GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
74 Seats and Restraints
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the vehicle is
turned off and the battery is
disconnected, an airbag can still inflate
during improper service. You can be
injured if you are close to an airbag
when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the airbag
system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to
do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the vehicle's
frame, bumper system, height, front end,
or side sheet metal, may keep the airbag
system from working properly.
The operation of the airbag system can also
be affected by changing, including
improperly repairing or replacing, any parts
of the following:
.Airbag system, including airbag modules,
front or side impact sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, or airbag wiring
.Front seats, including stitching, seams,
or zippers
.Seat belts
.Steering wheel, instrument panel,
overhead console, ceiling trim, or pillar
garnish trim
.Inner door seals, including speakers
Your dealer and the service manual have
information about the location of the airbag
modules and sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module, and airbag wiring along with the
proper replacement procedures.
In addition, the vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front outboard
passenger position, which includes sensors
that are part of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not operate
properly if the original seat trim is replaced
with non-GM covers, upholstery, or trim; or
with GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any object,
such as an aftermarket seat heater or a
comfort-enhancing pad or device, installed
under or on top of the seat fabric, could
also interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This could either
prevent proper deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger sensing system from properly turning off the
passenger airbag(s). See
Passenger Sensing
System 070.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags,
see Different Size Tires and Wheels 0353 for
additional important information.
If a snow plow is added to the vehicle, the
airbags should still work properly. The
airbag systems were designed to work
properly under a wide range of conditions,
including snow plowing with vehicles that
have the optional snow plow prep package
(RPO VYU). Do not change or defeat the
snow plow's “tripping mechanism.” If you
do, it can damage the snow plow and the
vehicle, and may cause an airbag
deployment.
If the vehicle must be modified because you
have a disability and have questions about
whether the modifications will affect the
vehicle's airbag system, or if you have
questions about whether the airbag system
will be affected if the vehicle is modified for
any other reason, call Customer Assistance.
See Customer Assistance Offices 0398.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/9/22
204 Driving and Operating
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . 268
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Trailering App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab . . . . . 300
Driving 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.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments have
enacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
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Driving and Operating 215
If equipped, there are recovery hooks at the
front of the vehicle. Use them if the vehicle
is stuck off-road and needs to be pulled
some place to continue driving.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how much
weight the vehicle can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity
weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on the vehicle may show how much
weight it was designed to carry: the
Tire and Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any heavier
than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the maximum
front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change the
way the vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a crash.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Overloading can also reduce stopping
performance, damage the tires, and
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Tire and Loading
Information label is attached to the
center pillar (B-pillar). The Tire and
Loading Information label shows the
number of occupant seating positions (1), and the maximum vehicle
capacity weight (2) in kilograms and
pounds.
The Tire and Loading Information label
also shows the size of the original
equipment tires (3) and the
recommended cold tire inflation
pressures (4). For more information on
tires and inflation see
Tires0337 and
Tire Pressure 0342.
There is also important loading
information on the vehicle Certification/
Tire label. It may show the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
the front and rear axles. See
“Certification/Tire Label” later in this
section.“Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit–
1.
Locate the statement "The combined
weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
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Driving and Operating 217
Example 3
1. Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 3= 453 kg (1,000 lb)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 91 kg (200 lb) × 5 = 453 kg (1,000 lb)
3. Available Cargo Weight = 0 kg (0 lb)
Refer to the Tire and Loading
Information label for specific
information about the vehicle's capacity
weight and seating positions. The
combined weight of the driver,
passengers, and cargo should never
exceed the vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification/Tire Label
A vehicle-specific Certification/Tire label
is attached to the center pillar (B-pillar).
The label may show the size of the
vehicle's original tires and the inflation
pressures needed to obtain the gross
weight capacity of the vehicle. This is
called Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, and
cargo.
The Certification/Tire label also may
show the maximum weights for the
front and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To determine the actual loads on the front and rear
axles, weigh the vehicle at a weigh
station. Your dealer can help with this.
Be sure to spread the load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
The Certification/Tire label also contains
important information about the Front
Axle Reserve Capacity.
{Warning
In the case of a sudden stop or
collision, things carried in the bed of
your truck could shift forward and
come into the passenger area,
injuring you and others. If you put
things in the bed of your truck, you
should make sure they are properly
secured.
Caution
Overloading the vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not overload the
vehicle.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/18/22
Vehicle Care 301
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 302
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . 303
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 305
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 309
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . . . . . . . 309
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Brake Pad Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control Function Check (Mechanical
Shifter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 325
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 329 Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . 333
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . 334
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . 340
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 343
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . 344
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . 351
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . 353
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 353
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 354
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 367
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
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338 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
.Do not spin the tires in excess of
56 km/h (35 mph) on slippery
surfaces such as snow, mud, ice,
etc. Excessive spinning may cause
the tires to explode.
All-Season Tires
This vehicle may come with all-season tires.
These tires are designed to provide good
overall performance on most road surfaces
and weather conditions. Original equipment
tires designed to GM's specific tire
performance criteria have a TPC specification
code molded onto the sidewall. Original
equipment all-season tires can be identified
by the last two characters of this TPC code,
which will be“MS.”
Consider installing winter tires on the
vehicle if frequent driving on snow or
ice-covered roads is expected. All-season tires
provide adequate performance for most
winter driving conditions, but they may not
offer the same level of traction or
performance as winter tires on snow or
ice-covered roads. See Winter Tires0338.
Winter Tires
This vehicle was not originally equipped
with winter tires. Winter tires are designed
for increased traction on snow and
ice-covered roads. Consider installing winter
tires on the vehicle if frequent driving on ice
or snow covered roads is expected. See your
dealer for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection. Also,
see Buying New Tires 0352.
With winter tires, there may be decreased
dry road traction, increased road noise, and
shorter tread life. After changing to winter
tires, be alert for changes in vehicle
handling and braking.
If using winter tires:
.Use tires of the same brand and tread
type on all four wheel positions.
.Use only radial ply tires of the same size,
load range, and speed rating as the
original equipment tires.
Winter tires with the same speed rating as
the original equipment tires may not be
available for H, V, W, Y, and ZR speed rated
tires. If winter tires with a lower speed
rating are chosen, never exceed the tire's
maximum speed capability.
All-Terrain Tires
This vehicle may have all-terrain or
mud-terrain tires. These tires provide good
performance on most road surfaces, weather
conditions, and for off-road driving. See
Off-Road Driving 0208.
The tread pattern on these tires may wear
more unevenly than other tires. Consider
rotating the tires more frequently than at
12 000 km (7,500 mi) intervals if irregular
wear is noted when the tires are inspected.
See Tire Inspection 0348.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is
molded into its sidewall. The example
shows a typical light truck tire sidewall.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/18/22
Vehicle Care 339
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
(1) Tire Size:The tire size code is a
combination of letters and numbers
used to define a particular tire's width,
height, aspect ratio, construction type,
and service description. See the “Tire
Size” illustration later in this section for
more detail.
(2) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specification)
:Original equipment tires
designed to GM's specific tire
performance criteria have a TPC
specification code molded onto the
sidewall. GM's TPC specifications meet
or exceed all federal safety guidelines. (3) Dual Tire Maximum Load
:
Maximum load that can be carried and
the maximum pressure needed to
support that load when used in a dual
configuration. For information on
recommended tire pressure see
Tire
Pressure 0342 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0215.
(4) DOT (Department of
Transportation)
:The Department of
Transportation (DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards.
DOT Tire Date of Manufacture
:The last
four digits of the TIN indicate the tire
manufactured date. The first two digits
represent the week and the last two
digits, the year. For example, the third
week of the year 2020 would have a
4-digit DOT date of 0320. Week 01 is
the first full week (Sunday through
Saturday) of each year.
(5) Tire Identification Number (TIN)
:
The letters and numbers following the
DOT code are the Tire Identification Number (TIN). The TIN shows the
manufacturer and plant code, tire size,
and date the tire was manufactured.
The TIN is molded onto both sides of
the tire, although only one side may
have the date of manufacture.
(6) Tire Ply Material
:The type of cord
and number of plies in the sidewall and
under the tread.
(7) Single Tire Maximum Load
:
Maximum load that can be carried and
the maximum pressure needed to
support that load when used as a
single. For information on
recommended tire pressure see Tire
Pressure 0342 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0215.
Tire Designations
Tire Size
The examples show a typical light truck
tire size.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16504257) - 2023 - CRC - 5/18/22
340 Vehicle Care
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
(1) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:The
United States version of a metric tire
sizing system. The letters LT as the first
two characters in the tire size mean a
light truck tire engineered to standards
set by the U.S. Tire and Rim
Association.
(2) Tire Width
:The 3-digit number
indicates the tire section width in
millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(3) Aspect Ratio
:A 2-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width
measurements. For example, if the tire
size aspect ratio is 75, as shown in
item (3) of the light truck (LT-Metric)
tire illustration, it would mean that the
tire's sidewall is 75 percent as high as it
is wide. (4) Construction Code
:A letter code is
used to indicate the type of ply
construction in the tire. The letter R
means radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction.
(5) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of the
wheel in inches.
(6) Load Range
:Load Range.
(7) Service Description
:The service
description indicates the load index and
speed rating of a tire. If two numbers
are given as in the example, 120/116,
then this represents the load index for
single versus dual wheel usage (single/
dual). The speed rating is the maximum
speed a tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside
the tire pressing outward on each
square inch of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal) or psi
(pounds per square inch).
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship of a
tire's height to its width. Belt
:A rubber coated layer of cords
that is located between the plies and
the tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains steel
wires wrapped by steel cords that hold
the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire in which
the plies are laid at alternate angles
less than 90 degrees to the centerline
of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The amount of air
pressure in a tire, measured in kPa
(kilopascal) or psi (pounds per square
inch) before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure0342.
DOT Markings
:A code molded into the
sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire
is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The
DOT code includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also identify the
tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand, and date of production.