towing GMC SIERRA 1500 2014 Owners Manual

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 8/15/13
2014 GMC Sierra Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-23
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-4
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-45
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-51
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-23 Voice Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-26
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-32
Trademarks and License
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-50
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-24
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-34
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-54
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 9-60
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-68
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-74
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-99

Black plate (2,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 8/15/13
2014 GMC Sierra Owner ManualM
Vehicle Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-89
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 10-94
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-96
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 . . . . 13-12
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

Black plate (3,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 8/15/13
In Brief 1-3
1.Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6-6.
2. Integrated Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) System (If Equipped).
See Towing Equipment on
page 9-89.
3. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6-1.
Fog Lamps on page 6-5
(If Equipped).
4. Air Vents on page 8-8.
5. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals on
page 6-5.
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5-4.
6. Instrument Cluster on page 5-10.
7. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6-4. 8. Shift Lever. See
Automatic
Transmission on page 9-34.
Tow/Haul Selector Button (If
Equipped). See Tow/Haul Mode
on page 9-38.
Range Selection Mode (Allison
Transmission
®and Hydra-Matic®
6-Speed Button) (If Equipped).
See Manual Mode on page 9-37.
9. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System on page 6-3.
10. Infotainment on page 7-1.
11. Electronic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on
page 9-39.
Card Holder (If Equipped). See
Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4-1.
12. Parking Brake on page 9-53.
13. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5-22. 14.
Cruise Control on page 9-57.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System on page 9-64.
15. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5-2 (Out of View).
16. Horn on page 5-4.
17. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10-4.
18. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5-3 (If Equipped).
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Controls (If Equipped). See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) on page 5-30 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) on page 5-32.
19. Heated and Cooled Front
Seats on page 3-8
(If Equipped).

Black plate (21,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 8/15/13
In Brief 1-21
Automatic Transfer Case
This transfer case knob is to the left
of the steering column.
The different drive options that may
be available are described following.
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High):This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive): This setting is ideal for use
when road surface traction
conditions are variable. Do not use AUTO mode to park on
a steep grade with poor traction
such as ice, snow, mud or gravel. In
AUTO mode only the rear wheels
will hold the vehicle from sliding
when parked. If parking on a steep
grade, use 4
mto keep all four
wheels engaged.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High): Use
this setting when extra traction is
needed, such as on snowy or icy
roads or in most off-road situations.
N (Neutral): Shift to this setting
only when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on
page 10-94 orTrailer Towing on
page 9-77.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low): This
setting sends maximum power to all
four wheels. Choose Four-Wheel
Drive Low when driving in deep
sand, mud, or snow, and while
climbing or descending steep hills.
See Four-Wheel Drive on
page 9-39.
Vehicle Features
Radio(s)
O
: Press to turn the system on.
Press and hold to turn it off. When
on, press to mute; press again to
unmute. Turn to increase or
decrease the volume.
RADIO: Press to choose between
FM, AM, and SiriusXM
®,
if equipped.
MEDIA: Press to change the audio
source between CD, USB, SD card,
AUX, and Bluetooth
®Audio,
if equipped.
{: Press to go to the Home Page.
MENU: Press to select a menu.
g:Press to seek the previous
station or track.
l: Press to seek the next station
or track.
See Overview on page 7-2 about
these and other radio features.

Black plate (14,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 8/15/13
2-14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{Warning
A convex mirror can make things,
like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are. If you
cut too sharply into the right lane,
you could hit a vehicle on the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.
Manual Mirrors
If equipped, adjust manual mirrors
by moving the mirror up and down
or left to right to see a little of the
side of the vehicle and to have a
clear view behind the vehicle. Using hood-mounted air deflectors
and add-on convex mirror
attachments could decrease mirror
performance.
Trailer-Tow Mirrors
If equipped, adjust trailer-tow
mirrors for a clearer view of the
objects behind you. Manually pull
out the mirror head to extend it for
better visibility when towing a trailer.
The lower portion of the mirror is
convex. A convex mirror's surface is
curved to see more from the driver
seat. The convex mirror can be
adjusted manually to the driver
preferred position for better vision.
The mirror may have a turn signal
arrow that flashes in the direction of
the turn or lane change.
Power Mirrors
Base Power Mirrors
If equipped with power mirrors:
1. Press (1) or (2) to select the driver or passenger side mirror.

Black plate (16,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 8/15/13
2-16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Resetting the Power Folding
Mirrors
Reset the power folding mirrors if:
.The mirrors are accidentally
obstructed while folding.
.They are accidentally manually
folded/unfolded.
.The mirrors will not stay in the
unfolded position.
.The mirrors vibrate at normal
driving speeds.
Fold and unfold the mirrors three
times using the mirror controls to
reset them to their normal position.
A popping noise may be heard. This
sound is normal after a manual
folding operation.
Manual Folding
If equipped, push the mirror toward
the vehicle to fold. 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.
Auto Folding Mirrors
If equipped, with the ignition off,
press and hold
Qon the RKE
transmitter for approximately
one second to fold the mirrors.
Press and hold
Kon the RKE
transmitter to unfold the mirrors.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-3.
This feature is turned on and off
through Vehicle Personalization.
See Vehicle Personalization on
page 5-45.
Turn Signal Indicator
If equipped, indicator lights on the
mirror flash in the direction of the
turn or lane change.
Heated Mirrors
1
(Rear Window Defogger):
If equipped, the rear window
defogger also heats the side
mirrors.
W(Heated Side Mirrors):
If equipped, press to turn the heated
mirrors on or off.
If the vehicle has trailer-tow mirrors,
only the upper glass of the mirror is
heated. The lower convex part of
the towing mirrors is not heated.
See “Rear Window Defogger” under
Climate Control Systems (with
Heater Only) on page 8-1 orClimate
Control Systems (with Air
Conditioning) on page 8-3 orDual
Automatic Climate Control System
on page 8-5.

Black plate (35,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 8/15/13
Seats and Restraints 3-35
{Warning
If the front outboard passenger
airbag is turned off for an
adult-sized occupant, the airbag
will not be able to inflate and help
protect that person in a crash,
resulting in an increased risk of
serious injury or even death. An
adult-sized occupant should not
ride in the front outboard
passenger seat, if the passenger
airbag off indicator is lit.
Additional Factors Affecting
System Operation
Safety belts help keep the
passenger in position on the seat
during vehicle maneuvers and
braking, which helps the passenger
sensing system maintain the
passenger airbag status. See
“Safety Belts”and“Child Restraints”
in the Index for additional
information about the importance of
proper restraint use. A thick layer of additional material,
such as a blanket or cushion,
or aftermarket equipment such as
seat covers, seat heaters, and seat
massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system
operates. We recommend that you
not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when
approved by GM for your specific
vehicle. See
Adding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3-36 for more information
about modifications that can affect
how the system operates.
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop,
or other electronic device, is put on
an unoccupied seat. If this is not
desired, remove the object from
the seat.
{Warning
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 13-11.

Black plate (23,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 8/15/13
Instruments and Controls 5-23
This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A misfire condition
has been detected. A misfire
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
To prevent more serious damage to
the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
.If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as
soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to stop and park the
vehicle. Turn the vehicle off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps and see
your dealer for service as soon as
possible. Light On Steady:
An emission
control system malfunction has
been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be
required.
The following may correct an
emission control system
malfunction:
.Check that the fuel cap is fully
installed. See Filling the Tank on
page 9-72. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the
light off.
.Check that good quality fuel is
used. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and may
cause stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is
changed into gear, misfiring,
hesitation on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions
occurs, change the fuel brand used.
It may require at least one full tank
of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
See Fuel on page 9-68.
If none of the above have made the
light turn off, your dealer can check
the vehicle. The dealer has the
proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems
that might have developed.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Depending on where you live, your
vehicle may be required to
participate in an emission control
system inspection and maintenance
program. For the inspection, the
emission system test equipment will
likely connect to the vehicle's Data
Link Connector (DLC).

Black plate (25,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 8/15/13
Instruments and Controls 5-25
If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See
Towing the Vehicle on page 10-94.
{Warning
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off
the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the
ignition off.
If the light comes on while driving,
stop as soon as it is safely possible
and turn off the vehicle. Then start
the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on
steady.
If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but
the antilock brakes are not
functioning.
If both the ABS and the brake
system warning light are on, the
vehicle's antilock brakes are not
functioning and there is a problem
with the regular brakes. See your
dealer for service.See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5-24 andBrake System
Messages on page 5-35.
Four-Wheel-Drive Light
The four-wheel-drive light comes on
when a vehicle with a manual
transfer case is shifted into
four-wheel drive and the front axle
engages.
Some delay between the shifting
and the light coming on is normal.
See Four-Wheel Drive on page 9-39
for more information.

Black plate (36,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 8/15/13
5-36 Instruments and Controls
When this message displays, power
is no longer available to the trailer
brakes.
As soon as it is safe to do so,
carefully pull your vehicle over to
the side of the road and turn the
ignition off. Check the wiring
connection to the trailer and turn the
ignition back on. If this message still
displays, either your vehicle or the
trailer needs service. See your
dealer.
See“Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System” underTowing
Equipment on page 9-89 for more
information.
Compass Messages
Dashes may be displayed if the
vehicle temporarily loses
communication with the Global
Positioning System (GPS).
Door Ajar Messages
DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime
may sound if a door is not fully
closed. Stop and turn off the
vehicle, check the door for
obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the hood is not fully
closed. Stop and turn off the
vehicle, check the hood for
obstructions, and close the hood
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
Engine Cooling System
Messages
AIR CONDITIONING OFF
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
See Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge on page 5-16. To avoid
added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor
automatically turns off. When the
coolant temperature returns to
normal, the air conditioning
compressor turns back on. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.