
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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136 Instruments and Controls
All HUD views may briefly display audio
information when the driver uses the
steering wheel controls to adjust the audio
settings appearing in the instrument cluster.
Incoming phone calls appearing in the
instrument cluster, may also display in any
HUD view.
Care of the HUD
Clean the inside of the windshield to remove
any dirt or film that could reduce the
sharpness or clarity of the HUD image.
Clean the HUD lens with a soft cloth
sprayed with glass cleaner. Wipe the lens
gently, then dry it.
HUD Troubleshooting
Check that:
.Nothing is covering the HUD lens.
.The HUD brightness setting is not too
dim or too bright.
.The HUD is adjusted to the proper height.
.Polarized sunglasses are not worn.
.The windshield and HUD lens are clean.
If the HUD image is not correct, contact
your dealer. The windshield is part of the HUD system.
See
Windshield Replacement 0365.
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) indicate the status
of the vehicle or some action that may be
needed to correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be acknowledged and
cleared by pressing the thumbwheel. The
messages that require immediate action
cannot be cleared until that action is
performed.
All messages should be taken seriously;
clearing the message does not correct the
problem.
If a SERVICE message appears, see your
dealer.
Follow the instructions given in the
messages. The system displays messages
regarding the following topics:
.Service Messages
.Fluid Levels
.Vehicle Security
.Brakes
.Steering
.Ride Control Systems
.Driver Assistance Systems
.Cruise Control
.Lighting and Bulb Replacement
.Wiper/Washer Systems
.Doors and Windows
.Seat Belts
.Airbag Systems
.Engine and Transmission
.Tire Pressure
.Battery
Engine Power Messages
REDUCED ACCELERATION DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when the vehicle's
propulsion power is reduced. A reduction in
propulsion power can affect the vehicle's
ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no observed reduction in
performance, proceed to your destination.
Under certain conditions the performance
may be reduced the next time the vehicle is
driven. The vehicle may be driven while this
message is on, but maximum acceleration
and speed may be reduced. Anytime this

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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138 Instruments and Controls
Touch Off or On.
Auto Rear Defog
This setting automatically turns the rear
defogger on based on temperature and
humidity conditions.
Touch Off or On.
Collision/Detection Systems
Touch and the following may display:
.Alert Type
.Automatic Emergency Braking
.Front Pedestrian Braking
.Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier
.Lane Change Alert
.Park Assist
.Rear Camera Park Assist Symbols
.Rear Cross Traffic Alert
.Rear Pedestrian Detection
Alert Type
This feature sets the type of alert from the
driver assistance systems to help avoid
crashes.
Touch Beeps or Safety Alert Seat. Automatic Emergency Braking
This setting can alert of a potential crash
with a detected vehicle ahead and can apply
brakes to help reduce a collision’s severity.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake.
Front Pedestrian Braking
This feature may help avoid or reduce the
harm caused by front-end crashes with
nearby pedestrians. See
Front Pedestrian
Braking (FPB) System 0297.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake.
Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier
This setting determines if an alert will
appear when Adaptive Cruise Control brings
the vehicle to a complete stop and the
vehicle ahead of you starts moving again.
See Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera) 0256.
Touch Off or On.
Lane Change Alert
This allows the feature to be turned on or
off. See Lane Change Alert (LCA) 0299.
Touch Off or On. Park Assist
This allows the feature to be turned on or
off. See
Assistance Systems for Parking or
Backing 0283.
Select Off or On.
Rear Camera Park Assist Symbols
This setting enables the Rear Camera Park
Assist Symbols. See Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing 0283.
Touch Off or On.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
This allows the Rear Cross Traffic Alert
feature to be turned on or off. See
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing
0 283.
Touch Off or On.
Rear Pedestrian Braking
This setting specifies if alerts will display
when the vehicle detects pedestrians behind
when in R (Reverse). See Rear Pedestrian
Alert 0292.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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Infotainment System 193
.Some safety systems, such as Automatic
Emergency Braking, if equipped, cannot
be turned off.
.The gap setting for Adaptive Cruise
Control and the alert timing setting for
Forward Collision Alert, if equipped,
cannot be changed.
.When trying to change a safety feature
that is not configurable in Teen Driver,
the DIC displays a message indicating
that Teen Driver is active and the action
is not available.
.Super Cruise, if equipped, is not available.
.Enhanced Low Fuel Warning (if equipped)
–When the vehicle is low on fuel, the
low fuel light on the instrument cluster
flashes and the DIC low fuel warning
cannot be dismissed.
.Do not tow a trailer if equipped with
Automatic Emergency Braking.
Report Card
The vehicle owner must secure the driver’s
consent to record certain vehicle data when
the vehicle is driven with a registered Teen
Driver key. There is one Report Card per
vehicle. Data is only recorded when a
registered Teen Driver key is used to
operate the vehicle. The Report Card data is collected from the
time Teen Driver is activated or the last
time the Report Card was reset. The
following items may be recorded:
.Distance Driven
–the total distance
driven.
.Maximum Speed –the maximum vehicle
speed detected.
.Overspeed Warnings –the number of
times the speed warning setting was
exceeded.
.Wide Open Throttle –the number of
times the accelerator pedal was pressed
nearly all the way down.
.Forward Collision Alerts (if equipped) –
the number of times the driver was
notified when approaching a vehicle
ahead too quickly and at potential risk for
a crash.
.Forward Automatic Braking, also called
Automatic Emergency Braking (if
equipped) –the number of times the
vehicle detected that a forward collision
was imminent and applied the brakes.
.Reverse Automatic Braking (if equipped) –
the number of times the vehicle detected
that a rearward collision was imminent
and applied the brakes.
.Traction Control –the number of times
the Traction Control System activated to
reduce wheel spin or loss of traction.
.Stability Control –the number of events
which required the use of electronic
stability control.
.Antilock Braking System Active –The
number of Antilock Brake System
activations.
.Tailgating Alerts (if equipped) –the
number of times the driver was alerted
for following a vehicle ahead too closely.
Report Card Data
Cumulative Data is saved for all trips until
the Report Card is reset or until the
maximum count is exceeded. If the
maximum count is exceeded for a Report
Card line item, that item will no longer be
updated in the Report Card until it is reset.
Each item will report a maximum of
1,000 counts. The distance driven will report
a maximum of 64,374 km (40,000 mi).
To delete Report Card data, do one of the
following:
.From the Report Card display, touch
Reset.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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204 Driving and Operating
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . 205
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . 220
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 227
Shifting Into Park (MechanicalShifter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Shifting Into Park (Electronic
Shifter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Shifting out of Park (Mechanical Shifter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Shifting out of Park (Electronic
Shifter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . 230
Active Fuel Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 231
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission (Mechanical Shifter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Automatic Transmission (Electronic Shifter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Manual Mode (Mechanical Shifter) . . . . 237
Manual Mode (Electronic Shifter) . . . . . . 239
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 245
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Locking Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera) . . . . . . 256
Super Cruise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Rear Pedestrian Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 293
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297

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Driving and Operating 205
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . 299
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . 301
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Recommended Fuel (2.7L L4 and 5.3LV8 Engines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Recommended Fuel (6.2L V8 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Filling the Tank (Pickup Model) . . . . . . . 306
Filling the Tank (Chassis Cab Model) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . 308
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . 309
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Trailering App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab . . . . . 340Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.

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Driving and Operating 213
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather
driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment in
good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir
filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread depth.
SeeTires 0377.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good
shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, and
cooling system.
.Shift to a lower gear when going down
steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a
long downhill slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. This can
cause overheating of the brakes and loss
of steering assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Caution
To avoid damage to the wheels and
brake components, always clear snow and
ice from inside the wheels and
underneath the vehicle before driving.
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0247.
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves
vehicle stability during hard stops, but
the brakes should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) 0245.

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214 Driving and Operating
.Allow greater following distance and
watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded
areas. The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden
steering maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
Cold Weather Mode
In very low temperatures, a cold weather
message may display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The engine speed,
transmission shift patterns, and cabin fan
speed may operate differently to enable the
vehicle to warm up quicker. You can
manually override the cabin fan speed in
cold weather mode.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and signal
for help. Stay with the vehicle unless there
is help nearby. If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
0 445. To get help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the
vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to
get inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in) on
the vehicle side that is away from the
wind, to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control system to
circulate the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0230. To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the
window. Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when
running the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than
the idle speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to signal
for help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to
free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow. See
“Rocking the Vehicle to Get
It Out” later in this section.
If equipped, the front and rear axles may
be locked to improve traction. See Locking
Front Axle 0253 and
Locking Rear Axle 0253.
The Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control can often help to free a stuck
vehicle. See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0247. If TC/ESC cannot free
the vehicle, see “Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out” following.

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240 Driving and Operating
When shifting to L (Low), the transmission
will shift to a preset lower gear range. For
this preset range, the highest gear available
will be displayed next to the L in the DIC.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0128 orDriver Information Center
(DIC) (Uplevel) 0130. All gears below that
number are available to use. For example,
when 4 (Fourth) is shown next to the L,
1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) gears are shifted
automatically. To shift to 5 (Fifth) gear, tap
the right steering wheel control or shift into
D (Drive).
L (Low) will prevent shifting to a lower gear
range if the engine speed is too high. If the
vehicle speed is not reduced within the time
allowed, the lower gear range shift will not
be completed. Slow the vehicle, then tap the
left steering wheel control to the desired
lower gear range.
Cruise control can be used while in ERS.
Tow/Haul Mode
The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce shift
cycling. This provides increased performance,
vehicle control, and enhanced transmission
and engine cooling when driving down steep
hills or mountain grades, when towing, or when hauling heavy loads. See
Driver
Mode Control 0249 to activate Tow/
Haul Mode.
For vehicles without Driver Mode Control,
press the Tow/Haul button on the center
stack.
If equipped, the Stop/Start system will
become unavailable when Tow/Haul Mode is
active.
If equipped with Active Hydraulic Assist, the
vehicle will provide a stiffer steering
response when Tow/Haul mode is engaged
to provide enhanced steering functionality.
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking is only
enabled while the Tow/Haul Mode is
selected and the vehicle is not in the Range
Selection Mode. See Manual Mode
(Mechanical Shifter) 0237 or
Manual Mode (Electronic Shifter) 0239.
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking assists in
maintaining desired vehicle speeds when
driving on downhill grades by using the
engine and transmission to slow the vehicle.
See Towing Equipment 0317.
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive engages the
front axle for extra traction.
Read the appropriate section for transfer
case operation before using.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry pavement in
4
mand 4n(if equipped) for an extended
period of time. These conditions may
cause premature wear on the vehicle’s
powertrain.