brake light GMC SIERRA 1500 2009 Owner's Guide

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. See this manual’s Maintenance Schedule
or Index for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good idea to inspect
these before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The vehicle is equipped with one of the following wiring
harnesses for towing a trailer or hauling a slide-in
camper.
Basic Trailer Wiring
All regular, extended cab and crew cab pickups have a
seven-wire trailer towing harness.
For vehicles not equipped with heavy duty trailering, the
harness is secured to the vehicle’s frame behind the
spare tire mount. The harness requires the installation of
a trailer connector, which is available through your
dealer/retailer.
If towing a light-duty trailer with a standard four-way
round pin connector, an adapter is available from your
dealer/retailer.
4-81

Heavy-DutyTrailer Wiring Harness
Package
For vehicles equipped with heavy duty trailering, the
harness is connected to a bracket on the hitch platform.
The seven-wire harness contains the following trailer
circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red: Battery Feed*
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake**The fuses for these two circuits are installed in the
underhood electrical center, but the wires are not
connected. They should be connected by your
dealer/retailer or a qualied service center. The fuse
and wire for the ITBC is factory installed and connected
if the vehicle is equipped with an ITBC. The fuse for
the battery feed is not required if the vehicle has
an auxiliary battery. If the vehicle does not have an
auxiliary battery, have your dealer/retailer or authorized
service center install the required fuse.
If charging a remote (non-vehicle) battery, press the
tow/haul mode button located at the end of the shift lever.
This will boost the vehicle system voltage and properly
charge the battery. If the trailer is too light for tow/haul
mode, turn on the headlamps as a second way to boost
the vehicle system and charge the battery.
4-82

Camper/Fifth-Wheel Trailer Wiring Package
The seven-wire camper harness is located under the
front edge of the pickup box on the drivers side of
the vehicle, attached to the frame bracket. A connector
must be added to the wiring harness which connects
to the camper.
The harness contains the following camper/trailer
circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red: Battery Feed
Dark Blue: Trailer BrakeIf the vehicle is equipped with the “Heavy-Duty
Trailering” option, please refer to “Heavy-Duty Trailer
Wiring Package” earlier in this section.
When the camper-wiring harness is ordered without the
heavy-duty trailering package, an eight-wire harness
with a seven-pin connector is located at the rear of the
vehicle and is tied to the vehicle’s frame.
4-83

Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
These wiring provisions are included with the vehicle as
part of the trailer wiring package. These provisions are for
an electric brake controller. The instrument panel
contains blunt cut wires behind the steering column for
the trailer brake controller. The harness contains the
following wires:
Dark Blue: Brake Signal to Trailer Connector
Red/Black: Battery
Light Blue/White: Brake Switch
White: Ground
It should be installed by your dealer/retailer or a qualied
service center.
If the vehicle is equipped with an ITBC, the blunt cuts
exist, but are not connected further in the harness. If an
aftermarket trailer brake controller is installed, the ITBC
must be disconnected. Do not power both ITBC and
aftermarket controllers to control the trailer brakes at the
same time.
Auxiliary Battery
The auxiliary battery provision can be used to supply
electrical power to additional equipment that may be
added, such as a slide-in camper. If the vehicle has this
provision, this relay will be located on the drivers side of
the vehicle, next to the underhood electrical center.Be sure to follow the proper installation instructions that
are included with any electrical equipment that is
installed.
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.
Trailer Recommendations
Subtract the hitch loads from the Cargo Weight Rating
(CWR). CWR is the maximum weight of the load
the vehicle can carry. It does not include the weight of
the people inside, but you can gure about 150 lbs.
(68 kg) for each passenger. The total cargo load must
not be more than the vehicles CWR.
Weigh the vehicle with the trailer attached, so the
GVWR or GAWR are not exceeded. If using a
weight-distributing hitch, weigh the vehicle without the
spring bars in place.
The best performance is obtained by correctly spreading
out the weight of the load and choosing the correct
hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-53.
4-84

Brake Wear
This vehicle has front disc brakes and could have rear
drum brakes or rear disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound can come
and go or be heard all the time the vehicle is moving,
except when applying the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to an
accident. When the brake wear warning sound is
heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts
in the proper sequence to torque specications
inCapacities and Specifications on page 5-131.
If the vehicle has rear drum brakes, they do not have
wear indicators, but if a rear brake rubbing noise is heard,
have the rear brake linings inspected immediately. Rear
brake drums should be removed and inspected each time
the tires are removed for rotation or changing. Drum
brakes have an inspection hole to inspect lining wear
during scheduled maintenance. When the front brake
pads are replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
5-44

Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to the vehicle that would not be covered
by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage the vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
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!
5-47

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-4
Accessory Power............................................2-23
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-22
Active Fuel Management™...............................2-28
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-40
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-90
Additional Required Services, Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-7
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-8
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-123
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-26
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-22
Air Conditioning......................................3-24, 3-25
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-37
Airbag System................................................1-72
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-90
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-81
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-79
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-84
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-89
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-79Airbag System (cont.)
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-80
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-77
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-75
Airbags
Off Light.....................................................3-38
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-40
Antenna
Fixed Mast................................................3-142
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-142
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Warning Light.............................................3-43
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-120
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-118
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-122
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-119
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-116
Finish Care...............................................5-119
Finish Damage..........................................5-121
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-117
Interior Cleaning........................................5-115
Leather....................................................5-117
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-121
1

Appearance Care (cont.)
Tires........................................................5-121
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-122
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-118
Weatherstrips............................................5-118
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-120
Ashtray.........................................................3-23
Assistance Program, Roadside........................... 7-7
Audio System.................................................3-84
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-140
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.................................................3-118
Setting the Clock.........................................3-85
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-142
Audio System(s).............................................3-87
Audio Systems
Radio Reception........................................3-141
Rear Seat (RSA).......................................3-138
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-140
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-18
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..................................................5-24, 5-27
Operation...................................................2-28
Auxiliary
Roof Mounted Lamp....................................3-19
Axle, Rear.....................................................5-51B
Battery..........................................................5-45
Electric Power Management..........................3-21
Run-Down Protection...................................3-22
Belt Routing, Engine.......................................6-18
Bluetooth
®....................................................3-118
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-6
Pedal and Adjustable Throttle........................2-26
Brake Fluid....................................................5-41
Brakes..........................................................5-41
Antilock....................................................... 4-5
Parking......................................................2-50
System Warning Light..................................3-42
Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-22
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-66
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp......................................5-62
Fog Lamp ..................................................3-19
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-61
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-58
Headlamps.................................................5-61
2

Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-14
Release.....................................................5-14
Horn ............................................................... 3-8
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-22
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-41
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-76
Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-20
Cluster.......................................................3-34
Overview...............................................3-4, 3-6
Storage Area..............................................2-81
Introduction...................................................... 6-2
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-46
K
Keyless Entry, Remote Operation........................ 2-5
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-68
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-45
Lamps
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp........................3-19
Cargo........................................................3-21
Daytime Running (DRL)................................3-17
Dome ........................................................3-20
Dome Lamp Override...................................3-20
License Plate..............................................5-65
Puddle.......................................................3-19
Reading.....................................................3-21
Lap Belt........................................................1-36
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-30
LATCH System for Child Restraints...................1-49
Latches, Seatback..........................................1-13
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-20
Exit...........................................................3-20
Lights
Airbag Off..................................................3-38
Airbag Readiness........................................3-37
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning............3-43
Brake System Warning.................................3-42
Charging System.........................................3-41
Cruise Control.............................................3-50
8