engine oil GMC SIERRA 2006 Owner's Manual

Engine Coolant Heater
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures
above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not
required. Your vehicle may also have an internal
thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This will prevent
operation of the engine coolant heater when the
temperature is at or above 0°F (−18 C°) as noted on
the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord is located on the driver’s side of the engine
compartment, near the power steering uid reservoir.
If you have a diesel engine, refer to diesel
supplement for location.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously injured.
Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord
will not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in?
The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
2-25

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

If your vehicle has an Allison transmission, and the uid
reaches temperatures of approximately 275°F (135°C)
or greater, the driver information center will display a
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE warning message and a
chime will sound until the temperature falls below
265°F (129°C). Pull the vehicle off the roadway when
it is safe to do so. Set the parking brake, place the
transmission in PARK (P) and allow the engine to
idle until the transmission temperature falls below
265°F (129°C). If the transmission continues to operate
above 265°F (130°C), contact your nearest dealer or
the GM Roadside Assistance Center. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle with the
transmission temperature gage above normal
operating range, you can damage the transmission.
This could lead to costly repairs that would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle
while the transmission temperature gage reading is
above normal. See your dealer for service.The following situations can cause the transmission to
operate at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Vehicle overloading
Hauling a large or heavy load
Low transmission uid level
High transmission uid level
Restricted air ow to the radiator and the auxiliary
transmission oil cooler (if equipped).
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures
on a frequent basis, seeScheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4for the proper
transmission maintenance intervals.
3-45

Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection
could prevent you from getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would
be considered not ready for inspection. This can happen
if you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This may take several days of routine
driving. If you have done this and your vehicle still does
not pass the inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, your GM dealer can prepare the vehicle for
inspection.
Oil Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil pressure in
psi (pounds per square inch) when the engine is running.
Canadian vehicles indicate pressure in kPa (kilopascals).
Oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings above the
low pressure zone indicate the normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a
dangerously low oil level or some other problem causing
low oil pressure. Check your oil as soon as possible.
See “OIL PRESSURE LOW” underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-55andEngine Oil (Gasoline
Engine) on page 5-20. United States
Canada
3-48

{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

Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) display is located on
the instrument panel cluster, below the speedometer. If
your vehicle has DIC buttons, they are located on the
steering wheel. The DIC can display information such as
the trip odometer, fuel economy, customization features,
and warning/status messages.
If your vehicle does not have DIC steering wheel buttons,
you will not have all of the features listed. Scroll through
the odometer, trip odometer, engine hours, and selected
range if your vehicle has an Allison Transmission
®by
pressing the trip odometer reset stem located on the
instrument panel cluster. Turn off, or acknowledge, DIC
messages by pressing the trip odometer reset stem. See
Speedometer and Odometer on page 3-33for information
on features for vehicles without DIC buttons.
If your vehicle has an Allison Transmission
®and the shift
lever is in the MANUAL MODE (M) position, the DIC will
display the current gear range. The DIC will also display
the gear range as it is shifted up or down. For example,
if the gear range is currently set to 6, the DIC will display
(6)54321.When the gear range is shifted down one
time, the DIC will display 6 (5)4321.SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-26for more
information.
3(Trip Information):Press this button to display
the odometer, trip odometers, timer, engine hours,
and selected range if your vehicle has an Allison
Transmission
®.
t(Fuel Information):Press this button to display the
current range, fuel used, average fuel economy, and
engine oil life.
4(Customization):Press this button to access the
vehicle settings menu and customize the personal
settings on your vehicle.
r(Select):Press this button to reset certain DIC
functions and set your customization settings.
Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge
DIC messages and clear them from the DIC display.
3-52

Engine Hours:Press the trip information button until
ENGINE HOURS appears on the display. This mode
shows the total number of hours the engine has run.
Pressing and holding the reset stem located on the
instrument cluster for about four seconds will also
display the engine hour information after the odometer
is displayed when the vehicle is off.
Selected Range:If your vehicle has an Allison
Transmission
®and the vehicle is in the MANUAL
MODE (M) position, press the trip information button
until SELECTED RANGE: M# appears on the display.
The DIC will display the current gear range. For
example, if the gear range is set to 6, the DIC will display
SELECTED RANGE: M6. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-26for more information.
Fuel Information Button
t
(Fuel Information):Press the fuel information
button to scroll through the range, fuel used, average
fuel economy, and the engine oil life system.
Fuel Range:Press the fuel information button until
RANGE appears on the display. This mode shows the
remaining distance you can drive without refueling. It is
based on fuel economy and the fuel remaining in the fuel
tank. The display will show LOW if the fuel level is low.The fuel economy data used to determine fuel range is
an average of recent driving conditions. As your driving
conditions change, this data is gradually updated. Fuel
range cannot be reset.
Fuel Used:Press the fuel information button until
FUEL USED appears on the display. This mode shows
the number of gallons or liters of fuel used since the
last reset of this menu item. To reset the fuel used
information, press and hold the select button for
one second while FUEL USED is displayed.
Average Fuel Economy:Press the fuel information
button until AVG ECON appears on the display. This
mode shows how many miles per gallon (MPG) or liters
per 100 kilometers (L/100 km) your vehicle is getting
based on current and past driving conditions.
Press and hold the select button for one second while
AVG ECON is displayed to reset the average fuel
economy. Average fuel economy will then be calculated
starting from that point. If the average fuel economy is not
reset, it will be continually updated each time you drive.
Engine Oil Life System:Press the fuel information
button until ENGINE OIL LIFE appears on the display.
The engine oil life system shows an estimate of the
oil’s remaining useful life. It will show 100% when the
system is reset after an oil change. It will alert you
to change your oil on a schedule consistent with your
driving conditions.
3-54

Always reset the engine oil life system after an oil
change. To reset the engine oil life system, seeEngine
Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-23.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring the
oil life, additional maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeEngine Oil
(Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20andScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4.
Customization Button
4
(Customization):Press the customization button to
access the VEHICLE SETTINGS menu and customize
the settings to your vehicle. SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-64for more information.
Select Button
r
(Select):Press the select button to reset certain
DIC functions and set your customization settings. For
example, this button will reset the trip odometers and
enables you to scroll through and select the language in
which the DIC information will appear.
DIC Warnings and Messages
Warning messages are displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) to notify the driver that the
status of the vehicle has changed and that some action
may be needed by the driver to correct the condition.
If there is more than one message that needs to be
displayed, they will appear one after another. Some
messages may not require immediate action, but you
should press any of the four DIC buttons on the steering
wheel to acknowledge that you received the messages
and to clear them from the display. If your vehicle does
not have DIC buttons on the steering wheel, press the trip
odometer reset stem, located on the instrument panel
cluster, to acknowledge messages and clear them from
the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the display
because they are more urgent. These messages require
action before they can be removed from the DIC display.
You should take any messages that appear on the
display seriously and remember that clearing the
messages will only make the messages disappear,
not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them.
3-55

CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message is displayed when the engine oil needs to
be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be sure to reset the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL message. SeeEngine Oil Life
System (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-23,Engine Oil
(Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20, andScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 6-4for more
information.
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE
On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the generator
and battery charging system, this message will appear on
the DIC, a chime will sound, and the battery warning light
on the instrument panel cluster will come on. Driving
with this problem could drain your battery. Turn off all
unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off the vehicle
as soon as it is safe to do so. Have the electrical system
checked by your GM dealer immediately. SeeBattery
Warning Light on page 3-40andVoltmeter Gage on
page 3-40for more information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
If your vehicle has an oil level sensor, and the oil level in
the vehicle is low, this message will appear on the DIC.
Check the oil level and correct it as necessary. You may
need to let the vehicle cool or warm up and cycle the
ignition to be sure this message will clear. Once the
problem is corrected, pressing any of the four DIC
buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from
the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four
DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20
for additional information.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
If the washer uid level is low, this message will appear
on the DIC. SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-46.
Adding washer uid to the windshield washer reservoir
will clear the message. Pressing any of the four DIC
buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it from
the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four
DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display.
3-57

KEYFOB X BATTERY LOW
If a remote keyless entry transmitter battery is low, this
message will appear on the DIC. The battery needs to be
replaced in the transmitter. See “Battery Replacement”
underRemote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-5. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC
buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR (Crew Cab)
If the driver’s side rear door is not fully closed, this
message will appear on the display and you will hear a
chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for
obstacles and close the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC. Pressing any of the
four DIC buttons will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the
four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem
will acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display.
LOW COOLANT LEVEL
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty. See
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
in the Index for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
If your vehicle has a low coolant level sensor, this
message will appear on the DIC if the engine coolant
level is low. Adding coolant to the coolant recovery
tank will clear the message. SeeCooling System on
page 5-40. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the DIC
display. If your vehicle does not have the four DIC
buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display.
OIL LIFE RESET
This message will appear on the display for about
10 seconds after resetting the change engine oil
message. See “Engine Oil Life System” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-53andEngine Oil
(Gasoline Engine) on page 5-20for more information.
3-59