warning light GMC SIERRA 1500 2006 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-11
Child Restraints
.......................................1-31
Airbag System
.........................................1-70
Restraint System Check
............................1-87
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-19
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-59
OnStar
®System
......................................2-73
Universal Home
Remote System
....................................2-75
Storage Areas
.........................................2-79
Sunroof
..................................................2-82
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-82
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-31
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-52
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-70Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-62
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-4
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under
the Hood
.............................................5-12
Rear Axle
...............................................5-58
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-59
Front Axle
...............................................5-60
Noise Control System
...............................5-62
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-63
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-71
Tires
......................................................5-72
Appearance Care
...................................5-113
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-122
Electrical System
....................................5-123
Capacities and Specications
...................5-133
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-13
Index................................................................ 1
2006 GMC Sierra Owner ManualM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this manual you will nd these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice tells about something that can damage the
vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered
by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But
the notice will tell what to do to help avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
There are also warning labels on the vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols
instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specic component, control, message, gage, or indicator.
If you need help guring out a specic name of a
component, gage, or indicator, reference the following
topics:
Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
Features and Controls in Section 2
Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
Climate Controls in Section 3
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3
Audio System(s) in Section 3
Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may be equipped with a content
theft-deterrent alarm system.
The security light is located
on the instrument panel
cluster. SeeSecurity Light
on page 3-49for additional
information.To activate the theft-deterrent system, do the following:
1. Close all the doors.
2. Lock the door with the remote keyless entry
transmitter. The security light should come on
and ash.
If the lock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter is pressed, but a door is open, you may hear
three chimes indicating delayed locking is enabled. See
Delayed Locking on page 2-10for additional information.
Close the door and the content theft-deterrent system will
be activated.
If a locked door is opened without using the remote
keyless entry transmitter or OnStar, if equipped with
an active subscription, the alarm will go off. Your vehicle’s
lamps will ash and the horn will sound
for about two minutes, then will turn off to save the
battery power. If this occurs, you can turn off the alarm
by pressing unlock on the remote keyless entry
transmitter or by placing the key in the ignition and
turning it to START.
If your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC),
you can customize your alarm warning. SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-64for additional information.
2-19

Cold Weather Operation
(Allison Transmission®)
On cold days, approximately 32°F (0°C) or colder, your
automatic transmission is designed to shift differently.
The transmission uses a warm-up mode shift schedule
until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
While the transmission is in warm-up mode it is normal for
transmission upshifts to be delayed or held longer. This
feature improves heater performance by giving quicker
vehicle warm-ups.
When temperatures are below−13°F (−25°C), the
transmission will prevent certain operations to protect
against damage. When active the DIC will display
the message “Trans in Warm-up”.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-55for
more information.
Tow/Haul Mode
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, it may
have a Tow/Haul mode. If your vehicle has an
Allison Transmission
®see “Tow/Haul Mode (Allison
Transmission®) following. 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.
2-31

When the vehicle detects a loss of traction, the system
will automatically engage four-wheel drive. Driving in
this mode results in slightly lower fuel economy than
Two-Wheel High.
2
m(Two-Wheel High):This setting is used for driving
in most street and highway situations. Your front axle is
not engaged in two-wheel drive. This setting also
provides the best fuel economy.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL
can cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You 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.
N (NEUTRAL):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
N (NEUTRAL) only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-62orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-62for more information.4
m(Four-Wheel High):Use this setting when you
need extra traction, such a on snowy or icy roads or in
most off-road situations. This setting also engages your
front axle to help drive your vehicle. This is the best
setting to use when plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel Low):This setting also engages
your front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never
need Four-Wheel Low. It sends maximum power to all
four wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel Low if you
are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep snow,
and while climbing or descending steep hills. When
operating in Four-Wheel Low, the gear ratio provides
additional torque when compared to four-wheel high.
The transmission gear shift feel will be exaggerated.
Indicator lights in the switches show which setting your
transfer case is in. The indicator lights will come on briey
when you turn on the ignition and one will stay on. If the
lights do not come on, you should take your vehicle to
your dealer for service. An indicator light will ash while
the transfer case is being shifted. It will stay on when the
shift is complete. If for some reason the transfer case
cannot make a requested shift, it will return to the last
chosen setting.
If the SERVICE 4WD message stays on, you should take
your vehicle to your dealer for service. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-55for further information.
2-43

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

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-14
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-17
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp.........................3-18
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-18
Dome Lamps...............................................3-18
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-19
Entry Lighting...............................................3-19
Exit Lighting.................................................3-19
Front Reading Lamps....................................3-19
Cargo Lamp.................................................3-19
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-20
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-20Climate Controls............................................3-21
Climate Control System.................................3-21
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-22
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-25
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-30
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-31
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-32
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-33
Trip Odometer..............................................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-34
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-35
Airbag Off Light............................................3-35
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-37
Battery Warning Light....................................3-40
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-40
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transmission)...............3-41
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-41
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...............3-42
Traction Off Light..........................................3-43
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-43
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-44
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-46
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-48
Security Light...............................................3-49
Cruise Control Light......................................3-49
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Highbeam On Light.......................................3-49
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-50
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-50
Cargo Lamp Light.........................................3-50
Fuel Gage...................................................3-51
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-51
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-52
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-53
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-55
DIC Vehicle Customization.............................3-64
Audio System(s).............................................3-70
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)........................3-71
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS)........................3-71
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-72Radio with CD..............................................3-75
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-85
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-100
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-115
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-127
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-129
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-129
Radio Reception.........................................3-130
Care of the Cassette Tape Player.................3-131
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-132
Care of the CD and DVD Player...................3-132
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-132
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-133
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-133
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to your
warning lights and gages could also save you or others
from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some warning
lights come on briey when you start the engine just to
let you know they are working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when there
is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly – and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with warning lights and gages. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-55.
3-31

Tachometer
Your tachometer displays the engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm). See “Grade Braking
(Allison Transmission
®)” underTow/Haul Mode on
page 2-31for more information.
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the solid red area, your vehicle could
be damaged. The damages would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not operate the engine in the solid
red area.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will be
provided for several seconds to remind people to buckle
their safety belts. The driver safety belt light will also be
provided and stay on for several seconds, then it will ash
for several more. You should buckle your seat belt.
This chime and light will
be repeated if the driver
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-55for
more information on driver and passenger safety
belt reminders.
If the driver’s belt is buckled, neither the chime nor the
light will come on.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-81for more
information.
3-34