ecu GMC SIERRA 1500 2009 Owner's Guide

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to or change
about the vehicle that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, height, front end or side
sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or moving any parts of
the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing and
diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrument panel,
roof-rail airbag modules, ceiling headliner or pillar
garnish trim, overhead console, front sensors,
rollover sensor module, or airbag wiring can affect
the operation of the airbag system.
In addition, your vehicle may have a passenger
sensing system for the right front passenger’s
position, which includes sensors that are part of the
passenger’s seat. The passenger sensing systemmay not operate properly if the original seat trim is
replaced with non-GM covers, upholstery or trim, or
with GM covers, upholstery or trim designed for a
different vehicle. Any object, such as an aftermarket
seat heater or a comfort enhancing pad or device,
installed under or on top of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the passenger sensing
system. This could either prevent proper deployment
of the passenger airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly turning off the
passenger airbag(s). SeePassenger Sensing
System on page 1-84.
If you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you modify
your vehicle. The phone numbers and addresses
for Customer Assistance are in Step Two of
the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.
If your vehicle has rollover roof-rail airbags, see
Different Size Tires and Wheels on page 5-88
for additional important information.
1-90

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-5
Remote Vehicle Start......................................2-7
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-10
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-11
Lockout Protection........................................2-12
Rear Doors..................................................2-12
Tailgate.......................................................2-13
Windows........................................................2-15
Manual Windows..........................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-16
Power Sliding Rear Window...........................2-17
Sun Visors...................................................2-18
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic Immobilizer.............2-20
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic Immobilizer
Operation.................................................2-20Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-22
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-22
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-23
Starting the Engine.......................................2-24
Fast Idle System..........................................2-25
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal................2-26
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-27
Active Fuel Management™.............................2-28
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-28
Tow/Haul Mode............................................2-34
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-37
Parking Brake..............................................2-50
Shifting Into Park..........................................2-52
Shifting Out of Park......................................2-54
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-54
Engine Exhaust............................................2-55
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-56
Mirrors...........................................................2-57
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-57
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-57
Outside Manual Mirrors..................................2-57
Outside Towing Mirrors..................................2-58
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-58
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors.....................2-59
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Delayed Locking
The vehicle may have the delayed locking feature.
When locking the doors with the power lock switch or
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter and a door
is open, the doors will lock ve seconds after the last
door is closed. You will hear three chimes to signal that
the delayed locking feature is in use.
Pressing the power lock switch twice or the lock button
on the RKE transmitter twice will override the delayed
locking feature and immediately lock all the doors.
This feature will not operate if the key is in the ignition.
You can program this feature using the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See DELAY DOOR LOCK
underDIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 3-75.
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks
Vehicles with an automatic lock/unlock feature enable
you to program the vehicle’s power door locks. You can
program this feature through the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC
Buttons) on page 3-75for more information on DIC
programming.
Rear Door Security Locks
Your vehicle has rear door security locks. These prevent
passengers from opening the rear doors from the inside.
The rear door security
locks are located on
the inside edge of each
rear door.
The rear doors must be open to access them.
The label showing lock and unlock positions is
located near the lock.
To set the locks, do the following:
1. Insert the key into the security lock slot and
turn it so the slot is in the horizontal position.
2. Close the door.
2-11

When you want to open a rear door when the security
lock is on, do the following:
1. Unlock the door by lifting the rear door manual lock,
using the power door lock switch, or the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, if the vehicle
has one.
2. Open the door from the outside.
To cancel the rear door security lock, do the following:
1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it
so the slot is in the vertical position.
Lockout Protection
This feature protects you from locking the key in the
vehicle when the key is in the ignition and a front door
is open.
If the driver’s side power door lock switch is pressed
when the driver’s door is open and the key is in
the ignition, all of the doors will lock and then the driver’s
door will unlock.
If the passenger’s side power door lock switch is
pressed when the front passenger’s door is open and
the key is in the ignition, all of the doors will lock
and then the front passenger’s door will unlock.
Rear Doors
Extended Cab
Your vehicle may have a rear access door(s) that allows
easier access to the rear area of the extended cab.
To open a rear access
door from the outside,
rst open the front door.
Then, use the handle
located on the front edge
of the rear access door
to open it.
You must fully close a rear access door before you can
close the front door.
2-12

To open a rear access door
from the inside, the front
door must be opened rst.
Then, use the handle
located on the inside of the
rear access door to open.
Crew Cabs
If your vehicle is a crew cab, you can open your doors
from the inside or outside. Your vehicle may also
have a feature which prevents children from opening the
rear doors. SeeRear Door Security Locks on page 2-11
for more information.
Tailgate
{CAUTION:
It is extremely dangerous to ride on the tailgate,
even when the vehicle is operated at low speeds.
People riding on the tailgate can easily lose their
balance and fall in response to vehicle maneuvers.
Falling from a moving vehicle may result in serious
injuries or death. Do not allow people to ride on
the tailgate. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in
a seat and using a safety belt properly.
On vehicles with a lock on the tailgate, use the key to
lock or unlock the tailgate.
Open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle while pulling
the tailgate toward you.
To shut the tailgate, rmly push it upward until it latches.
After you put the tailgate back up, pull it back towards
you to be sure it latches securely.
2-13

Tailgate Removal
The tailgate can be removed to allow for different loading
situations. Although the tailgate can be removed without
assistance, you may want someone to assist you with the
removal to avoid possible damage to the vehicle.
On vehicles with a rear vision camera, it must be
disconnected before removing the tailgate. SeeRear
Vision Camera (RVC) on page 2-64for more information.
To remove the tailgate, do the following:
1. Raise the tailgate
slightly and release
both retaining cable
clips. To release
the retaining cable
clips, lift the cable so it
points straight out.
Lift the clip over
the bolt, and push the
cable forward then
rotate down.2. With the tailgate about halfway open, lift the
right edge of the tailgate from the lower pivot.
On vehicles with the tailgate assist feature,
raise the tailgate nearly all the way to the closed
position prior to removing the left edge.
3. Move the tailgate to the right to release the
left edge.
Reverse this procedure to reinstall the tailgate.
Make sure the tailgate is secure.
2-14

Sun Visors
Pull the sun visor down to block glare. Swing the sun
visor to the side to cover the side window.
The passenger’s side sun visor may have a vanity mirror.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
This vehicle has theft-deterrent features, however,
they do not make it impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may have a content theft-deterrent alarm
system.
This is the security light.To arm the theft-deterrent system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. The security light should come on and
ash.
If the delayed locking feature is active, the alarm
will not be activated until all doors are closed
and the security light goes off.
3. Close all doors. The security light will stop ashing
and go off after approximately 30 seconds.
The content theft deterrent alarm is not armed until
the security light goes off.
If a locked door is opened without using the RKE
transmitter, a ten second pre-alarm will occur. The horn
will chirp and the lights will ash. If the key is not
placed in the ignition and turned to START or the door
is not unlocked by pressing the unlock button on the
RKE transmitter during the ten second pre-alarm,
the alarm will go off. Your vehicle’s headlamps will ash
and the horn will sound for about 30 seconds, then
will turn off to save the battery power.
2-18

The theft-deterrent system will not activate if the doors
are locked with the vehicle’s key or the manual door
lock. It activates only if you use the power door lock
switch with the door open or the RKE transmitter.
You should also remember that you can start your
vehicle with the correct ignition key if the alarm has
been set off.
To avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
If you do not want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with the
door key after the doors are closed.
Always unlock a door with the RKE transmitter.
Unlocking a door any other way will set off the alarm
if the system has been armed.
If you set off the alarm by accident, press unlock on the
RKE transmitter or place the key in the ignition and
turn it to START to turn it off.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver’s window
and open the driver’s door.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the
RKE transmitter.
3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for
the security light to go out.
4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the
door with the manual door lock and open the
door. This should set off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but the
headlamps ash, check to see if the horn works.
The horn fuse may be blown. To replace the fuse,
seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-124.
If the alarm does not sound or the headlamps do not
ash, see your dealer/retailer for service.
2-19

PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer
The PASS-Key III+ system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
PASS-Key III+ uses a radio frequency transponder in
the key that matches a decoder in the vehicle.
PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation
Your vehicle has PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the key
is removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically disarmed when the key is
turned to ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY or START
from the LOCK/OFF position.
You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that someone
is using the wrong key, it prevents the vehicle from
starting. Anyone using a trial-and-error method to start
the vehicle will be discouraged because of the high
number of electrical key codes.
If the engine does not start and the security light on
the instrument panel cluster comes on when trying to
start the vehicle, there may be a problem with your
theft-deterrent system. Turn the ignition off and try again.
2-20

If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuse, seeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-124. If the engine still
does not start with the other key, your vehicle needs
service. If your vehicle does start, the rst key may be
faulty. See your dealer/retailer who can service the
PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made. In an
emergency, contact Roadside Assistance.
It is possible for the PASS-Key
®III+ decoder to learn
the transponder value of a new or replacement key.
Up to 10 keys may be programmed for the vehicle.
The following procedure is for programming additional
keys only. If all the currently programmed keys are
lost or do not operate, you must see your dealer/retailer
or a locksmith who can service PASS-Key
®III+ to
have keys made and programmed to the system.
See your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to get a new key blank that is cut
exactly as the ignition key that operates the system.To program the new additional key:
1. Verify that the new key has a
1stamped on it.
2. Insert the original, already programmed, key in the
ignition and start the engine. If the engine will not
start, see your dealer/retailer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to
LOCK/OFF, and remove the key.
4. Insert the new key to be programmed and turn it to
the ON/RUN position within ve seconds of turning
the ignition to the LOCK/OFF position in Step 3.
The security light will turn off once the key has been
programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to
be programmed.
If you lose or damage your PASS-Key
®III+ key, see
your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
2-21