roof GMC SIERRA 1500 2017 User Guide

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
Seats and Restraints 69
Driver Side Crew Cab Shown,Passenger Side Double and Regular Cabs Similar
If the vehicle has roof-rail airbags
for the driver, front outboard
passenger, and second row
outboard passengers, they are in
the ceiling above the side windows.
{Warning
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
or even death. The path of an
inflating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie‐down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with
airbags. SeeAirbag System 066.
Airbags are designed to inflate if the
impact exceeds the specific airbag system's deployment threshold.
Deployment thresholds are used to
predict how severe a crash is likely
to be in time for the airbags to
inflate and help restrain the
occupants. The vehicle has
electronic sensors which help the
airbag system determine the
severity of the impact. Deployment
thresholds can vary with specific
vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries, mainly to the driver's or
front outboard passenger's head
and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
70 Seats and Restraints
whether the object is fixed or
moving, rigid or deformable, narrow
or wide.
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, in
rear impacts, or in many side
impacts.
In addition, if the GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) is at or
below 3 855 kg (8,500 lb), the
vehicle has advanced technology
frontal airbags. You can find the
GVWR on the Certification/Tire label
on the center pillar of the vehicle.
SeeVehicle Load Limits 0250 for
more information.
Advanced technology frontal airbags
adjust the restraint according to
crash severity. Vehicles with
advanced technology frontal airbags
have a seat position sensor that
enables the sensing system to
monitor the position of the driver
seat. The seat position sensor
provides information that is used to
adjust the deployment of the driver
frontal airbag. If the GVWR is at or below 4 536 kg
(10,000 lb), the vehicle has
seat-mounted side impact airbags.
Vehicles with a GVWR above
4 536 kg (10,000 lb) may or may not
have seat-mounted side impact
airbags. Seat-mounted side impact
airbags, if equipped, are designed
to inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending on the location
of the impact. Seat-mounted side
impact airbags are not designed to
inflate in frontal impacts, near frontal
impacts, rollovers, or rear impacts.
A seat-mounted side impact airbag
is designed to inflate on the side of
the vehicle that is struck.
Vehicles with a GVWR at or below
3 855 kg (8,500 lb) have roof-rail
airbags. These roof-rail airbags are
designed to inflate in moderate to
severe side crashes depending on
the location of the impact. In
addition, these roof-rail airbags are
designed to inflate during a rollover
or in a severe frontal impact. The
roof-rail airbags are not designed to
inflate in rear impacts. Both roof-rail
airbags will inflate when either side
of the vehicle is struck or if thesensing system predicts that the
vehicle is about to roll over on its
side, or in a severe frontal impact.
Vehicles with a GVWR above
3 855 kg (8,500 lb) up to and
including 4 536 kg (10,000 lb) also
have roof-rail airbags. These
roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes depending on the location
of the impact. Both roof-rail airbags
will inflate when either side of the
vehicle is struck. In addition, these
roof-rail airbags are designed to
inflate in a severe frontal impact.
The roof-rail airbags are also
rollover capable except on models
sold as an incomplete vehicle with
the pickup box removed. If the
roof-rail airbags are rollover
capable, both roof-rail airbags will
also inflate if the sensing system
predicts that the vehicle is about to
roll over on its side. The roof-rail
airbags are not designed to inflate in
rear impacts.
Vehicles with a GVWR above
4 536 kg (10,000 lb) may or may not
be equipped with roof-rail airbags.
These roof-rail airbags, if equipped,

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
Seats and Restraints 71
are designed to inflate in moderate
to severe side crashes depending
on the location of the impact. Both
roof-rail airbags will inflate when
either side of the vehicle is struck.
In addition, these roof-rail airbags
are designed to inflate in a severe
frontal impact. If the vehicle has
single rear wheels and has a
factory-installed pickup box and
roof-rail airbags, the roof-rail airbags
are rollover capable. If the vehicle
has dual rear wheels, or is sold as
an incomplete vehicle, as a chassis
cab, or with the pickup box
removed, and has roof-rail airbags,
the roof-rail airbags are not rollover
capable. If the airbags are rollover
capable, both roof-rail airbags will
also inflate if the sensing system
predicts that the vehicle is about to
roll over on its side. The roof-rail
airbags are not designed to inflate in
rear impacts.
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the
vehicle damage or repair costs.What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover. The inflator, the airbag,
and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
For airbag locations, seeWhere Are
the Airbags? 068.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact
the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts by
distributing the force of the impact
more evenly over the
occupant's body. Rollover capable roof-rail airbags
are designed to help contain the
head and chest of occupants in the
outboard seating positions in the
first and second rows. The rollover
capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk of
full or partial ejection in rollover
events, although no system can
prevent all such ejections.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. See
When
Should an Airbag Inflate? 069.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
For an eAssist vehicle, see the
Silverado/Sierra eAssist
supplement.
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
72 Seats and Restraints
even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, seeWhere Are the
Airbags? 068.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. You can lock the doors,
and turn off the interior lamps, and
turn off the hazard warning flashers
by using the controls for those
features.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
. Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
80 Seats and Restraints
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, and airbag
wiring.
In addition, the vehicle may have a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part
of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery, or trim; or with
GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort-enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on top
of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly
turning off the passenger airbag(s).
SeePassenger Sensing
System 075. If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail
airbags, see
Different Size Tires
and Wheels 0402 for additional
important information.
If a snow plow is added to the
vehicle, the airbags should still work
properly. The airbag systems were
designed to work properly under a
wide range of conditions, including
snow plowing with vehicles that
have the optional snow plow prep
package (RPO VYU). Do not
change or defeat the snow plow's
“tripping mechanism.” If you do, it
can damage the snow plow and the
vehicle, and may cause an airbag
deployment.
If you have to modify your vehicle
because you have a disability and
you have questions about whether
the modifications will affect the
vehicle's airbag system, or if you
have questions about whether the
airbag system will be affected if the
vehicle is modified for any other
reason, call Customer Assistance.
See Customer Assistance
Offices 0459.Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0130.
Caution
If an airbag covering is damaged,
opened, or broken, the airbag
may not work properly. Do not
open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag
coverings, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module
replaced. For the location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? 068. See your dealer
for service.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
166 Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . 166
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 170
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Auxiliary Roof-Mounted Lamp . . . . . . . . 171
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel IlluminationControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Battery Load Management . . . 174
Battery Power Protection . . . . . 175
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
O:
Turns off the automatic
headlamps and Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL). Turn the headlamp
control to the off position again to
turn the automatic headlamps or
DRL back on.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, off
will only work when the vehicle is in
P (Park).
AUTO : Automatically turns on the
headlamps, parking lamps,
taillamps, instrument panel lights,

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
Lighting 167
roof marker lamps (if equipped),
front/rear sidemarker lamps, and
license plate lamps.
When the vehicle is turned off and
the headlamps are in AUTO, the
headlamps turn off. When the key is
removed, they automatically turn on
for a set time. The time of the delay
can be changed using the DIC. See
Driver Information Center
(DIC)0141.
;:Turns on the parking lamps
including all lamps, except the
headlamps.
2: Turns on the headlamps
together with the parking lamps and
instrument panel lights.
When the headlamps are turned on
while the vehicle is on, the
headlamps turn off automatically
10 minutes after the ignition is
turned off. When the headlamps are
turned on while the vehicle is off,
the headlamps will stay on for
10 minutes before turning off to
prevent the battery from being
drained. Turn the headlamp control
off and then back to the headlamp
on position to make the headlamps stay on for an additional 10 minutes.
To keep the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, the ignition must be in
the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position.
#:
If equipped, turns on the fog
lamps. See Fog Lamps0171.
IntelliBeam®System
If equipped, this system turns the
vehicle's high-beam headlamps on
and off according to surrounding
traffic conditions.
The system turns the high-beam
headlamps on when it is dark
enough and there is no other traffic
present.
This light comes on in the
instrument cluster when the
IntelliBeam system is enabled. Turning On and Enabling
IntelliBeam
To enable the IntelliBeam system,
with the turn signal lever in the
neutral position, turn the exterior
lamp control to AUTO. The blue
high-beam on light appears on the
instrument cluster when the high
beams are on.
Driving with IntelliBeam
The system only activates the high
beams when driving over 40 km/h
(25 mph).
There is a sensor near the top
center of the windshield that
automatically controls the system.
Keep this area of the windshield
clear of debris to allow for best
system performance.
The high-beam headlamps remain
on, under the automatic control,
until one of the following situations
occurs:
.
The system detects an
approaching vehicle's
headlamps.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
Lighting 171
The lever returns to its starting
position whenever it is released.
If after signaling a turn or a lane
change the arrows flash rapidly or
do not come on, a signal bulb could
be burned out. If equipped with LED
turn signals, see your dealer.
Replace any burned out bulbs. If a
bulb is not burned out, check the
fuse. SeeFuses0376.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more
than 1.2 km (0.75 mi), a chime
sounds at each flash of the turn
signal. The message TURN
SIGNAL ON will also appear in the
Driver Information Center (DIC). To
turn the chime and message off,
move the turn signal lever to the off
position.Fog Lamps
The fog lamp control is on the
center of the exterior lamp control,
to the left of the steering column.
The ignition must be on for the fog
lamps to come on.
#: Press to turn the fog lamps on
or off. A light will come on in the
instrument cluster.
When the fog lamps are turned on,
the parking lamps automatically
turn on.
When the headlamps are changed
to high beam, the fog lamps also go
off. When the high-beam headlamps
are turned off, the fog lamps will
come on again. Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be on with
the fog lamps.
Auxiliary
Roof-Mounted Lamp
If equipped, this button includes
wiring provisions for a dealer or a
qualified service center to install an
auxiliary roof lamp.
This button is on the overhead
console.
When the wiring is connected to an
auxiliary roof-mounted lamp,
pressing the bottom of the button
will activate the lamp and illuminate
an indicator light at the bottom of

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
172 Lighting
this button. Pressing the top of the
button will turn off the roof-mounted
lamp and indicator.
The emergency roof lamp circuit is
fused at 30 amps, so the total
current draw of the attached lamps
should be less than this value. The
attachment points for the roof lamp
circuits are two blunt cut wires
above the overhead console: a dark
green with blue stripe switched
power wire and a black ground wire.
For information on roof-mounted
emergency lamp installation, see
www.gmupfitter.com or contact your
dealer.
If the vehicle has this button, the
vehicle may have the snow plow
prep package. SeeAdd-On
Electrical Equipment 0334.Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel
Illumination Control
This feature controls the brightness
of the steering wheel and instrument
panel lights. The instrument panel
illumination control is next to the
exterior lamp control.
D:Move the thumbwheel up or
down to brighten or dim the lights.
Cargo Lamp
The cargo lamp provides more light
in the cargo area or on the sides of
the vehicle, if needed. The lights
inside the pickup box and/or on the
outside rearview mirrors also turn
on, if equipped.
Press the switch down to turn the
cargo lamp on or off. An indicator
light will turn on when the lamp is
turned on, if equipped. The shift
lever must be in the P (Park)
position to operate the cargo lamp.
The lights on the outside rearview

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
190 Infotainment System
Explicit Content Filter
When on, only a filtered list of
channels will be received. When off,
all regular SXM programming
subscribed to will be received.1. Touch SXM Explicit Filter.
2. Select On or Off.
Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static
can occur during normal radio
reception if items such as phone
chargers, vehicle convenience
accessories, and external electronic
devices are plugged into the
accessory power outlet. If there is
interference or static, unplug the
item from the accessory power
outlet.
FM
FM signals only reach about 16 to
65 km (10 to 40 mi). Although the
radio has a built-in electronic circuit
that automatically works to reduce
interference, some static can occur,
especially around tall buildings or
hills, causing the sound to fade in
and out.
AM
The range for most AM stations is
greater than for FM, especially at
night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with
each other. Static can also occur
when things like storms and power
lines interfere with radio reception.
When this happens, try reducing the
treble on the radio.
SiriusXM Satellite Radio
Service
If equipped, SiriusXM Satellite
Radio Service provides digital radio
reception. Tall buildings or hills can
interfere with satellite radio signals,
causing the sound to fade in and
out. In addition, traveling or standing
under heavy foliage, bridges,
garages, or tunnels may cause loss
of the SiriusXM signal for a period
of time.
Cell Phone Usage
Cell phone usage, such as making
or receiving phone calls, charging,
or just having the phone on may cause static interference in the
radio. Unplug the phone or turn it off
if this happens.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna will go
through most car washes as long as
it is securely attached. If the
antenna becomes slightly bent,
straighten it out by hand. If it is
badly bent, replace it.
Occasionally check that the antenna
is tight at the base. If tightening is
required, protect the paint from
damage.
Multi-Band Antenna
The multi-band antenna is on the
roof of the vehicle. The antenna is
used for OnStar, the SiriusXM
Satellite Radio Service System, and
GPS (Global Positioning System),
if the vehicle has these features.
Keep the antenna clear of
obstructions for clear reception.
If the vehicle has a sunroof, and it is
open, reception can also be
affected.