turn the Drive Mode knob to the left.
For activation of modes other than
Tow/Haul, turn the Drive Mode knob
to the right.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
240 Driving and Operating
Off-Road Mode
Use to improve driving at moderate
speeds, on grass, gravel, dirt,
unpaved roads, or snow-covered
roads that have not been groomed
or plowed.
The accelerator pedal will be more
sensitive to provide finer control of
the torque at the wheels.
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), and the Traction
Control System (TCS) will change
for optimal off-road performance.
Use this mode for public off-road
recreational driving. SeeOff-Road
Driving 0191.
When selected, the Off-Road Mode
indicator light displays in the
instrument cluster. Tow/Haul Mode
This feature assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a heavy load. See
Tow/Haul Mode
0226.
Tow/Haul Mode is designed to be
most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75% of the vehicle’s Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing 0292.
Tow/Haul Mode is most useful when
pulling a heavy trailer or a heavy
load under the following conditions:
. Through rolling terrain
. In stop-and-go traffic
. In busy parking lots where
improved low speed control of
the vehicle is desired
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
Mode when lightly loaded or with no
trailer at all will not cause damage.
However, there is no benefit to
selecting Tow/Haul Mode when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a
selection when unloaded may result
in unpleasant engine and transmission driving characteristics,
heavy or light steering, and reduced
fuel economy.
When selected, the Tow/Haul Mode
light will display in the instrument
cluster.
If the vehicle is turned off with Tow/
Haul Mode active and then restarted
within four hours or less, Tow/Haul
will remain active. Otherwise the
vehicle will start in Normal Mode.
Terrain Mode
Use for finer control during low
speed, off-road driving. When using
this mode it will mimic the
characteristics of four-wheel-drive
low (4
n) without the torque
capabilities.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 241
Use when:
.Traveling on very rough roads at
very low speeds, such as a
two-track or heavily rutted road.
. Traveling slowly in grassy fields.
. Pulling a boat out of the water
on a trailer.
. Using the vehicle for public
off-road recreational driving. See
Off-Road Driving 0191 and
Hill and Mountain Roads 0197.
When in Terrain Mode, the vehicle
will shift automatically but may hold
a lower gear longer to maximize
engine torque. The steering will
change to provide more precise
control. A unique pedal map,
transmission shift pattern, and rpm
control are utilized to give better
control at lower speeds and over
rough terrain. When the vehicle
comes to a stop, Vehicle Hold is
engaged. TCS will be optimized for
maximum torque transfer across
axles, and Active Braking During Lift
Throttle will be engaged. Active Braking During Lift Throttle:
.
Automatically applies light
braking, similar to heavy engine
braking of four-wheel-drive low.
. Applies light braking in D (Drive)
until the vehicle is at idle
speeds. In Manual L1 and
Manual L2, moderate braking
may stop the vehicle.
. Reduces trailer braking.
Terrain Mode Drive Select Expected Vehicle Behavior Ideal Terrain
Drive (L3-Lx) Minor deceleration when off
throttle and mild ability to
modulate throttle; mimics
performance of 4
nwithout
torque multiplication. Grassy fields,
mild two tracks,
rutted roads,
large rolling hills,
L2 Moderate deceleration when
off throttle and moderate
ability to modulate throttle;
will bring vehicle to a stop in
most cases. Mild rock crawling,
heavy ruts,
short, steeper grades,
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 249
When the accelerator pedal is
pressed, ACC will not brake
because it is overridden. The
ACC indicator will turn blue on
the instrument cluster.
. Press and hold RES+ until the
desired set speed is displayed,
then release it.
. To increase vehicle speed in
smaller increments, press RES+
briefly. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1 km/h (1
mph) faster.
. To increase vehicle speed in
larger increments, hold RES+.
While holding RES+, the vehicle
speed increases to the next
5 km/h (5 mph) step, then
continues to increase by 5 km/h
(5 mph) at a time.
The set speed can also be
increased while the vehicle is
stopped.
. If stopped with the brake pedal
applied, press RES+ until the
desired set speed is displayed. .
Pressing RES+ when there is no
longer a vehicle ahead or the
vehicle ahead is pulling away
and the brake is not applied with
cause the ACC to resume.
When it is determined that there is
no vehicle ahead or the vehicle
ahead is beyond the selected
following gap, then the vehicle
speed will increase to the set speed.
Reducing Speed While ACC Is at a
Set Speed
If ACC is already activated, do one
of the following:
. Use the brake to get to the
desired lower speed. Release
the brake and press SET–. The
vehicle will now cruise at the
lower speed.
. Press and hold SET– until the
desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
. To decrease the vehicle speed in
smaller increments, press SET−
briefly. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1 km/h
(1 mph) slower. .
To decrease the vehicle speed in
larger increments, hold SET−.
While holding SET−, the vehicle
speed decreases to the next
5 km/h (5 mph) step, then
continues to decrease by 5 km/h
(5 mph) at a time.
The set speed can also be
decreased while the vehicle is
stopped.
. If stopped with the brake
applied, press or hold SET− until
the desired set speed is
displayed.
Selecting the Follow Distance Gap
When a slower moving vehicle is
detected ahead within the selected
following gap, ACC will adjust the
vehicle's speed and attempt to
maintain the follow distance gap
selected.
Press
[on the steering wheel to
adjust the following gap. Each press
cycles the gap button through three
settings: Far, Medium, or Near.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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270 Driving and Operating
Tailgating Alert
The vehicle ahead indicator will
display amber when you are
following a vehicle ahead much too
closely.
Selecting the Alert Timing
The Collision Alert control is on the
steering wheel. Press
[to set the
FCA timing to Far, Medium, or Near.
The first button press shows the
current setting on the DIC.
Additional button presses will
change this setting. The chosen
setting will remain until it is changed
and will affect the timing of both the
Collision Alert and the Tailgating
Alert features. The timing of both
alerts will vary based on vehicle
speed. The faster the vehicle speed,
the farther away the alert will occur.
Consider traffic and weather
conditions when selecting the alert timing. The range of selectable alert
timings may not be appropriate for
all drivers and driving conditions.
If your vehicle is equipped with
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),
changing the FCA timing setting
automatically changes the following
gap setting (Far, Medium, or Near).
Following Distance Indicator
The following distance to a moving
vehicle ahead in your path is
indicated in following time in
seconds on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). The minimum
following time is 0.5 seconds away.
If there is no vehicle detected
ahead, or the vehicle ahead is out of
sensor range, dashes will be
displayed.
Unnecessary Alerts
FCA may provide unnecessary
alerts for turning vehicles, vehicles
in other lanes, objects that are not
vehicles, or shadows. These alerts
are normal operation and the
vehicle does not need service.
Cleaning the System
If the FCA system does not seem to
operate properly, this may correct
the issue:
.
Clean the outside of the
windshield in front of the
rearview mirror.
. Clean the entire front of the
vehicle.
. Clean the headlamps.
Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB)
If the vehicle has Forward Collision
Alert (FCA), it also has AEB (1500
series only), which includes
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA). When
the system detects a vehicle ahead
in your path that is traveling in the
same direction that you may be
about to crash into, it can provide a
boost to braking or automatically
brake the vehicle. This can help
avoid or lessen the severity of
crashes when driving in a forward
gear. Depending on the situation,
the vehicle may automatically brake
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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Driving and Operating 277
{Warning
The LDW system does not steer
the vehicle. The LDW system
may not:. Provide enough time to
avoid a crash.
. Detect lane markings under
poor weather or visibility
conditions. This can occur if
the windshield or
headlamps are blocked by
dirt, snow, or ice; if they are
not in proper condition; or if
the sun shines directly into
the camera.
. Detect road edges.
. Detect lanes on winding or
hilly roads.
If LDW only detects lane
markings on one side of the road,
it will only warn you when
departing the lane on the side
where it has detected a lane
marking. Always keep your (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
attention on the road and
maintain proper vehicle position
within the lane, or vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Always keep the
windshield, headlamps, and
camera sensors clean and in
good repair. Do not use LDW in
bad weather conditions.
How the System Works
LDW utilizes camera sensor
installed on the windshield ahead of
the rearview mirror to detect lane
markings.
To turn LDW on and off, press
@on
the instrument panel to the left of
the steering wheel. The control
indicator will light when LDW is on.
When LDW is on,@is green if
LDW is available to warn of a lane
departure. If the vehicle crosses a
detected lane marking without using
the turn signal in that direction,
@
changes to amber and flashes.
Additionally, there will be three
beeps, on the right or left,
depending on the lane departure
direction. LDW will not alert if the
turn signal is active in the direction
of lane departure or if LDA detects
that you are accelerating, braking or
actively steering.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
The system may not detect lanes as
well when there are:
. Close vehicles ahead.
. Sudden lighting changes, such
as when driving through tunnels.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
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278 Driving and Operating
.Banked roads.
If the LDW system is not functioning
properly when lane markings are
clearly visible, cleaning the
windshield may help.
LDW alerts may occur due to tar
marks, shadows, cracks in the road,
temporary or construction lane
markings, or other road
imperfections. This is normal system
operation; the vehicle does not need
service. Turn LDW off if these
conditions continue.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
(1500 Series)
If equipped, LKA may help avoid
crashes due to unintentional lane
departures. This system uses a
camera to detect lane markings
between 60 km/h (37 mph) and 180
km/h (112 mph). It may assist by
gently turning the steering wheel if
the vehicle approaches a detected
lane marking. It may also provide a
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
alert if the vehicle crosses a
detected lane marking. LKA can be overriden by turning the steering
wheel. This system is not intended
to keep the vehicle centered in the
lane. LKA will not assist and alert if
the turn signal is active in the
direction of lane departure, or if it
detects that you are accelerating,
braking or actively steering.
{Warning
The LKA system does not
continuously steer the vehicle.
It may not keep the vehicle in the
lane or give a Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) alert, even if a
lane marking is detected.
The LKA and LDW systems
may not:
. Provide an alert or enough
steering assist to avoid a
lane departure or crash.
. Detect lane markings under
poor weather or visibility
conditions. This can occur if
the windshield or
headlamps are blocked by
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
dirt, snow, or ice; if they are
not in proper condition; or if
the sun shines directly into
the camera.
. Detect road edges.
. Detect lanes on winding or
hilly roads.
If LKA only detects lane markings
on one side of the road, it will
only assist or provide an LDW
alert when approaching the lane
on the side where it has detected
a lane marking. Even with LKA
and LDW, you must steer the
vehicle. Always keep your
attention on the road and
maintain proper vehicle position
within the lane, or vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Always keep the
windshield, headlamps, and
camera sensors clean and in
good repair. Do not use LKA in (Continued)