tow GMC SIERRA 2002 Owner's Guide

2-50 Cupholders
Your vehicle is equipped with cupholders, for the front
and rear seat passengers, located in the center console
and on the rear of the center console storage area. To use
the front cupholders press down on the raised area of the
access door. Close the door by pushing it all the way
down until it locks back into place. To access the rear
cupholders, pull down on the door located on the back
of the console.
Tonneau Cover
1. To remove, unsnap the
cover. Roll it up and
stow it using the buckle
and the strap located at
the front of the box.
A. Back rail
B. Side rail
C. Rear bowD. Center bow
E. Front bow
F. Front rail
2. Remove the tonneau cover from the notch in the
front rail on the driver's side of the vehicle.

2-51
3. Remove the three bows by gently pushing them
against the spring
-loaded end. The three bows are
labeled front, center, rear to remind you of the order
in which to reinstall them.
4. To add cargo to the box,
remove all bows and
the back rail and stow
them safely.
To clean the tonneau cover, use mild soap and water.
If necessary, use a soft bristle brush to remove dirt
trapped in the grain of the material.

2-61
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Dome Lamp Override Button
B. Exterior Lamp Control
C. Air Outlets
D. Storage Compartment
E. Multifunction Lever
F. Instrument Panel Cluster
G. Shift Lever
H. Tow/Haul Selector Switch
I. Audio System
J. Comfort Control System
K. Instrument Panel Fuse BlockL. Hood Release
M. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
N. Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block
O. Tilt Lever
P. Parking Brake Release
Q. Secondary Information Center (SIC)
R. Rear Window Defogger Button
S. Compact Disc Changer
T. Ashtray
U. Accessory Power Outlet
V. Air Bag Off Switch and 4
-Wheel Steer Button
W. Glovebox

2-69
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See ªTowing Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you're driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light isn't on, you still have brakes, but you
don't have anti
-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes
and there's a problem with your regular brakes. See
ªBrake System Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.

2-71
At approximately 265
F (130
C), the message center
will display a TRANS FLUID HOT message and the
transmission will enter a transmission protection mode.
When the transmission enters the protection mode,
you may notice a change in the transmission shifting
patterns. The transmission will return to normal shifting
patterns when the transmission fluid temperature falls
below 260
F (127
C).
See ªMessage Centerº in the Index for further
information.
If the transmission fluid reaches temperatures of
approximately 275
F (135
C) or greater, the message
center will display a TRANS HOT...IDLE ENG warning
message. Pull the vehicle off the roadway when it is safe
to do so. Set the parking brake, place the transmission
in PARK (P) and allow the engine to idle until the
transmission temperature falls below 260
F (127
C).
If the transmission continues to operate above 265
F
(130
C), please contact your nearest dealer or the
GM Roadside Assistance Center.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with the
transmission temperature gage above the
normal operating range, you can damage the
transmission. This could lead to costly repairs
that may not be covered under your warranty.
The following situations can cause the transmission to
operate at higher temperatures:

Towing a trailer

Hot outside air temperatures

Hauling a large or heavy load

Low transmission fluid level

High transmission fluid level

Restricted air flow to the radiator and the auxiliary
transmission oil cooler.
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures on
a frequent basis, see ªScheduled Maintenanceº in the
Index for the proper transmission maintenance intervals.

2-73
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

Light On Steady
-- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.

2-76 Cruise Light
United States Canada
The CRUISE light comes on whenever you set your
cruise control. See ªCruise Controlº in the Index.
Tow/Haul Light
This light is displayed
when the tow/haul mode
has been activated.
For more information see, ªTow/Haul Modeº in the Index.
Fuel Gage
United States Canada
When the ignition is on, the fuel gage tells you about
how much fuel you have left in your tank.
The gage will first indicate empty before you are out of
fuel, and you should get more fuel as soon as possible.

2-78 Trans Fluid Hot
The automatic transmission temperature warning display
is contained in the message center.
If the transmission fluid
temperature becomes high,
the message center will
display this message.
When the transmission enters the protection mode
you may notice a change in the transmission shifting
patterns. When the transmission fluid temperature
returns to normal, the display will turn off and the
transmission shifting patterns will return to normal.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with the
transmission TRANS FLUID HOT message
displayed, you can damage the transmission.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered under your warranty.
The following situations can cause the transmission to
operate at higher temperatures:

Towing a trailer

Hot outside air temperatures

Hauling a large or heavy load

Low transmission fluid level

High transmission fluid level

Restricted air flow to the radiator and the auxiliary
transmission oil cooler.
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures on
a frequent basis, see ªScheduled Maintenanceº in the
Index for the proper transmission maintenance intervals.

3-2
Comfort Controls
Heater and Air Conditioning Comfort
Controls
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the control panel adjusts the
fan speed. To increase airflow, turn the knob clockwise.
To decrease airflow, turn it counterclockwise. To turn
the fan off, turn the knob to OFF.Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
temperature of the air flowing into the passenger area.
Turn the knob clockwise toward the red area for warmer
air. Turn the knob counterclockwise toward the blue area
for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel allows you to
choose the direction of air delivery.
(Vent): This mode directs the air through the
instrument panel outlets and the center floor console
outlets.
(Bi-Level): Air is delivered through the
instrument panel outlets and center floor console outlets,
as well as the floor outlets. The air flow can be divided
between panel and floor depending upon where the knob
is placed. Pressing the A/C button while in this mode
causes cooler air to come out of the instrument panel
outlets and center floor console outlets and warmer air
to come out of the floor outlets.

3-5 Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it. On cold days, use the floor or bi
-level
modes with the temperature knob in the red area.
On cold days, approximately 32
F (
-0
C) or lower you
may experience differences in how the transmission
shifts until the engine is warm. This feature
automatically reduces the time it takes for the engine to
reach normal operating temperature and shortens the
time it takes the heater to reach full output.
If you use the engine coolant heater before starting your
engine in cold weather, 20
F (
-8
C) or lower, the
heating system will produce warmer air faster to heat the
passenger compartment.
The use of an engine coolant heater also reduces the
time it takes for the engine to reach normal operating
temperature. For more information, see ªEngine Coolant
Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use blend mode to keep the
windshield and side windows clear. Use defrost mode to
remove fog or ice from the windshield in extremely
humid or cold conditions. Use defrost mode with the
temperature knob toward the red area and the fan knob
turned all the way clockwise.