traction control GMC SIERRA 1500 2016 Owners Manual

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
4 Introduction
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
(: Heated Steering Wheel
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®
a:Under Pressure
M: Windshield Washer Fluid

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 13
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 13
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Passenger Sensing System . . . 14
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 16
Throttle and Brake Pedal Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 18
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . . . 24
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 25
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 26
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 27
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Universal Remote System . . . . . 27
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
eAssist Features
eAssist®Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 29
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 30
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
In Brief 7
1.Instrument Panel Illumination
Control 0180.
2. Integrated Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) System (If Equipped).
See Towing Equipment 0339.
3. Exterior Lamp Controls 0174.
Fog Lamps 0179 (If
Equipped).
4. Air Vents 0253.
5. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change
Signals 0179.
Windshield Wiper/
Washer 0124.
6. Favorite Switches (Out of View). See Steering Wheel
Controls 0123.
Volume Switches (Out of View).
See Steering Wheel
Controls 0123.
7. Instrument Cluster 0130.
8. Hazard Warning
Flashers 0178.
9. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0286. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If
Equipped). See
Tow/Haul
Mode 0292.
Range Selection Mode (If
Equipped). See Manual
Mode 0289.
10. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0177.
11. Infotainment 0185.
12. Passenger Airbag On-Off Switch (If Equipped) (Out of
View). See Airbag On-Off
Switch 078.
13. Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats 061 (If Equipped).
14. Power Outlet 110/120V Alternating Current (If
Equipped). See Power
Outlets 0126.
15. Power Outlets 0126 (If
Equipped).
16. USB Port (Base Radio) 0205
or USB Port (Base Radio with
Touchscreen) 0208 (If
Equipped). 17.gTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0303.
0Pedal Adjust Switch (If
Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake
Pedal 0277.
{Cargo Lamp 0181.
XParking Assist Button (If
Equipped). See Assistance
Systems for Parking or
Backing 0309.
ALane Keep Assist (LKA)
(1500 Series) 0315 (If
Equipped).
5Hill Descent Control Switch
(If Equipped). See Hill Descent
Control (HDC) 0305.
qExhaust Brake (If
Equipped). See “Exhaust
Brake” in the Duramax diesel
supplement.
gPower Take Off (PTO)
Switch (If Equipped). See the
Duramax diesel supplement.

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 29
eAssist Features
eAssist®Overview
For an eAssist vehicle, see the
Silverado/Sierra eAssist
supplement.
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The vehicle has a traction control
system that limits wheel spin and
the StabiliTrak system that assists
with directional control of the vehicle
in difficult driving conditions. Both
systems come on automatically
when the vehicle is started and
begins to move.
.To turn off traction control, press
and release
gon the center
stack. The traction off light
i
displays in the instrument
cluster. The appropriate Driver
Information Center (DIC)
message displays. See Ride
Control System
Messages 0157.
. To turn off both traction control
and StabiliTrak, press and
hold
guntiliandgilluminate in the instrument cluster and the
appropriate DIC message
displays. See
Ride Control
System Messages 0157.
. Press and release
gagain to
turn on both systems.
StabiliTrak will automatically turn on
if the vehicle exceeds 56 km/h
(35 mph). Traction control will
remain off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0303.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The low tire pressure warning light
alerts to a significant loss in
pressure of one of the vehicle's
tires. If the warning light comes on,
stop as soon as possible and inflate

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
Instruments and Controls 145
LKA may assist by gently turning
the steering wheel if the vehicle
approaches a detected lane marking
without using the turn signal in that
direction. The LKA light will turn
amber.
This light is amber and flashes as a
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
alert, to indicate that the lane
marking has been crossed.
SeeLane Keep Assist (LKA) (1500
Series) 0315.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0312.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak
button.
This light and the StabiliTrak OFF
light come on when StabiliTrak is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0303.
StabiliTrak®OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off.
If StabiliTrak and TCS are off, the
system does not assist in controlling
the vehicle. Turn on the TCS and
the StabiliTrak systems, and the
warning light turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0303.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
146 Instruments and Controls
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak
system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may display. Check the
DIC messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning
and whether the vehicle requires
service.
If the light is on and flashing, the
TCS and/or the StabiliTrak system
is actively working.See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0303.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. See Tire Messages 0159.
Stop as soon as possible, and
inflate the tires to the pressure value
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Tire
Pressure 0408. When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0410.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light is near the fuel gauge and
comes on briefly when the ignition is
turned on as a check to show it is
working.
It also comes on when the fuel tank
is low on fuel. The light turns off
when fuel is added. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
Instruments and Controls 157
This message could be due to the
camera being blocked. Cleaning the
outside of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror may correct the
issue.
LANE KEEPING ASSIST
UNAVAILABLE
This message displays when the
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) system is
temporarily unavailable. The LKA
system does not need service.
This message could be due to the
camera being blocked. Cleaning the
outside of the windshield behind the
rearview mirror may correct the
issue.
PARK ASSIST OFF
This message displays when the
Parking Assist system has been
turned off or when there is a
temporary condition causing the
system to be disabled.
SERVICE FRONT CAMERA
If this message remains on after
continued driving, the vehicle needs
service. Do not use the Lane KeepAssist (LKA), Lane Departure
Warning (LDW), and Forward
Collision Alert (FCA) features. Take
the vehicle to your dealer.
SERVICE PARKING ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Parking Assist
system. Do not use this system to
help you park. See your dealer for
service.
Ride Control System
Messages
SERVICE STABILITRAK
If this message displays, it means
there may be a problem with the
StabiliTrak system. If you see this
message, try to reset the system.
Stop; turn off the engine for at least
15 seconds; then start the engine
again. If this message still comes
on, it means there is a problem. You
should see your dealer for service.
The vehicle is safe to drive;
however, you do not have the
benefit of StabiliTrak, so reduce
your speed and drive accordingly.
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
This message displays when there
is a problem with the Traction
Control System (TCS). When this
message displays, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly. See your dealer
for service. See
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0303.
STABILITRAK INITIALIZING
This message may come on if the
StabiliTrak system has not fully
initialized because of road
conditions or the incorrect tire size.
When the StabiliTrak system is fully
initialized, the message will turn off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0303. If this
message continues to be displayed
for multiple ignition cycles and on
different road surfaces, see your
dealer for service.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
traction control has been turned off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0303.

GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9234758) - 2016 - crc - 11/9/15
158 Instruments and Controls
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
traction control is active. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control0303.
STABILITRAK OFF
This message displays when the
StabiliTrak system has been turned
off. Adjust your driving accordingly.
To limit wheel spin and realize the
full benefits of the stability
enhancement system, you should
normally leave StabiliTrak on. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0303.
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. See Brake System
Warning Light 0142. .
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 AIRBAG
This message displays if there is a
problem with the airbag system.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for
service.
Safety Belt Messages
SHIFTER LOCKED. BUCKLE
SEATBELT
This message displays if the vehicle
is equipped with the Safety Belt
Assurance System and the driver
and front outboard passenger,
if present, safety belts are not
buckled. The vehicle will not shift
out of P (Park). Buckle the safety
belt(s) to unlock the shift lever.
This system may not allow the
vehicle to shift out of P (Park) if an
object —such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop,
or other electronic device —is on
the front outboard passenger seat.
If this happens, remove the object
from the seat or buckle the
safety belt.
If the driver or front outboard
passenger unbuckles their safety
belt while driving, the safety belt
reminder chime and light(s) will
come on. See Safety Belt
Reminders 0137.