fuel GMC SIERRA 1500 2009 User Guide

Automatic Transfer Case
The transfer case knob
is located next to the
steering column.
Use the dial to shift into and out of Four-Wheel Drive.
You can choose among ve driving settings:
Indicator lights in the dial show which setting you are in.
The indicator lights will come on briey when you turn
on the ignition and one will stay on. If the lights do
not come on, you should take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service. An indicator light will ash
while shifting the transfer case. It will remain illuminated
when the shift is complete. If for some reason the
transfer case cannot make a requested shift, it will return
to the last chosen setting.2
m(Two-Wheel-Drive High):This setting is used
for driving in most street and highway situations.
The front axle is not engaged in Two-Wheel Drive.
This setting also provides the best fuel economy.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive):This setting is
ideal for use when road surface traction conditions
are variable. When driving the vehicle in AUTO, the front
axle is engaged, but the vehicle’s power is sent only
to the front and rear wheels automatically based
on driving conditions. Driving in this mode results in
slightly lower fuel economy than Two-Wheel-Drive High.
4
m(Four-Wheel-Drive High):Use the
Four-Wheel-Drive High position when extra traction is
needed, such as on snowy or icy roads or in most
off-road situations. This setting also engages the front
axle to help drive the vehicle. This is the best setting to
use when plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel-Drive Low):This setting also engages
the front axle and delivers extra torque. You may never
need this setting. It sends maximum power to all four
wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel-Drive Low if you
are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep snow,
and while climbing or descending steep hills.
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak
®, shifting into
Four-Wheel-Drive Low will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak
®off. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-6.
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StabiliTrak®Indicator Light.............................3-44
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
(US-Canada).............................................3-44
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-45
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-45
Oil Pressure Gage (US-Canada).....................3-48
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-49
Security Light...............................................3-50
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-50
Cruise Control Light......................................3-50
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-50
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-51
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-51
Fuel Gage...................................................3-51
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-52
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-53
DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons)....................................3-53
DIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons)................................3-59DIC Compass..............................................3-63
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-66
DIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons)....................................3-75
Audio System(s).............................................3-84
Setting the Clock..........................................3-85
Radio(s)......................................................3-87
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD or
Six-Disc CD Player).................................3-106
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD and
DVD Player)...........................................3-111
XM Radio Messages...................................3-117
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-118
Bluetooth
®.................................................3-118
Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System.........3-129
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-138
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-140
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-140
Radio Reception.........................................3-141
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-142
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-142
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

Instrument Panel Cluster (US-Canada)
The instrument cluster is designed to show how the vehicle is running. It shows how fast the vehicle is going, about
how much fuel the vehicle has and many other things needed to drive safely and economically. For vehicles with
a DURAMAX
®Diesel engine, see the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information. United States Light Duty Premium version shown. Canada, Uplevel, Base, Heavy Duty Clusters similar.
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Charging System Light
This light comes on briey
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but the
engine is not running, as a
check to show it is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a problem
with the charging system. A charging system message
in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also appear.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-66for more
information. This light could indicate that there are
problems with a generator drive belt, or that there is an
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. If the
vehicle must be driven a short distance with the light on,
turn off accessories, such as the radio and air
conditioner.
Voltmeter Gage (US-Canada)
For vehicles with a
voltmeter gage, this gage
indicates the battery
voltage when the ignition
is turned on.
When the ignition is on, this gage indicates the battery
voltage.
When the engine is running, this gage shows the
condition of the charging system. The gage can transition
from a higher to lower or a lower to higher reading. This is
normal. If the vehicle is operating outside the normal
operating range, the charging system light comes on.
SeeCharging System Light on page 3-41for more
information. The voltmeter gage may also read lower
when in fuel economy mode. This is normal.
3-41

Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a tire
pressure monitoring
system, this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
It provides information about tire pressures and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires is signicantly
underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information Center
(DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-66for more information. Stop and
check the tires as soon as it is safe to do so. If a tire is
underinated, inate to the proper pressure. SeeTires on
page 5-67for more information.
When the Light Flashes First and Then is
On Steady
This indicates that there could be a problem with the Tire
Pressure Monitor System. The light ashes for about a
minute and stays on steady for the remainder of the
ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with every ignition
cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-79
for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light should come on
when the ignition is on, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it is
working. If it does not, have
the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
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If the check engine light comes on and stays on, while
the engine is running, this indicates that there is an
OBD II problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before any
problem is apparent. Being aware of the light can prevent
more serious damage to the vehicle. This system assists
the service technician in correctly diagnosing any
malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is continually driven with this
light on, after a while, the emission controls might
not work as well, the vehicle’s fuel economy might
not be as good, and the engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that
might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of the
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure to pass a
required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and Modifications on page 5-4.This light comes on during a malfunction in one of
two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition has been detected.
A misre increases vehicle emissions and could damage
the emission control system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so, stop
the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle. Turn the
key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart the engine.
If the light is still ashing, follow the previous steps and
see your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
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Light On Steady:An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction might be corrected by
doing the following:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. SeeFilling
the Tank on page 5-11. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven through a deep puddle
of water, the vehicle’s electrical system might be wet.
The condition is usually corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving trips should turn the
light off.
Make sure to fuel the vehicle with quality fuel. Poor
fuel quality causes the engine not to run as efficiently
as designed and can cause: stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is changed into gear,
misring, hesitation on acceleration, or stumbling on
acceleration. These conditions might go away once
the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions occurs, change the
fuel brand used. It will require at least one full tank of
the proper fuel to turn the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 5-7.
If none of the above have made the light turn off, your
dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. The dealer/retailer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to
x any mechanical or electrical problems that might have
developed.
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Four-Wheel-Drive Light
The four-wheel-drive light
comes on when a vehicle
with a manual transfer
case is shifted into
four-wheel drive and the
front axle engages.
Some delay between the shifting and the light coming
on is normal.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 2-37for more
information.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
This light comes on when
the Tow/Haul mode has
been activated.
For more information, seeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34.
Fuel Gage
When the ignition is on, the fuel gage shows about how
much fuel is left in the fuel tank.
An arrow on the fuel gage indicates the side of the
vehicle the fuel door is on.
The gage will rst indicate empty before the vehicle is
out of fuel, but the vehicle’s fuel tank should be
lled soon.
When the fuel tank is low the FUEL LEVEL LOW
message appears. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-66for more information.
United StatesCanada
3-51

Here are some situations owners can experience with
the fuel gage. None of these indicate a problem with the
fuel gage.
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may
have indicated the tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than half the fuel tank’s
capacity to ll it.
The gage goes back to empty when the ignition is
turned off.
For a diesel engine, see “Fuel Gage” in the Diesel
Engine Supplement.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, under the fuel
gage, comes on briey
while the engine is being
started.
This light and a chime comes on when the fuel tank is low
on fuel. The Driver Information Center also displays a
“FUEL LEVEL LOW” message. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-66for more information. When fuel
is added this light and message should go off. If it does
not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
3-52

Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
The DIC displays information about your vehicle. It also
displays warning messages if a system problem is
detected.
All messages will appear in the DIC display located
below the tachometer in the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC will display the information that was last
displayed before the engine was turned off.
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, see “DIC Operation and
Displays (With DIC Buttons)” later in this section and
DIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons) on
page 3-75for the displays available.
If your vehicle does not have DIC buttons, see “DIC
Operation and Displays (Without DIC Buttons)” later in
this section for the displays available.
DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons)
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, the information below
explains the operation of this system.
The DIC has different displays which can be accessed
by pressing the DIC buttons located on the instrument
panel, next to the steering wheel.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system problem
is detected.
The DIC also allows some features to be customized.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 3-75for more information.
If your vehicle has DIC buttons, you can also use the
trip odometer reset stem to view some of the DIC
displays. See “DIC Operation and Displays (Without DIC
Buttons)” later in this section.
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