roof GMC SIERRA 1500 2012 Owner's Manual

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Lighting 6-7
This button is located on the
overhead console.
When the wiring is connected to
an auxiliary roof‐mounted lamp,
pressing the bottom of the button
will 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 9‑106.
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.
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.

Black plate (15,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Infotainment System 7-15
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna can
withstand most car washes without
being damaged as long as it is
securely attached to the base.
If the mast becomes slightly bent,
straighten it out by hand. If the mast
is badly bent, replace it.
Occasionally check to make sure
the antenna is tightened to its base.
If tightening is required, tighten
by hand until fully seated plus
one quarter turn.
Satellite Radio Antenna
The XM Satellite Radio antenna is
located on the roof of the vehicle.
Keep the antenna clear of
obstructions for clear radio
reception.
If the vehicle has a sunroof, the
performance of the XM system
(if equipped) may be affected if the
sunroof is open.
Audio Players
CD Player
Care of the CD Player
Do not add any label to a CD.
It could get caught in the CD. If a
CD is recorded on a personal
computer and a description label is
needed, try labeling the top of the
recorded CD with a marking pen.
The use of CD lens cleaners is
not advised, due to the risk of
contaminating the lens of the CD
optics with lubricants internal to the
CD player mechanism.
Notice:If a label is added to a
CD, more than one CD is inserted
into the slot at a time, or an
attempt is made to play scratched
or damaged CDs, the CD player
could be damaged. While using
the CD player, use only CDs in
good condition without any label,
load one CD at a time, and keep the CD player and the loading slot
free of foreign materials, liquids,
and debris.
If an error displays, see
“CD Player
Messages” later in this section.Care of CDs
If playing a CD-R, the sound quality
can be reduced due to CD-R or
CD-RW quality, the method of
recording, the quality of the music
that has been recorded, and the
way the CD-R or CD-RW has been
handled. Handle them carefully.
Store CD-Rs or CD-RWs in their
original cases or other protective
cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. The CD player scans the
bottom surface of the disc. If the
surface of a CD is damaged, such
as cracked, broken, or scratched,
the CD does not play properly or not
at all. Do not touch the bottom side
of a CD while handling it; this could
damage the surface. Pick up CDs
by grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Driving and Operating 9-7
WARNING (Continued)
.Keep cargo in the cargo area
as far forward and as low as
possible. The heaviest things
should be on the floor,
forward of the rear axle.
.Heavy loads on the roof raise
the vehicle's center of gravity,
making it more likely to roll
over. You can be seriously or
fatally injured if the vehicle
rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on
the roof.
For more information about loading
the vehicle, see Vehicle Load Limits
and Tires.
Environmental Concerns
.Always use established trails,
roads, and areas that have been
set aside for public off-road
recreational driving and obey all
posted regulations.
.Do not damage shrubs, flowers,
trees, or grasses or disturb
wildlife.
.Do not park over things that
burn. See Parking Over Things
that Burn..
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of
what the vehicle can and cannot do.
{WARNING
If the vehicle has the two‐speed
automatic transfer case, shifting
the transfer case to N (Neutral)
can cause your vehicle to roll
even if the transmission is in
P (Park) for an automatic
transmission or any gear position
for a manual transmission. This is
because the N (Neutral) position
on the transfer case overrides the
transmission. You or someone
else could be injured. If leaving (Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
the vehicle, set the parking
brake and shift the transmission
to P (Park) for an automatic
transmission or any gear position
for a manual transmission. Shift
the transfer case to any position
but N (Neutral).
Before driving on a hill, assess
the steepness, traction, and
obstructions. If the terrain ahead
cannot be seen, get out of the
vehicle and walk the hill before
driving further.
When driving on hills:
.Use a low gear and keep a firm
grip on the steering wheel.
.Maintain a slow speed.
.When possible, drive straight up
or down the hill.
.Slow down when approaching
the top of the hill.

Black plate (29,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Driving and Operating 9-29
Fast Idle System
If the vehicle has this feature it is
available only with cruise control.
The manual fast idle switch is
operated using the cruise control
buttons located on the left hand side
of the steering wheel.
This system can be used to
increase engine idle speed
whenever the following conditions
are met:
.The park brake is set.
.The brake pedal is not pressed.
.The vehicle must not be moving
and the accelerator must not be
pressed.
To control the fast idle:
.To enable the Fast Idle System,
press and release the Cruise
Control On/Off button and
ensure that the switch LED is lit.
.Press and release the Cruise
Control Set switch. Engine
speed will be held at
approximately 1200 RPM. When the fast idle is active the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will
display
“FAST IDLE ON.”
One of the following actions will turn
off the fast idle:
.Pressing the brake.
.Selecting the Cruise Control
Cancel button.
.Releasing the Parking Brake.
.The transmission shift lever is
moved out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral).
.Selecting the Cruise Control
On/Off button when it was
previously on.
.Pressing the Cruise Control Set
switch a second time.
.Pressing the accelerator greater
than a quarter of the way down.
.Turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
The following vehicle accessories
can be used for up to 10 minutes
after the engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
.OnStar System (if equipped)
.Sunroof (if equipped)
These features work when
the key is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY. Once the key is
turned from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF,
the windows and sunroof continue
to work up to 10 minutes until any
door is opened. The radio continues
to work for up to 10 minutes or until
the driver door is opened.

Black plate (109,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Driving and Operating 9-109
See your dealer for additional
advice and information about using
a snow plow on the vehicle. Also,
seeVehicle Load Limits on
page 9‑16.
Emergency Roof Lamp
Provisions
Vehicles with the RPO VYU snow
plow prep package also have an
emergency roof lamp provision
package, RPO TRW. Wiring for the
emergency roof lamp is provided
above the overhead console. See
Auxiliary Roof-Mounted Lamp on
page 6‑6 for switch location.
Pickup Conversion to
Chassis Cab
We are aware that some vehicle
owners might consider having the
pickup box removed and a
commercial or recreational body
installed. Owners should be aware
that, as manufactured, there are
differences between a chassis cab
and a pickup with the box removed
which could affect vehicle safety.
The components necessary to adapt
a pickup to permit its safe use with
a specialized body should be
installed by the body builder.

Black plate (46,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
10-46 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
9 Antilock Brakes System 2
10 Trailer Back-up Lamps
11 Driver Side Low-Beam
Headlamp
12 Engine Control Module
(Battery)
13 Fuel Injectors, Ignition
Coils (Right Side)
14 Transmission Control
Module (Battery)
15 Vehicle Back-up Lamps
16 Passenger Side
Low-Beam Headlamp
17 Air Conditioning
Compressor
18 Oxygen Sensors
19 Transmission Controls
(Ignition)
20 Fuel Pump
21 Fuel System Control
Module Fuses
Usage
22 Not Used
23 Not Used
24 Fuel Injectors, Ignition
Coils (Left Side)
25 Trailer Park Lamps
26 Driver Side Park Lamps
27 Passenger Side Park
Lamps
28 Fog Lamps
29 Horn
30 Passenger Side
High-Beam Headlamp
31 Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
32 Driver Side High-Beam
Headlamp
33 Daytime Running Lamps 2
34 Sunroof
35 Key Ignition System, Theft
Deterrent System Fuses
Usage
36 Windshield Wiper
37 SEO B2 Upfitter Usage
(Battery)
38 Electric Adjustable Pedals
39 Climate Controls (Battery)
40 Airbag System (Ignition)
41 Amplifier
42 Audio System
43 Miscellaneous (Ignition),
Cruise Control
44 Not Used
45 Airbag System (Battery)
46 Instrument Panel Cluster
47 Power Take-Off
48 Auxiliary Climate Control
(Ignition)
49 Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)
50 Rear Defogger

Black plate (4,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
11-4 Service and Maintenance
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. SeeExterior Care on
page 10‑98.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑20.
.Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑98.
.Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check on page 10‑35.
.Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check on
page 10‑35.
.Check ignition transmission lock.
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑35.
.Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check on
page 10‑36.
.Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. See your
dealer if service is required.
.Inspect sunroof track and seal,
if equipped. See Sunroof (Crew
Cab) on page 2‑23 orSunroof
(Extended Cab) on page 2‑22.
.Check hybrid low pressure
coolant level, if equipped.

Black plate (2,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
i-2 INDEX
Automatic TransmissionManual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Shift Lock Control
Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-32
Roof Mounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Axle, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30 Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Voltage and Charging
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-36
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-48
Brake
Pedal and AdjustableThrottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 5-25 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Center High-MountedStoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . 10-42 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Pick-up Box Identification
and Fender Marker
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and
Back-up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
California
Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 9-69
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Camera, Rear Vision . . . . . . . . . . 9-62
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . iii
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
INDEX i-7
Heating and AirConditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1, 8-4
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . 10-60
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . 9-12
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
I
Idle System
Fast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Instrument Panel
Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
J
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88
K
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . . 5-43
Keyless Entry Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . 2-3
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . 10-52
Lamps Auxiliary Roof
Mounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . 6-3
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8 Lamps (cont'd)
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Pick-up Box Identification and Fender Marker . . . . . . . . 10-40
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
LATCH System Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . 3-47
Lighter, Cigarette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Black plate (11,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
INDEX i-11
ReplacementGlass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-15
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . 3-38
Replacing LATCH System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . 3-21
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-18
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
Restraints
Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-45
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Ride Control Systems Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7, 13-9 Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22, 2-23
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-65
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . 12-6
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . 3-21
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . 3-19
Safety Defects Reporting Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-18
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-18
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11 Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 13-12
Seats
Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Heated and Ventilated Front . . . 3-9
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . 3-4
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 3-4
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10, 3-11
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Securing Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55, 3-58
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Service Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Maintenance Records . . . . . . .11-16
Maintenance, General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1