2021 GMC SIERRA Owner's Manual

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Temporary Disable of Passive Locking
Temporarily disable passive locking by
pressing and holding
Kon the interior door
switch with a door open for at least
four seconds, or until three chimes are
heard. Passive locking will then remain
disabled until
Qon the interior door is
pressed, or until the vehicle is turned on.
Remote Left in Vehicle Alert
When the vehicle is turned off and an RKE
transmitter is left in the vehicle, the horn
will chirp three times after all doors are
closed. To turn on or off see Vehicle
Personalization 0131.
Remote No Longer in Vehicle Alert
If the vehicle is on with a door open and
then all doors are closed, the vehicle will
check for RKE transmitters inside. If an RKE
transmitter is not detected, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display NO
REMOTE DETECTED and the horn will chirp
three times. This occurs only once each time
the vehicle is driven. To turn on or off see
Vehicle Personalization 0131.
Key Access
To access a vehicle with a dead transmitter
battery, see Door Locks021.
Programming Transmitters to the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed to the
vehicle will work. If a transmitter is lost or
stolen, a replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer. The
vehicle can be reprogrammed so that lost or
stolen transmitters no longer work. Each
vehicle can have up to eight transmitters
matched to it.
Programming with Recognized Transmitters
A new transmitter can be programmed to
the vehicle when there are two recognized
transmitters.
To program, the vehicle must be off and all
transmitters, both currently recognized and
new, must be with you.
1. Remove the key from a recognized transmitter.
2. Place the two recognized transmitters in the cupholder or on the passenger seat.
3. Insert the vehicle key into the key lock cylinder on the driver door handle. Then
turn the key counterclockwise, to the
unlock position, five times within
10 seconds.
The DIC displays READY FOR REMOTE #3,
4, 5 ETC.
Transmitter Pocket without Bucket Seats
(Lower Compartment)
Transmitter Pocket with Bucket Seats

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 17
4. Place the new transmitter in thetransmitter pocket/insert.
5. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the transmitter is learned, the DIC display
will show that it is ready to program the
next transmitter.
6. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket and press
KorQon
the transmitter.
To program additional transmitters,
repeat Steps 4–6.
When all additional transmitters are
programmed, press and hold ENGINE
START/STOP for approximately
12 seconds to exit programming mode.
7. Return the key back into the transmitter.
Programming without Recognized
Transmitters
If two currently recognized transmitters are
not available, follow this procedure to
program up to eight transmitters. This
feature is not available in Canada. This
procedure will take approximately
30 minutes to complete. The vehicle must
be off and all transmitters to be
programmed must be with you. 1. Remove the vehicle key from the
transmitter.
2. Insert the vehicle key into the key lock cylinder on the driver door handle; then
turn the key counterclockwise, to the
unlock position, five times within
10 seconds.
The DIC displays REMOTE LEARN
PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
3. Wait for 10 minutes until the DIC displays PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO
LEARN, then press ENGINE START/STOP.
The DIC will again display REMOTE LEARN
PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
4. Repeat Step 3 two additional times. After the third time all previously known
transmitters will no longer work with the
vehicle. Remaining transmitters can be
relearned during the next steps.
The DIC should now display READY FOR
REMOTE # 1.
Transmitter Pocket without Bucket Seats
(Lower Compartment)
Transmitter Pocket with Bucket Seats

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
18 Keys, Doors, and Windows
5. Place the new transmitter in thetransmitter pocket/insert.
6. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the transmitter is learned, the DIC display
will show that it is ready to program the
next transmitter.
7. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket/insert and press
Kor
Qon the transmitter.
To program additional transmitters,
repeat Steps 5–7.
When all additional transmitters are
programmed, press and hold ENGINE
START/STOP for approximately
12 seconds to exit programming mode.
8. Return the key back into the transmitter.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
If the transmitter battery is weak or if there
is interference with the signal, the DIC may
display NO REMOTE DETECTED or NO
REMOTE KEY WAS DETECTED PLACE KEY IN
TRANSMITTER POCKET THEN START YOUR
VEHICLE when starting the vehicle. To start the vehicle:
Transmitter Pocket without Bucket Seats
(Lower Compartment)
Transmitter Pocket with Bucket Seats 1. Place the transmitter in the transmitter
pocket/insert.
2. With the vehicle in P (Park) or N (Neutral) press the brake pedal and ENGINE
START/STOP.
Replace the transmitter battery as soon
as possible.
Battery Replacement
{Warning
Never allow children to play with the RKE
transmitter. The transmitter contains a
small battery, which can be a choking
hazard. If swallowed, internal burns can
occur, resulting in severe injury or death.
Seek medical attention immediately if a
battery is swallowed.
{Warning
To avoid personal injury, do not touch
metal surfaces on the RKE transmitter
when it has been exposed to extreme
heat. These surfaces can be hot to the
touch at temperatures above 59 °C
(138 °F).

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 19
Caution
When replacing the battery, do not touch
any of the circuitry on the transmitter.
Static from your body could damage the
transmitter.
Caution
Always replace the battery with the
correct type. Replacing the battery with
an incorrect type could potentially create
a risk of battery explosion. Dispose of
used batteries according to instructions
and local laws. Do not attempt to burn,
crush, or cut the used battery, and avoid
exposing the battery to environments
with extremely low air pressures or high
temperatures.
Replace the battery in the transmitter soon
if the DIC displays REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY. To replace the battery:
1. Press the button on the RKE transmitter
to remove the key. Never pull the key
out without pressing the button.
2. Insert a flat, thin object in the center ofthe transmitter to separate and remove
the back cover.
3. Lift the battery with a flat object.
4. Remove the battery.
5. Insert the new battery, positive sidetoward the back cover. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
6. Push together the transmitter.
7. Insert the key back into the RKE transmitter.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
20 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped with the remote start feature,
the climate control system will come on
when the vehicle is started remotely,
depending on the outside temperature.
The rear defog and heated and ventilated
seats, if equipped, may also come on. See
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats052 and
Vehicle Personalization 0131.
If equipped, the automatic heated steering
wheel may also come on. See Heated
Steering Wheel 0100.
Laws in some communities may restrict the
use of remote starters. Check local
regulations for any requirements on remote
starting of vehicles.
Do not use remote start if the vehicle is low
on fuel. The vehicle may run out of fuel.
The vehicle cannot be remote started if:
.The RKE transmitter is inside the vehicle
or if the key is in the ignition.
.The hood is not closed.
.There is an emission control system
malfunction and the lamp is on.
.The ignition is in any mode other
than off.
.The hazard warning flashers are on.
.Two remote starts or a remote start with
an extension have been used.
.The vehicle is not in P (Park).
The engine will turn off during a remote
vehicle start if:
.The coolant temperature gets too high.
.The oil pressure gets low.
The RKE transmitter range may be reduced
while the vehicle is running.
Other conditions can affect the performance
of the transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System 010.
Starting the Engine Using Remote Start
1. Press and release
Q.
2. Immediately press and hold
/until the
turn signal lamps flash or for at least
four seconds.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on. The doors will be
locked and the climate control system
may come on. The engine will continue to run for
15 minutes. After 30 seconds, repeat
Steps 1 and 2 for a 15-minute time
extension.
Turn the ignition on to operate the vehicle.
Extending Engine Run Time
The engine run time can be extended by
15 minutes, for a total of 30 minutes,
if during the first 15 minutes Steps 1 and 2
are repeated while the engine is still
running. An extension can be requested
30 seconds after starting.
A maximum of two remote starts, or a
single start with an extension, is allowed
between ignition cycles.
The vehicle's ignition must be turned on and
then back off to use remote start again.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of the
following:
.Press and hold/until the parking lamps
turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Turn the ignition on and then off.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 21
Door Locks
{Warning
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
.Passengers, especially children, can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. The doors can be
unlocked and opened while the vehicle
is moving. The chance of being thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash is
increased if the doors are not locked.
So, all passengers should wear seat
belts properly and the doors should be
locked whenever the vehicle is driven.
.Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out.
A child can be overcome by extreme
heat and can suffer permanent injuries
or even death from heat stroke.
Always lock the vehicle whenever
leaving it.
.Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down
or stop the vehicle. Locking the doors
can help prevent this from happening.There are several ways to lock and unlock
the vehicle.
From outside:
.Use the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter.
.Use Keyless Access, if equipped.
.Use the key in the driver door or the
passenger door, if equipped.
From inside, use the power door locks or the
manual door locks. To lock the door with
the manual door locks, push down on the
manual lock knob.
From inside, pull the door handle once to
unlock the door. Pull the handle again to
open the door.
See Vehicle Alarm System 031. Keyless Access
If equipped, the remote key must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the tailgate or door being
opened or locked. Press the button on the
door handle to open. See
“Keyless Access
Operation” inRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Key Access) 010 or
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation (Keyless Access) 013.
Free-Turning Locks
The door key lock cylinder turns freely when
either the wrong key is used, or the correct
key is not fully inserted. The free-turning
door lock feature prevents the lock from
being forced open. To reset the lock, turn it
to the vertical position with the correct key

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
22 Keys, Doors, and Windows
fully inserted. Remove the key and insert it
again. If this does not reset the lock, turn
the key halfway around in the cylinder and
repeat the reset procedure.
Power Door Locks
If equipped with power door locks.
Q:Press to lock the doors.
K:Press to unlock the doors.
Delayed Locking
If equipped, this feature delays the locking
of the doors until five seconds after all
doors are closed. Delayed locking can only be turned on when
the Open Door Anti-Lockout feature has
been turned off.
When
Qis pressed on the power door lock
switch while the door is open, a chime will
sound three times indicating delayed locking
is active.
The doors will lock automatically
five seconds after all doors are closed. If a
door is reopened before that time, the
five-second timer will reset when all doors
are closed again.
Press
Qon the door lock switch again or
press
Qon the RKE transmitter to lock the
doors immediately.
This feature can be programmed. See Vehicle
Personalization 0131.
Automatic Door Locks
If equipped, the doors will lock
automatically when all doors are closed, the
ignition is on, and the vehicle is shifted out
of P (Park). If a vehicle door is unlocked, and then
opened and closed, the doors will lock either
when your foot is removed from the brake
or the vehicle speed becomes faster than
13 km/h (8 mph).
To unlock the doors:
.PressKon the power door lock switch.
.Shift the transmission into P (Park).
Automatic door locking cannot be disabled.
Automatic door unlocking can be
programmed. See Vehicle Personalization
0 131.
Lockout Protection
If equipped, the ignition is on or in ACC/
ACCESSORY and the power door lock switch
is pressed with the driver door open, all the
doors will lock and only the driver door will
unlock.
If the vehicle is off and locking is requested
while a door is open, when all doors are
closed the vehicle will check to the Keyless
Access function (if equipped). If an RKE
transmitter is detected and the number of
RKE transmitters inside has not reduced, the
driver door will unlock and the horn will
chirp three times.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 23
Lockout Protection can be manually
overridden with the driver door open by
pressing and holding
Qon the power door
lock switch.
Open Door Anti-Lockout
If equipped, the Open Door Anti-Lockout is
turned on and the vehicle is off, the driver
door is open, and locking is requested, all
the doors will lock and the driver door will
unlock. The Open Door Anti-Lockout feature
can be turned on or off. See Vehicle
Personalization 0131.
Safety Locks
The rear door safety locks prevent
passengers from opening the rear doors
from inside the vehicle.
The safety lock is on the inside edge of the
rear doors. To use the safety lock:
1. Move the lever down to the lock position.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
To open a rear door when the safety lock
is on: 1. Unlock the door by activating the inside handle, by pressing the power door
unlock switch, or by using the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
2. Open the door from the outside. When the safety lock is enabled, adults and
older children will not be able to open the
rear door from the inside. Cancel the safety
locks to enable the doors to open from the
inside.
To cancel the safety lock:
1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Move the lever up to unlock. Do the same for the other door.Doors
Tailgate
Manual Tailgate
{Warning
It is extremely dangerous to ride on the
tailgate, even when the vehicle is
operated at low speeds. People riding on
the tailgate can easily lose their balance
and fall in response to vehicle maneuvers.
Falling from a moving vehicle may result
in serious injuries or death. Do not allow
people to ride on the tailgate. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.