GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/13/22
198 Driving and Operating
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . 199
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . . 214
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 220
Vehicle Shutdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . 222Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 223
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera) . . . . . . 241
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems . . . 252
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Surround Vision System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 263
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . 270
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Filling the Tank (Pickup Models) . . . . . . . 273
Filling the Tank (Chassis Cab and Box Delete Models) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 276
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/13/22
272 Driving and Operating
Recommended Fuel
For diesel engine vehicles, see“Fuel for
Diesel Engines” in the Duramax diesel
supplement.
If the vehicle has a yellow sticker on the
fuel door, E85 or FlexFuel can be used. If the
vehicle does not have a yellow sticker, do
not use gasoline with ethanol levels greater
than 15% by volume. See E85 or FlexFuel
0 272.
Regular unleaded gasoline meeting ASTM
specification D4814 with a posted octane
rating (R+M)/2 of 87 or greater is
recommended. Do not use gasoline with a
posted octane rating of less than 87, as this
will result in reduced performance and
driveability. If heavy knocking is heard when
using gasoline rated at 87 or greater, the
engine needs service.
Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so may
damage the vehicle and void its
warranty:
.For vehicles that are not FlexFuel, fuel
labeled greater than 15% ethanol by
volume, such as mid-level ethanol
blends (16–50% ethanol), E85,
or FlexFuel.
.Fuel with any amount of methanol,
methylal, ferrocene, and aniline. These
fuels can corrode metal fuel system
parts or damage plastic and rubber
parts.
.Fuel containing metals such as
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT), which can damage
the emissions control system and
spark plugs.
.Fuel with a posted octane rating of
less than the recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel economy and
performance, and may decrease the
life of the emissions catalyst.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post fuel
octane ratings in anti-knock index (AKI). For
fuel not to use in a foreign country, see
Prohibited Fuels 0272.
Fuel Additives
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is highly
recommended for use with your vehicle.
If your country does not have TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline, add ACDelco Fuel
System Treatment Plus−Gasoline to the
vehicle’s gasoline fuel tank at every oil
change or 15 000 km (9,000 mi), whichever
occurs first. TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline and
ACDelco Fuel System Treatment Plus
−Gasoline will help keep your vehicle’s
engine fuel deposit free and performing
optimally.
E85 or FlexFuel
Vehicles with a yellow fuel sticker on the
fuel door can use either unleaded gasoline
or fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
All other vehicles should use only the
unleaded gasoline as described in
Recommended Fuel 0272.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/13/22
Driving and Operating 273
The use of E85 or FlexFuel is encouraged
when the vehicle is designed to use it. E85
or FlexFuel is made from renewable sources.
To help locate fuel stations that carry E85 or
FlexFuel, the U.S. Department of Energy has
an alternative fuel website. See
www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/stations.
E85 or FlexFuel should meet ASTM
Specification D 5798 or CAN/CGSB–3.512 in
Canada. Do not use the fuel if the ethanol
content is greater than 85%. Fuel mixtures
that do not meet ASTM or CGSB
specifications can affect driveability and
could cause the malfunction indicator lamp
to come on.
The starting characteristics of E85 or FlexFuel
make it unsuitable for use when
temperatures fall below−18 °C (0 °F). Use
gasoline or add gasoline to the E85 or
FlexFuel.
Because E85 or FlexFuel has less energy per
liter (gallon) than gasoline, the vehicle will
need to be refilled more often. See Filling
the Tank (Chassis Cab and Box Delete
Models) 0275 or
Filling the Tank (Pickup Models) 0273. The only GM approved aftermarket additive
is ACDelco Fuel System Treatment
Plus-FlexFuel. Follow the instructions on the
bottle for proper use. This product is
available at your GM dealer.
Caution
Some additives are not compatible with
E85 or FlexFuel and can harm the
vehicle's fuel system. Use only additives
approved by GM for E85 or FlexFuel
vehicles. Damage caused by unapproved
additives would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Caution
Do not use fuel containing methanol.
It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and
rubber parts. That damage would not be
covered under the vehicle warranty.
To help keep the engine running efficiently,
fill the tank with gasoline, up to E15, after
filling the tank with E85 one or two times.
Filling the Tank (Pickup Models)
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
An arrow on the fuel gauge indicates which
side of the vehicle the fuel door is on. See
Fuel Gauge 0116.
{Warning
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn violently
and can cause injury or death.
Follow these guidelines to help avoid
injuries to you and others:
.Read and follow all the instructions on
the fuel pump island.
.Turn off the engine when refueling.
.Keep sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from fuel.
.Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
.Avoid using electronic devices while
refueling.
.Do not re-enter the vehicle while
pumping fuel.
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500 HD/3500 HD Owner Manual (GMNA-
Localizing-U.S./Canada-16908340) - 2024 - CRC - 12/7/22
Index 429
Engine (cont'd)Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .415
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Extended Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Exterior Cargo Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
F
Fan
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Filter Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365
Floor Console
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391 Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Fog Lamp Light Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228, 329
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Economy, Driving for Better . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 276
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273, 275
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Fuel (cont'd)
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 337
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . 341, 342
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Transmission Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 111
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276