cruise control GMC SIERRA 1500 2016 Owners Manual

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Introduction 3
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.” 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
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g: Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®(if equipped)
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
8 In Brief
Auxiliary Button (If Equipped).
SeeAdd-On Electrical
Equipment 0349.
18. Climate Control Systems (with
Heater Only) 0246 orClimate
Control Systems (with Air
Conditioning) 0248 (If
Equipped).
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0250 (If Equipped).
19. Steering Wheel Controls 0123
(If Equipped).
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Controls. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0148 orDriver
Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0150.
20. Hood Release. See Hood 0357.
21. Horn 0123.
22. Steering Wheel Adjustment
0122 (Out of View).
23. Cruise Control 0306.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0312 (If Equipped). 24. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0141.
25. Parking Brake 0301.
26. Electronic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive 0293.
Card Holder (If Equipped). See
Instrument Panel
Storage 0117.Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The RKE transmitter functions may
work from up to 60 m (197 ft) away
from the vehicle.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
22 In Brief
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.
SeeTow/Haul Mode 0292.
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 CaseThis 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.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
In Brief 31
.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. Only):
1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
New GMC owners are automatically
enrolled in the Roadside Assistance
Program.
See Roadside Assistance
Program 0476.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Instruments and Controls 121
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 122
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 123
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 123
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 124
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 137
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 137
Airbag On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 140
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 141
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . 143
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 144
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . 144
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light (2500/3500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light (1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 145
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 145
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 146
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 147
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 147
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 147 Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 148
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Brake System Messages . . . . . 154
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 154
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 154
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 155
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 155
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 156
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 156
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Airbag System Messages . . . . 158
Safety Belt Messages . . . . . . . . 158
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Steering System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
148 Instruments and Controls
Cruise Control Light
For vehicles with cruise control, the
cruise control light is white when the
cruise control is on and ready, and
turns green when the cruise control
is set and active.
The light turns off when the cruise
control is turned off. SeeCruise
Control 0306.
Information Displays
Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base Level)
The DIC displays are shown in the
center of the instrument cluster. The
displays show the status of many
vehicle systems. The trip odometer
reset stem in the instrument cluster
is used to access the DIC menu
items.
DIC Menu Items
Turn the trip odometer reset stem to
scroll through the following menu
items:
.
Digital Speedometer
. Trip
. Fuel Range
. Average Fuel Economy
. Tire Pressure
. Remaining Oil Life
. Transmission Fluid Temperature
. Trailer Brake
. Hourmeter .
Unit
Digital Speedometer
The speedometer shows how fast
the vehicle is moving in either
kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles
per hour (mph). The speedometer
cannot be reset.
Trip
Turn the trip odometer reset stem
until TRIP displays. The current
distance traveled, in either
kilometers (km) or miles (mi), since
the last reset for the trip odometer is
shown. The trip odometer can be
reset to zero by pressing and
holding the trip odometer reset stem
while the trip odometer is displayed.
Fuel Range
This display shows the approximate
distance the vehicle can be driven
without refueling. The fuel range
estimate is based on an average of
the vehicle's fuel economy over
recent driving history and the
amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank. Fuel range cannot be reset.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
160 Instruments and Controls
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.
SeeTire Inspection 0414, Tire
Rotation 0414, Tire Pressure
Monitor System 0409, and Tire
Pressure 0408.
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 0146. 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
Tires0399,
Vehicle Load Limits 0269, and Tire
Pressure 0408. The DIC also
shows the tire pressure values. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0148
or Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0150.
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.
FOR 4WD LOW SHIFT TO
NEUTRAL
If a four-wheel drive shift into 4nis
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).
FOR 4WD LOW SLOW TO XXX
If a four-wheel drive shift into 4nis
requested, but the vehicle speed is
too high, this message will display
until the correct vehicle speed is
reached.
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
0 292, Automatic Transmission
0 286, and Cruise Control 0306.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Instruments and Controls 161
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
0 292, Automatic Transmission
0 286, and Cruise Control 0306.
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
0 292, Automatic Transmission
0 286, and Cruise Control 0306.
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.
SHIFT DENIED
This message displays when the
shift lever is in M (Manual Mode)
and a transmission range has been
selected that is unavailable at the
current vehicle speed.
TO EXIT 4WD LOW SHIFT TO
NEUTRAL
If a four-wheel drive shift out of 4nis
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).
TO EXIT 4WD LOW SLOW
TO XXX
If a four-wheel drive shift out of 4nis
requested, but the vehicle speed is
too high, this message will display
until the correct vehicle speed is
reached.
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. See Tow/Haul
Mode 0292.
VEHICLE IN 4WD LOW
This message will display if the
vehicle is driven in 4
nfor about
10 minutes above 72 km/h (45 mph).

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
256 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 265
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 266
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 268
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Truck-Camper LoadingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 277
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 281
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Active Fuel Management
®. . . . 285
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 286
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 302
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 305
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 309
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 309
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) (2500/3500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) (1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 319
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
266 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0399.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.