GMC SIERRA 1500 2015 Owners Manual

Black plate (56,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
9-56 Driving and Operating
Driver Assistance
Systems
This vehicle may have features that
work together to help avoid crashes
or reduce crash damage while
driving, backing, and parking. Read
this entire section before using
these systems.
{Warning
Do not rely on the Driver
Assistance Systems. These
systems do not replace the need
for paying attention and driving
safely. You may not hear or feel
alerts or warnings provided by
these systems. Failure to use
proper care when driving may
result in injury, death, or vehicle
damage. SeeDefensive Driving
on page 9-3.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Under many conditions, these
systems will not:
.Detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or animals.
.Detect vehicles or objects
outside the area monitored by
the system.
.Work at all driving speeds.
.Warn you or provide you with
enough time to avoid a crash.
.Work under poor visibility or
bad weather conditions.
.Work if the detection sensor
is not cleaned or is covered
by ice, snow, mud, or dirt.
Complete attention is always
required while driving, and you
should be ready to take action
and apply the brakes and/or steer
the vehicle to avoid crashes. Audible or Safety Alert Seat
Some driver assistance features
alert the driver of obstacles by
beeping. To change the volume of
the warning chime, see
“Comfort
and Convenience” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5-45.
If equipped with the Safety Alert
Seat, the driver seat cushion may
provide a vibrating pulse alert
instead of beeping. To change this,
see “Collision/Detection Systems”
under Vehicle Personalization on
page 5-45.
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing
When the vehicle is in R (Reverse),
the Rear Vision Camera (RVC) and
Rear Parking Assist (RPA) may help
the driver to avoid a crash or to
reduce crash damage. Some
models may also have Front
Parking Assist (FPA) .

Black plate (57,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-57
The RVC and RPA will not work
properly if the tailgate is down. If the
tailgate is down, do not use these
systems.
When the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse), the RVC displays an
image of the area behind the vehicle
in the center stack display. The
previous screen displays when the
vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse)
after a short delay. To return to the
previous screen sooner, press a
button on the infotainment system,
shift into P (Park), or reach a vehicle
speed of 8 km/h (5 mph).
{Warning
The RVC system does not display
children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
animals, or any other object
located outside the camera's field
of view, below the bumper,
or under the vehicle. Perceived
distances may be different from
actual distances. Do not back the(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
vehicle using only the RVC
screen, during longer, higher
speed backing maneuvers,
or where there could be cross
traffic. Failure to use proper care
before backing may result in
injury, death, or vehicle damage.
Always check behind and around
the vehicle before backing.
1. View Displayed by the Camera
1. View Displayed by the Camera
2. Corners of the Rear Bumper
Displayed images may be farther or
closer than they appear. The area
displayed is limited and objects that
are close to either corner of the
bumper or under the bumper do not
display.
A warning triangle may display on
the RVC screen to show where the
RPA has detected an object. This
triangle changes from amber to red
and increases in size the closer the
object.
With RPA, and if equipped with FPA,
as the vehicle moves at speeds of
less than 8 km/h (5 mph) the
sensors on the bumpers detect

Black plate (58,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
9-58 Driving and Operating
objects up to 2.5 m (8 ft) behind and
1.2 m (4 ft) in front of the vehicle
within a zone 25 cm (10 in) high off
the ground and below bumper level.
These detection distances may be
less during warmer or humid
weather.
{Warning
The parking assist system does
not detect children, pedestrians,
bicyclists, animals, or objects
located below the bumper or that
are too close or too far from the
vehicle. It is not available at
speeds greater than 8 km/h
(5 mph). To prevent injury, death,
or vehicle damage, even with
parking assist, always check the
area around the vehicle and
check all mirrors before moving
forward or backing.
The vehicle may have an instrument
cluster parking assist display with
bars that show“distance to object”
and object location information for
RPA, and on some vehicles, for the
FPA system. As the object gets
closer, more bars light up.
When an object is first detected in
the rear, one beep will be heard
from the rear, or both sides of the
Safety Alert Seat will pulse two
times. When an object is very close
(<0.6 m (2 ft) in the vehicle rear,
or <0.3 m (1 ft) in the vehicle front),
a continuous beep will sound from
the front or rear, or both sides of the Safety Alert Seat will pulse five
times. Beeps for FPA are higher
pitched than for RPA.
Turning the Features On or Off
TheXbutton on the center stack
is used to turn on or off the Front
and Rear Parking Assist. The
indicator light in the button comes
on when the features are on and
turns off when the features have
been disabled.
Front and Rear Parking Assist can
be turned off, on, or on with towbar
through vehicle personalization. See
“Parking Assist” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5-45. If the
parking assist is turned off through
vehicle personalization, the parking
assist button on the center stack will
be disabled. To turn the parking

Black plate (59,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-59
assist on again, select On in the
vehicle personalization menu. The
On with Towbar setting allows for
the parking assist to work properly
with a small item attached to the
trailer hitch. Turn off parking assist
when towing a trailer.
To turn the Rear Vision Camera
(RVC) system rear parking assist
symbols or guidance lines on or off:
1. On the infotainment systemHome screen, press the Settings
screen button, or turn the MENU
knob to highlight Settings and
press MENU.
2. Select Rear Camera.
3. Press Rear Park Assist Symbols or Guidance Lines and then
select Off or On.
Disconnecting the Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
The RVC must be disconnected if
the tailgate needs to be removed. The RVC is disconnected by
removing the connector from the
electrical junction block mounted on
the left side of the cross member of
the vehicle frame. After
disconnecting, the cap mounted
next to the camera connector must
be relocated so that the open
terminals on the junction block are
covered.
Assistance Systems for
Driving
If equipped, when driving the
vehicle, Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) and Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) can help to avoid a crash or
reduce crash damage.
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
If equipped, the FCA system may
help to avoid or reduce the harm
caused by front-end crashes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a red flashing
alert on the windshield and rapidlybeeps or pulses the driver seat.
FCA also lights an amber visual
alert if following another vehicle
much too closely.
FCA detects vehicles within a
distance of approximately 60 m
(197 ft) and operates at speeds
above 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
FCA is a warning system and
does not apply the brakes. When
approaching a slower-moving or
stopped vehicle ahead too rapidly,
or when following a vehicle too
closely, FCA may not provide a
warning with enough time to help
avoid a crash. FCA does not warn
of pedestrians, animals, signs,
guardrails, bridges, construction
barrels, or other objects. Be ready
to take action and apply the
brakes. For more information, see
Defensive Driving on page 9-3.

Black plate (60,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
9-60 Driving and Operating
FCA can be disabled with the FCA
steering wheel control.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
FCA warnings will not occur unless
the FCA system detects a vehicle
ahead. When a vehicle is detected
ahead, the vehicle-ahead indicator
will display green. Vehicles may not
be detected on curves, highway exit
ramps, or hills; or due to poor
visibility. FCA will not detect another
vehicle ahead until it is completely
in the driving lane.
{Warning
FCA does not provide a warning
to help avoid a crash, unless it
detects a vehicle. FCA may not
detect a vehicle ahead if the FCA
sensor is blocked by dirt, snow,
or ice, or if the windshield is
damaged. It may also not detect a
vehicle on winding or hilly roads,
or in conditions that can limit
visibility such as fog, rain,
or snow, or if the headlamps or
windshield are not cleaned or in
proper condition. Keep the
windshield, headlamps, and FCA
sensors clean and in good repair.Collision Alert
When your vehicle approaches
another detected vehicle too rapidly,
the red FCA display will flash on the
windshield. Also, eight rapid
high-pitched beeps will sound from
the front, or both sides of the Safety
Alert Seat will pulse five times.
When this Collision Alert occurs, the
brake system may prepare for driver
braking to occur more rapidly which
can cause a brief, mild deceleration.
Continue to apply the brake pedal

Black plate (61,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-61
as needed. Cruise control may be
disengaged when the Collision Alert
occurs.
Tailgating Alert
The vehicle ahead indicator will
display amber when you are
following a vehicle ahead much too
closely.
Selecting the Alert Timing
The FCA control is on the steering
wheel. Press
[to set the FCA
timing to Far, Medium, Near, or Off.
The first button press shows the
current setting on the DIC.
Additional button presses will
change this setting. The chosen
setting will remain until it is changed
and will affect the timing of both the
Collision Alert and the Tailgating
Alert features. The timing of both
alerts will vary based on vehicle
speed. The faster the vehicle speed,
the farther away the alert will occur. Consider traffic and weather
conditions when selecting the alert
timing. The range of selectable alert
timing may not be appropriate for all
drivers and driving conditions.
Unnecessary Alerts
FCA may provide unnecessary
alerts for turning vehicles, vehicles
in other lanes, objects that are not
vehicles, or shadows. These alerts
are normal operation and the
vehicle does not need service.
Cleaning the System
If the FCA system does not seem to
operate properly, cleaning the
outside of the windshield in front of
the camera sensor on the back of
the rearview mirror, and cleaning the
front of the vehicle where radar
sensors are located, may correct
the issue.

Black plate (62,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
9-62 Driving and Operating
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW)
If equipped, LDW may help avoid
crashes due to unintentional lane
departures. It may provide a
warning if the vehicle is crossing a
detected lane marking without using
a turn signal in the lane departure
direction. LDW uses a camera
sensor to detect the lane markings.
It only operates at speeds of
56 km/h (35 mph) or greater.
When the vehicle crosses a
detected lane marking, the LDW
indicator will flash and either three
beeps will be sounded from the left
or right side, or three Safety Alert
Seat pulses will occur on the left or
right side of the seat, depending on
the lane departure direction. LDW
will not warn if the turn signal is on
in the departure direction, or if a
sharp maneuver is made.
{Warning
The LDW system is an aid to help
the vehicle stay in the driving
lane. It does not steer the vehicle.
The LDW system may not:
.Provide enough time to avoid
a crash.
.Detect lane markings under
bad weather conditions or if
the windshield is dirty.
.Detect lane markings and will
not detect road edges.
.Warn that the vehicle is
crossing a lane marking if the
system does not detect the
lane marking.
If LDW only detects lane
markings on one side of the road,
it will only warn you when
departing the lane on the side
where it has detected a lane
marker. Even with LDW, always
keep your attention on the road (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and maintain proper vehicle
position within the lane, or vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Always keep the
windshield clean and do not use
LDW in bad weather conditions.
How the System Works
The LDW camera sensor is on the
windshield ahead of the rearview
mirror.
To turn LDW on and off, press
@on
the center stack. The control
indicator will light when LDW is on.
When the vehicle is started, the
LDW indicator on the instrument
cluster will come on briefly.

Black plate (63,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-63
If LDW is on, the LDW indicator will
appear green if the system detects
a left or right lane marking while the
vehicle is traveling at 56 km/h
(35 mph) or greater. If the vehicle
crosses a detected lane marking
without using the turn signal in the
lane departure direction, this
indicator will change to amber and
flash. In addition, three beeps will
be sounded from the left or right
side, or the Safety Alert Seat will
pulse three times on either the left
or right side of the seat, depending
on the lane departure direction.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
If the LDW symbol does not appear
when the system is on and the
vehicle is traveling at least 56 km/h
(35 mph):
.The lane markings on the road
may not be seen.
.The camera sensor may be
blocked by dirt, snow, or ice.
.The windshield may be
damaged.
.The weather may be limiting
visibility.
This is normal operation; the vehicle
does not need service. Clean the
windshield.
Lane markings may not be detected
on curves, highway exit ramps,
or hills; or due to poor visibility.
If the LDW camera system does not
seem to operate properly, cleaning
the outside of the windshield in front
of the camera sensor may correct
the issue.
{Warning
LDW does not provide a warning
to help avoid a crash, unless it
detects the lane markings. LDW
may not detect the lane markings
if the camera sensor is blocked
by dirt, snow, or ice, or if the
windshield is damaged. It may (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
also not detect a lane on winding
or hilly roads, or in conditions that
can limit visibility such as fog,
rain, or snow, or if the headlamps
or windshield are not cleaned or
in proper condition. Keep the
windshield, headlamps, and
camera sensors clean and in
good repair.
LDW warnings may occur due to tar
marks, shadows, cracks in the road,
or other road imperfections. This is
normal system operation; the
vehicle does not need service.

Black plate (64,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
9-64 Driving and Operating
Fuel
For diesel engine vehicles, see
“Fuel for Diesel Engines”in the
Duramax diesel supplement.
Use of the recommended fuel is an
important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. When
driving in the U.S., to help keep the
engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, we
recommend using TOP TIER
Detergent Gasolines. See
www.toptiergas.com for a list of TOP
TIER Detergent Gasolines.
If the vehicle has a yellow fuel cap,
E85 or FlexFuel can be used in the
vehicle. See E85 or FlexFuel on
page 9-66.
For all vehicles except those with
the 6.2L V8 engine, use regular
unleaded gasoline meeting ASTM
specification D4814 with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher. Do not
use gasoline with an octane rating
below 87, as it may cause engine
damage and will lower fuel
economy.
If the vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine
(VIN Code J), use premium
unleaded gasoline meeting ASTM
specification D4814 with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher.
Regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher can be used,
but acceleration and fuel economy
will be reduced, and an audible
knocking noise may be heard. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 91
octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, the engine
could be damaged. If heavy knocking is heard when using
gasoline with a 91 octane rating or
higher, the engine needs service.
Use of Seasonal Fuels
Use summer and winter fuels in the
appropriate season. The fuels
industry automatically modifies the
fuel for the appropriate season.
If fuel is left in the vehicle tank for
long periods of time, driving or
starting could be affected. Drive the
vehicle until the fuel is at one-half
tank or less, then refuel with the
current seasonal fuel.
Prohibited Fuels
Gasolines containing oxygenates
such as ethers and ethanol, as well
as reformulated gasolines, are
available in some cities. If these
gasolines comply with the
previously described specification,
then they are acceptable to use.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
15% ethanol must be used only in
FlexFuel vehicles.

Black plate (65,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Driving and Operating 9-65
{Caution
Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also
damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be
covered under the vehicle
warranty.
Some gasolines, mainly high octane
racing gasolines, can contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). Do not use
gasolines and/or fuel additives with
MMT as they can reduce spark plug
life and affect emission control
system performance. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn
on. If this occurs, see your dealer
for service.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance might
be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle may not pass a smog-check
test. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 5-22. If this occurs,
return to your authorized dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of
fuel used, repairs may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
If planning to drive in countries
outside the U.S. or Canada, the
proper fuel might be hard to find.
Check regional auto club or fuel
retail brand websites for availability
in the country where driving. Never
use leaded gasoline, fuel containing
methanol or manganese, or any
other fuel not recommended. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper
fuel would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline is
recommended. See Fuel on
page 9-64.
If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
not available, one bottle of Fuel
System Treatment PLUS added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help. Fuel System
Treatment PLUS is the only