2021 GMC SIERRA cruise control

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
258 Driving and Operating
regular cruise control is engaged, a green
Jindicator will be lit on the instrument
cluster; the following gap will not display.
When the vehicle is turned on, the cruise
control mode will be set to the last mode
used before the vehicle was turned off.
{Warning
Always check the cruise control indicator
on the instrument cluster to determine
which mode cruise control is in before
using the feature. If ACC is not active, the
vehicle will not automatically brake for
other vehicles, which could cause a crash
if the brakes are not applied manually.
You and others could be seriously injured
or killed.
Setting Adaptive Cruise Control
If
Jis on when not in use, SET–/RES+
could be pressed by mistake and engage
ACC when not desired. Keep
Joff when
cruise is not being used.
Select the set speed desired for ACC. This is
the vehicle speed when no vehicle is
detected in your path. While the vehicle is moving, ACC will not set
at a speed less than 5 km/h (3 mph),
although it can be resumed. The minimum
allowable set speed is 25 km/h (15 mph).
To set ACC while moving:
1. Press
J.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET–.
4. Remove foot from the accelerator.
After ACC is set, it may immediately apply
the brakes if a vehicle ahead is detected
closer than the selected following gap.
ACC can also be set while the vehicle is
stopped if ACC is on and the brake pedal is
applied.
The ACC indicator displays in the instrument
cluster and Head-Up Display (HUD),
if equipped. When ACC is turned on, the
indicator will be lit white. When the ACC is
active, the indicator turns green. Be mindful of speed limits, surrounding
traffic speeds, and weather conditions when
selecting the set speed.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the ACC is set at a desired speed and then
the brakes are applied, ACC is disengaged
without erasing the set speed from memory.
To begin using ACC again, press RES+ up
briefly.
.If the vehicle is moving more than 5 km/h
(3 mph), it returns to the previous set
speed.
.If the vehicle is stopped with the brake
pedal applied, press RES+ and release the
brake pedal. ACC will hold the vehicle
until RES+ or the accelerator pedal is
pressed.
A green ACC indicator and the set speed
display on the instrument cluster. The
vehicle ahead indicator may be flashing if a
vehicle ahead was present and moved. See
“Approaching and Following a Vehicle” later
in this section.
Once ACC has resumed, if there is no vehicle
ahead, if the vehicle ahead is beyond the
selected following gap, or if the vehicle has
exited a sharp curve, then the vehicle speed
will increase to the set speed.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Driving and Operating 261
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving Objects
{Warning
ACC may not detect and react to stopped
or slow-moving vehicles ahead of you. For
example, the system may not brake for a
vehicle it has never detected moving. This
can occur in stop-and-go traffic or when a
vehicle suddenly appears due to a vehicle
ahead changing lanes. Your vehicle may
not stop and could cause a crash. Use
caution when using ACC. Your complete
attention is always required while driving
and you should be ready to take action
and apply the brakes.
Irregular Objects Affecting ACC
ACC may have difficulty detecting the
following objects:
.Vehicles in front of your vehicle that have
a rear aspect that is low, small,
or irregular
.An empty truck or trailer that has no
cargo in the cargo bed
.Vehicles with cargo extending from the
back end
.Non-standard shaped vehicles, such as
vehicle transport, vehicles with a side car
fitted, or horse carriages
.Vehicles that are low to the road surface
.Objects that are close to the front of your
vehicle
.Vehicles on which extremely heavy cargo
is loaded in the cargo area or rear seat
ACC Automatically Disengages
ACC may automatically disengage and the
driver will need to manually apply the
brakes to slow the vehicle if:
.The front camera is blocked or visibility is
reduced.
.The Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/ESC system has activated or
been disabled.
.There is a fault in the system.
.A DIC message displays to indicate that
ACC is temporarily unavailable.
The ACC indicator will turn white when ACC
is no longer active.
In some cases, when ACC is temporarily
unavailable, regular cruise control may be
used. See “Switching Between ACC and
Regular Cruise Control” previously in this
section. Always consider driving conditions
before using either cruise control system.
Notification to Resume ACC
ACC will maintain a follow gap behind a
detected vehicle and slow your vehicle to a
stop behind that vehicle.
If the stopped vehicle ahead has driven
away and ACC has not resumed, the vehicle
ahead indicator will flash as a reminder to
check traffic ahead before proceeding. In
addition, the left and right sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse three times,
or three beeps will sound. See ”Alert Type”
and “Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier” in
“Collision/Detection Systems” underVehicle
Personalization 0131.
When the vehicle ahead drives away, press
RES+ or the accelerator pedal to resume
ACC. If stopped for more than two minutes
or if the driver door is opened and the

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
264 Driving and Operating
Weather Conditions Affecting ACC
If the interior temperature is extremely
high, the instrument cluster may indicate
that ACC is temporarily unavailable. This can
be caused by extreme hot weather
conditions with direct sunlight on the front
camera. ACC will return to normal operation
once the cabin temperature is lower.
Conditions that are associated with low
visibility, such as fog, rain, snow, or road
spray, may limit ACC performance. Water
droplets from rain or snow that remain on
the windshield may also limit ACC’s ability
to detect objects.
{Warning
Camera visibility may be limited and the
ACC system may not work properly if the
windshield is not clear. Do not use ACC if
moisture is present on the inside of the
windshield or the windshield washer is
used in cold weather. Turn on the front
defroster and make sure the windshield is
clear before using ACC. Before driving,
check that the windshield wipers are in
good condition and replace them if worn.Lighting Conditions Affecting ACC
The ACC front camera can be affected by
poor lighting conditions, and ACC may have
limited performance when:
.There are changes in brightness, such as
entering and exiting tunnels, bridges, and
overpasses.
.Low sun angles cause the camera to not
detect objects, or it is more difficult to
detect objects in the same traffic lane.
.Lighting is poor in the evening or early
morning
.There are multiple changes in brightness
or shadows along the vehicle roadway.
.In a tunnel without the headlamps on,
or in a tunnel when there is a vehicle in
front that does not have its taillamps on.
.Subjected to strong light from opposing
lane traffic in the front of the vehicle,
such as high-beam headlamps from
oncoming traffic.
Accessory Installations and Vehicle
Modifications
Do not install or place any object around
the front camera windshield area that would
obstruct the front camera view. Do not install objects on top of the vehicle
that overhang and obstruct the front
camera, such as a canoe, kayak, or other
items that can be transported on the
vehicle roof.
Do not modify the hood, headlamps, or fog
lamps, as this may limit the camera’s ability
to detect an object.
Cleaning the Sensing System
The camera sensor on the windshield behind
the rearview mirror can become blocked by
snow, ice, dirt, mud, or debris. This area
needs to be cleaned for ACC to operate
properly.
The vehicle headlamps may need to be
cleaned due to dirt, snow, or ice. Objects
that are not illuminated correctly may be
difficult to detect.
If ACC will not operate, regular cruise control
may be available. See
“Switching Between
ACC and Regular Cruise Control” previously
in this section. Always consider driving
conditions before using either cruise control
system.
For cleaning instructions, see “Washing the
Vehicle” underExterior Care 0398.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
276 Driving and Operating
Without Head-Up Display
When your vehicle approaches another
detected vehicle too rapidly, the red FCA
display will flash on the windshield. Also,
eight rapid high-pitched beeps will sound
from the front, or both sides of the Safety
Alert Seat will pulse five times. When this
Collision Alert occurs, the brake system may
prepare for driver braking to occur more
rapidly which can cause a brief, mild
deceleration. Continue to apply the brake
pedal as needed. Cruise control may be
disengaged when the Collision Alert occurs.
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.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Driving and Operating 279
FPB alerts and automatic braking will not
occur unless the FPB system detects a
pedestrian. When a nearby pedestrian is
detected in front of the vehicle, the
pedestrian ahead indicator will display
amber.
Front Pedestrian Alert
With Head-Up Display
Without Head-Up Display
When the vehicle approaches a pedestrian
ahead too rapidly, the red FPB alert display
will flash on the windshield. Eight rapid
high-pitched beeps will sound from the
front, or both sides of the Safety Alert Seat
will pulse five times. When this Pedestrian Alert occurs, the brake system may prepare
for driver braking to occur more rapidly
which can cause a brief, mild deceleration.
Continue to apply the brake pedal as
needed. Cruise control may be disengaged
when the Front Pedestrian Alert occurs.
Automatic Braking
If FPB detects it is about to crash into a
pedestrian directly ahead, and the brakes
have not been applied, FPB may
automatically brake moderately or brake
hard. This can help to avoid some very low
speed pedestrian crashes or reduce
pedestrian injury. FPB can automatically
brake to detected pedestrians between
8 km/h (5 mph) and 80 km/h (50 mph).
Automatic braking levels may be reduced
under certain conditions, such as higher
speeds.
If this happens, Automatic Braking may
engage the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) to
hold the vehicle at a stop. Release the EPB.
A firm press of the accelerator pedal will
also release Automatic Braking and the EPB.
{Warning
FPB may alert or automatically brake the
vehicle suddenly in situations where it is
unexpected and undesired. It could falsely
alert or brake for objects similar in shape
or size to pedestrians, including shadows.
This is normal operation and the vehicle
does not need service. To override
Automatic Braking, firmly press the
accelerator pedal, if it is safe to do so.
Automatic Braking can be disabled through
vehicle personalization. See “Front Pedestrian
Detection” in“Collision/Detection Systems”
under Vehicle Personalization 0131.
{Warning
Using the Front Pedestrian Braking
system while towing a trailer could cause
you to lose control of the vehicle and
crash. Turn the system to Alert or Off
when towing a trailer.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Driving and Operating 289
Warning (Continued)
trailer only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your dealer for
advice and information about towing a
trailer with the vehicle.
Driving with a Trailer
Trailering is different than just driving the
vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking, durability,
and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering
takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
The following information has many
time-tested, important trailering tips and
safety rules. Many of these are important
for your safety and that of your passengers.
Read this section carefully before pulling a
trailer.
When towing a trailer:
.Become familiar with and follow all state
and local laws that apply to trailer
towing. These requirements vary from
state to state.
.State laws may require the use of
extended side view mirrors. Even if not
required, you should install extended side
view mirrors if your visibility is limited or
restricted while towing.
.Do not tow a trailer during the first
800 km (500 mi) of vehicle use to prevent
damage to the engine, axle, or other
parts.
.It is recommended to perform the first oil
change before heavy towing.
.During the first 800 km (500 mi) of trailer
towing, do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) and do not make starts at full
throttle.
.Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Tow/Haul
Mode is recommended for heavier trailers.
SeeTow/Haul Mode 0242. If the
transmission downshifts too often, a
lower gear may be selected using Manual
Mode. See Manual Mode 0241.
If equipped, the following driver assistance
features should be turned off when towing
a trailer:
.Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
.Super Cruise Control
.Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
.Park Assist
.Automatic Parking Assist (APA)
.Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB)
If equipped, the following driver assistance
features should be turned to alert or off
when towing a trailer:
.Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
.Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
.Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
If equipped with Lane Change Alert (LCA),
the LCA detection zones that extend back
from the side of the vehicle do not move
further back when a trailer is towed. Use
caution while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
(RCTA), use caution while backing up when
towing a trailer, as the RCTA detection zones
that extend out from the back of the vehicle
do not move further back when a trailer is
towed.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Cana-
da/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
448 Index
IndexA
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Active Fuel Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .318
Adding a Snow Plow or SimilarEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .318
Additional Information OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . .415
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Agreements
Trademarks and License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204, 206
Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . 209
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . 64
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . 64
What Will You See after an AirbagInflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Airbag System (cont'd)
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . 63
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Airbags Adding Equipment to the Vehicle . . . . . . . 69
Passenger Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . 69
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Alert
Lane Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Antenna Fixed Mast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . . . . . . . . . .185

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Cana-
da/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
450 Index
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp(CHMSL) and Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
Charging Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . 115
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88, 92
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Connected Services Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446
Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445
Connections Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 446
Control Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Traction and Electronic Stability . . . . . . . 248
Control Light Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Controls Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Coolant Engine Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Engine Temperature Warning Light . . . . . 121
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204, 206
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . 433
Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Cruise Control (cont'd)
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Cruise Control, Adaptive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
Customer Information Publications Ordering Information . . . . . 435
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . 428
Cybersecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Data Collection Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438
Database Coverage Explanations . . . . . . . . . . 175
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Destination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Diagnostics Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 447
Differential, Limited-Slip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212