cruise control GMC SIERRA 1500 2012 Owners Manual

Black plate (2,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
2012 GMC Sierra Owner ManualM
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-55
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-61
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-74
Conversions and
Add-Ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-105
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-93
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-98 Service and Maintenance
. . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-12
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-16
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2 Customer Information
. . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-17
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Black plate (5,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
0:Adjustable Pedals
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
O: Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_: Tow/Haul Mode
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak®
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel (Base/UplevelVersion) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Instrument Panel (Premium Version) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15 Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Passenger Sensing
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Throttle and Brake Pedal Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-21
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-28
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-29
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30 Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 1-31
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32
Universal Remote System . . . 1-32
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33
Performance and Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 1-35
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-35
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-35
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 1-36
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-37

Black plate (3,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
In Brief 1-3
A.Air Vents on page 8‑10.
B. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6‑5.
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑4.
C. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑30.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑5 (Out of View).
E. Instrument Cluster on
page 5‑12.
F. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑35.
Tow/Haul Selector Button (If
Equipped). See Tow/Haul Mode
on page 9‑39. Range Selection Mode (Allison
Transmission and Hydra-Matic®
6‐Speed Button) (If Equipped).
See
Manual Mode on
page 9‑38.
G. Infotainment on page 7‑1.
H. Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4‑1.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped). See
Trailer Towing on page 9‑78.
J. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
K. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑22.
L. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10‑5. M.
Parking Brake on page 9‑54.
N. Dome Lamps on page 6‑8.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑6
(If Equipped).
O. Cruise Control on page 9‑58.
P. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
Q. Horn on page 5‑4.
R. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑2 (If Equipped).
S. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on
page 10‑30.
T. Ashtray (If Equipped). See Ashtrays on page 5‑11 and
Cigarette Lighter on page 5‑10.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
In Brief 1-7
A.Air Vents on page 8‑10.
B. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6‑5.
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑4.
C. Instrument Cluster on
page 5‑12.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑5 (Out of View).
E. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑35.
Range Selection Mode
(If Equipped). See Manual
Mode on page 9‑38.
F. Tow/Haul Mode on page 9‑39
(If Equipped).
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑30. H.
Infotainment on page 7‑1.
I. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
J. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped). See
Trailer Towing on page 9‑78.
K. Dome Lamps on page 6‑8.
L. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on
page 10‑30.
M. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑22.
N. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10‑5.
O. Parking Brake on page 9‑54.
P. Cruise Control on page 9‑58. Q.
Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
R. Horn on page 5‑4.
S. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑2.
T. Climate Control Systems (with
Air Conditioning) on page 8‑1 or
Climate Control Systems (with
Heater Only) on page 8‑4
(If Equipped).
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 8‑5
(If Equipped).
U. Power Outlets on page 5‑9.
Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped).
See Ashtrays on page 5‑11 and
Cigarette Lighter on page 5‑10.

Black plate (25,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
In Brief 1-25
2. Press the plus/minus buttons,located on the steering column
shift lever, to select the desired
range of gears for current driving
conditions. See Manual Mode on
page 9‑38.
While using Range Selection Mode,
cruise control and the Tow/Haul
mode can be used.
Grade Braking is not available when
Range Selection Mode is active.
See Tow/Haul Mode on page 9‑39.
Four-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle has Four-Wheel Drive,
you can send the engine's driving
power to all four wheels for extra
traction.
Transfer Case Buttons
The vehicle will have one of these
three styles of transfer case
controls. Use these controls to
shift into and out of the different
Four-Wheel Drive modes. Manual Transfer Case
This transfer case shift lever is on
the floor to the right of the driver.
Electronic Transfer CaseThis transfer case knob is located
next to the steering column.

Black plate (30,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
1-30 In Brief
Cruise Control
T:Press to turn the system on
or off. The indicator light is on when
cruise control is on and turns off
when cruise control is off.
+ RES: Press briefly to make the
vehicle resume to a previously set
speed, or press and hold to
accelerate.
SET −:Press to set the speed and
activate cruise control or make the
vehicle decelerate.
[: Press to disengage cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
See Cruise Control on page 9‑58.
Navigation System
If the vehicle has a navigation
system, there is a separate
navigation system manual that
includes information on the radio,
audio players, and navigation
system.
The navigation system provides
detailed maps of most major
freeways and roads. After a
destination has been set, the
system provides turn-by-turn
instructions for reaching the
destination. In addition, the system
can help locate a variety of points of
interest (POIs), such as banks,
airports, restaurants, and more.
See the navigation system manual
for more information.
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC display is located at the
bottom of the instrument panel
cluster. It shows the status of many
vehicle systems and enables
access to the personalization menu.
The DIC buttons are located on
the instrument panel, next to the
steering wheel.
Some vehicles do not have the
buttons shown, however some of
the menus can be viewed by using
the trip odometer reset stem.

Black plate (36,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
1-36 In Brief
Resetting the Oil Life System
To reset the Engine Oil Life System
on most vehicles:
1. Display OIL LIFE REMAININGon the DIC. If the vehicle does
not have DIC buttons, the
vehicle must be in P (Park) to
access this display.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on the DIC, or the trip
odometer reset stem if the
vehicle does not have DIC
buttons, for more than
five seconds. The oil life will
change to 100%.
On all vehicles, the Engine Oil Life
System can be reset as follows:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within
five seconds.
3. Display OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the display shows
100%, the system is reset. See
Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑10.
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge
and a yellow fuel cap can use either
unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on
page 9‑71. For all other vehicles,
use only the unleaded gasoline
described under Recommended
Fuel on page 9‑68.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving
tips to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.: 1-888-881-3302
TTY Users (U.S.): 1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
Mexico: 01-800-466-0801

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-2
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-4
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-17
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-18
Airbag On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-22
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . 5-26
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . 5-26
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-27
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . 5-27
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-28
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-28
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-29
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-40
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-42
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-42
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-43
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-43
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-45
Anti-theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Starting the Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45

Black plate (30,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2012 - CRC - 11/15/11
5-30 Instruments and Controls
Cruise Control Light
For vehicles equipped with cruise
control, this light comes on
whenever the cruise control is set.
The light goes out when the cruise
control is turned off. SeeCruise
Control on page 9‑58 for more
information.
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The vehicle has a Driver Information
Center (DIC).
The DIC displays information about
this vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected.
All messages will appear in
the DIC display located below the
tachometer in the instrument panel
cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition
is on. After a short delay, the DIC
will display the information that was
last displayed before the engine
was turned off. The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by pressing
the DIC buttons located on the
instrument panel, next to the
steering wheel. If the vehicle does
not have DIC buttons, the trip
odometer reset stem can be used to
access some of the menu items.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and
vehicle system information, and
warning messages if a system
problem is detected.
The DIC also allows some features
to be customized. See
Vehicle
Personalization (With DIC Buttons)
on page 5‑48 for more information.
If the vehicle has a diesel
engine, see the Duramax
®diesel
supplement for more information.