rear GMC SIERRA 2000 Owner's Guide

2-
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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2-3 Door Locks
2-6 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2-9 Rear Access Door (Extended Cab)
2-10 Tailgate
2-11 Theft
2-12 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2-14 Passlock

2-14 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2-15 Ignition Positions
2-17 Starting Your Engine
2-20 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2-21 Automatic Transmission Operation
2-24 Manual Transmission Operation
2-28 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2-34 Parking Brake
2-35 Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission Only)
2
-37 Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission Only)2
-38 Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission
Models Only)
2
-38 Parking Over Things That Burn
2-39 Engine Exhaust
2-39 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-40 Manual Selectable Ride (If Equipped)
2-41 Locking Rear Axle
2-42 Windows
2-44 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2-50 Exterior Lamps
2-53 Interior Lamps
2-54 Mirrors
2-67 OnStar
System (Option)
2-68 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-70 Instrument Panel Cluster
2-72 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-85 Message Center

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There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
You can use the keyless entry system (if equipped).
You can also use your key.
Use only the key or the keyless entry transmitter if your
vehicle is equipped with the content theft
-deterrent
system and the system is on.
From the inside, to lock the
door, slide the lever
rearward. To unlock
the door, slide the
lever forward.
Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this
power door lock switch,
press the raised side of the
switch, marked ªLº on
either front door to lock all
the doors at once.
Press the recessed side of the switch marked ªUº to
unlock all the doors at once.

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1. Insert a dime in the slot between the covers of the
transmitter housing near the key ring hole. Remove
the bottom by twisting the dime.
2. Remove and replace the battery with a three
-volt
CR2032 or equivalent battery, positive (+) side up.
3. Align the covers and snap them together.
4. Resynchronize the transmitter.
5. Check the operation of the transmitter.
Resynchronization
Resynchronization may be necessary due to the security
method used by this system. The transmitter does not
send the same signal twice to the receiver. The receiver
will not respond to a signal that has been sent
previously. This prevents anyone from recording and
playing back the signal from the transmitter.
To resynchronize your transmitter, stand close to your
vehicle and press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK
buttons on the transmitter at the same time for seven
seconds. The door locks should cycle to confirm
synchronization. If the locks do not cycle, see your
dealer for service.
Rear Access Door (Extended Cab)
Your vehicle is equipped with a rear access door that
allows easier access to the rear area of the extended cab.
To open a rear access door
from the outside, first open
the front door. Then, use the
handle located on the front
edge of the rear access door
to open it.
You must fully close a rear access door before you can
close the front door.

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To open a rear access door
from the inside, the front
door must be opened first.
Then, use the handle located
on the inside of the rear
access door to open it.
Tailgate
You can open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle
while pulling the tailgate toward you.
To shut the tailgate, firmly push it upward until
it latches.
After you put the tailgate back up, pull it back towards
you to be sure it latches securely.
Tailgate Removal
The tailgate on your vehicle can be removed to allow for
different loading situations. Although the tailgate can be
removed without assistance, you may want someone to
assist you with the removal to avoid possible damage to
the vehicle.
To remove the tailgate:
1. Raise the tailgate
slightly and release both
retaining cable clips. To
release the retaining
cable clips, lift the cable
so it points straight out
and push the cable
clip forward.

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Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, it features an electronic shift position
indicator within the instrument panel cluster. This
display must be powered anytime the shift lever is
capable of being moved out of PARK (P). This means
that if your key is in OFF, rather than LOCK, there will
be a small current drain on your battery which could
discharge your battery over a period of time. If you have
to leave your key in the ignition in OFF for an extended
period, it is recommended that you remove the IGN 0
fuse from the instrument panel fuse block. See ªFuses
and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It's the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to roll
-- even if your shift lever is in
PARK (P)
-- if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N). So, be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear, two
-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel
high (4H) or four
-wheel low (4L) -- not in
NEUTRAL (N). See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in
the Index. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index.

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DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you're:

Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying
a heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off
-road
driving. You may want to shift the transmission to
THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than DRIVE (D).
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND (2) in a light duty
automatic transmission, the transmission will drive in
second gear. You may use this feature for reducing the
speed of the rear wheels when you are trying to start
your vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission won't shift into first
gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes or shift into
PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position on
a hill.
On cold days, approximately 32F (0C) or colder, your
transmission is designed to shift differently until the
engine reaches normal operating temperature. This is
intended to improve heater performance.

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You can choose among four driving settings:
2HI: This setting is used for driving in most street and
highway situations. Your front axle is not engaged in
two
-wheel drive. This setting also provides the best
fuel economy.
AUTO 4WD: This setting is ideal for use when road
conditions are variable. When driving your vehicle in
AUTO 4WD, the front axle is engaged, but the vehicle's
power is sent only to the rear wheels. When the vehicle
senses a loss of traction, the system will automatically
engage four
-wheel drive. Driving in this mode results in
slightly lower fuel economy than 2HI.4HI: Use 4HI when you need extra traction, such as
on snowy or icy roads or in most off
-road situations.
This setting also engages your front axle to help drive
your vehicle. This is the best setting to use when
plowing snow.
4LO: This setting also engages your front axle and
delivers extra torque. You may never need 4LO. It sends
maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose
4LO if you are driving off
-road in deep sand, deep mud,
deep snow and climbing or descending steep hills.
CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in PARK (P). You or someone else could be
seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking
brake before placing the transfer case in
NEUTRAL. See ªParking Brakeº in the Index.
NEUTRAL: Shift the vehicle's transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See
ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº or ªTowing Your
Vehicleº in the Index for more information.

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Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
flash. A chime will activate when the parking brake is
applied and the vehicle is moved at least 3 mph (5 km/h)
for at least three seconds.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, marked BRAKE
RELEASE, to release the parking brake.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

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It is recommended to use this system as follows:

For optimum ride comfort in an unloaded vehicle the
button should be out and the indicator light will not
be illuminated. This switch position indicates
NORMAL levels of ride control or damping.

For optimum ride comfort when trailering, fully
loaded, driving off
-road, or when personal
preferences demand more control the button should
be pressed in with the indicator light illuminated.
This switch position indicates FIRM levels of ride
control or damping.
The following guide can also be used to help determine
the best setting.
NORMAL: The indicator light will be off when the
system is in this setting. Use for normal city and
highway driving. Provides a smooth, soft ride when the
vehicle is unloaded.
FIRM (Unloaded): Press the switch to activate this
setting, the indicator light will illuminate. Use this
setting when road conditions or personal preference
demand more control. Provides more ªfeelº or response
to the road conditions.FIRM (Loaded): Press the switch to activate this
setting, the indicator light will illuminate. Use this
setting to minimize trailer inputs to the vehicle or when
the vehicle is fully loaded. This setting is also
appropriate for off
-road driving.
You can select a setting at any time based on road and
trailering conditions to provide the best ride and
handling. Select a new setting whenever driving
conditions change.
Locking Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, your locking rear axle
can give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand
or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the time,
but when one of the rear wheels has no traction and the
other does, this feature will allow the wheel with
traction to move the vehicle.

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Windows
Manual Windows
Turn the hand crank on each door to raise or lower
manual windows.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
If you have the optional
power windows, the
controls are located on each
of the side doors.The driver's door has a switch for the passenger window
as well. Your power windows will work when the
ignition has been turned to ACCESSORY or RUN or
when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is present. See
ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index.
Press the rear of the switch with the power window
symbol on it to lower the window.
Press the front of the switch with the power window
symbol on it to raise the window.
The driver's window also has an express down feature
that allows the window to be lowered without holding
the switch. Press and hold the rear of the window switch
for one second to activate the express down mode. The
express down mode can be canceled at any time by
pressing the opposite side of the switch. To open the
window partway, lightly tap the switch until the window
is at the desired position.