open hood GMC SIERRA 2009 Owner's Manual

The vehicle may have a memory function which lets
pedal settings be saved and recalled. SeeMemory Seat,
Mirrors, and Pedals on page 1-8for more information.
Engine Coolant Heater
The engine heater can provide easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold weather
conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C). Vehicles with an
engine heater should be plugged in at least four hours
before starting. An internal thermostat in the plug-end of
the cord may exist which will prevent engine coolant
heater operation at temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
If the vehicle has the DURAMAX
®Diesel engine, see
the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information.
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.
3. Plug the cord 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.
The length of time the heater should remain plugged
in depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer
in the area where you will be parking the vehicle for
the best advice on this.
2-27

Outlet Adjustment
Use the air outlets located in the center and on the side
of the instrument panel to direct the airow. Use the
thumbwheels near the air outlets to open or close off
the airow.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from air inlets
at the base of the windshield that could block the
ow of air into the vehicle.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors can
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Check with your dealer/retailer before adding
equipment to the outside of the vehicle.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briey when the engine is started
to indicate they are working.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of the vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to indicate a problem with
the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while driving, or when one of the gages shows there
may be a problem, check the section that explains
what to do. Follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
3-33

This message also displays when the vehicle’s engine
power is reduced. Reduced engine power can affect the
vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The performance may be reduced
the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may
be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime
this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken
to your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
FAST IDLE ON
If your vehicle has this feature, this message displays
when the fast idle feature is on. SeeFast Idle System on
page 2-25for more information.
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays and a chime sounds if the fuel
level is low. Refuel as soon as possible. SeeFuel Gage
on page 3-51andFuel on page 5-6for more
information.
HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM OFF
This message displays when the heated windshield
washer has been turned off. SeeWindshield Washer on
page 3-12for more information.
HEATING WASH FLUID WASH WIPES
PENDING
This message displays when the heated windshield
washer system is heating the uid. SeeWindshield
Washer on page 3-12for more information.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the hood is
not fully closed. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the
hood for obstructions, and close the hood again. Check to
see if the message still appears on the DIC.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE WITH CARE
This message displays when ice conditions are possible.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN (Crew Cab)
This message displays and a chime sounds if the driver
side rear door is not fully closed and the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park). Stop and turn off the vehicle,
check the door for obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message still appears
on the DIC.
3-69

notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you might
notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. Otherwise, you could damage the
engine. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-7
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specications, but
emission control system performance might be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and thevehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-45. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined
that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel
injectors and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle
experiences problems due to dirty injectors or valves,
look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is
the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.
5-7

Filling a Portable Fuel Container
{CAUTION:
Never ll a portable fuel container while it is in the
vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be
badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense fuel only into approved containers.
Do not ll a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or on
any surface other than the ground.
Bring the ll nozzle in contact with the inside
of the ll opening before operating the nozzle.
Contact should be maintained until the lling
is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping fuel.
Do not use a cellular phone while
pumping fuel.
Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a re. These include liquids like fuel, oil,
coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and other
uids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
5-12

Hood Release
To open the hood:
1. Pull the handle with
this symbol on it.
It is located inside
the vehicle to the left
of the brake pedal.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and locate the
secondary hood release. This is located under the
hood, near the center of the grille.
3. Push the secondary hood release to the right.
4. Lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps are
on properly. Then bring the hood from full open to
within 6 inches (152 mm) from the closed position,
pause, then push the front center of the hood with a
swift, rm motion to fully close the hood.
5-13

Engine Compartment Overview
If the vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine, see the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information.
When you open the hood on the 5.3L engine (4.3L, 4.8L, 6.0L and 6.2L similar), this is what you will see:
5-14

You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
If you do decide to lift the hood, make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they are not, do not continue to run
the engine and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 5-37for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Notice:If the engine catches re while driving with
no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-37for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Turn it off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there
is no sign of steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop the engine if it
overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 5-37for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
5-35

Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. If you have a vehicle with a diesel engine with two
batteries, you should know before you begin that,
especially in cold weather, you may not be able
to get enough power from a single battery in another
vehicle to start your diesel engine. If your vehicle
has more than one battery, use the battery that
is closer to the starter -- this will reduce electrical
resistance. This is located on the passenger side, in
the rear of the engine compartment.
3. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause an unwanted
ground connection. You would not be able to start
your vehicle, and the bad grounding could damage
the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set the
parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved in the
jump start procedure. Put the automatic transmission
in P (Park) or a manual transmission in Neutral
before setting the parking brake. If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear, not in Neutral.Notice:If you leave the radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the radio and other
accessories when jump starting the vehicle.
4. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlets. Turn off
the radio and all the lamps that are not needed.
This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save the radio!
5. Open the hood on the other vehicle and locate the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on
that vehicle.
The positive (+) terminal, is located under a red
plastic cover at the positive battery post. To uncover
the positive (+) terminal, open the red plastic cover.
5-45

The vehicle should:
Be placed so the headlamps are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from
a light colored wall.
Have all four tires on a level surface which is level
all the way to the wall.
Be placed so it is perpendicular to the wall.
Not have any snow, ice, or mud on it.
Be fully assembled and all other work stopped while
headlamp aiming is being performed.
Normally loaded with a full tank of fuel and
one person or 160 lbs (75 kg) sitting on the
driver seat.
Have the tires properly inated.
Have the spare tire is in its proper location in the
vehicle.
Headlamp aiming is done with the vehicle’s low-beam
headlamps. The high-beam headlamps will be correctly
aimed if the low-beam headlamps are aimed properly.To adjust the vertical aim:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-13
for more information.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of the low-beam
headlamp.
3. Record the distance from the ground to the aim dot
on the low-beam headlamp.
5-56