GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/7/22
318 Vehicle Care
area. Select Reset, then press the
thumbwheel or press the reset stem for
several seconds.
4. Press the thumbwheel or the reset stem to confirm the reset.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is on the
passenger side of the engine compartment.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0313.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
If the vehicle is not equipped with the
engine air filter life system, see
Maintenance Schedule 0394 for intervals on
inspecting and replacing the engine air
cleaner filter.
How to Inspect/Replace the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Do not start the engine or have the engine
running with the engine air cleaner/filter
housing open. Before removing the engine
air cleaner/filter, make sure that the engine
air cleaner/filter housing and nearby
components are free of dirt and debris. Do
not clean the engine air cleaner/filter or
components with water or compressed air. To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Locate the air cleaner/filter assembly.
See Engine Compartment Overview 0313.
2. Remove the eight screws on top of the cover of the housing, then lift the cover.
3. Remove the engine air cleaner/filter from the housing. Take care to dislodge as
little dirt as possible.
4. Clean the engine air cleaner/filter sealing surfaces and the housing.
{Warning
If part replacement is necessary, the part
must be replaced with one of the same
part number or with an equivalent part.
Use of a replacement part without the
same fit, form, and function may result
in personal injury or damage to the
vehicle.
5. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
6. Reverse Steps 2–4 to reinstall the filter cover housing.
7. If equipped, reset the engine air filter life system after replacing the engine air
filter. see Engine Air Filter Life System
0 317.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or others
to be burned. Use caution when working
on the engine. Do not start the engine or
drive the vehicle with the air cleaner/
filter off, as flames may be present if the
engine backfires.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/7/22
Vehicle Care 323
normal idle speed for at least five minutes
while the vehicle is parked. If the warning is
still there, turn off the engine and get
everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine
for five minutes while parked. If the warning
is still displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and
the ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED message
displays, an overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders helps to
prevent engine damage. In this mode, a loss
in power and engine performance will be
noticed. This operating mode allows the
vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency. Driving extended distances
and/or towing a trailer in the overheat
protection mode should be avoided.
If the engine or transmission detects an
impending hot fluid condition, then the
transmission may force upshifts to limit
temperatures. Downshifts may also be
prevented in this instance. Normal operationmay continue unless the display indicates
there is a hot condition and engine should
be idled.
Caution
After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, the engine oil
will be severely degraded. Any repairs
performed before the engine is cool may
cause engine damage. Allow the engine
to cool before attempting any repair.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change
the oil, and reset the oil life system. See
Engine Oil
0314.
Engine Fan
If the vehicle has the Duramax diesel
engine, see the Duramax diesel supplement.
The vehicle has a clutched engine cooling
fan. When the clutch is engaged, the fan
spins faster to provide more air to cool the
engine. In most everyday driving conditions,
the fan is spinning slower and the clutch is
not fully engaged. This improves fuel
economy and reduces fan noise. Under
heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing, and/or
high outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully engages, so an increase in fan noise may be heard.
This is normal and should not be mistaken
as the transmission slipping or making extra
shifts. It is merely the cooling system
functioning properly. The fan will slow down
when additional cooling is not required and
the clutch partially disengages.
This fan noise may be heard when starting
the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch
partially disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is in the
engine compartment on the driver side of
the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment
Overview 0313 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering fluid unless there is a leak
suspected in the system or an unusual noise
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
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Vehicle Care 325
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 0402.
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-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/7/22
326 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) 0131 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 133.
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
Brakes0325.
To turn off the brake pad life system: 1. Display Brake Pad Life on the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0131 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 133.
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 0313 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-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/7/22
Vehicle Care 333
Liftgate
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset and should
need no further adjustment.
If the vehicle is damaged in a crash, the
headlamp aim may be affected.
If adjustment to the headlamps is necessary,
see your dealer.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs,
or any bulb changing procedure not listed in
this section, contact your dealer.
Caution
Do not replace incandescent bulbs with
aftermarket LED replacement bulbs. This
can cause damage to the vehicle electrical
system.
Halogen Bulbs
{Warning
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside
and can burst if you drop or scratch the
bulb. You or others could be injured. Be
sure to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
LED Lighting
This vehicle has several LED lamps. For
replacement of any LED lighting assembly,
contact your dealer.
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps
Base Level Headlamp Assembly
1. Turn Signal Lamps
Headlamp Replacement
See your dealer for headlamp replacement.
Turn Signal Lamp Replacement
Base Level1. Open the hood.
2. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it from the headlamp assembly
and pull it straight out.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
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354 Vehicle Care
.There is a malfunction in the TPMS.
.There is a malfunction in the horn or turn
signal lamps.
.The TPMS sensor identification code is not
registered to the system.
.The TPMS sensor battery is low.
If the tire fill alert does not operate due to
TPMS interference, move the vehicle about
1 m (3 ft) back or forward and try again.
If the tire fill alert feature is not working,
use a tire pressure gauge.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Use this TPMS Sensor Matching Process if
your vehicle is equipped with dual rear
wheels:
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification code
needs to be matched to a new tire/wheel
position after rotating the vehicle’s tires or
replacing one or more of the TPMS sensors.
Also, the TPMS sensor matching process
should be performed after replacing a spare
tire with a road tire containing the TPMS
sensor. The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next ignition
cycle. The sensors are matched to the tire/
wheel positions, using a TPMS relearn tool,
in the following order: driver side front tire, passenger side front tire, passenger side
outer rear tire, passenger side inner rear
tire, driver side outer rear tire, and driver
side inner rear tire. See your dealer for
service or to purchase a relearn tool.
A TPMS relearn tool can also be purchased.
See Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor Activation
Tool at www.gmtoolsandequipment.com or
call 1-800-GM TOOLS (1-800-468-6657).
There are two minutes to match the first
tire/wheel position, and five minutes overall
to match all six tire/wheel positions. If it
takes longer, the matching process stops
and must be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matching process is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition on without starting the vehicle.
3. Uplevel DIC Only: Make sure the Tire Pressure info page option is turned on.
The info pages on the DIC can be turned
on and off through the Options menu.
See Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0131 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 133. 4. If the vehicle has an uplevel DIC, use the
DIC controls on the right side of the
steering wheel to scroll to the Tire
Pressure screen under the DIC info page.
If the vehicle has a base level DIC, use
the trip odometer reset stem to scroll to
the Tire Pressure screen.
5. If the vehicle has an uplevel DIC, press and hold the thumbwheel located in the
center of the DIC controls on the right
side of the steering wheel.
If the vehicle has a base level DIC, press
and hold the trip odometer reset stem
for about five seconds. A message asking
if the process should begin should
appear. Select yes and press the trip
odometer reset stem to confirm the
selection.
The horn sounds twice to signal the
receiver is in relearn mode and the TIRE
LEARNING ACTIVE message displays on
the DIC screen.
6. Start with the driver side front tire.
7. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve stem. Then press
the button to activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the sensor
identification code has been matched to
this tire and wheel position.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/7/22
358 Vehicle Care
Use this rotation pattern when rotating
the tires if the vehicle has dual rear
wheels (except polished forged
aluminum wheels).
Vehicles with polished forged aluminum
dual wheels have three unique wheels;
a front, a rear outer and a rear inner.
These wheels cannot be rotated to
another position, however, they can be
rotated from left to right to the same
position.Use this rotation pattern when rotating
the tires if the vehicle has polished
forged aluminum dual rear wheels. The
spare wheel can be used in any position
in the event of a flat tire, and can be
rotated with the rear inner wheels.
After the flat tire is repaired, if the
spare is not on one of the inner rear
positions, it must be replaced by the
correct wheel in the front or rear outer
positions.
When installing dual wheels, check that
the vent holes in the inner and outer
wheels on each side are lined up.Adjust the front and rear tires to the
recommended inflation pressure on the
Tire and Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated. See
Tire
Pressure 0350 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0210.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System.
See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 351.
Check that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque”
under Capacities and Specifications
0 402, and “Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire” underTire
Changing 0365.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
cause wheel nuts to become loose
over time. The wheel could come off
and cause a crash. When changing a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to
the vehicle. In an emergency, a cloth
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/7/22
382 Vehicle Care
{Warning
To avoid death, serious injury,
or property damage, before dinghy
towing the vehicle, always disconnect and
secure the negative battery cable and
cover the negative battery post and cable
with a non-conductive material. If the
battery is left connected or the battery
cable contacts the post, the Electric
Parking Brake may activate during
towing, which could cause a crash.
8. Disconnect the negative (–) battery cable. See “Negative Battery Cable
Disconnection” inBattery - North
America 0327.
9. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
Caution
If the steering column is locked, vehicle
damage may occur.
10. Move the steering wheel to make sure the steering column is unlocked.
11. Keep the remote key outside of the vehicle and manually lock the doors.
Access the vehicle by using the key in
the door lock. See Door Locks022. Disconnecting the Towed Vehicle
Before disconnecting from the tow vehicle:
1. Park on a level surface. Secure the vehicle with wheel blocks.
2. Reconnect the negative (–) battery. See Battery - North America 0327.
3. Turn on the vehicle. With your foot off the brake pedal, press and hold ENGINE
START/STOP for five seconds until the
green light comes on in the button. See
Ignition Positions 0216.
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0234.
5. Disconnect from the tow vehicle.
6. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
7. Shift the transfer case to 2
m(Two-Wheel
Drive High). When the shift to 2
m
(Two-Wheel Drive High) is complete, the
light in the instrument cluster will stop
flashing and stay lit. See
Four-Wheel-Drive Light 0125.
8. Start the engine. Check that the vehicle is in 2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) by
starting the engine and shifting the
transmission to D (Drive) and then to
R (Reverse). There should be movement
of the vehicle while shifting. 9. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and
turn off the vehicle.
10. Release the parking brake and remove the wheel blocks.
11. Reset any lost presets.
The outside temperature display will
default to 0 °C (32 °F) but will reset with
normal usage.
Dolly Towing