GMC SIERRA 1500 2009 Owners Manual

Service............................................................5-4
Accessories and Modications..........................5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-5
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-5
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-6
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-7
Gasoline Specications....................................5-7
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-8
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-9
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................5-11
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-13
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-14
Hood Release..............................................5-14
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-16
Engine Oil...................................................5-17
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-22Automatic Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission)..............................5-24
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission)..............................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Coolant.............................................5-32
Engine Overheating.......................................5-36
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-38
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-39
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-39
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-40
Brakes........................................................5-41
Battery........................................................5-45
Jump Starting...............................................5-46
Rear Axle.......................................................5-51
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-53
Front Axle......................................................5-56
Noise Control System.....................................5-57
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-57
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-58
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Bulb Replacement..........................................5-61
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-61
Headlamps..................................................5-61
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp.......................................5-62
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps...........................................5-63
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-63
License Plate Lamp......................................5-65
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-66
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-66
Tires..............................................................5-67
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-68
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-73
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-76
High-Speed Operation...................................5-77
Dual Tire Operation.......................................5-78
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-79
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-80
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-84
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-86
Buying New Tires.........................................5-86
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-88
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-89Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-90
Wheel Replacement......................................5-90
Tire Chains..................................................5-92
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-93
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-94
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-95
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..............................................5-100
Secondary Latch System..............................5-107
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...........5-110
Spare Tire.................................................5-114
Appearance Care
..........................................5-115
Interior Cleaning.........................................5-115
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-116
Leather......................................................5-117
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-117
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-118
Weatherstrips.............................................5-118
Washing Your Vehicle..................................5-118
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-119
Finish Care................................................5-119
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................5-120
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim................................................5-120
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Tires.........................................................5-121
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-121
Finish Damage...........................................5-121
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-122
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-122
Vehicle Identication.....................................5-122
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-122
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-123Electrical System..........................................5-123
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-123
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-123
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-123
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-124
Instrument Panel Fuse Block........................5-124
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block..............5-126
Underhood Fuse Block................................5-127
Capacities and Specications........................5-131
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-3

Service
For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer.
You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modications
When non-dealer/non-retailer accessories are added
to the vehicle, they can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as airbags, braking, stability,
ride and handling, emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems like antilock brakes,
traction control, and stability control. Some of these
accessories could even cause malfunction or damage
not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components resulting from the
installation or use of non-GM certied parts, including
control module modications, are not covered under the
terms of the vehicle warranty and may affect remaining
warranty coverage for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on the vehicle. Your GM
dealer/retailer can accessorize the vehicle using genuine
GM Accessories. When you go to your GM dealer/
retailer and ask for GM Accessories, you will know
that GM-trained and supported service technicians
will perform the work using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-90.
5-4

California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or
emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Engine exhaust, many parts and systems (including
some inside the vehicle), many uids, and some
component wear by-products contain and/or emit
these chemicals.
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive applications, such as
airbag initiators, seat belt pretensioners, and lithium
batteries contained in remote keyless transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials. Special handling
may be necessary. For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Doing Your Own Service Work
If this vehicle is a Two-mode Hybrid, see the Two-mode
Hybrid manual for more information.
{CAUTION:
You can be injured and the vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts,
and tools before attempting any vehicle
maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts, and
other fasteners. English and metric fasteners
can be easily confused. If the wrong fasteners
are used, parts can later break or fall off.
You could be hurt.
If doing some of your own service work, use the
proper service manual. It tells you much more about
how to service the vehicle than this manual can. To order
the proper service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-16.
5-5

This vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting
to do your own service work, seeServicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-89.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list the
mileage and the date of any service work performed.
SeeMaintenance Record on page 6-19.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle
Things added to the outside of the vehicle can affect the
airow around it. This can cause wind noise and can
affect fuel economy and windshield washer performance.
Check with your dealer/retailer before adding equipment
to the outside of the vehicle.
Fuel
For diesel engine vehicles, see “Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System” in the DURAMAX®
Diesel manual.
For vehicles with gasoline engines, please read this.
Gasoline
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of
the proper maintenance of this vehicle. To help keep the
engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance,
we recommend the use of gasoline advertised as
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies the
vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identification
Number (VIN) on page 5-122.
If the vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 0),
the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 3), or the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code 2), you can use either unleaded gasoline
or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
SeeFuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 5-9. In all other
gasoline engines, use only unleaded gasoline.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 5-7.
5-6

Gasoline Octane
For all vehicles except those with the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code 2), use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating
is less than 87, you might notice an audible knocking
noise when you drive, commonly referred to as spark
knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher as soon as possible. If you are using gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy
knocking, the engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code 2),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle’s
acceleration could be slightly reduced, and you might
notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you might
notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. Otherwise, you could damage the
engine. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-8
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specications, but
emission control system performance might be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-45. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined
that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
5-7

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS
is the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. 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.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance
of the emission control system could be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
5-8

Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies the
vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identification
Number (VIN) on page 5-122.
If the vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (Code 0), the
5.3L V8 engine (Code 3), or the 6.2L V8 engine (Code 2),
you can use either unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). SeeFuel on
page 5-6. In all other engines, use only the unleaded
gasoline described underGasoline Octane on page 5-7.
Only vehicles that have the 5.3L V8 engine (Code 0),
the 5.3L V8 engine (Code 3), or the 6.2L V8 engine
(Code 2) can use 85% ethanol fuel (E85). We encourage
the use of E85 in vehicles that are designed to use it.
The ethanol in E85 is a “renewable” fuel, meaning it
is made from renewable sources such as corn and
other crops.Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol fuel
(E85) pump available. The U. S. Department of Energy
has an alternative fuels website (www.eere.energy.gov/
afdc/infrastructure/locator.html) that can help you nd
E85 fuel. Those stations that do have E85 should have
a label indicating ethanol content. Do not use the fuel if
the ethanol content is greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM Specication
D 5798. By denition, this means that fuel labeled E85
will have an ethanol content between 70% and 85%.
Filling the fuel tank with fuel mixtures that do not meet
ASTM specications can affect driveability and could
cause the malfunction indicator lamp to come on.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according to
ASTM specication D 5798. If you have trouble starting
on E85, it could be because the E85 fuel is not properly
formulated for your climate. If this happens, switching to
gasoline or adding gasoline to the fuel tank can improve
starting. For good starting and heater efficiency below
32°F (0°C), the fuel mix in the fuel tank should contain
no more than 70% ethanol.
5-9

It is best not to alternate repeatedly between gasoline
and E85. If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that
you add as much fuel as possible — do not add less than
three gallons (11 L) when refueling. You should drive
the vehicle immediately after refueling for at least
seven miles (11 km) to allow the vehicle to adapt to
the change in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you
will need to rell the fuel tank more often when using E85
than when you are using gasoline. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 5-11.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle’s fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused
by additives would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. 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.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be
hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other
fuel not recommended in the previous text on fuel.
Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in
the country where you will be driving.
5-10