2021 GMC SIERRA ignition

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Seats and Restraints 65
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates?
After frontal and seat-mounted side impact
airbags inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not even
realize the airbags inflated. Roof-rail airbags
may still be at least partially inflated for
some time after they inflate. Some
components of the airbag module may be
hot for several minutes. For location of the
airbags, seeWhere Are the Airbags? 062.
The parts of the airbag that come into
contact with you may be warm, but not too
hot to touch. There may be some smoke
and dust coming from the vents in the
deflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of the
windshield or being able to steer the
vehicle, nor does it prevent people from
leaving the vehicle.
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there may be
dust in the air. This dust could cause
breathing problems for people with a
history of asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
vehicle should get out as soon as it is
safe to do so. If you have breathing
problems but cannot get out of the
vehicle after an airbag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing problems
following an airbag deployment, you
should seek medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn on the
interior lamps and hazard warning flashers,
and shut off the fuel system after the
airbags inflate. The feature may also
activate, without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. After turning the ignition off and
then on again, the fuel system will return to
normal operation; the doors can be locked,
the interior lamps can be turned off, and
the hazard warning flashers can be turned
off using the controls for those features.
If any of these systems are damaged in the
crash they may not operate as normal.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate the
airbags may have also damaged
important functions in the vehicle, such
as the fuel system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle appears
to be drivable after a moderate crash,
there may be concealed damage that
could make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt to
restart the engine after a crash has
occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate
the airbag, windshields are broken by
vehicle deformation. Additional windshield
breakage may also occur from the front
outboard passenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflate only once.
After an airbag inflates, you will need
some new parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help protect
you in another crash. A new system will
include airbag modules and possibly other
parts. The service manual for the vehicle
covers the need to replace other parts.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Storage 97
Bench Seat
If equipped with storage, press the latch and
lift to open.
Bucket Seat Press the latch and lift to open.
Floor Console Storage
If equipped with front center seat storage,
unlock with the ignition key, press the latch,
and lift to open.
Additional Storage Features
Cargo Tie-Downs
Caution
The truck bed walls will collapse if the
tie-downs are overloaded.
Standard and Long Box
This vehicle is equipped with 12 fixed cargo
tie-downs.
Any of the 12 locations inside the truck bed
can be used. The maximum load per corner
is 227 kg (500 lb).

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Instruments and Controls 101
seats when it is cold outside. The heated
steering wheel indicator light may not
come on.
SeeHeated and Ventilated Front Seats 052.
Horn
To sound the horn, pressaon the
steering wheel.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper control is on the turn
signal lever.
The windshield wipers are controlled by
turning the band with
Non it.
With the ignition on or in ACC/ACCESSORY,
turn the
Nband to select the wiper speed.
HI : Use for fast wipes. LO :
Use for slow wipes.
3:Turn the band up for more frequent
intermittent wipes or down for less frequent
intermittent wipes.
OFF : Use to turn the wipers off.
1x : For a single wipe, briefly turn the
N
band down. For several wipes, hold the
band down.
L:PressLon the windshield wiper
control to spray windshield washer fluid and
activate the wipers. The wipers will continue
until
Lis released or the maximum wash
time is reached. When
Lis released,
additional wipes may occur depending on
how long the windshield washer had been
activated. See Washer Fluid0340 for
information on filling the windshield washer
fluid reservoir.
Clear snow and ice from the wiper blades
before using them. If frozen to the
windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them.
Damaged blades should be replaced. See
Wiper Blade Replacement 0348.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper
motor.
{Warning
In freezing weather, do not use the
washer until the windshield is warmed.
Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice
on the windshield, blocking your vision.
{Warning
Before driving the vehicle, always clear
snow and ice from the hood, windshield,
roof, and rear of the vehicle, including all
lamps and windows. Reduced visibility
from snow and ice buildup could lead to
a crash.
Wipe Parking
If the ignition is turned off while the wipers
are on LO, HI, or
3, they will
immediately stop.
If the windshield wiper control is ON then
moved to OFF before the driver door is
opened or within 10 minutes, the wipers will
restart and move to the base of the
windshield.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
102 Instruments and Controls
If the ignition is turned off while the wipers
are performing wipes due to windshield
washing, the wipers continue to run until
they reach the base of the windshield.
Compass
The vehicle may have a compass display on
the Driver Information Center (DIC). The
compass receives its heading and other
information from the Global Positioning
System (GPS) antenna, Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), and vehicle speed information.
The compass system is designed to operate
for a certain number of miles or degrees of
turn before needing a signal from the GPS
satellites. When the compass display shows
CAL, drive the vehicle for a short distance in
an open area where it can receive a GPS
signal. The compass system will
automatically determine when a GPS signal
is restored and provide a heading again.
Clock
Set the time and date using the
infotainment system. See "Time / Date"
underSettings 0186.
Power Outlets
Accessory power outlets can be used to plug
in electrical equipment, such as a cell phone
or MP3 player.
Rear of Front Center Console
The vehicle has one accessory power outlet
under the climate control system and one
accessory power outlet on the rear of the
center console, if equipped, or on the rear of
the bench seat, if equipped.
Lift the cover to access and replace when
not in use.
{Warning
Power is always supplied to the outlets.
Do not leave electrical equipment
plugged in when the vehicle is not in use
because the vehicle could catch fire and
cause injury or death.
Caution
Leaving electrical equipment plugged in
for an extended period of time while the
vehicle is off will drain the battery.
Always unplug electrical equipment when
not in use and do not plug in equipment
that exceeds the maximum 15 amp
rating.
Certain power accessory plugs may not be
compatible with the accessory power outlet
and could overload vehicle or adapter fuses.
If a problem is experienced, see your dealer.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure
to follow the proper installation instructions
included with the equipment. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment 0318.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Instruments and Controls 103
Caution
Hanging heavy equipment from the
power outlet can cause damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty. The
power outlets are designed for accessory
power plugs only, such as cell phone
charge cords.
Power Outlet 110/120-Volt Alternating
Current
If equipped, the vehicle has two alternating
current power outlets.
In Cab Power Outlet and DC/AC Switch
Truck Bed Power Outlet
When the ignition is on, power is supplied
to the outlets after the DC/AC switch is
pressed. A green indicator light on the
DC/AC switch indicates when the DC/AC
operation is active. One power outlet can be
used with electrical equipment that uses a
maximum of 400 watts. If both outlets are
being used, 400 watts will be shared
between the outlets. Ensure that all
connected devices do not exceed 400 watts.
The power outlet can be turned off by
pressing the DC/AC switch. The power outlet
can be turned back on after 10 seconds,
during which the indicator light on the
switch will flash. An indicator light on the outlet illuminates
when power is provided to the outlet and
no system fault is detected. The outlets will
not operate when the ignition is off, the
DC/AC switch is not pressed, or the plug is
not fully seated into the outlet.
If equipment is connected using more than
400 watts or a system fault is detected, a
protection circuit shuts off the power supply
and the indicator light turns off.
Do not use a power outlet with a missing or
damaged cover.
The power outlet is not designed for the
following, and may not work properly if
they are plugged in:
.Equipment with high initial peak wattage,
such as compressor-driven refrigerators
and electric power tools
.Other equipment requiring an extremely
stable power supply, such as
microcomputer-controlled electric blankets
and touch sensor lamps
.Medical equipment
Wireless Charging
The vehicle may have wireless charging on
the center console in front of the
cupholders. The system operates at 145 kHz

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
110 Instruments and Controls
Home :Press the thumbwheel to select the
available elements to display. Not all
elements will be available on all vehicles:
Speedometer, Speed Sign, Time, and Fuel
Range.
Display (Uplevel) : Press the thumbwheel to
enter the Display menu. Select to turn on or
off the compass or speed sign.
Speed Warning : The Speed Warning display
allows the driver to set a speed that they
do not want to exceed. To set the Speed
Warning, press the thumbwheel when Speed
Warning is displayed, or press the
thumbwheel on the main view to set the
speed value. Scroll to adjust the value. Press
the thumbwheel to set the speed. Once the
speed is set, this feature can be turned off
by pressing the thumbwheel while viewing
this page. If the selected speed limit is
exceeded, a pop-up warning is displayed
with a chime.
Software Information : Press the
thumbwheel while Software Information is
highlighted to display open source software
information.Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle's speed
in either kilometers per hour (km/h) or
miles per hour (mph).
Odometer
The odometer shows how far the vehicle has
been driven, in either kilometers or miles.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven since the trip
odometer was last reset.
The trip odometer is accessed and reset
through the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0124 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel and
Uplevel) 0125.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm).
For vehicles with the Stop/Start system,
when the ignition is on, the tachometer
indicates the vehicle status. When pointing
to AUTO STOP, the engine is off but the vehicle is on and can move. The engine
could auto start at any time. When the
indicator points to OFF, the vehicle is off.
When the engine is on, the tachometer will
indicate the engine’s revolutions per minute
(rpm). The tachometer may vary by several
hundred rpm, during Auto Stop mode, when
the engine is shutting off and restarting.
Fuel Gauge
Metric Uplevel Shown, Midlevel and Base
Level Similar

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Instruments and Controls 111
English Uplevel Shown, Midlevel and BaseLevel Similar
When the ignition is on, the fuel gauge
indicates about how much fuel is left in
the tank.
There is an arrow near the fuel gauge
pointing to the side of the vehicle the fuel
door is on.
When the indicator nears empty, the low
fuel light comes on. There still is a little fuel
left, but the vehicle should be refueled soon.
Here are three things that some owners ask
about. None of these show a problem with
the fuel gauge:
.It takes a little more, or less fuel to fill up
than the gauge indicated. For example,
the gauge may have indicated the tank
was half full, but it actually took a little
more, or less than half the tank's capacity
to fill the tank.
.The gauge moves a little while turning a
corner, speeding up or braking.
.The gauge takes a few seconds to
stabilize after the ignition is turned on
and goes back to empty when the
ignition is turned off.
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge
Uplevel Metric Shown, Base Level and Midlevel Similar
Uplevel English Shown, Base Level and
Midlevel Similar
The engine oil pressure gauge shows the
engine oil pressure in kPa (kilopascals)
or psi (pounds per square inch) when the
engine is running.
Oil pressure can vary with engine speed,
outside temperature, coolant temperature,
and oil viscosity.
On some models, the oil pump will vary
engine oil pressure according to engine
needs. Oil pressure may change quickly as
the engine speed or load varies. This is
normal. If the oil pressure warning light or
Driver Information Center (DIC) message

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Instruments and Controls 113
Voltmeter Gauge
Uplevel Shown, Base Level and MidlevelSimilar
When the ignition is on, this gauge indicates
the battery voltage.
When the engine is running, this gauge
shows the condition of the charging system.
The gauge can transition from a higher to
lower or a lower to higher reading. This is
normal. If the vehicle is operating outside
the normal operating range, the charging
system light comes on. See Charging System
Light 0115. The voltmeter gauge may also
read lower when in fuel economy mode.
This is normal. Readings outside the normal operating
range can also occur when a large number
of electrical accessories are operating in the
vehicle and the engine is left idling for an
extended period. This condition is normal
since the charging system is not able to
provide full power at engine idle. As engine
speeds are increased, this condition should
correct itself as higher engine speeds allow
the charging system to create maximum
power.
The vehicle can only be driven for a short
time with the readings outside the normal
operating range. If the vehicle must be
driven, turn off all accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
Readings outside the normal operating
range indicate a possible problem in the
electrical system. Have the vehicle serviced
as soon as possible.
Seat Belt Reminders
Driver Seat Belt Reminder Light
There is a driver seat belt reminder light on
the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to remind
the driver to fasten their seat belt.
Then the light stays on solid until the belt is
buckled. This cycle may continue several
times if the driver remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.
If the driver seat belt is buckled, neither the
light nor the chime comes on.
Front Passenger Seat Belt Reminder
Light
The vehicle may have a front passenger seat
belt reminder light near the passenger
airbag status indicator. See
Passenger
Sensing System 066.