GMC SIERRA 2006 Owner's Manual

Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your
odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven,
in either miles (used in the United States) or kilometers
(used in Canada).
Engine Hour Meter Display
The Driver Information Center (DIC) can also display
the number of hours the engine has run. To display the
hour meter, turn the ignition off, press and hold the
reset button for at least four seconds. The hour meter
will be displayed for up to 30 seconds, or until the
ignition is turned on. SeeDIC Operation and Displays
on page 3-53for more information.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has
been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero.
Press the reset button, located on the instrument panel
cluster next to the trip odometer display, to toggle
between the trip odometer and the regular odometer.
Holding the reset button for approximately one second
while the trip odometer is displayed will reset it.
To display the odometer reading with the ignition off,
press the reset button.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays on page 3-53for more
information.
3-33

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

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel
cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the airbag sensors, the airbag
modules, the passenger sensing system (if equipped),
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 1-70.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash
for a few seconds. This
means the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your airbag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
Airbag Off Light
If your vehicle has an airbag off switch, it also has an
airbag off light. SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-78for
more on this, including important safety information.
United StatesCanada
3-35

When you turn the right front passenger’s airbag off, this
light will come on and stay on to remind you that the
airbag has been turned off. This light will go off when you
turn the airbag on.
{CAUTION:
If the right front passenger’s airbag is turned off
for a person who is not in a risk group identied
by the national government, that person will
not have the extra protection of an airbag. In a
crash, the airbag will not be able to inate and
help protect the person sitting there. Do not turn
off the passenger’s airbag unless the person
sitting there is in a risk group. SeeAirbag Off
Switch on page 1-78for more on this, including
important safety information.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on
when you have turned off the airbag, it means
that something may be wrong with the airbag
system. The right front passenger’s airbag
could inate even though the switch is off.
If your vehicle is a regular cab pickup and this
ever happens, do not let anyone whom the
national government has identied as a member
of a passenger airbag risk group sit in the right
front passenger’s position (for example, do not
secure a rear-facing child restraint in your
vehicle) until you have your vehicle serviced.
If your vehicle is an extended cab pickup and
this ever happens, do not let anyone whom the
national government has identied as a member
of the passenger airbag risk group sit in the
right front passenger’s position (for example,
do not secure a rear-facing child restraint in the
right front passenger’s seat) until you have your
vehicle serviced.
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Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
If your vehicle has the passenger sensing system, your
rearview mirror will have a passenger airbag status
indicator.
When the ignition key is turned to RUN or START, the
passenger airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF,
or the symbol for on and off, for several seconds as a
system check.Then, after several more seconds, the status indicator will
light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol to let
you know the status of the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag.
Your vehicle may have a label on your sun visor that
says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.”
This is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so
great, if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal
airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child
restraint, no system is failsafe, and no one can
guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under
some unusual circumstance, even though it is
turned off. We recommend that rear-facing
child restraints be secured in the rear seat,
even if the airbag is off.
Never put a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the right
front passenger seat the unless passenger airbag status
indicator shows off. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – Canada
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Never put a rear facing child restraint in the right front
passenger seat unless the airbag is off. Here is why:
{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal
airbag if the system detects a rear-facing child
restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one can
guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under
some unusual circumstance, even though it is
turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child
restraints be transported in vehicles with a rear
seat that will accommodate a rear-facing child
restraint, whenever possible.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag is enabled (may inate).
{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have a
rear-facing child restraint installed in the right
front passenger’s seat, it means that the
passenger sensing system has not turned off
the passenger’s frontal airbag. A child in a
rear-facing child restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front passenger’s
airbag inates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close
to the inating airbag. Do not use a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger’s seat
if the airbag is turned on.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the passenger
sensing system has turned off the right front passenger’s
airbag. SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-81or
Airbag Off Switch on page 1-78for more on this,
including important safety information.
3-38

{CAUTION:
If the right front passenger’s airbag is turned
off for a person who is not in a risk group
identied by the national government, that
person will not have the extra protection of an
airbag. In a crash, the airbag will not be able
to inate and help protect the person sitting
there. Do not turn off the passenger’s airbag
unless the person sitting there is in a risk
group. SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-78
for more on this, including important safety
information.
If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights remain
on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a problem
with the lights or the passenger sensing system. See your
dealer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on together, it means
that something may be wrong with the airbag
system. If this ever happens, have the vehicle
serviced promptly, because an adult-size
person sitting in the right front passenger seat
may not have the protection of the airbag. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-35.
3-39

Battery Warning Light
If this light is displayed
when the engine is running,
you may have a problem
with your charging system.
The battery display will also stay on while the key is in
RUN until the engine is started.
If the light stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or some
other charging system problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving with this light displayed could drain your
battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories,
such as the radio and the air conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage
When your engine is not
running, but the ignition is
in RUN, this gage shows
your battery’s state of
charge in DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The gage may
transition from a higher to lower or a lower to higher
reading, this is normal. Readings between the low and
high warning zones indicate the normal operating range.
The voltmeter gage may also read lower when in fuel
economy mode. This is normal.
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Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number of electrical accessories are operating
in the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full power at
engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system to create maximum power.
You can only drive for a short time with the reading
in either warning zone. If you must drive, turn off
all unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system. Have the vehicle
serviced as soon as possible.
Up-Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)
This light is used on
some models with
manual transmissions.
The shift indicator light will show you when to shift to
the next highest gear, and will help you get the best fuel
economy.
Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition on, the brake system warning light will
ash when you set the parking brake. The light will ash if
the parking brake doesn’t release fully. If you try to drive
with the parking brake engaged, a chime will sound when
the vehicle speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on and a chime sounds there
could be a brake problem. Have your brake system
inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
United StatesCanada
3-41

If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push or may go closer to the oor. It may take
longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-62.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you
have pulled off the road and stopped carefully,
have the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay on
for several seconds.
That’s normal. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. You will also hear a chime
sound when the light is on steady. If the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but
you don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on you don’t have anti-lock
brakes and there’s a problem with your regular brakes. In
addition to both lights, you will also hear a chime sound
on the rst occurrence of a problem and each time the
vehicle is shut off and then restarted. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-41.
3-42