GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/13/22
Driving and Operating 231
Shifting Out of N (Neutral)
To shift out of N (Neutral):1. Turn the ignition on with the engine off. See Ignition Positions 0216.
2. Set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0234.
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
4. Shift the transfer case to 2
m. Transfer
case shifts out of N (Neutral) can only be
made into 2
m. When the shift to 2mis
complete, the indicator in the instrument
cluster will stop flashing. If the transfer
case cannot complete a shift, the
indicator will return to the previously
selected setting.
Part-time Transfer Case
Two-Speed Transfer Case
Work Truck Shown, All Other Models Similar
If equipped, the transfer case controls are
used to shift into and out of four-wheel
drive.
To shift the transfer case, press the desired
button. The indicator in the instrument
cluster will flash while a shift is in progress.
The indicator displayed will change to
indicate the setting requested. When the shift is complete the indicator will
stop flashing. The DIC message turns off
once the shift is complete. If the transfer
case cannot complete a shift request, it will
go back to its last chosen setting.
The settings are:
N (Neutral) :
Use only when the vehicle
needs to be towed. See Recreational Vehicle
Towing 0380 or
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle 0379.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) : Use for driving
on most streets and highways. The front
axle is not engaged. This setting provides
the best fuel economy.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High) : Use this
setting when extra traction is needed, such
as when driving on snowy or icy roads,
when off-roading, or when plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low) : This setting
engages the front axle and delivers extra
torque. Choose 4
nwhen driving off-road in
deep sand, deep mud, or deep snow, and
while climbing or descending steep hills.
While driving in 4
n, keep vehicle speed
below 60 km/h (36 mph).
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/7/22
Vehicle Care 365
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and
wheel damage by driving slowly to a level
place, well off the road, if possible. Turn on
the hazard warning flashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers 0146.
If your vehicle is loaded at or near
maximum cargo capacity, it may be difficult
to fit the jack under the vehicle due to the
environment (shoulder slope, road debris,
etc.). Removal of some weight may improve
the ability to fit the jack under the vehicle
at the correct jacking location.
{Warning
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over
or fall causing injury or death. Find a
level place to change the tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Shift the vehicle to P (Park).
3. For vehicles with four-wheel drive with an N (Neutral) transfer case
position, be sure the transfer case is
in a drive gear —not in N (Neutral).
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
4. Turn off the engine and do notrestart while the vehicle is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
6. Place wheel blocks, if equipped, on both sides of the tire at the opposite
corner of the tire being changed.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2), use the
following example as a guide to assist in the
placement of the wheel blocks (1),
if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains how to
use the jack and change a tire.
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
1. Jack
2. Jack Knob
3. Tool Kit
4. Wing Nut Retaining Tool Kit
5. Wheel Blocks
6. Wing Nut Retaining Wheel Blocks
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/7/22
Vehicle Care 377
Caution (Continued)
by the vehicle warranty. Always connect
and remove the jumper cables in the
correct order, making sure that the cables
do not touch each other or other metal.
Connection Points and Sequence
1. Discharged Battery Positive (+)Terminal
2. Good Battery Positive (+) Terminal
3. Good Battery Negative (−) Terminal
4. Discharged Battery Negative Grounding (−) Terminal
The good battery positive (+) terminal and
the good battery negative (–) terminal are
on the battery of the vehicle providing the
jump start.
The discharged battery positive (+) terminal
and the discharged battery negative (–)
grounding point are on the passenger side
of the vehicle.
The discharged battery positive (+) terminal
is under a cover. Open the cover to expose
the terminal.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative ground
system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have a
12-volt system with a negative ground,
both vehicles can be damaged. Only use
a vehicle that has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
2. If you have a vehicle with a diesel engine with two batteries, you should
know before you begin that, especially in
cold weather, you may not be able to
get enough power from a single battery
in another vehicle to start your diesel
engine. If your vehicle has more than one battery, using the battery that is
closer to the starter will reduce electrical
resistance. This is located on the
passenger side, in the rear of the engine
compartment.
3. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the
vehicles are not touching each other.
If they are, it could cause an unwanted
ground connection. You would not be
able to start your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the electrical
systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles
rolling, set the parking brake firmly on
both vehicles involved in the jump start
procedure. Put the automatic
transmission in P (Park) before setting
the parking brake. If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the
transfer case is in a drive gear, not in
N (Neutral).
Caution
If any accessories are left on or plugged
in during the jump starting procedure,
they could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/7/22
Vehicle Care 381
Dinghy Towing (Two-Wheel Drive)
Caution
If a two-wheel-drive vehicle is towed with
the rear wheels on the ground, the
transmission could be damaged. The
repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never tow the vehicle
with the rear wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be
towed with all four wheels on the ground.
Dinghy Towing (Four-Wheel Drive)
Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive vehicles
with a two-speed transfer case that have an
N (Neutral) and a 4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low)
setting.
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's
transfer case into N (Neutral) can allow
the vehicle to move even if the
transmission is in P (Park). You or others
could be injured. Set the parking brake
and use wheel blocks before shifting the
transfer case to N (Neutral). To dinghy tow:
1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle, facing forward and on a
level surface.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
3. Apply the parking brake and start the engine.
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into N (Neutral)” under
Four-Wheel Drive 0228.
5. With the engine running, release the parking brake and verify that the
transfer case is in N (Neutral) by shifting
the transmission to D (Drive) and then to
R (Reverse). There should be no
movement while shifting the
transmission.
6. Shift the transmission to D (Drive).
7. Turn the vehicle off. Disregard the Shift to P (Park) DIC message. See Ignition
Positions 0216.
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