trailer GMC SIERRA 1500 2006 Owners Manual

Passlock®
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock®
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
®is a passive theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is
turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the
ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes, wait until
the light stops ashing before trying to restart the engine.
Remember to release the key from START as soon as
the engine starts.
If the engine is running and the security light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the engine
off. However, your Passlock
®system is not working
properly and must be serviced by your dealer. Your
vehicle is not protected by Passlock
®at this time. You
may also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-123. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the GM Roadside Assistance
Center. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer on page 4-67for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
2-21

{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-53. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-67.
{CAUTION:
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to roll — even if your shift lever is in
PARK (P) — if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL. So, be sure the transfer case is
in a drive gear, two-wheel high (2H) or
four-wheel high (4H) or four-wheel
low (4L) — not in NEUTRAL. SeeShifting
Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on
page 2-53.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up. If your vehicle
has the Allison Transmission
®, the R on the shift display,
may blink if the shift inhibitor is active.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging your transmission, seeIf
Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-46.
2-27

NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running
at high speed when shifting your vehicle.DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts down to the next gear
and has more power.
DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills, or for off-road driving.
You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3) or,
if necessary, a lower gear selection if the transmission
shifts too often.
If your vehicle has the Allison Transmission
®, it will
shift into rst range when DRIVE (D) is selected. As
vehicle speed increases, the transmission will upshift
automatically through each available range up to
SIXTH (6). As the vehicle slows, the transmission will
downshift automatically.
2-28

SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-50for more
information.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Performance
Package-Enhanced Towing, activating the manual
selectable ride will adjust the shock absorber
characteristics to enhance the ride and handling of the
vehicle for towing or hauling heavy loads.
Also see Tow Haul Mode underTowing a Trailer on
page 4-67for more information.
Tow/Haul Mode
(Allison Transmission®)
If your vehicle has an Allison Transmission®,itmay
have a Tow/Haul mode. Tow/Haul mode adjusts the
transmission shift pattern to reduce shift cycling,
providing increased performance, vehicle control, and
transmission cooling when towing or hauling heavy loads.
The selector button is located on the end of the shift
lever. Turn the Turn Tow/Haul on and off by pressing
the button. When the Tow/Haul is on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on.
SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-50for more
information.
Also see “Tow Haul Mode” underTowing a Trailer on
page 4-67for more information.
2-32

Grade Braking and Cruise Grade
Braking (Allison Transmission®)
Grade Braking and Cruise Grade Braking assists when
driving on a downhill grade. It maintains the vehicle’s
speed by automatically implementing a shift schedule
that uses the engine and the transmission to slow the
vehicle. This reduces wear on the brakes system and
increases control of the vehicle. The system constantly
monitors the vehicle’s speed, acceleration, engine torque,
and brake pedal usage. It detects when the truck is on a
downhill grade and the driver’s desire to slow down by
pressing the brake.Cruise Grade Braking is available on the
6.6L DURAMAX
®diesel engine. Cruise Grade
Braking monitors a vehicle’s cruise state, engine torque,
acceleration, vehicle speed, and the cruise set speed.
Using this information, it detects when the truck is
accelerating on a downhill grade and will automatically
downshift to slow the vehicle if it exceeds the cruise set
speed by a certain amount.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-10for more information.
The Tow/Haul mode and Grade Braking shift modes can
be activated by pressing the button on the front of the
shift control stalk. If your vehicle has the DURAMAX
®
Diesel Engine or the 8.1L Vortec gasoline engine, Grade
Braking is only available while the Tow/Haul Mode is
selected. While in the Range Selection Mode, Grade
Braking is deactivated allowing the driver to select a
desired gear.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-26for
more information.
Also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-67for more
information.
2-33

Manual Transmission Operation
Five-Speed
(VORTEC™ 6.0L V8 Engine)
Here is how to operate
your transmission.
FIRST (1) is intended only for heavy loads or trailer
towing and is not recommended for normal driving.
During the rst 500 miles (805 km) of vehicle use, start
your vehicle moving in FIRST (1). This allows clutch
components to break-in properly.
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal. Shift into FIRST (1) only
when the vehicle is below 5 mph (8 km/h). If you try to
shift down into FIRST (1) at excessive vehicle speeds,
the shift lever will not move into FIRST (1) until vehicle
speed is reduced.SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into SECOND (2) when you are going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into SECOND (2), put the shift
lever into NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into SECOND (2).
If you try to downshift into SECOND (2) at excessive
vehicle speeds, the shift lever will not move into the
SECOND (2) position until the vehicle speed is reduced.
THIRD (3):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
THIRD (3). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.
FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5):Shift into the higher
forward gears the same way you do for THIRD (3).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
2-34

Six-Speed (VORTEC™ 8.1L V8 and
DURAMAX®™ 6.6L V8 Engines)
Here is how to operate
your transmission.
This six-speed pattern is unique to GM manual
transmissions. The transmission always repositions
the shift lever to NEUTRAL, which is located between
FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) gear.
To prevent unintentional gear selections, additional force
is required to move the shift lever into REVERSE (R) or
FIRST (1). Use FIRST (1) when trailer towing, driving
with payload in the pickup box or launching on a grade.
Otherwise, start in SECOND (2) gear. Only shift into
FIRST (1) when the vehicle has stopped moving.
During the rst 500 miles (805 km) of vehicle use,
start the vehicle moving in FIRST (1) gear. This allows
the clutch components to wear-in properly.FIRST (1):With the vehicle at a stop, release the brake,
press the clutch pedal and shift into FIRST (1). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal. Only downshift into FIRST (1) when
the vehicle has come to a complete stop. If the shift lever
will not go into FIRST (1), put the lever in NEUTRAL and
let up on the clutch pedal to fully engage the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal again. Then, shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2):With the vehicle at a stop, release the
brake, press the clutch pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal. With the vehicle moving, press the
clutch pedal and upshift into SECOND (2) from FIRST (1)
while applying light pressure to the right on the shifter.
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal. If you come to a complete stop and the
shift lever will not go into SECOND (2), put the lever in
NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch pedal to fully engage
the clutch. Press the clutch pedal again. Then, shift into
SECOND (2).
THIRD (3):Press the clutch pedal and upshift into
THIRD (3). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.
FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6):Upshift
into the higher forward gears the same way as you
do THIRD (3). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
2-36

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot.
A chime will activate and the warning light will ash when
the parking brake is applied and the vehicle is moving at
least 3 mph (5 km/h) for at least three seconds.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, with the parking brake
symbol, to release the parking brake.If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-67.
2-52

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. With four-wheel drive, if
your transfer case is in NEUTRAL, your vehicle
will be free to roll, even if your shift lever is in
PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear — not in NEUTRAL. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-67.1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position by
pulling the shift lever toward you and moving it up
as far as it will go.
3. If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, be sure
the transfer case is in a drive gear – not in
NEUTRAL (N).
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
2-53

Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the manual
transmission is in gear. Your or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be sure to set the
parking brake before placing the transfer case
in NEUTRAL. SeeParking Brake on page 2-52
for more information.
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R), and rmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the ignition
key to LOCK, press the key release button, remove the
key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-67.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
2-56