instrument panel GMC SIERRA 1500 2011 Owner's Guide

Black plate (3,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-3
Turn the headlamp control to off
and then back to the headlamp on
position to make the headlamps
stay on for an additional 10 minutes.
Push the turn signal/multifunction
lever toward the instrument panel to
change the headlamps from low
beam to high beam.
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder
For vehicles with a radio, a reminder
chime sounds when the headlamps
or parking lamps are manually
turned on, the ignition is off, and a
door is open. To disable the chime,
turn the lamp off.
Headlamp
High/Low-Beam
Changer
5 3
(Headlamp High/Low
Beam Changer): To change the
headlamps from low to high beam,
push the lever toward the instrument
panel. To return to low-beam
headlamps, pull the multifunction
lever toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams are on, this
indicator light on the instrument
panel cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the
high-beam headlamps to signal
a driver in front of you that you
want to pass. It works even if the
headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever
toward you, then release it.
If the headlamps are in the
automatic position or on low
beam, the high-beam headlamps
will turn on. They will stay on as
long as you hold the lever toward
you. The high-beam indicator on
the instrument panel cluster will
come on. Release the lever to
return to normal operation.

Black plate (4,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
6-4 Lighting
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on when
the following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamps control is
in AUTO.
.The transmission is not in Park.
.The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
When the DRL system is on,
only the DRL lamps are on.
The taillamps, sidemarker,
instrument panel lights, and
other lamps will not be on.
When it begins to get dark, the
automatic headlamp system
switches from DRL to the
headlamps. To turn off the DRL lamps, turn
the exterior lamps control to the
OFF position and then release.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
the transmission must be in the
P (Park) position before the DRL
lamps can be turned off.
Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside, the
automatic headlamp system turns
on the headlamps at the normal
brightness, along with the taillamps,
sidemarker, parking lamps, and the
instrument panel lights. The radio
lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp
system, turn the exterior lamps
switch to the off position and then
release it. For vehicles first sold in
Canada, the transmission must be
in the P (Park) position before the
automatic headlamp system can
be turned off.
The vehicle has a light sensor
located on the top of the instrument
panel which regulates when the
automatic headlamps turn on.
Do not cover the sensor, otherwise
the headlamps will come on
whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage or heavy overcast
weather. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition
between the daytime and
nighttime operation of the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) and the
automatic headlamp systems
so that driving under bridges
or bright overhead street lights
does not affect the system.

Black plate (5,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-5
The DRL and automatic headlamp
system are only affected when the
light sensor detects a change in
lighting lasting longer than the
delay.
If the vehicle is started in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp
system comes on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage,
it takes approximately one minute
for the automatic headlamp system
to change to DRL if it is bright
enough outside. During that delay,
the instrument panel cluster may
not be as bright as usual. Make
sure the instrument panel brightness
control is in the full bright position.
SeeInstrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑7.
To idle the vehicle with the
automatic headlamp system off,
turn the control to the off position. The headlamps will also stay
on after you exit the vehicle.
This feature can be programmed
using the Driver Information Center
(DIC). See
Vehicle Personalization
(with DIC Buttons) on page 5‑52.
If the vehicle is not equipped
with DIC buttons, exit lighting
is automatic. When it is dark
enough outside, the exterior lamps
remain on for 30 seconds after the
ignition is moved from ON/RUN to
LOCK/OFF.
For vehicles without a radio, the
instrument panel light remains on
for 30 seconds with the driver door
closed. For vehicles with a radio,
the instrument panel light remains
on for 10 minutes with the driver
door closed. See Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 9‑40.
The regular headlamp system can
be turned on when needed.Hazard Warning Flashers
|(Hazard Warning Flashers):
Press this button located on top of
the steering column, to make the
front and rear turn signal lamps
flash on and off. This warns others
that you are having trouble. Press
again to turn the flashers off.
When the hazard warning flashers
are on, the vehicle's turn signals will
not work.

Black plate (6,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
6-6 Lighting
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
An arrow on the instrument panel
cluster flashes in the direction of
the turn or lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or
down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever for less
than one second until the arrow
starts to flash to signal a lane
change. This causes the turn
signals to automatically flash
three times. It will flash six times
if tow-haul mode is active. Holding
the turn signal lever for more than
one second will cause the turn
signals to flash until you release
the lever.The lever returns to its starting
position whenever it is released.
If after signaling a turn or a lane
change the arrows flash rapidly or
do not come on, a signal bulb could
be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb
is not burned out, check the fuse.
See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 10‑50.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more
than 1.2 km (3/4 of a mile), a chime
will sound at each flash of the turn
signal and the message TURN
SIGNAL ON will also appear in the
Driver Information Control (DIC).
To turn the chime and message off,
move the turn signal lever to the off
position.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the
control is located next to the exterior
lamps control on the instrument
panel, to the left of the steering
column.
The ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position for the fog lamps to
come on.
#(Fog Lamps): Press to turn the
fog lamps on or off. A light will come
on in the instrument panel cluster.
When the fog lamps are turned on,
the parking lamps automatically
turn on.
When the headlamps are changed
to high beam, the fog lamps also go
off. When the high-beam headlamps
are turned off, the fog lamps will
come on again.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be on
with the fog lamps.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-7
Auxiliary
Roof-Mounted Lamp
If the vehicle has this feature, this
button includes wiring provisions for
a dealer or a qualified service center
to install an auxiliary roof lamp.
This button is located on the
overhead console.
When the wiring is connected to
an auxiliary roof‐mounted lamp,
pressing the bottom of the buttonwill activate the lamp and illuminate
an indicator light at the bottom of
this button. Pressing the top of the
button will turn off the roof‐mounted
lamp and indicator.
The emergency roof lamp circuit
is fused at 30 amps, so the total
current draw of the attached lamps
should be less than this value.
The attachment points for the roof
lamp circuits are two blunt cut
wires located above the overhead
console, a dark green switched
power wire and a black ground wire.
For more information on roof mount
emergency lamp installation, please
visit the GM Upfitter website at
www.gmupfitter.com or contact your
dealer.
If the vehicle has this button,
the vehicle may have the snow
plow prep package. For further
information, see
Adding a Snow
Plow or Similar Equipment on
page 9‑125.
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel
Illumination Control
D(Instrument Panel
Brightness): This feature controls
the brightness of the instrument
panel lights and is located next
to the exterior lamps control.
Push the knob to extend out and
then it can be turned.

Black plate (8,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
6-8 Lighting
Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to brighten
or dim the instrument panel lights.
Turning the knob to the farthest
clockwise position turns on the
dome lamps.
Cargo Lamp
The cargo lamps come on by
turning the instrument panel
brightness control knob to the
farthest clockwise position.
This knob is located on the
instrument panel and also
turns on the dome lamps.
The cargo lamps can be used if
more light is needed in the cargo
area of the vehicle or in the top-box
storage units.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps are located in the
overhead console.
They come on when any door is
opened and turn off after all the
doors are closed.
Turn the instrument panel
brightness knob located below
the dome lamp override button,
clockwise to the farthest position to
manually turn on the dome lamps.
The dome lamps remain on until the
knob is turned counterclockwise.
Dome Lamp Override
The dome lamp override button is
located next to the exterior lamps
control.
k(Dome Off):Press the button
in and the dome lamps remain
off when a door is opened. Press
the button again to return it to the
extended position so that the dome
lamps come on when a door is
opened.

Black plate (36,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
7-36 Infotainment System
USB‐Supported File and Folder
Structure
The radio supports:
.Up to 700 folders
.Up to 8 folders in depth
.Up to 65,535 files.
.Folder and file names up to
64 bytes
.Files with an .mp3 or .wma file
extension
.AAC files stored on an iPod
.FAT16
.FAT32
Connecting a USB Storage
Device or iPod®
The USB port can be used to
control an iPod or a USB storage
device.
To connect a USB storage device,
connect the device to the USB port
located in the center console or on
the instrument panel.To connect an iPod, connect one
end of the USB cable that came
with the iPod to the iPod’s dock
connector and connect the other
end to the USB port located in the
center console or on the instrument
panel. If the vehicle is on and the
USB connection works,
“OK to
disconnect” and a GM logo may
appear on the iPod, and iPod
appears on the radio display.
The iPod music appears on the
radio’s display and begins playing.
The iPod charges while it is
connected to the vehicle if the
vehicle is in the ACC/ACCESSORY
or ON/RUN position. When the
vehicle is turned off, the iPod
automatically powers off and
will not charge or draw power
from the vehicle's battery.
If you have an older iPod model
that is not supported, it can still
be used by connecting it to the
auxiliary input jack using a standard
3.5 mm (1/8 in) stereo cable. See
“Using the Auxiliary Input Jack”
earlier for more information.
Using the Radio to Control a
USB Storage Device or iPod
The radio can control a USB
storage device or an iPod using
the radio buttons and knobs, and
display song information on the
radio’s display.
f(Tune): Turn to select files.
©SEEK:Press to go to the start of
the track, if more than 10 seconds
have played. Press and hold or
press multiple times to continue
moving backward through tracks.
¨SEEK: Press to go to the next
track. Press and hold or press
multiple times to continue moving
forward through tracks.
sREV (Reverse): Press and hold
to reverse playback quickly. Sound
is heard at a reduced volume.
Release
sREV to resume playing.
The elapsed time of the file
displays.

Black plate (2,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
8-2 Climate Controls
Temperature Control:Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
9(Fan Control): Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise
to turn the front system off.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the direction of the airflow
inside the vehicle. The knob can
be positioned between two modes
to select a combination of those
modes.
Select from the following:
H(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel
and floor outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some air directed
to the windshield and side window
outlets. In this mode, the system
automatically selects outside air.
Recirculation cannot be selected
in floor mode.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield, floor
outlets, and side window vents.
0(Defrost): This mode removes
fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. Air is directed to
the windshield and the side
window vents, with some air
directed to the floor vents.
The system automatically forces
outside air into the vehicle. The recirculation mode cannot be
selected in the defog or defrost
mode. When either mode is
selected, the system runs the air
conditioning compressor, unless
the outside temperature is close
to freezing.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
:(Outside Air):
Press to
turn the outside air mode on.
An indicator light comes on to
show that outside air is on.
In this mode outside air circulates
throughout the vehicle. The outside
air mode can be used with all
modes, but it cannot be used
with the recirculation mode.

Black plate (4,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
8-4 Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems (with Heater Only)
With this system the heating and ventilation can be controlled.
A. Fan Control
B. Temperature Control
C. Air Delivery Mode ControlTemperature Control:
Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
9(Fan Control): Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise
to turn the front system off.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
The knob can be positioned
between two modes to select a
combination of those modes.
Select from the following:
H(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-7
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When
automatic operation is active,
the system controls the inside
temperature, the air delivery,
and the fan speed.
Use the steps below to place the
entire system in automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
When AUTO is selected, the
display changes to show the
current temperature(s) and
AUTO is lit on the display.
The current air delivery mode
and fan speed are also
displayed for about five seconds.
When AUTO is selected, the air
conditioning operation and air
inlet are automatically controlled.
The air conditioning compressor
may run when the outside
temperature is above freezing. The air inlet will normally be set
to outside air. If it is hot outside,
the air inlet may automatically
switch to the recirculate mode to
help quickly cool down the air
inside the vehicle. The light
on the button comes on in
recirculation.
2. Set the driver and passenger temperature.
To find your comfort setting, start
with a 23°C (74°F) temperature
setting and allow about
20 minutes for the system to
regulate. Use the driver or
passenger temperature buttons
to adjust the temperature setting
as necessary. If a temperature
setting of 15°C (60°F) is chosen,
the system remains at the
maximum cooling setting.
If a temperature setting of
32°C (90°F) is chosen, the system remains at the maximum
heat setting. Choosing either
maximum setting will not cause
the vehicle to heat or cool any
faster.
Do not cover the solar sensor
located on the top of the instrument
panel near the windshield.
This sensor regulates air
temperature based on sun load.
For more information on the solar
sensor, see “Sensors”later in this
section.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold
weather, the system delays
turning the fan on until warm air
is available. The length of delay
depends on the engine coolant
temperature. Pressing the fan
switch overrides this delay and
changes the fan to a selected
speed.