mirror GMC SIERRA 2002 Owner's Manual

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-7 Keyless Entry System
2
-10 Rear Doors
2
-11 Tailgate
2
-12 Theft
2
-13 Content Theft-Deterrent
2
-15 Passlock

2-15 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-16 Ignition Positions
2
-17 Starting Your Engine
2
-18 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-19 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-23 Parking Brake
2
-24 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-26 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-27 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-27 Engine Exhaust
2
-28 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-29 Locking Rear Axle
2
-29 All-Wheel Drive
2
-29 QUADRASTEER (4WS)
2
-33 Tilt Wheel
2
-33 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-38 Exterior Lamps
2
-43 Interior Lamps
2
-45 Mirrors
2
-54 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-57 HomeLink
Transmitter
2
-60 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-62 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-64 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-77 Message Center
2
-82 Secondary Information Center (SIC)

2-45
Mirrors
Electrochromic Inside Rearview Mirror
with Compass, Temperature Display and
OnStar Controls
When on, an electrochromic mirror automatically dims
to the proper level to minimize glare from lights behind
you after dark.
The mirror also includes a dual display in the upper
right corner of the mirror face. The compass reading and
the outside temperature will both appear in the display at
the same time.Temperature and Compass Display
Press the on/off button, located to the far left, briefly to
turn the comp/temp display on or off.
If the display reads CAL, you will need to calibrate
the compass. For more information on calibration,
see below.
To switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius
do the following:
1. Press and hold the on/off button for four seconds
until either a flashing
F, or
C appears.
2. Press the button again to change the display to the
desired unit of measurement. After approximately
four seconds of inactivity, the new unit will be
locked in and the compass/temperature display
will return.

2-46
Electrochromic Mirror Operation
The electrochromic (self
-dimming) mirror function is
turned on automatically each time the engine is started.
To operate the electrochromic mirror do the following:
1. Make sure the green indicator light, located to the
left of the on/off button, is lit. If it's not, press and
hold the on/off button for six seconds until the
green light comes on, indicating that the mirror
is in electrochromic (self dimming) mode.
2. Turn off the electrochromic mirror function by
pressing and holding the on/off button for six
seconds until the green indicator light turns off.
Compass Variance
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory.
It will be necessary to adjust the compass to compensate
for compass variance if you live outside of zone eight.
Under certain circumstances, as during a long distance
cross
-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for
compass variance. Compass variance is the difference
between earth's magnetic north and true geographic
north. If not adjusted to account for compass variance,
your compass could give false readings.To adjust for compass variance do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone number
on the following zone map.
2. Press and hold the on/off button for nine seconds or
until a Z and a zone number appears in the display.
The compass is now in zone mode.

2-47
3. Keep pressing the on/off button until the desired
zone number appears in the display. Release the
button. After about four seconds of inactivity,
the new zone number will be locked in and the
comp/temp display will return.
4. Calibrate the compass as described below.
Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration if one of the
following occurs:

After five seconds, the display does not show a
compass heading (N for North, for example), there
may be a strong magnetic field interfering with the
compass. Such interference may be caused by a
magnetic antenna mount, magnetic note pad holder
or a similar magnetic item.

The compass does not display the correct heading
and the compass zone variance is set correctly.In order to calibrate, CAL must be displayed in the
mirror compass windows. If CAL is not displayed,
push the on/off button for approximately 12 seconds
or until CAL is displayed.
The compass can be calibrated in one of two ways:

Drive the vehicle in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less
until the display reads a direction, or

drive the vehicle on your everyday routine and after
several turns the compass will become calibrated and
will display a direction.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.

2-48 Power Outside Rearview Mirrors
The controls are located on the driver's door armrest.
Move the upper selector switch to the left or right to
choose the mirror you want to adjust; then use the
arrows located on the four
-way control pad to adjust
the mirror.
The mirrors include ground illumination lamps (puddle
lamps) in the base of the mirror. For more information
on these lamps, see ªPuddle Lampsº in the Index.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex mirror's
surface is curved so you can see more from the driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other vehicles)
look farther away than they really are. If you cut too
sharply into the right lane, you could hit a vehicle on
your right. Check your inside mirror or glance over
your shoulder before changing lanes.
Heated Outside Rearview Mirrors
The outside rearview mirrors have a defrost mode.
To turn on the defrost feature, press the rear window
defogger button. See ªRear Window Defoggerº in the
Index for further information.
Driver's Outside Auto-Dimming
Rearview Mirror
The driver's outside mirror will adjust for the glare of any
headlamps behind you. This feature is controlled by the
on and off settings on the electrochromic mirror. See
ªElectrochromic Mirror Operationº earlier in this section.

2-52
Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
The ashtray is located in the center console. Press the
raised area on the access door to use the ashtray.
To remove the ashtray first locate the indent on the right
side of the ashtray. Then, place an instrument, such as a
pen, in the indent and pry the ashtray out.
NOTICE:
If you store paper or other things that burn
in your ashtrays, they could be set on fire by
cigarettes or other smoking materials. That could
cause a fire and possibly damage your vehicle.
Do not store papers and other things that burn in
your ashtrays.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in all the way, and
let go. When it's ready, it will pop back out by itself.
NOTICE:
Holding a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it's heating can make it overload, damaging
the lighter and the heating element. Just push the
lighter all the way in and let go. When it's done,
it will pop back out by itself.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the top and
bottom visors. You can also swing the bottom visor
from side
-to-side. The visors also have an extension
that can be pulled out for additional glare protection.
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors
Pull the sun visor down and lift the mirror cover to
turn on the lamps. There is a slide switch to adjust
the intensity of the lamps.

3-6 Rear Window Defogger
The lines running across the rear window are the rear
window defogger. The lines warm the glass.
To turn on the rear window
defogger, press this button
next to the fan knob.
The rear window defogger will only work if the ignition
is in RUN. For best results, clear the window of as much
snow or ice as possible.The defogger will shut itself off after several minutes.
If you need additional warming time, press the button
again. You can turn the defogger off at any time by
pressing the button.
The rear window defogger button will also activate the
heated outside mirrors.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals
across the defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.

4-13

Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that if
your right outside mirror is convex, the vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)

Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two
-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.

Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.

If you're being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
ªoverdrivingº those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.

4-14
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle Off Paved Roads
Many of the same design features that help make your
vehicle responsive on paved roads during poor weather
conditions
-- features like the locking rear axle and
all
-wheel drive -- help make it much better suited for
off
-road use than a conventional passenger car. Its higher
ground clearance also helps your vehicle step over some
off
-road obstacles. But your vehicle doesn't have features
like special underbody shielding and a transfer case low
gear range, things that are usually thought necessary for
extended or severe off
-road service. This guide is for
operating your vehicle off paved roads.
Also, see ªAnti
-Lock Brakesº in the Index.
Off
-road driving can be great fun. But it does have some
definite hazards. The greatest of these is the terrain itself.
ªOff
-roadingº means you've left the great North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes aren't
marked. Curves aren't banked. There are no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill.
In short, you've gone right back to nature.
Off
-road driving involves some new skills. And that's
why it's very important that you read this guide. You'll
find many driving tips and suggestions. These will help
make your off
-road driving safer and more enjoyable.

4-29
Here are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively.

Don't drink and drive.

Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.

Since you can't see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.

Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.

In remote areas, watch for animals.

If you're tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as
we get older these differences increase. A 50
-year-old
driver may require at least twice as much light to see the
same thing at night as a 20
-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will
have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you're
driving, don't wear sunglasses at night. They may cut
down on glare from headlamps, but they also make a lot
of things invisible.You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you
are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who
doesn't lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring
directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean
-- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your
eyes moving; that way, it's easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night
blindness
-- the inability to see in dim light -- and
aren't even aware of it.