climate control GMC SIERRA 1500 2012 User Guide

Black plate (32,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
1-32 In Brief
Keep the sensors on the vehicle's
rear bumper clean to ensure proper
operation.
SeeUltrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑61.
Power Outlets
Accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone, MP3
player, etc.
The vehicle may have two
accessory power outlets located
below the climate control system,
or may have one accessory power
outlet and one cigarette lighter. The
cigarette lighter is designed to fit
only in the receptacle closest to the
driver.
There may be another accessory
power outlet in the rear cargo area.
If the vehicle has a floor console,
there is an accessory power outlet
inside the storage bin and one on
the rear of the floor console. The accessory power outlets are
powered, even when the ignition is
in LOCK/OFF. Continuing to use
power outlets while the ignition is in
LOCK/OFF may cause the vehicle's
battery to run down.
See
Power Outlets on page 5‑9.Universal Remote System
Vehicles with the Universal Remote
System will have these buttons
located in the headliner. This system provides a way to
replace up to three remote control
transmitters used to activate
devices such as garage door
openers, security systems, and
home automation devices.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program the
transmitter. Because of the steps
involved, it may be helpful to
have another person assist with
programming the transmitter.
See
Universal Remote System on
page 5‑56.

Black plate (5,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-5
3. Insert the new battery, positiveside facing down. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
4. Snap the transmitter back together.
Remote Vehicle Start
If available, this feature allows you
to start the engine from outside of
the vehicle. It may also start up the
vehicle's heating or air conditioning
systems and rear window defogger.
Normal operation of the system will
return after the key is turned to the
ON/RUN position.
If the vehicle has an automatic
climate control system, the climate
control system will default to a
heating or cooling mode depending
on the outside temperatures. If the
vehicle does not have an automatic
climate control system, the system
will turn on at the setting the vehicle
was set to when the vehicle was
last turned off. During a remote start, if the vehicle
has an automatic climate control
system and heated seats, the
heated seats will turn on during
colder outside temperatures and will
shut off when the key is turned to
ON/RUN. If the vehicle does not
have an automatic climate control
system, during remote start,
manually turn the heated seats on
and off. See
Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats on page 3‑9 for
additional information.
Laws in some communities may
restrict the use of remote starters.
For example, some laws may
require a person using the remote
start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local
regulations for any requirements on
remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature
if the vehicle is low on fuel. The
vehicle may run out of fuel. If the vehicle has the remote start
feature, the RKE transmitter
functions will have an increased
range of operation. However, the
range may be less while the vehicle
is running.
There are other conditions which
can affect the performance of the
transmitter. See
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2‑2 for
additional information.
/(Remote Start): This button will
be on the RKE transmitter if the
vehicle has remote start.
To start the vehicle using the remote
start feature:
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle.
2. Press and release
Q.
3. Immediately press and hold
/until the turn signal
lamps flash. If you cannot see
the vehicle's lamps, press and
hold
/for two to four seconds.

Black plate (6,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
2-6 Keys, Doors, and Windows
When the vehicle starts, the
parking lamps will turn on and
remain on while the vehicle is
running. The doors will be
locked and the climate control
system may come on.
The engine will continue to run
for 10 minutes. Repeat the steps
for a 10-minute time extension.
Remote start can be extended
only once.
After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, insert and turn the key
to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
To cancel a remote start:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and press and hold
/
until the parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Turn the ignition on and then
back off. The vehicle can be remote started
two separate times between driving
sequences. The engine will run for
10 minutes after each remote start.
Or, you can extend the engine run
time by another 10 minutes within
the first 10 minute remote start time
frame, and before the engine stops.
For example, if
Qand then/are
pressed again after the vehicle
has been running for five minutes,
10 minutes are added, allowing the
engine to run for 15 minutes.
The additional 10 minutes are
considered a second remote vehicle
start.
Once two remote starts, or a single
remote start with one time extension
has been done, the vehicle must be
started with the key. After the key is
removed from the ignition, the
vehicle can be remote started again. The vehicle cannot be remote
started if the key is in the ignition,
the hood is not closed, or if there
is an emission control system
malfunction and the check engine
light is on.
Also, the engine will turn off during a
remote vehicle start if the coolant
temperature gets too high or if the
oil pressure gets low.
Remote Start Ready
If the vehicle does not have the
remote vehicle start feature, it may
have the remote start ready feature.
This feature allows your dealer to
add the manufacturer's remote
vehicle start feature.
See your dealer to add the
manufacturer's remote vehicle start
feature to the vehicle.

Black plate (17,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-17
Manual Folding
If equipped with manual folding
mirrors, push the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward, to
return to its original position.
Manually fold the mirrors inward to
prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash.
Automatic Dimming
If equipped with an automatic
dimming mirror, the driver outside
mirror automatically dimes for the
glare of the headlamps from behind.
This feature is controlled by the on
and off setting on the inside
rearview mirror.
SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror on page 2‑18.
Turn Signal Indicator
The vehicle may also have a turn
signal indicator on the mirror. An
arrow on the mirror flashes in the
direction of the turn or lane change.
Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with heated mirrors:
1(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to heat the mirrors. If the
vehicle has a towing mirror, only the
upper glass of the mirror is heated.
The lower convex part of the towing
mirror is not heated.
Depending on the vehicle's features,
see “Rear Window Defogger” under
Climate Control Systems (with Air
Conditioning) on page 8‑1 or
Climate Control Systems (with
Heater Only) on page 8‑4 orDual
Automatic Climate Control System
on page 8‑5 for more information.
Park Tilt Mirrors
If the vehicle has the memory
package, the passenger and/or
driver mirror tilts to a preselected
position when the vehicle is in
R (Reverse). This feature lets the
driver view the curb when parallel
parking. The mirror(s) return to the
original position when the vehicle is
shifted out of R (Reverse), or the
ignition is turned off or to
OFF/LOCK.
Turn this feature on or off through
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
SeeVehicle Personalization (With
DIC Buttons) on page 5‑48 for more
information.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Instruments and Controls 5-7
To calibrate the compass, use the
following procedure:
Compass Calibration Procedure
1. Before calibrating the compass,make sure the compass zone is
set to the variance zone in which
the vehicle is located. See
“Compass Variance (Zone)
Procedure” earlier in this
section.
Do not operate any switches
such as window, sunroof,
climate controls, or seats during
the calibration procedure.
2. Press the vehicle information button until PRESS
VTO
CALIBRATE COMPASS
displays. Or, if the vehicle does
not have DIC buttons, press the
trip odometer reset stem until
CALIBRATE COMPASS
displays. 3. Press the set/reset button to
start the compass calibration.
Or, if the vehicle does not have
DIC buttons, press and hold the
trip odometer reset stem for
two seconds to start the
compass calibration.
4. The DIC will display CALIBRATING: DRIVE IN
CIRCLES. Drive the vehicle
in tight circles at less than
8 km/h (5 mph) to complete the
calibration. The DIC will display
CALIBRATION COMPLETE
for a few seconds when the
calibration is complete. The DIC
display will then return to the
previous menu.
Clock
AM-FM Radio and AM‐FM
Radio with CD Player
To set the clock:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN, then
press the
Obutton to turn the
radio on.
2. Press the
Hbutton until the hour
numbers begin to flash, then
turn the
fknob to increase or
decrease the hour.
3. Press the
Hbutton until the
minute numbers begin to flash,
then turn the
fknob to increase
or decrease the minutes.
4. Press the
Hbutton until the
12HR or 24HR time format
begins to flash, then turn
the
fknob to change the time
format.

Black plate (9,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Instruments and Controls 5-9
2. Press the MENU button andthen the softkey under the
Htab
to display HR, MIN, MM, DD,
YYYY (hour, minute, month, day,
and year).
3. Press the softkey located under any one of the tabs to change
that setting.
4. To increase the time or date, do one of the following:
.Press the softkey below the
selected tab.
.Press the¨SEEK button.
.Press the\FWD button.
.Turn thefknob clockwise.
5. To decrease the time or date, do one of the following:
.Press the©SEEK button.
.Press thesREV button.
.Turn thefknob
counterclockwise. To change the time default setting
from 12 hour to 24 hour or to change
the date default setting from month/
day to day/month:
1. Press the MENU button
and then the softkey under
the
Htab.
2. Press the softkey located below the forward arrow tab. 12H, 24H,
the date MM/DD (month and
day), and DD/MM (day and
month) displays.
3. Press the softkey located below the desired option.
4. Press the MENU button again to apply the desired option, or let
the screen time out.
Power Outlets
Accessory power outlets can
be used to plug in electrical
equipment, such as a cell phone,
MP3 player, etc.
The vehicle may have two
accessory power outlets located
below the climate control system,
or may have one accessory power
outlet and one cigarette lighter. The
cigarette lighter is designed to fit
only in the receptacle closest to the
driver.
There may be another accessory
power outlet in the rear cargo area.
If the vehicle has a floor console,
there is an accessory power outlet
inside the storage bin and one on
the rear of the floor console.
Remove the cover to access and
replace when not in use.

Black plate (39,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Instruments and Controls 5-39
Remember, you must reset the OIL
LIFE display after each oil change.
It will not reset itself. Also, be
careful not to reset the OIL LIFE
display accidentally at any time
other than when the oil has just
been changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil change.
To reset the engine oil life system,
seeEngine Oil Life System on
page 10‑10.Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not
require immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing
V(Set/Reset) or the trip
odometer reset stem.
The messages that require
immediate action cannot be cleared
until that action is performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously and clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
The following are the possible
messages and some information
about them. If the vehicle has a diesel
engine, see the Duramax
®diesel
supplement for more information.
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
BATTERY LOW START
VEHICLE
When the vehicle’ s battery is
severely discharged, this message
will display and four chimes
will sound. Start the vehicle
immediately. If the vehicle is not
started and the battery continues to
discharge, the climate controls,
heated seats, and audio systems
will shut off and the vehicle may
require a jump start. These systems
will function again after the vehicle
is started.

Black plate (9,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Lighting 6-9
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
The vehicle has an illuminated entry
feature.
When the doors are opened, the
dome lamps will come on if the
dome override button is in the
extended position. If the dome
override button is pressed in, the
lamps will not come on.
Exit Lighting
The interior lamps come on when
the key is removed from the ignition.
They turn off automatically in
20 seconds. The lights do not come
on if the dome override button is
pressed in.
Battery Load
Management
The vehicle has Electric Power
Management (EPM) that estimates
the battery's temperature and state
of charge. It then adjusts the voltage
for best performance and extended
life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge
is low, the voltage is raised slightly
to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high,
the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. If the vehicle
has a voltmeter gauge or a voltage
display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the
voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an
alert will be displayed.The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all of
the power needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.
It can increase engine idle speed to
generate more power whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Climate Controls 8-1
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Climate Control Systems (withAir Conditioning) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems (with Heater Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Climate Control Systems
Climate Control Systems (with Air Conditioning)
With this system the heating, cooling, and ventilation can be controlled.
A. Fan Control
B. Temperature Control
C. Air Delivery Mode Control
D. Air Conditioning
E. Outside Air
F. Recirculation
G. Rear Window Defogger 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.

Black plate (2,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
8-2 Climate Controls
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.
?(Recirculation): Press to turn
the recirculation mode on. An
indicator light comes on to show
that recirculation is on.
This mode recirculates and helps
to quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to help
prevent outside air and odors from
entering the vehicle.
The recirculation mode cannot be
used with floor, defog or defrost
modes. If recirculation is selected
with one of these modes, the
indicator light flashes three times
and then turns off. While in
recirculation mode the windows
may fog when the weather is cold
and damp. To clear the fog, select
either the defog or defrost mode
and increase the fan speed.
The recirculation mode can be
turned off by pressing the outside
air button, or by turning off the
ignition.