AC system GMC SIERRA 2001 Owner's Guide

1-47
A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint
for the child's body with the harness and also sometimes
with surfaces such as T
-shaped or shelf-like shields.
A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to
improve the fit of the vehicle's safety belt system.
Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner,
and some high
-back booster seats have a five-point
harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out
the window.

1-48
Q:How do child restraints work?
A:A child restraint system is any device designed for
use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position
children. A built
-in child restraint system is a
permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add
-on
child restraint system is a portable one, which is
purchased by the vehicle's owner.
For many years, add
-on child restraints have
used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help
reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to
be secured within the restraint. The vehicle's belt
system secures the add
-on child restraint in the
vehicle, and the add
-on child restraint's harness
system holds the child in place within the restraint.
One system, the three
-point harness, has straps
that come down over each of the infant's shoulders
and buckle together at the crotch. The five
-point
harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip
straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the
place of hip straps. A T
-shaped shield has shoulder straps that are
attached to a flat pad which rests low against the
child's body. A shelf
- or armrest-type shield has
straps that are attached to a wide, shelf
-like shield
that swings up or to the side.
When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child
restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is,
it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor
vehicle safety standards.
Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may
find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a
booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in
your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within
the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury.
When securing an add
-on child restraint, refer to the
instructions that come with the restraint which may be
on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this
manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so
if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from
the manufacturer.

1-55
There are also anchorage points at the rear base of the
front passenger's seat.
Anchor the top strap to one of these anchor points.
Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same
side of the vehicle as the seating position where the
child restraint will be placed. Raise the head restraint
and route the top strap under it.
Once you have the top strap anchored, you'll be ready
to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top
strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer's
instructions say.Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
Your vehicle may have the LATCH system. If it does,
you'll find anchors in the rear of the seat cushion.
For front passenger seat positions, there is an anchor
behind and to the bottom of the seat to secure the top
strap. For rear center seat positions, there is an anchor
near the driver's side rear seat head restraint.

1-56
In order to use the system, you need either a forward-facing
child restraint that has attaching points (A) at its base and
a top tether anchor (B), or a rear
-facing child restraint that
has attaching points (A), as shown here.
With this system, use the LATCH system instead of the
vehicle's safety belts to secure a child restraint.
CAUTION:
If a LATCH-type child restraint isn't attached
to its anchorage points, the restraint won't be
able to protect a child sitting there. In a crash,
the child could be seriously injured or killed.
Make sure that a LATCH
-type child restraint is
properly installed using the anchorage points,
or use the vehicle's safety belts to secure the
restraint. See ªSecuring a Child Restraint in the
Center Rear Seat Position (Extended Cab) and
(Crew Cab)º or ªSecuring a Child Restraint in
the Right Front Seat Positionº in the Index for
information on how to secure a child restraint in
your vehicle using the vehicle's safety belts.

1-57
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System

Find the anchors for the seating position you want
to use, where the bottom of the seatback meets the
back of the seat cushion.

Put the child restraint on the seat.

Attach the anchor points on the child restraint to
the anchors in the vehicle. The child restraint
instructions will show you how.

Attach the top strap to the top strap anchor.
See ªTop Strapº in the Index. Tighten the top
strap according to the child restraint instructions.

Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the top
strap from the top tether anchor and then disconnect
the anchor points.Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Outside Seat Position
(Extended Cab and Crew Cab)
There is limited space in the rear seating area of an
extended cab model. If you want to secure a child
restraint in a rear outside seating position, be sure to
study the instructions that came with your child
restraint to see if there is enough room to secure
your seat properly.
You'll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier
part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.
Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the
child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint
when and as the instructions say.

1-62 Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position
Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. There's a
switch on the instrument panel that you can use to turn
off the right front passenger's air bag when you want to
secure a rear
-facing child restraint at the right front
passenger's position. See ªAir Bag Off Switchº in
the Index for more on this, including important
safety information.
CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger's air bag inflates. This is because the
back of the rear
-facing child restraint would be
very close to the inflating air bag. Be sure to
turn off the air bag before using a rear
-facing
child restraint in the right front seat position.
If a forward
-facing child restraint is suitable
for your child, always move the passenger seat
as far back as it will go.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light ever comes on when
you have turned off the air bag, it means that
something may be wrong with the air bag system.
The right front passenger's air bag could
inflate even though the switch is off.
CAUTION: (Continued)

1-64
Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure a
forward
-facing child restraint in the right front seat.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light ever comes on when
you have turned off the air bag, it means that
something may be wrong with the air bag system.
The right front passenger's air bag could inflate
even though the switch is off.
If your vehicle is a regular cab pickup and
this ever happens, don't let anyone whom the
national government has identified as a member
of a passenger air bag risk group sit in the right
front passenger's position (for example, don't
secure a rear
-facing child restraint in your
vehicle) until you have your vehicle serviced.
See ªAir Bag Off Switchº in the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If your vehicle is an extended cab pickup and
this ever happens, don't let anyone whom the
national government has identified as a member
of a passenger air bag risk group sit in the right
front passenger's position (for example, don't
secure a rear
-facing child restraint in the right
front passenger's seat) until you have your vehicle
serviced. See ªAir Bag Off Switchº in the Index.
You'll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier
part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.
Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the
child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint
when and as the instructions say.
1. Your vehicle has a right front passenger's air bag.
If your vehicle is a regular cab or an extended cab
and you are using a rear
-facing child restraint in this
seat, make sure the air bag is turned off. See ªAir
Bag Off Switchº in the Index. If your child restraint
is forward
-facing, always move the seat as far
back as it will go before securing it in this seat.
See ªSeatsº in the Index.
2. Put the restraint on the seat.

1-70
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you,
you should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you
in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system
earlier in this section.

2-
2-1
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
-1 Windows
2-5 Keys
2-6 Door Locks
2-10 Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2-13 Rear Doors
2-14 Tailgate
2-15 Theft
2-16 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2-17 Passlock

2-18 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2-18 Ignition Positions
2-20 Starting Your Engine
2-23 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2-24 Automatic Transmission Operation
2-28 Manual Transmission Operation
2-34 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2-43 Parking Brake
2-44 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)2
-46 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-47 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
2
-47 Parking Over Things That Burn
2-48 Engine Exhaust
2-48 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-49 Manual Selectable Ride (If Equipped)
2-51 Locking Rear Axle
2-52 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2-58 Exterior Lamps
2-61 Interior Lamps
2-63 Mirrors
2-76 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2-80 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-82 Instrument Panel Cluster
2-84 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-99 Message Center

2-7
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.
To lock the door from the
inside, 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.