four wheel drive GMC SIERRA 1500 2015 Owners Manual

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Heated and Cooled Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11 Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Throttle and Brake Pedal Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-16
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-22
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-23
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24 Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Universal Remote System . . . 1-26
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-28
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-28
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30

Black plate (3,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
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 9-87.
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 6-4.
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5-4.
6. Favorite Switches (Out of View). See Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5-3.
Volume Switches (Out of View).
See Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5-3.
7. Instrument Cluster on page 5-10. 8.
Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6-4.
9. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9-33.
Tow/Haul Selector Button (If
Equipped). See Tow/Haul Mode
on page 9-37.
Range Selection Mode (Allison
Transmission
®and Hydra-Matic®
6-Speed Button) (If Equipped).
See Manual Mode on page 9-36.
10. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System on
page 6-3.
11. Infotainment on page 7-1.
12. Electronic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on
page 9-38.
Card Holder (If Equipped). See
Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4-1.
13. Parking Brake on page 9-48. 14. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5-22.
15. Cruise Control on page 9-53.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System on page 9-59 (If
Equipped).
16. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5-2 (Out of View).
17. Horn on page 5-4.
18. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10-4.
19. 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.
20. Heated and Cooled Front
Seats on page 3-8 (If
Equipped).

Black plate (20,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
1-20 In Brief
2. Press the plus/minus buttons onthe shift lever to select the
desired range of gears for
current driving conditions. See
Manual Mode on page 9-36.
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 9-37.
Four-Wheel Drive
If the vehicle has Four-Wheel Drive,
the engine's driving power can be
sent to all four wheels for extra
traction.
Transfer Case Controls
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 to the left
of the steering column.

Black plate (21,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
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 10-93 orTrailer Towing on
page 9-72.
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 9-38.
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System
The base radio and base radio with
connectivity information is included
in this manual. See the infotainment
manual for information on the
uplevel radios, audio players,
phone, navigation system, Rear
Seat Entertainment (RSE), and
voice or speech recognition,
if equipped.
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.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-3
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 5-4
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-4
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
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 . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-21
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . 5-25
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . 5-26
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . 5-26
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 5-26
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-27
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . 5-27
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-28
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-29 Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-29
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Information Displays
Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-36
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-37
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-38
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-38
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-39
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-41

Black plate (25,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Instruments and Controls 5-25
If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See
Towing the Vehicle on page 10-93.
{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 5-36.
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 9-38
for more information.

Black plate (41,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Instruments and Controls 5-41
STABILITRAK OFF may also
display when the stability control
has been automatically disabled.
The following conditions can cause
this message to appear:
.The system is overheating,
which could occur if StabiliTrak
activates continuously for an
extended period of time.
.The brake system warning light
is on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 5-24.
.The stability system takes longer
than usual to complete its
diagnostic checks due to driving
conditions.
.An engine or vehicle-related
problem has been detected and
the vehicle needs service. See
your dealer.
.The transfer case is in
Four-Wheel Drive Low.
The message turns off as soon as
the conditions that caused the
message to be displayed are no
longer present.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a
problem with the airbag system.
Have your dealer inspect the
system for problems. See Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5-18 and
Airbag System on page 3-21 for
more information.
Security Messages
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. The vehicle may or may not
restart, so you may want to take the
vehicle to your dealer before turning
off the engine. See Immobilizer
Operation on page 2-12.
Steering System
Messages
STEERING ASSIST IS
REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE
This message may display if a
problem occurs with the electric
power steering system. If this
message appears, steering effort
may be slightly higher than normal.
The vehicle is still safe to drive. Use
caution while in reduced assist
mode. If this message is persistent
or appears repeatedly, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
See Steering on page 9-4.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays when there
is a problem with electric power
steering. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service. See Steering on
page 9-4.

Black plate (42,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
5-42 Instruments and Controls
Tire Messages
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
If equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays if a part on the
system is not working properly. The
tire pressure light also flashes and
then remains on during the same
ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure
Light on page 5-28. Several
conditions may cause this message
to appear. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 10-62.
If the warning comes on and stays
on, there may be a problem with the
TPMS. See your dealer.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
If equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the system
is relearning the tire positions on
your vehicle. The tire positions must
be relearned after rotating the tires
or after replacing a tire or sensor.
See Tire Inspection on page 10-66, Tire Rotation on page 10-61,
Tire
Pressure Monitor System on
page 10-61, and Tire Pressure on
page 10-59.
TIRE PRESSURE LOW ADD
AIR TO TIRE
If equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the
vehicle's tires is low. This message
also displays with a vehicle picture
to indicate the location of the low
tire. The low tire pressure warning
light will also come on. See Tire
Pressure Light on page 5-28. You
can receive more than one tire
pressure message at a time. If a tire
pressure message appears on the
DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have
the tire pressures checked and set
to those shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tires
on page 10-50, Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9-15, and Tire Pressure on
page 10-59. The DIC also shows
the tire pressure values. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) on page 5-30 orDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
on page 5-32.
Transmission Messages
4WD OFF
If equipped with four-wheel drive,
this message displays when the
four-wheel-drive system is
temporarily disabled due to an
overheated condition. The vehicle
will run in two-wheel drive when this
message is present. Once the
four-wheel-drive system cools down,
the message turns off and the
four-wheel-drive system returns to
normal operation.
4WD SHIFT IN PROGRESS
This message will display while the
four-wheel-drive system is shifting.

Black plate (43,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
Instruments and Controls 5-43
FOR 4WD LOW SLOW TO XXX
If a four-wheel drive shift into
Four-Wheel Drive Low is requested,
but the vehicle speed is too high,
this message will display until the
correct vehicle speed is reached.
FOR 4WD LOW SHIFT TO
NEUTRAL
If a four-wheel drive shift into
Four-Wheel Drive Low is requested,
and the vehicle speed is correct, but
the transmission is not in
N (Neutral), this message will
display until the transmission is
shifted to N (Neutral).
GRADE BRAKING OFF
This message displays when grade
braking has been disabled with the
Tow/Haul Mode button on the end of
the shift lever. SeeTow/Haul Mode
on page 9-37, Automatic
Transmission on page 9-33, and
Cruise Control on page 9-53.
GRADE BRAKING ON
This message displays when grade
braking has been enabled with the
Tow/Haul Mode button on the end of
the shift lever. See Tow/Haul Mode
on page 9-37, Automatic
Transmission on page 9-33, and
Cruise Control on page 9-53.
GRADE BRAKING ACTIVE
This message displays when grade
braking has been activated while
driving on downhill grades. This
message will only appear the first
time the feature is activated in an
ignition cycle. See Tow/Haul Mode
on page 9-37, Automatic
Transmission on page 9-33, and
Cruise Control on page 9-53.
SERVICE 4WD
If the vehicle has four-wheel drive,
this message may display if a
problem occurs with the
four-wheel-drive system. If this
message appears, stop as soon as
possible and turn off the vehicle.
Make sure the key is in the LOCK/ OFF position for at least
one minute, then restart the vehicle
and check for the message on the
DIC display. If the message is still
displayed or appears again when
you begin driving, the
four-wheel-drive system needs
service. See your dealer.
TO EXIT 4WD LOW SLOW
TO XXX
If a four-wheel drive shift out of
Four-Wheel Drive Low is requested,
but the vehicle speed is too high,
this message will display until the
correct vehicle speed is reached.
TO EXIT 4WD LOW SHIFT TO
NEUTRAL
If a four-wheel drive shift out of
Four-Wheel Drive Low is requested,
and the vehicle speed is correct, but
the transmission is not in
N (Neutral), this message will
display until the transmission is
shifted to N (Neutral).

Black plate (44,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA Localizing-U.S/Canada/Mexico-
7299746) - 2015 - crc - 11/11/13
5-44 Instruments and Controls
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the transmission fluid
in the vehicle gets hot. Driving with
the transmission fluid temperature
high can cause damage to the
vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it
idle to allow the transmission to
cool. This message clears and the
chime stops when the fluid
temperature reaches a safe level.
When towing, use Tow/Haul mode
to prevent damage to the engine or
transmission. SeeTow/Haul Mode
on page 9-37.
VEHICLE IN 4WD LOW
This message will display if the
vehicle is driven in Four-Wheel
Drive Low for about 10 minutes
above 72 km/h (45 mph).
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message may display and a
chime may sound when one of the
following conditions exists:
.A trailer with electric brakes
becomes disconnected from the
vehicle.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is stopped, this
message clears itself after a
short time.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is moving, this
message stays on until the
ignition is turned off.
.There is a short in the wiring to
the electric trailer brakes.
When this message displays, power
is no longer available to the trailer
brakes. As soon as it is safe to do so,
carefully pull the 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. This message clears if the trailer
is reconnected. This message also
clears if you acknowledge it. If this
message still displays, either the
vehicle or the trailer needs service.
See your dealer.
See
“Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System” underTowing
Equipment on page 9-87.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when ice
conditions are possible.
TRAILER CONNECTED
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message displays briefly when
a trailer with electric or electric over
hydraulic brakes is first connected
to the vehicle.