warning GMC SIERRA 2003 Owner's Guide

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning, along with a low coolant message,
can indicate a serious problem. See“Low Coolant”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-51.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no low
coolant message, but see or hear no steam, the problem
may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when you:
•Climb a long hill on a hot day.
•Stop after high-speed driving.
•Idle for long periods in traffic.
•Tow a trailer. See“Driving on Grades”under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-53.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving–AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
X)
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, push down the
accelerator until the engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least three minutes while
you’re parked. If you still have the warning,turn off the
engine and get everyone out of the vehicleuntil it
cools down. Also, see Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode listed previously in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-28
2003 - Sierra Denali

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
With plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get
the overheat warning. Your engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
5-31
2003 - Sierra Denali

•If you spill brakefluid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paintfinish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brakefluid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care”in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedalfirmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to an accident. When you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes arefirst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-15.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
5-38
2003 - Sierra Denali

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your
vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality GM
brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system–for example, when your brake linings
wear down and you need new ones put in–be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts.
If you don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly.
For example, if someone puts in brake linings that
are wrong for your vehicle, the balance between your
front and rear brakes can change—for the worse.
The braking performance you’ve come to expect can
change in many other ways if someone puts in the
wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco®battery. When it’s time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco
®
battery. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, remove the black, negative (−) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See“Jump Starting”next for
tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your
vehicle for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, seeTheft-Deterrent
Feature on page 3-75.
5-39
2003 - Sierra Denali

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction–AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-61
2003 - Sierra Denali

Temperature–A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are
not needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your vehicle.
5-62
2003 - Sierra Denali

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goesflat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warningflashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured. Find a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brakefirmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Put the wheel blocks at the front and rear
of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire on
the other side of the vehicle, at the
opposite end.The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
5-65
2003 - Sierra Denali

Spare Tire
Your vehicle, when new, had a fully inflated spare tire.
A spare tire may lose air over time, so check its
inflation pressure regularly. SeeInflation -- Tire Pressure
on page 5-57andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-47
for information regarding proper tire inflation and loading
your vehicle. For instruction on how to remove, install
or store a spare tire, seeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 5-65.
After installing the spare tire on your vehicle, you should
stop as soon as possible and make sure the spare is
correctly inflated. Have the damaged orflat road
tire repaired or replaced as soon as you can and
installed back onto your vehicle. This way, a spare tire
will be available in case you need it again.
If your vehicle has a spare tire that does not match your
vehicle’s original road tires and wheels in size and
type, do not include the spare in the tire rotation.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst intoflames if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed
space. When you use anything from a container to cleanyour vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s
warnings and instructions. And always open your doors
or windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Neveruse these to clean your vehicle:
•Gasoline
•Benzene
•Naphtha
•Carbon Tetrachloride
•Acetone
•Paint Thinner
•Turpentine
•Lacquer Thinner
•Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous–some more than
others–and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
•Alcohol
•Laundry Soap
•Bleach
•Reducing Agents
5-82
2003 - Sierra Denali

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-16
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-35
Additional Program Information........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-91
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-50
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)..............3-60
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-30
Air Bag
Off Light.....................................................3-28
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-31
Readiness Light..........................................3-27
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-55
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-71
Air Bag Off Switch.......................................1-61
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-59
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-66
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-70
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?....................1-59
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?......1-59
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?...................1-58
Where Are the Air Bags?
..............................1-57
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine
.................................5-18
Air Conditioning
..............................................3-21
All Overseas Locations
...................................... 7-4
All-Wheel Drive
...............................................5-45
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
.........................2-21AM ...............................................................3-76
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-78
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.....3-78
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-35
Appearance Care............................................5-82
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-84
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-88
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-83
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-85
Finish Damage............................................5-87
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..........5-88
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-87
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-87
Weatherstrips..............................................5-85
Approaching a Hill..........................................4-23
Ashtrays........................................................3-17
Audio System(s).............................................3-56
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-76
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
Fixed Mast Antenna
.....................................3-78
Navigation/Radio System
..............................3-70
Radio with Cassette and CD
.........................3-57
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
................................3-71
Setting the Time
..........................................3-57
Theft-Deterrent Feature
................................3-75
Understanding Radio Reception
.....................3-76
1
2003 - Sierra Denali

Audio System(s) (cont.)
XM™Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-78
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-12
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-20
Operation...................................................2-19
Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-11
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-12
B
Backing Up....................................................4-58
Battery..........................................................5-39
BATTERY NOT CHARGING.............................3-52
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-5
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-16
Battery Warning Light......................................3-33
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-37
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-18
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-11
Brake
Parking......................................................2-22
System Inspection.......................................6-15
System Warning Light..................................3-34
Brake Adjustment............................................5-38
Brake Fluid....................................................5-36
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-38
Brake Wear...................................................5-38
Brakes..........................................................5-36Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-15
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-48
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
and Cargo Lamp......................................5-52
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-49
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-48
Headlamps.................................................5-48
Pickup Box Identification and Fender
Marker Lamps.........................................5-54
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-51
Taillamps....................................................5-54
Buying New Tires...........................................5-60
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada........................................................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Capacities and Specifications............................5-99
Car Washes for QUADRASTEER™Equipped
Vehicles.....................................................4-14
Carbon Monoxide...................4-40, 4-53, 2-10, 2-26
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-84
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-77
2
2003 - Sierra Denali