drain GMC SIERRA CLASSIC 2007 Owners Manual
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C (RUN):This is the position for driving.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ACCESSORY or RUN position with the
engine off. You may not be able to start your
vehicle if the battery is allowed to drain for
an extended period of time.
D (START):This position starts your engine.
Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it
is an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you
leave the key in the ignition and park your vehicle,
a chime will sound, when you open the driver’s
door. Always remember to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. This will lock
your ignition and transaxle. Also, always remember
to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key
in the ignition while your vehicle is parked.
You may not be able to start your vehicle after it
has been parked for an extended period of time.
Key Release Button
(Manual Transmission)
The ignition key cannot
be removed from the
ignition of manual
transmission vehicles
unless the key release
button is used.
To remove the key on manual transmission
vehicles, turn the key to ACCESSORY, then press
the button and turn the key to LOCK. Do not
hold the button in while turning the key to
ACCESSORY. Pull the key straight out.
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Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn
the ignition key to START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go
down as your engine gets warm. Do not
race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission
gently until the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled
Cranking System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects the electrical
system. If the ignition key is turned to the
START, and then released when the engine
begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking until the vehicle starts or until
it exceeds the maximum cranking time allowed,
approximately 15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear damage,
this system also prevents cranking if the
engine is already running. The engine cranking
can be stopped by turning the ignition switch
to the ACCESSORY or LOCK.Notice:Holding your key in START for longer
than 15 seconds at a time will disengage
the starter motor, cause your battery to be
drained much sooner, and add excessive heat
that can damage your starter motor. Try not
to hold the key in START for longer than
15 seconds and wait about 15 seconds
between each try to help avoid draining your
battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it does not start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the oor,
while you hold the ignition key in START.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and
let up on the accelerator pedal. Wait about
15 seconds between each try.
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Cargo Lamp
The cargo lamp button
is located on the left
side of the instrument
panel. Press the
button to turn the cargo
lamp on or off.
An indicator light on the instrument panel cluster
will come on when the cargo lamp is turned
on, and the ignition key is turned to RUN.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
auxiliary electrical equipment, such as a cellular
telephone or CB radio. The outlet can accept
electrical equipment up to a maximum of
20 amperes.
Your vehicle may have two accessory power
outlets, or may have one accessory power outlet
located near the cigarette lighter, if the vehicle
has one. The cigarette lighter is designed to t only
in the receptacle to the right of the accessory
power outlet.
To use an outlet, remove the protective cap.
When not in use, always cover the outlet with the
protective cap. The accessory power outlet is
operational at all times.
Notice:If electrical devices are left plugged
into a power outlet, the battery may drain
causing your vehicle not to start or damage to
the battery. This would not be covered by
the warranty. Always unplug all electrical
devices when turning off your vehicle.
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Battery Warning Light
If this light comes on
when the engine is
running, there could be
a problem with the
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 while this light
is on could drain the battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light
on, it helps to turn off all your accessories, such as
the radio and the air conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage
When the engine is not
running, but the ignition
is in RUN, this gage
shows your battery’s
state of charge in
DC volts.
While the engine is running, this 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.
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.
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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.
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
On some vehicles, if the battery is not charging
during operation, this message will appear on the
DIC. Driving with this problem could drain the
battery. Have the electrical system checked
by your dealer as soon as possible. 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. SeeBattery Warning Light on
page 253andVoltmeter Gage on page 253.
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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. See
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine) on
page 489,Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 486, andScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine) on page 617for 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 the 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 dealer
immediately. SeeBattery Warning Light on
page 253andVoltmeter Gage on page 253for
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 486for additional information.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
If the washer uid level is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. SeeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 516. 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.
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DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities
that allow you to program some features to one
setting based on your preference. All of the
customizable options listed may not be available on
your vehicle. Only the options available will be
displayed on your Driver Information Center (DIC).
The default settings for the customization features
were set when your vehicle left the factory, but
may have been changed from their default
state since then.
To change feature preferences, make sure the
ignition is on and the vehicle is in PARK (P).
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it
is recommended that the headlamps are turned
off. Press the customization button to scroll
through the available customizable options.
After pressing the customization button, VEHICLE
SETTINGS will momentarily display before
going to a customization option.
Lock Doors (Automatic Transmission only)
If you have an automatic transmission vehicle,
press the customization button until LOCK DOORS
appears in the display. To select your preference
for automatic locking, press the select button
while LOCK DOORS is displayed on the DIC.
Pressing the select button will scroll through the
following choices:
LOCK DOORS: IN GEAR (default):The doors
will lock when the vehicle is shifted out of
PARK (P).
LOCK DOORS: WITH SPEED:The doors will
lock when the vehicle speed is above
8 mph (13 km/h) for three seconds.
Choose one of the available options and press the
customization button while it is displayed on the
DIC to select it and move on to the next feature.
For more information on automatic door locks, see
Programmable Automatic Door Locks on
page 123.
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Auxiliary Battery
The auxiliary battery provision can be used to
supply electrical power to additional equipment that
you may choose to add, such as a slide-in camper.
If your vehicle has this
provision, this relay will
be located on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle, next to the
auxiliary battery.
When using this provision, connection should only
be made to the upper stud (A) of the relay. Do not
make connections to the lower stud (B) of the relay.
The auxiliary battery circuit is protected by a
megafuse located behind the auxiliary battery.
Be sure to follow the proper installation instructions
that are included with any electrical equipment
that you install.Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always
turn off electrical equipment when not in
use and do not use equipment that exceeds
the maximum amperage rating for the auxiliary
battery provision.
Power Winches
If you wish to use a power winch on your vehicle,
only use it when your vehicle is stationary or
anchored.
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the CWR
for your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with the
trailer attached, so that you won’t go over
the GVWR or GAWR. If you are using a
weight-distributing hitch, weigh the vehicle without
the spring bars in place.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out
the weight of your load the right way, and if
you choose the correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 429.
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Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine
Oil” in the DURAMAX®Diesel Engine Supplement.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL light appears on the
instrument cluster, except vehicles that have the
4.3L engine, it means you need to check the
engine oil level right away.
For more information, seeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 265. You should check
your engine oil level regularly; this is an added
reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 480
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
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