GMC SIERRA 1500 2017 Owners Manual

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
420 Vehicle Care
The positive (+) terminal is
under a red plastic cover at the
positive battery post. To
uncover the positive (+)
terminal, open the red plastic
cover.
For more information on the
location of the remote
positive (+) and remote
negative (−) terminals, see
Engine Compartment
Overview0343.
{Warning
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
6. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too. Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will
go to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one. Negative (−)
will go to a heavy, unpainted
metal engine part or to a
remote negative (−) terminal if
the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to
negative (−) or you will get a
short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts
too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal on the
dead battery because this can
cause sparks.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
Vehicle Care 421
5.3L Shown, 4.3L, 6.0L, 6.2L, and6.6L Similar
7. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the
dead battery.
8. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal of the
good battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
9. Connect the black negative (−) cable to the negative (−)
terminal of the good battery.
Use a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one. Do not let the other end touch
anything until the next step.
10. Connect the other end of the negative (−) cable.
4.3L Shown, 5.3L and 6.2L Similar
‐To the metal bracket that is
bolted to the engine and
supports the resonator, on
the vehicle with the dead
battery.
6.0L
‐ To the generator bracket, on
the vehicle with the dead
battery.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
422 Vehicle Care
6.6L
‐ To the negative (−) post on
the auxiliary battery, on the
vehicle with the dead battery.
11. Start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for a
while.
12. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not
start after a few tries, it
probably needs service.
Caution
If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always connect and remove the
jumper cables in the correct order,
making sure that the cables do
not touch each other or other
metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly when
removing the jumper cables.
After starting the disabled vehicle
and removing the jumper cables,
allow it to idle for several minutes.
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled
vehicle may cause damage. The
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Do not lash or hook to
suspension components. Use the
proper straps around the tires to
secure the vehicle.
Use only a flatbed tow truck for
towing a disabled vehicle. Never
use a sling type lift or damage will
occur. Use ramps to help reduce
approach angles if necessary.
A towed vehicle should have its
drive wheels off the ground.
Consult a professional towing
service if the disabled vehicle must
be towed.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
Vehicle Care 423
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a motor home. The
two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are
dinghy and dolly towing. Dinghy
towing is towing the vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground. Dolly
towing is towing the vehicle with two
wheels on the ground and two
wheels on a dolly.
Follow the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s instructions. See
your dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front
of the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the
towing vehicle.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Caution
If the two-wheel-drive vehicle is
towed with all four wheels on the
ground, the drivetrain(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
components could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not
be towed with all four wheels on the
ground.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive
vehicles with a two-speed transfer
case that have an N (Neutral) and a
Four-Wheel Drive Low (4 (
n) setting.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
424 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive
vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). You or others could
be injured. Set the parking brake
before shifting the transfer case
to N (Neutral).
To dinghy tow: 1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle,
facing forward and on a level
surface.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
3. Apply the parking brake and start the engine.
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive 0274. Check that the
vehicle is in N (Neutral) by
shifting the transmission to
R (Reverse) and then to D (Drive). There should be no
movement of the vehicle while
shifting.
5. Turn the engine off.
Caution
Failure to disconnect the negative
battery cable or to have it contact
the terminals can cause damage
to the vehicle.
6. Disconnect the negative battery cable at the battery and
secure the nut and bolt. Cover
the negative battery post with a
non-conductive material to
prevent any contact with the
negative battery terminal.
7. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
Caution
If the steering column is locked,
vehicle damage may occur. 8. Move the steering wheel to
make sure the steering column
is unlocked.
9. With a foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake.
Keep the ignition key in the
towed vehicle in ACC/
ACCESSORY to prevent the
steering column from locking.
Disconnecting the Towed Vehicle
Before disconnecting the towed
vehicle: 1. Park on a level surface.
2. Set the parking brake, then shift the transmission to
P (Park), and move the ignition
key to OFF.
3. Connect the battery.
4. Apply the brake pedal.
5. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off. Shift the
transfer case out of N (Neutral)
to Two-Wheel Drive High. See
“Shifting out of N (Neutral)”
under Four-Wheel Drive 0274.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
Vehicle Care 425
See your dealer if the transfer
case cannot be shifted out of
N (Neutral).
6. Check that the vehicle is in Two-Wheel Drive High by
shifting the transmission to
R (Reverse) and then to D
(Drive). There should be
movement of the vehicle while
shifting.
7. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn off the
ignition.
8. Disconnect the vehicle from the tow vehicle.
9. Release the parking brake.
10. Reset any lost presets.
The outside temperature
display will default to 0 °C (32 °
F) but will reset with normal
usage.Dolly Towing
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off
the Ground) –Two-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles
Caution
If a two-wheel-drive vehicle is
towed with the rear wheels on the
ground, the transmission could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Never tow the vehicle
with the rear wheels on the
ground. Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not
be towed with the rear wheels on
the ground. Two-wheel-drive
transmissions have no provisions
for internal lubrication while being
towed.
To dolly tow a two-wheel-drive
vehicle, the vehicle must be towed
with the rear wheels on the dolly.
See
“Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off
the Ground)” later in this section.
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off
the Ground) –Four-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
426 Vehicle Care
To dolly tow a four-wheel-drive
vehicle from the front:1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
4. Set the parking brake.
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive
vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). You or others could
be injured. Set the parking brake
before shifting the transfer case
to N (Neutral).
5. Use a clamping device designed for towing to ensure
that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position. 6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly
following the manufacturer's
instructions.
7. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive 0274 for the proper
procedure.
8. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is
firmly attached to the tow
vehicle.
9. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off
the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
To dolly tow a two-wheel-drive
vehicle from the rear: 1. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
2. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0282.
3. Put the transmission in P (Park).
4. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
Vehicle Care 427
5. Use a clamping devicedesigned for towing to ensure
that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive
vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). You or others could
be injured. Set the parking brake
before shifting the transfer case
to N (Neutral).
To dolly tow a four-wheel-drive
vehicle from the rear: 1. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
2. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0282.
3. Put the transmission in P (Park). 4. Secure the vehicle to the dolly
following the manufacturer's
instructions.
5. Use a clamping device designed for towing to ensure
that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
6. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive 0274 for the proper
procedure.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0447.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
(Continued)

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
428 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions, and
appropriate disposal of any
vehicle care product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure
washes closer than 30 cm (12 in)
to the surface of the vehicle. Use
of power washers exceeding
8,274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result
in damage or removal of paint
and decals.
Caution
Do not power wash any
component under the hood that
has this
esymbol.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
This could cause damage that
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
If using an automatic car wash,
follow with the car wash
instructions. The windshield wiper
and rear window wiper, if equipped,
must be off. Remove any
accessories that may be damaged
or interfere with the car wash
equipment.
See Power Assist Steps 037 for
cleaning information.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces
are damaged, see your dealer to
have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such as
calcium chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree
sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle's finish if they
remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Occasional hand waxing or mild
polishing should be done to remove
residue from the paint finish. See
your dealer for approved cleaning
products.
Do not apply waxes or polishes to
uncoated plastic, vinyl, rubber,
decals, simulated wood, or flat paint
as damage can occur.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 5/3/16
Vehicle Care 429
Caution
Machine compounding or
aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint finish
may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and polishes
that are made for a basecoat/
clearcoat paint finish on the
vehicle.
To keep the paint finish looking new,
keep the vehicle garaged or
covered whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal
Moldings
Caution
Failure to clean and protect the
bright metal moldings can result
in a hazy white finish or pitting.
This damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. The bright metal moldings on the
vehicle are aluminum, chrome or
stainless steel. To prevent damage
always follow these cleaning
instructions:
.
Be sure the molding is cool to
the touch before applying any
cleaning solution.
. Use only approved cleaning
solutions for aluminum, chrome
or stainless steel. Some
cleaners are highly acidic or
contain alkaline substances and
can damage the moldings.
. Always dilute a concentrated
cleaner according to the
manufacturer ’s instructions.
. Do not use cleaners that are not
intended for automotive use.
. Use a nonabrasive wax on the
vehicle after washing to protect
and extend the molding finish.
Spray-In Bedliner Care
A spray-in bedliner is a permanent
coating that bonds to the truck bed
and cannot be removed. Promptly rinse the bedliner surface following
a chemical spill to avoid permanent
damage.
Spray-in bedliners can fade from
oxidation, road dirt, heavy-duty
hauling, and hard water stains.
Clean it periodically by washing off
the loose dirt and using a mild
detergent. To restore the original
appearance, apply the bedliner
conditioner available through your
dealer.
Caution
Using silicone-based products
may damage the bedliner, reduce
the slip-resistant texture, and
attract dirt.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/
Lenses, Emblems, Decals and
Stripes
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a
soft cloth, and a car washing soap
to clean exterior lamps, lenses,
emblems, decals and stripes. Follow
instructions under "Washing the
Vehicle" previously in this section.