airbag GMC SIERRA 1500 2011 Service Manual

Black plate (75,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-75
6. To tighten the belt, push downon the child restraint, pull the
shoulder portion of the belt to
tighten the lap portion of the belt,
and feed the shoulder belt back
into the retractor. When installing
a forward-facing child restraint, it
may be helpful to use your knee
to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.
Try to pull the belt out of
the retractor to make sure
the retractor is locked. If the
retractor is not locked, repeat
Steps 5 and 6. 7. If your vehicle does not have
a rear seat and your child
restraint has a top tether, follow
the child restraint manufacturer's
instructions regarding the use
of the top tether. See Lower
Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) on
page 3‑57.
8. Before placing a child in the child restraint, make sure it is
securely held in place. To check,
grasp the child restraint at the
safety belt path and attempt
to move it side to side and
back and forth. When the child
restraint is properly installed,
there should be no more than
2.5 cm (1 in) of movement.
To remove the child restraint,
unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and
let it return to the stowed position.
If the top tether is attached to a top
tether anchor, disconnect it. If you turned the airbag off with
the switch, turn on the right front
passenger airbag when you remove
the child restraint from the vehicle
unless the person who will be sitting
there is a member of a passenger
airbag risk group. See
Airbag
On-Off Switch on page 3‑37
for more information, including
important safety information.
Heavy Duty Crew Cab Only
This vehicle has airbags. A rear
seat is a safer place to secure
a forward-facing child restraint.
See Where to Put the Restraint on
page 3‑56.
A label on the sun visor says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat
in the front.” This is because the risk
to the rear-facing child is so great,
if the airbag deploys.

Black plate (76,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
3-76 Seats and Restraints
Neverput a rear-facing child
restraint in the right front passenger
seat. Here is why:
{WARNING
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front
passenger's airbag inflates.
This is because the back of
the rear-facing child restraint
would be very close to the
inflating airbag. Always secure
a rear-facing child restraint in a
rear seat.
If the vehicle does not have
a rear seat that will accommodate
a rear-facing child restraint, a
rear-facing child restraint should not
be installed in the vehicle, even if
the airbag is off. If the child restraint has the
LATCH system, see
Lower Anchors
and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) on page 3‑57 for how and
where to install the child restraint
using LATCH. If you secure a child
restraint using a safety belt and
it uses a top tether, see Lower
Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) on page 3‑57
for top tether anchor locations.
Do not secure a child seat in a
position without a top tether anchor
if a national or local law requires
that the top tether be anchored, or if
the instructions that come with the
child restraint say that the top strap
must be anchored. In Canada, the law requires that
forward-facing child restraints have
a top tether, and that the tether be
attached.
You will be using the lap-shoulder
belt to secure the child restraint in
this position. Follow the instructions
that came with the child restraint.
1. Move the seat as far back as
it will go before securing the
forward-facing child restraint.
2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of
the vehicle's safety belt through
or around the restraint. The child
restraint instructions will show
you how.

Black plate (78,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
3-78 Seats and Restraints
7. If your child restraint has a toptether, follow the child restraint
manufacturer's instructions
regarding the use of the top
tether. See Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) on page 3‑57 for more
information.
8. Before placing a child in the child restraint, make sure it is
securely held in place. To check,
grasp the child restraint at the
safety belt path and attempt to
move it side to side and back
and forth. When the child
restraint is properly installed,
there should be no more than
2.5 cm (1 in) of movement.
To remove the child restraint,
unbuckle the vehicle safety belt and
let it return to the stowed position.
If the top tether is attached to a top
tether anchor, disconnect it.Securing Child Restraints
(Center Front Seat
Position)
{WARNING
A child in a child restraint in the
center front seat can be badly
injured or killed by the frontal
airbags if they inflate. Never
secure a child restraint in the
center front seat. It is always
better to secure a child restraint
in a rear seat.
Do not use child restraints in the
center front seat position.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-3
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-5
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15 Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-19
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-20
Airbag On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-24
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . 5-29
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . 5-29
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light . . . 5-30
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-31
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-31
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-32
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-42
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-45
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-45
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-46
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-46
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-48
Anti-Theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Starting the Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48

Black plate (20,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-20 Instruments and Controls
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
For vehicles equipped with the
passenger safety belt reminder
light, several seconds after the
engine is started, a chime sounds
for several seconds to remind the
front passenger to buckle their
safety belt. The passenger safety
belt light, located on the overhead
console, comes on and stays on for
several seconds, flashes for several
more seconds and then comes on
solid for several more.
This chime and light sequence is
repeated if the passenger remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in
motion.
If the passenger safety belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt
warning light and chime may turn
on if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device. To turn off the
warning light and or chime, remove
the object from the seat or buckle
the safety belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
The system checks the airbag's
electrical system for possible
malfunctions. If the light stays
on it indicates there is an electrical
problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensor, the
pretensioners, the airbag modules,
the wiring, and the crash sensing
and diagnostic module. For more
information on the airbag system,
seeAirbag System on page 3‑29.
The airbag readiness light comes
on solid for a few seconds when the
engine is started. If the light does
not come on then, have it fixed
immediately.

Black plate (21,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-21
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message can also come on.
See Airbag System Messages on
page 5‑48 for more information.
Airbag On-Off Light
If the vehicle has an airbag on-off
switch, it also has a passenger
airbag status indicator located in the
overhead console.
United States
Canada and Mexico
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, will light for several
seconds as a system check. Then, after several more seconds,
the status indicator ON or OFF,
or either the on or off symbol, will
light to let you know the status of
the right front passenger frontal
airbag.
When the right front passenger
airbag is manually turned off using
the airbag on-off switch in the glove
box, the indicator light OFF or the
off symbol will come on and stay on
as a reminder that the airbag has
been turned off. This light will go off
when the airbag has been turned
on. See
Airbag On-Off Switch on
page 3‑37 for more information,
including important safety
information.

Black plate (22,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-22 Instruments and Controls
United StatesCanada and Mexico
{WARNING
If the right front passenger airbag
is turned off for a person who is
not in a risk group identified by
the national government, that
person will not have the extra
protection of an airbag. In a
crash, the airbag will not be able
to inflate and help protect the
person sitting there.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Do not turn off the passenger
airbag unless the person sitting
there is in a risk group identified
by the national government.
SeeAirbag On-Off Switch on
page 3‑37 for more on this,
including important safety
information.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light
ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be
wrong with the airbag system.
For example, the right front
passenger airbag could inflate
even though the airbag on-off
switch is turned off.
(Continued)

Black plate (23,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-23
WARNING (Continued)
To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have the vehicle serviced
right away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 5‑20 for more
information, including important
safety information.
If the word ON or the on symbol
is lit, it means that the right front
passenger frontal airbag is enabled
(may inflate). See Airbag On-Off
Switch on page 3‑37 for more
information, including important
safety information.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there
are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the airbag
on-off switch. See your dealer for
service.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
If the vehicle has one of the
indicators pictured in the following
illustrations, then the vehicle has
a passenger sensing system for
the right front passenger position
unless there is an airbag off switch
located in the glove box. If there
is an airbag off switch, the vehicle
does not have a passenger system
system. See Airbag On-Off Switch
on page 3‑37.
The passenger airbag status
indicator is on the overhead
console. See Passenger Sensing
System on page 3‑40 for important
safety information.
In addition, if the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position, the
label on the vehicle's sun visor
refers to “ADVANCED AIRBAGS”.
United States
Canada and Mexico
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, for several seconds
as a system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status
indicator will light either ON or OFF,
or either the on or off symbol to let
you know the status of the right front
passenger frontal airbag.

Black plate (24,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-24 Instruments and Controls
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the right
front passenger frontal airbag is
enabled (may inflate).
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the airbag status indicator, it
means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front
passenger frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there
are no lights at all, there may be
a problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system.
See your dealer for service.{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 5‑20 for more
information, including important
safety information.
Charging System Light
This light comes on briefly 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.
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.
See
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages on page 5‑41 for 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.
For vehicles with a Hybrid, see
the Hybrid Supplement for more
information.

Black plate (48,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-48 Instruments and Controls
There are several conditions that
can cause this message to appear.
.If the vehicle is overheating,
which could occur if StabiliTrak
activates continuously for an
extended period of time.
.If the brake system warning
light is on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 5‑27.
.If the stability system takes
longer than usual to complete its
diagnostic checks due to driving
conditions.
.If an engine or vehicle related
problem has been detected
and the vehicle needs service.
See your dealer.
.If the vehicle is shifted into 4LO.
The message turns off as soon
as the conditions that caused the
message to be displayed are no
longer present.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak, this
message displays when the Traction
Control System (TCS) is turned off.
Adjust your driving accordingly. See
StabiliTrak
®System on page 9‑70
for more information.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is
a problem with the airbag system.
Have your dealer inspect the
system for problems. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑20 and
Airbag System on page 3‑29 for
more information.
Anti-Theft Alarm System
Messages
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. The vehicle may or may not
restart so you may want to take the
vehicle to your dealer before turning
off the engine. See Immobilizer
Operation on page 2‑13 for more
information.
Starting the Vehicle
Messages
FAST IDLE ON
If your vehicle has this feature, this
message displays when the fast idle
feature is on. See Fast Idle System
on page 9‑39 for more information.