Towing GMC SIERRA 2003 Owner's Guide

❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace fuelfilter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote†.)
37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerfilter change indicator.
If necessary, replace thefilter. If vehicle is driven
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspectfilter change
indicator at every engine oil change. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote†.)
❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
❑Change automatic transmissionfluid andfilter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
❑Check rear/front axle uid level and add uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
6-7
2003 - Sierra Denali

❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Replace fuellter.An Emission Control Service.
(See Footnote†.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.❑Change automatic transmissionuid andlter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
❑If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transmissionuid, change
both theuid andlter.
❑Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain,ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occursrst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-23for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-9
2003 - Sierra Denali

GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
qualied applicants, can
reimburse you up to
$1,000 toward aftermarket
driver or passenger
adaptive equipment you
may require for your
vehicle (hand controls,
wheelchair/scooter
lifts, etc.).
This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The program is available
for a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. See your dealer for more details or call
the GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1-800-323-9935.
Text telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program. Call
1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details. All TTY users
call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance Program
GMC’s Roadside Assistance Provides stranded owners
with over-the-phone roadside repairs, location of the
nearest GMC dealer or the following special services:
Flat Tire Change:Installation of spare tire will be
covered at no charge (customer is responsible for repair
or replacement of tire).
Fuel Delivery:Delivery of enough fuel for the customer
to get to the nearest service station (up to $5.00)
will be covered.
Jump Start:No-start situations which require a battery
jump start will be covered at no charge.
Lock Out:Replacement keys or locksmith service will be
covered at no charge if you are unable to gain entry
into your vehicle. Delivery of the replacement key will be
covered within 10 miles (16 km).
Emergency Towing Service:Towing to the nearest GMC
dealer for warranty related disablements will be
covered.
Trip Routing:Custom-made, computerized highlighted
maps using the most direct or scenic route are provided
free of charge. Maps include points of interest and a
list of GMC dealers along the route. Also included is a
list of hotels along the route that are discounted
through affiliation with“Quest International.”Trip Routing
is available through Roadside Assistance by calling
7-5
2003 - Sierra Denali

M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-100
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-11
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-10
Brake System Inspection..............................6-15
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-14
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-14
Fuel System Inspection................................6-14
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-10
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-14
PartD-Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-15
PartE-Maintenance Record........................6-17
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-5
Steering and Suspension Inspection...............6-14
Transfer Case and Front Axle (All-Wheel
Drive) Inspection......................................6-15
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-60Making Turns.................................................4-59
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-37
Manual Selectable Ride..................................... 4-9
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-5
Memory Seat.................................................2-41
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-51
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands)....................................................... 7-4
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-28
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-32
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-32
Outside Curb View Assist Mirrors...................2-32
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-32
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-31
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-31
MyGMLink.com
................................................ 7-3
N
Navigation/Radio System
..................................3-70
New Vehicle Break-In
......................................2-15
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
...........5-100
9
2003 - Sierra Denali

Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-16
Door Locks.................................................. 2-7
Electrical System.........................................5-91
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-34
Windows....................................................2-12
Power Steering...............................................4-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................. 2-7
Programming the HomeLink
®Transmitter...........2-35
Puddle Lamps................................................3-13
Q
QUADRASTEER™..........................................4-12
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-11
R
Radio Data System (RDS)...............................3-57
Radio Messages.............................................3-63
Radios..........................................................3-56
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-77
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-78
Care of Your CDs ........................................3-78
CD Changer...............................................3-73
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-70Radios (cont.)
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-57
Rear Seat Audio..........................................3-71
Setting the Time..........................................3-57
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-75
Understanding Reception..............................3-76
RDS Messages..............................................3-62
Rear Axle......................................................5-46
Locking......................................................4-10
Rear Doors...................................................... 2-9
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-26
Rear Seat Audio Controls.................................3-71
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)....................................3-71
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-6
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions.............1-23
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-23
Rear Seat Top Strap Anchors...........................1-41
Rear Window Defogger....................................3-23
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display..................2-28
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-47
REDUCED ENGINE POWER...........................3-52
Remote Alarm.................................................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation
............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
..................................................5-68
11
2003 - Sierra Denali

T
Tachometer....................................................3-26
Tailgate.........................................................2-10
Tailgate Removal............................................2-10
Taillamps.......................................................5-54
Temperature and Compass Display....................2-28
Testing the Alarm............................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-75
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-13
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-13
Passlock
®...................................................2-15
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire Inflation Check.........................................6-10
Tires.............................................................5-56
Buying New Tires........................................5-60
Chains.......................................................5-64
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-65
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-64
Inflation -- Tire Pressure...............................5-57
Inspection and Rotation................................5-58
Spare Tire..................................................5-82
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-61
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
.................5-62
Wheel Replacement
.....................................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires
......................5-59
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
....................2-18
Tonneau Cover
...............................................2-39
Top Strap
......................................................1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location
...............................1-40Torque Lock...................................................2-25
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-56
Tow/Haul Mode ...............................................2-21
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-41
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-47
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-53
Your Vehicle...............................................4-46
Traction
Manual Selectable Ride................................. 4-9
TRACTION ACTIVE........................................3-55
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-52
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-57
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-61
Transfer Case................................................5-45
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-20
Temperature Gage.......................................3-36
TRANSMISSION HOT.....................................3-55
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-19
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-10
Transportation Options...................................... 7-7
Traveling to Remote Areas...............................4-20
Trip Information Button....................................3-43
Trip Odometer
................................................3-26
Truck-Camper Loading Information
....................4-50
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.......................... 3-6
TURN SIGNAL ON
.........................................3-54
14
2003 - Sierra Denali

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-59
Two-Tiered Loading.........................................4-49
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-13
Underhood Fuse Block....................................5-95
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-76
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-61
United States................................................... 7-4
Using HomeLink
®...........................................2-38
Using the Recovery Hooks...............................4-45
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-47
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).............................................5-90
Service Parts Identification Label
...................5-90
Vehicle Personalization
Memory Seat
..............................................2-41
Vehicle Storage
..............................................5-39
Visors
...........................................................2-13
Voltmeter Gage
..............................................3-33
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-24
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-51
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-4
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-85
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-11
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-55
Weight of Trailer Tongue..................................4-56
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-15
What to Add ..................................................5-37
What to Do with Used Oil ................................5-17
What to Use ..................................5-24, 5-35, 5-46
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-62
Replacement...............................................5-62
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-14
When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life
System).....................................................5-16
When to Check..............................................5-57
When to Check and Change
............................5-20
When to Check Lubricant
.................................5-46
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
................5-34
When to Inspect
.............................................5-18
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill
.....................................................4-60
15
2003 - Sierra Denali