GMC SIERRA 2002 Owner's Manual

2-28
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the fan is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.
CAUTION:
It can be 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've 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.

2-29
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.
All-Wheel Drive
With this feature, engine power is sent to all four wheels
when extra traction is needed.
This is like four
-wheel drive, but there is no separate
lever or switch to engage or disengage the front axle.
It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for
road conditions.
QUADRASTEER (4WS)
The QUADRASTEER System has a control and
diagnostic module that monitors and records current
system status and operational information.
If your vehicle is equipped with the 4WS system it has
the ability to steer the vehicle with all four wheels.
Once this mode is selected, it is recommended to leave
the vehicle in this mode at all times.
The 4WS system is equipped with three different
driving modes:

Two wheel steering (2WS)

Four wheel steering (4WS)

Four wheel steering with a trailer mode (4WS TOW)

2-30
The switch is located on the instrument panel.
2WS: In this mode the vehicle will operate like any
other vehicle with two wheel steering. If you want to
use 2WS and your vehicle is not in this mode, press the
4 Wheel Steer button until the 2WS indicator, located to
the right of the 4 Wheel Steer button, lights up. If the
2WS indicator is flashing you will have to center the
steering wheel by turning it to the left or right.
4WS: In this mode all four wheels will help steer the
vehicle. If you want to use 4WS, and your vehicle is not
in this mode, press the 4 Wheel Steer button, until the
4WS indicator, located to the right of the 4 Wheel Steer
button, lights up. If the 4WS indicator is flashing you
will have to center the steering wheel by turning it to the
left or right.Slower Speed Mode (below 40 mph/64 kph)
At slower speeds the steering will operate in the lower
speed mode. This means the front and rear wheels will
turn in opposite directions. This helps the vehicle make
tighter turns, such as during parking, cornering and
turning into tight spaces.

2-31
Higher Speed Mode (40 mph/64 kph and above)
At higher speeds the steering will operate in the higher
speed mode. This means the front and rear wheels will
turn in the same direction. This improves stability of the
vehicle during lane changes and sweeping turns.4WS TOW: The 4WS TOW mode provides enhanced
stability allowing the trailer to follow the path of the tow
vehicle more closely, especially during lane changes.
In this mode the system operates much like the
4WS mode, but is enhanced for trailer towing.
It is recommended for all types and weights of trailers.
To engage the 4WS TOW mode, press the 4 Wheel Steer
button until the 4WS and TOW indicators light up on
the instrument panel. If the TOW indicator is flashing
you will have to center the steering wheel by turning it
to the left or right. While in the 4WS TOW mode, it is
possible the steering wheel may be slightly off center.

2-32
Car Washes for QUADRASTEER
Equipped Vehicles
NOTICE:
Because your vehicle has a wider rear track some
car washes may be too narrow for your vehicle.
Conveyor systems on some automatic car washes
may damage your vehicle. Only use conveyor
system car washes with 13
-inch (33 cm) wide
conveyor rails and/or stationary washes with
at least 82 inches (208 cm) between the rails.
Before using the car wash check with the manager.

2-33
Horn
To sound the horn, press the center pad on the
steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel before
you drive. You can raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter your vehicle.
The tilt steering wheel lever
is located on the lower left
side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Then move the steering wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

Turn and Lane
-Change Signals

Headlamp High/Low
-Beam Changer

Flash
-to-Pass Feature

Windshield Wipers

Windshield Washer

Cruise Control
For information on the exterior lamps, see ªExterior
Lampsº later in this section.

2-34 Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up
or down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
If you move the lever all the way up or down, and the
arrow flashes at twice the normal rate, a signal bulb
may be burned out and other drivers may not see
your turn signal.If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned
-out bulbs or a blown fuse
(see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index).
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal
lever to off.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low to high beam or high
to low beam, pull the multifunction lever all the way
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams
are on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on.

2-35 Flash-to-Pass Feature
This feature allows you to use your high-beam
headlamps to signal a driver in front of you that you
want to pass. It works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, but not
so far that you hear it click.
If your headlamps are off or on low beam, your
high
-beam headlamps will turn on. They'll stay on as
long as you hold the lever toward you. The high
-beam
indicator on the instrument panel will come on. Release
the lever to turn the high
-beam headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will
stop after one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the
band on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain
or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay time.
The closer to LO, the shorter the delay.For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away
from you to the LO position. For high
-speed wiping,
turn the band further, to HI. To stop the wipers, move
the band to OFF.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Windshield Washer
There is a paddle marked with the windshield washer
symbol at the top of the multifunction lever. To spray
washer fluid on the windshield, push the paddle.
The wipers will clear the window and then either stop
or return to your preset speed.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.

2-36 Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator.
This can really help on long trips. Cruise control does
not work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where
you can't drive safely at a steady speed.
So, don't use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Don't use cruise control on slippery roads.
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press in the SET button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

2-37
United States Canada
The CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster will
illuminate when the cruise control is engaged.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, disengages
the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it.
Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch from ON to
R/A (Resume/Accelerate) briefly.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you hold the switch at R/A, the vehicle will keep
going faster until you release the switch or apply the
brake. So unless you want to go faster, don't hold the
switch at R/A.Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Press the SET button at the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You'll now cruise at the higher speed.

Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want, and
then release the switch. To increase your speed in
very small amounts, move the switch to R/A briefly.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control

Press and hold the SET button at the end of the
lever until you reach the lower speed you want,
then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, press the
SET button briefly. Each time you do this,
you'll go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.