headlamp GMC SIERRA 2003 User Guide

Page 135 of 408

Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
P
:This feature controls the brightness of the
instrument panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature is located next to the
exterior lamp control.
Turn the thumbwheel up to adjust the instrument panel
lights and return the radio display to full brightness
when the headlamps or parking lamps are on. To turn
on the dome lamps, with the vehicle doors closed,
turn the thumbwheel all the way up.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition. The lamps will not
come on if the dome override button is pressed in.
Entry Lighting
Your vehicle is equipped with an illuminated entry
feature.
When a door is opened, the dome lamps and puddle
lamps will come on if the dome override button is in the
out position. If the dome override button is pressed
in, the lamps will not come on.
Front Reading Lamps
Your vehicle has front reading lamps located in the
overhead console. Press the round button located next
to the lamp to turn the lamp on. The lamps can be
adjusted to point in the direction you want them to go.
Press the button again to turn the lamp off.
3-15
2003 - Sierra Denali

Page 139 of 408

The passenger’s temperature setting can be set to
match the driver’s temperature setting by pressing and
holding the AUTO button for four seconds. Both the
driver and passenger arrows will be displayed.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When automatic operation is
active the system will control the inside temperature, the
air delivery, and the fan speed.
Use the steps below to place the entire system in
automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected, the display will change to
show the current driver’s set temperature, delivery
mode and fan speed. Press the AUTO button again
withinfive seconds to display the passenger’s set
temperature.
If the driver and passenger’s temperature settings
are not the same, the opposite side temperature
setting will be displayed for an additionalfive
seconds. To make the passenger’s temperature the
same as the driver’s press and hold the AUTO
button for about four seconds.
When auto is selected, the air conditioning operation
and air inlet will be automatically controlled. The
air conditioning compressor will run when the
outside temperature is over about 40°F(4°C).The air inlet will normally be set to outside air. If it’s
hot outside, the air inlet may automatically switch
to recirculate inside air to help quickly cool
down your vehicle. The light on the button will
illuminate in recirculation.
2. Set the driver’s and passenger’s temperature.
Tofind your comfort setting, start with a 74°F (23°C)
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes
for the system to regulate. Turn the driver’sor
passenger’s side temperature knob to adjust the
temperature setting as necessary. If you choose the
temperature setting of 60°F (15°C) the system
will remain at the maximum cooling setting. If you
choose the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C)
the system will remain at the maximum heat setting.
Choosing either maximum setting will not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool any faster.
Be careful not to cover the sensor located on the
top of the instrument panel near the windshield. This
sensor regulates air temperature based on sun
load, and also turns on your headlamps.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the
system will delay turning on the fan until warm air is
available. The length of delay depends on the
engine coolant temperature. Pressing the fan switch
will override this delay and change the fan to a
selected speed.
3-19
2003 - Sierra Denali

Page 166 of 408

Personalization Button
You can program certain features to a preferred setting
for up to two people. Press the personalization button
to scroll through the following personalization features.
All of the personalization options may not be available
on your vehicle. only the options available will be
displayed on your DIC.
If your vehicle is not equipped with the DIC steering
wheel buttons you will not have any of these
personalization options except for DISPLAY
LANGUAGE. See DISPLAY LANGUAGE later in this
section for more information.
•AUTOMATIC LOCKING
•AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING
•REMOTE LOCK FEEDBACK
•ALARM WARNING TYPE
•REMOTE UNLOCK FEEDBACK
•HEADLAMPS ON AT EXIT
•PERIMETER LIGHTING
•SEAT POSITION RECALL
•EASY EXIT DRIVER SEAT
•CURB VIEW ASSIST
•DISPLAY LANGUAGE
•DISPLAY UNITS (ENG/MET)The default options for the above features were set
when your vehicle left the factory. The default options
are noted in the text following, but may have been
changed from their default state since then. The driver’s
preferences are recalled by pressing the unlock
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter or by
pressing the appropriate memory button 1 or 2 located
on the driver’s door.
Alarm Warning Type
Press the personalization button until ALARM
WARNING TYPE appears in the display. To select your
personalization for alarm warning type, press the
select button while ALARM WARNING TYPE is
displayed on the DIC. Pressing the select button will
scroll through the following choices:
ALARM WARNING: BOTH (default):The headlamps
willflash and the horn will chirp when the alarm is
active.
ALARM WARNING: OFF:There will be no alarm
warning on activation.
ALARM WARNING: HORN:The horn will chirp when
the alarm is active.
ALARM WARNING: LAMPS:The headlamps willflash
when the alarm is active.
3-46
2003 - Sierra Denali

Page 168 of 408

SEAT POSITION RECALL OFF (default):The memory
seat position you saved will only be recalled when the
memory button 1 or 2 is pressed on the driver’s
door panel.
SEAT POSITION RECALL AT KEY IN:The memory
seat position you saved will be recalled when you
put the key in the ignition.
SEAT POSITION RECALL ON REMOTE:The memory
seat position you saved will be recalled when you
unlock the vehicle with the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
Choose one of the three options and press the
personalization button while it is displayed on the DIC to
select it and move on to the next feature. For more
information on seat position recall seeMemory Seat on
page 2-41.
Perimeter Lighting
Press the personalization button until PERIMETER
LIGHTING appears in the display. To select your
personalization for perimeter lighting, press the select
button while PERIMETER LIGHTING is displayed on the
DIC. Pressing the select button will scroll through the
following choices:
PERIMETER LIGHTING ON (default):The headlamps
and back-up lamps will come on for 40 seconds, if it
is dark enough outside, when you unlock the vehicle
with the remote keyless entry transmitter.PERIMETER LIGHTING OFF:The perimeter lights will
not come on when you unlock the vehicle with the
remote keyless entry transmitter.
Choose on of the two options and press the
personalization button while it is displayed on the DIC to
select it and move on to the next feature.
Remote Lock Feedback
Press the personalization button until REMOTE LOCK
FEEDBACK appears in the display. To select your
personalization for the feedback you will receive when
locking the vehicle with the remote keyless entry
transmitter, press the select button while REMOTE
LOCK FEEDBACK is displayed on the DIC. Pressing
the select button will scroll through the following choices:
LOCK FEEDBACK: BOTH (default):The parking
lamps willflash each time you press the button with the
lock symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter
and the horn will chirp the second time you press the
lock button.
LOCK FEEDBACK: OFF:There will be no feedback
when locking the vehicle.
LOCK FEEDBACK: HORN:The horn will chirp the
second time you press the button with the lock symbol
on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
3-48
2003 - Sierra Denali

Page 169 of 408

LOCK FEEDBACK: LAMPS:The parking lamps will
flash each time you press the button with the lock
symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Choose one of the four options and press the
personalization button while it is displayed on the DIC to
select it and move on to the next feature.
Remote Unlock Feedback
Press the personalization button until REMOTE
UNLOCK FEEDBACK appears in the display. To select
your personalization for the feedback you will receive
when unlocking the vehicle with the remote keyless
entry transmitter, press the select button while REMOTE
UNLOCK FEEDBACK is displayed on the DIC.
Pressing the select button will scroll through the
following choices:
UNLOCK FEEDBACK: LAMPS:The parking lamps will
flash each time you press the button with the unlock
symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
UNLOCK FEEDBACK: BOTH (default):The parking
lamps willflash each time you press the button with the
unlock symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter
and the horn will chirp the second time you press
the unlock button.
UNLOCK FEEDBACK: OFF:There will be no feedback
when unlocking the vehicle.UNLOCK FEEDBACK: HORN:The horn will chirp the
second time you press the button with the unlock
symbol on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
Choose one of the four options and press the
personalization button while it is displayed on the DIC to
select it and move on to the next feature.
Headlamps on at Exit
Press the personalization button until HEADLAMPS ON
AT EXIT appears in the display. To select your
personalization for how long the headlamps will stay on
when you turn off the vehicle, press the select button
while HEADLAMPS ON AT EXIT is displayed on
the DIC. Pressing the select button will scroll through
the following choices:
•HEADLAMPS DELAY: 10 SEC (default)
•HEADLAMPS DELAY: 20 SEC
•HEADLAMPS DELAY: 40 SEC
•HEADLAMPS DELAY: 60 SEC
•HEADLAMPS DELAY: 120 SEC
•HEADLAMPS DELAY: 180 SEC
•HEADLAMPS DELAY OFF
The amount of time you choose will be the amount of
time that the headlamps stay on after you turn off
the vehicle. If you choose off, the headlamps will turn
off as soon as you turn off the vehicle.
3-49
2003 - Sierra Denali

Page 222 of 408

Driving Uphill
Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you
need to take some special steps.
Use a low gear and get arm grip on the steering
wheel.
Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain
your speed. Don’t use more power than you
need, because you don’t want your wheels to start
spinning or sliding.
Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible.
If the path twists and turns, you might want to
nd another route.
{CAUTION:
Turning or driving across steep hills can be
dangerous. You could lose traction, slide
sideways, and possibly roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. When driving up
hills, always try to go straight up.
Ease up on your speed as you approach the top of
the hill.
Attach aag to the vehicle to make you more
visible to approaching traffic on trails or hills.
Sound the horn as you approach the top of the hill
to let opposing traffic know you’re there.
Use your headlamps even during the day. They
make you more visible to oncoming traffic.
{CAUTION:
Driving to the top (crest) of a hill at full speed
can cause an accident. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even another
vehicle. You could be seriously injured or
killed. As you near the top of a hill, slow down
and stay alert.
Q:What should I do if my vehicle stalls, or is
about to stall, and I can’t make it up the hill?
A:If this happens, there are some things you should
do and there are some things you must not do.
First, here’s what youshoulddo:
Push the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and keep
if from rolling backwards. Also, apply the parking
brake.
4-24
2003 - Sierra Denali

Page 229 of 408

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 re-adjust 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 alm caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle andash 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.
4-31
2003 - Sierra Denali

Page 232 of 408

Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle.
If you can’t avoid deep puddles or standing
water, drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. If you try to drive throughowing
water, as you might at a low water crossing,
your vehicle can be carried away. As little as
six inches ofowing water can carry away a
smaller vehicle. If this happens, you and other
vehicle occupants could drown. Don’t ignore
police warning signs, and otherwise be very
cautious about trying to drive through
owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Turn on your low-beam headlamps–not just your
parking lamps–to help make you more visible to
others.
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-56.
4-34
2003 - Sierra Denali

Page 241 of 408

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You can’t see it or
smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
4-43
2003 - Sierra Denali

Page 261 of 408

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-20
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26
Cooling System............................................5-29Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-34
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-34
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-35
Brakes........................................................5-36
Battery........................................................5-39
Jump Starting...............................................5-40
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-45
Rear Axle.......................................................5-46
Front Axle......................................................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-48
Headlamps..................................................5-48
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Daytime Running Lamps.............................5-49
Roof Marker Lamps......................................5-51
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp.......................................5-52
Pickup Box Identification and Fender
Marker Lamps...........................................5-54
Taillamps.....................................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
..............5-56
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
2003 - Sierra Denali

Page:   < prev 1-10 11-20 21-30 next >