cruise control GMC SIERRA 2006 Owner's Manual

Range Selection Mode
(Allison Transmission®)
If your truck has an Allison Transmission®your vehicle
is equipped with a Range Selection System.
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever to the MANUAL MODE (M).
When in the MANUAL MODE, the transmission’s
current gear range will be the highest attainable
range with all the lower gears available.
2. Press the plus/minus buttons to upshift or downshift
selecting the desired range of gears for your current
driving conditions.The Range Selection Mode allows you to control the
vehicle’s engine and vehicle speed while driving
down hill by allowing you to select a desired gear.
The DIC shows the six available ranges with the
highest attainable range shown in brackets. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-52and
DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-53for more
information.
While using the Range Selection mode feature, cruise
control and the Tow/Haul mode can be used.
Low Traction Mode
(Allison Transmission®)
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX®diesel engine and the
Allison Transmission®, it is equipped with a Low Traction
Mode that assists in vehicle acceleration when road
conditions are slippery, such as ice or snow. While at a
stop, selecting the second gear range using the Range
Selection system, will allow the Allison Transmission
®
to limit torque to the wheels after it detects wheel slip,
preventing the tires from spinning.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
2-30

Grade Braking and Cruise Grade
Braking (Allison Transmission®)
Grade Braking and Cruise Grade Braking assists when
driving on a downhill grade. It maintains the vehicle’s
speed by automatically implementing a shift schedule
that uses the engine and the transmission to slow the
vehicle. This reduces wear on the brakes system and
increases control of the vehicle. The system constantly
monitors the vehicle’s speed, acceleration, engine torque,
and brake pedal usage. It detects when the truck is on a
downhill grade and the driver’s desire to slow down by
pressing the brake.Cruise Grade Braking is available on the
6.6L DURAMAX
®diesel engine. Cruise Grade
Braking monitors a vehicle’s cruise state, engine torque,
acceleration, vehicle speed, and the cruise set speed.
Using this information, it detects when the truck is
accelerating on a downhill grade and will automatically
downshift to slow the vehicle if it exceeds the cruise set
speed by a certain amount.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-10for more information.
The Tow/Haul mode and Grade Braking shift modes can
be activated by pressing the button on the front of the
shift control stalk. If your vehicle has the DURAMAX
®
Diesel Engine or the 8.1L Vortec gasoline engine, Grade
Braking is only available while the Tow/Haul Mode is
selected. While in the Range Selection Mode, Grade
Braking is deactivated allowing the driver to select a
desired gear.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-26for
more information.
Also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-67for more
information.
2-33

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

To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Then move the steering wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane Change Signals. SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-7.
53Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 3-9.
NWindshield Wipers. SeeWindshield Wipers on
page 3-9.
LWindshield Washer. SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-10.
ICruise Control. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-10.
For information on the headlamps, seeHeadlamps on
page 3-14.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is nished, the lever will return
automatically.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever until
the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you complete
your lane change. The lever will return by itself when you
release it.
3-7

Windshield Washer
LQ(Washer Fluid):There is a paddle marked
with the windshield washer symbol at the top of the
multifunction lever. To spray washer uid on the
windshield, push the paddle. The wipers will clear the
window and then either stop or return to your preset
speed.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
Cruise Control
9(Off):This position
turns the system off.
If your vehicle is equipped with an Allison
®automatic
transmission, see “Grade Braking and Cruise Grade
Braking (Allison Transmission
®) underTow/Haul Mode
on page 2-31for an explanation of how cruise control
interacts with the tap up/down gear selection, tow/haul
and grade braking systems.
R(On):This position activates the system.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):Push the lever to this symbol
to make the vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously
set speed.
T(Set):Press this button to set the speed.
3-10

With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will shut off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press in the set button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The cruise symbol on
the instrument panel will
illuminate when the cruise
control is engaged.
3-11

Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake. This, of course,
disengages the cruise control. But you don’t need to
reset it.
Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch briey from on
to resume/accelerate.
You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay
there.
If you hold the switch at resume/accelerate the vehicle
will keep going faster until you release the switch or apply
the brake. So unless you want to go faster, don’t hold the
switch at resume/accelerate.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Press the set button at the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal. You’ll
now cruise at the higher speed. If the accelerator
pedal is held longer than 60 seconds, cruise control
will turn off.
Move the cruise switch from on to resume/
accelerate. Hold it there until you get up to the speed
you want, and then release the switch. To increase
your speed in very small amounts, move the switch
briey to resume/accelerate. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
3-12

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
Press in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, briey press
the set button. Each time you do this, you’ll go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may want to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers nd this to
be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal,
move the cruise control switch to off, or
shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
If the accelerator pedal is held for 60 seconds or
longer, cruise control will turn off.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-13

{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for changing engine oil.
Security Light
This light ashes when the
vehicle security system is
activated.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on
whenever you set
your cruise control.
The light will go out when the cruise control is turned off.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-10for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light will come on
when the high-beam
headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8.
3-49

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you will not have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel the
brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise, but this
is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock brakes, you can steer and brake at the
same time. In many emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best braking.
Traction Assist System (TAS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Assist System (TAS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
The traction control system is enabled every time your
vehicle is started. The system will activate if it senses
that any of the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction.
You may hear or feel the system working or notice
a lack of accelerator response, but this is normal.
The Traction Assist System may operate on dry roads
under some conditions. When this happens, you may
notice a reduction in acceleration. This is normal
and doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your vehicle.
Examples of these conditions include a hard acceleration
in a turn, an abrupt upshift or downshift of the
transmission or driving on rough roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TAS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.
4-8