GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/18/22
Vehicle Care 317
Caution (Continued)
.Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze)
in the windshield washer. It can
damage the windshield washer system
and paint.
.Do not mix water with ready-to-use
washer fluid. Water can cause the
solution to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other parts of
the washer system.
.When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer instructions
for adding water.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake linings have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake linings are worn and
new linings are needed. The sound can come
and go or can be heard all the time when
the vehicle is moving, except when applying
the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound means
that soon the brakes will not work well.
That could lead to a crash. When the
brake wear warning sound is heard, have
the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
linings could result in costly brake
repairs.
Some driving conditions or climates can
cause a brake squeal when the brakes are
first applied, clearing up following several
applications. This does not mean something
is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary
to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires
are rotated, inspect brake linings for wear
and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper
sequence to torque specifications. See
Capacities and Specifications 0393.
Brake pads should be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be
a sign that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts with
new, approved replacement parts. If this is
not done, the brakes may not work
properly. The braking performance can
change in many ways if the wrong brake
parts are installed or if parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Pad Life System
When to Change Brake Pads
This vehicle has a system that estimates the
remaining life of the front and rear brake
pads. Brake pad life is displayed in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), along with
a percentage for each axle. The system must
be reset every time the brake pads are
changed.
When the system has determined that the
brake pads need to be replaced, a message
will display, which may include mileage
remaining.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/18/22
318 Vehicle Care
Brake pads should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
How to Reset the Brake Pad Life System
The system will automatically detect when
significantly worn brake pads are replaced.
When the ignition is turned on after new
pads and wear sensors are installed, a
message will display. Follow the prompts to
reset the system.
The brake pad life system can also be
manually reset:1. Display Brake Pad Life on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0128 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel
and Uplevel) 0130.
2. Select the Brake Pad Life menu.
3. Select front or rear pads as appropriate.
4. Select YES on the confirmation message. Repeat for pads on the other axle if they
were also replaced.
How to Disable the Brake Pad Life
System
The brake pad life system can be turned off.
This may be necessary if aftermarket brake
pads without wear sensors are installed. When the system is turned off, the front
and rear brake pad life percentages will not
display. However, the built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn can
still determine when the pads should be
replaced. See
Brakes0317.
To turn off the brake pad life system: 1. Display Brake Pad Life on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0128 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel
and Uplevel) 0130.
2. Select the Brake Pad Life menu.
3. Select DISABLE.
To turn the brake pad life system back on,
follow the above steps but select ENABLE in
Step 2.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir is filled
with GM approved DOT 4 brake fluid as
indicated on the reservoir cap. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0305 for the
location of the reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
With the vehicle in P (Park) on a level
surface, the brake fluid level should be
between the minimum and maximum marks
on the brake fluid reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake
fluid level in the reservoir may go down:
.Normal brake lining wear. When new
linings are installed, the fluid level goes
back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic system.
Have the brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap
and the area around the cap before
removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid. Adding fluid
does not correct a leak. If fluid is added
when the linings are worn, there will be too
much fluid when new brake linings are
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/18/22
Vehicle Care 353
If the vehicle tires must be replaced
with a tire that does not have a TPC
Spec number, make sure they are the
same size, load range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the original
tires.
The Tire and Loading Information label
indicates the original equipment tires
on the vehicle. SeeVehicle Load Limits
0 215.
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that are a
different size than the original equipment
wheels and tires, vehicle performance,
including its braking, ride and handling
characteristics, stability, and resistance to
rollover may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock brakes,
rollover airbags, traction control, electronic
stability control, or All-Wheel Drive, the
performance of these systems can also be
affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used, there
may not be an acceptable level of
performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are
selected. This increases the chance of a
crash and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems developed
for the vehicle, and have them properly
installed by a GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires 0352 and
Accessories and Modifications 0302.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the
system developed by the United States
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), which grades
tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies
only to vehicles sold in the United
States. The grades are molded on the
sidewalls of most passenger car tires.
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply to deep
tread, winter tires, compact spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General
Motors passenger cars and light trucks
may vary with respect to these grades,
they must also conform to federal
safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) standards.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to
Federal Safety Requirements In Addition
To These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1½)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/18/22
Vehicle Care 355
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel that
is needed.
Each new wheel should have the same
load-carrying capacity, diameter, width,
offset, and be mounted the same way as
the one it replaces.
Replace wheels, wheel bolts, wheel nuts,
or Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors with new GM original equipment
parts.
{Warning
Using the wrong replacement wheels,
wheel bolts, or wheel nuts can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of the vehicle. Tires can lose air
and cause loss of control, resulting in a
crash. Always use the correct wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for
replacement.
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used one is
dangerous. How it has been used or how
far it has been driven may be unknown.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
It could fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a new GM
original equipment wheel.
Caution
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer or odometer calibration,
headlamp aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
Tire Chains
{Warning
If the vehicle has LT275/65R20 size tires,
do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance. Tire chains used on a
vehicle without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to the
brakes, suspension, or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause loss of control and a crash.
Use another type of traction device only(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
if its manufacturer recommends it for the
vehicle's tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
instructions. To avoid vehicle damage,
drive slow and readjust or remove the
traction device if it is contacting the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels.
If traction devices are used, install them
on the rear tires.
Caution
Use tire chains only where legal and only
when necessary. Use chains that are the
proper size for the tires. If the vehicle has
LT235/80R17 size tires, install the chains
on the tires of the rear axle only. If the
vehicle has LT245/75R17, LT265/70R17,
or LT275/70R18 size tires, install the
chains on the tires of the front and rear
axle. Tighten them as tightly as possible
with the ends securely fastened. Drive
slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions. If the chains
contact the vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
384 Service and Maintenance
Service and Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection (MPVI)
Multi-Point VehicleInspection (MPVI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Special Application Services
Special Application Services . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and
Parts
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . 390
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
General Information
Your vehicle is an important investment.
This section describes the required
maintenance for the vehicle. Follow this
schedule to help protect against major repair
expenses resulting from neglect or
inadequate maintenance. It may also help to
maintain the value of the vehicle if it is
sold. It is the responsibility of the owner to
have all required maintenance performed.
Your dealer has trained technicians who can
perform required maintenance using genuine
replacement parts. They have up-to-date
tools and equipment for fast and accurate
diagnostics. Many dealers have extended
evening and Saturday hours, courtesy
transportation, and online scheduling to
assist with service needs.
Your dealer recognizes the importance of
providing competitively priced maintenance
and repair services. With trained technicians,
the dealer is the place for routine
maintenance such as oil changes and tire
rotations and additional maintenance items
like tires, brakes, batteries, and wiper blades.
Caution
Damage caused by improper maintenance
can lead to costly repairs and may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, recommended fluids, and
lubricants are important to keep the
vehicle in good working condition.
Do not have chemical flushes that are not
approved by GM performed on the
vehicle. The use of flushes, solvents,
cleaners, or lubricants that are not
approved by GM could damage the
vehicle, requiring expensive repairs that
are not covered by the vehicle warranty.
The Tire Rotation and Required Services are
the responsibility of the vehicle owner. It is
recommended to have your dealer perform
these services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to keep
the vehicle in good working condition,
improves fuel economy, and reduces vehicle
emissions.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
388 Service and Maintenance
Systems, Fluids, and Visible Leak
Inspection
.Engine oil
.Transmission
.Drive axle
.Transfer case
.Engine cooling system
.Power steering, if equipped
.Fuel system
.Windshield washer fluid
Tire Inspection
.Tire pressure, tread depth, and wear
.Rotation, if applicable
.Alignment check, optional
.Reset tire pressure monitor
.Check tire sealant expiration date,
if equipped
.Check spare tire, if equipped
Brakes
.Check brake system
Visible and Functional Inspections
.Seat belt components
.Exhaust system
.Accelerator pedal
.Passenger compartment air filter,
if equipped
.Engine air filter
.Hoses
.Belts
.Shocks and struts
.Steering components
.Axle boots or driveshaft and u-joints
.Compartment lift struts, if equipped
.Floor mats secured, no interference with
pedals
.Horn
.Ignition lock, if equipped
.Starter switch
.Evaporative control system
Lubricate
.Chassis components
Special Application Services
.Vehicles with Dual Wheels: Check dual
wheel nut torque at 160, 1 600, and
10 000 km (100, 1,000, and 6,000 mi) of
driving. Repeat this service whenever a
tire/wheel is serviced or removed.
.Severe Commercial Use Vehicles Only:
Lubricate chassis components every oil
change.
.Have underbody flushing service
performed. See “Underbody Maintenance”
in Exterior Care 0374.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
404 Customer Information
with that company. In such cases, you can
have control of the repair and parts choices
as long as the cost stays within reasonable
limits.
Publication Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service manuals have the diagnosis and
repair information on the engine/propulsion,
transmission, axle, suspension, brakes,
electrical system, steering system, body, etc.
Customer Literature
Owner’s manuals are written specifically for
owners and are intended to provide basic
operational information about the vehicle.
The owner’s manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
Customer literature publications available for
purchase include owner’s manuals, warranty
manuals, and portfolios. Portfolios include an
owner’s manual, warranty manual,
if applicable, and zip lock bag or pouch.
Current and Past Models
Service manuals and customer literature are
available for many current and past model
year GM vehicles.To order, call 1-800-551-4123 Monday–Friday,
8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Eastern Time
For credit card orders only (VISA,
MasterCard, or Discover), see Helm, Inc. at:
www.helminc.com.
To order by mail, write to:
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
Make checks payable in U.S. funds.
Radio Frequency Statement
This vehicle uses license-exempt
transmitters / receivers / systems that
operate on a radio frequency that complies
with Part 15/Part 18 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) rules and
with Innovation, Science and Economic
Development (ISED) Canada's license-exempt
RSS(s) / RSP-100 / ICES-GEN.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
1. The device may not cause harmful interference. 2. The device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to any of these
systems by other than an authorized service
facility could void authorization to use this
equipment.
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) in addition to notifying General
Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it
finds that a safety defect exists in a
group of vehicles, it may order a recall
and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual
problems between you, your dealer,
or General Motors.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
Index 417
Assistance Systems (cont'd)Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Audio Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Automatic Dimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Transmission Shift Lock ControlFunction Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Auxiliary
Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Roof Mounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Avoiding Untrusted Media Devices . . . . . . . .158
Axle Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
B
BatteryExterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . 147
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Battery (cont'd)
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . .319, 367
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Blind Spot Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Bluetooth Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176, 177
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Brake Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Automatic Emergency (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp(CHMSL) and Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 325
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps,
and Back-up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
C
Calibration Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 1, 367
Camera
Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Truck Bed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Cargo
Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51