GMC SIERRA 2003 Manual Online

Your vehicle has one
double-sided key for the
ignition and all door
locks as well as the spare
tire hoist lock, if equipped.
If you ever lose your keys, your dealer will be able to
assist you with obtaining replacements.
Notice:Your vehicle has a number of features that
can help prevent theft. You can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have
spare keys.
If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, call the
GM Roadside Assistance Center. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-5. If your vehicle is
equipped with the OnStar
®system with an active
subscription and you lock your keys inside the vehicle,OnStar
®may be able to send a command to unlock
your vehicle. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-33
for more information.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Your keyless entry system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
2-3
2003 - Sierra Denali

At times you may notice a decrease in range.
This is normal for any remote keyless entry system.
If the transmitter does not work or if you have to stand
closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to work,
try this:
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
Check to determine if battery replacement or
resynchronization is necessary. See“Battery
Replacement”and‘‘Resynchronization’’under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-4.
If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualied technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
You can lock and unlock your doors from about 3 feet
(1 m) up to 100 feet (30 m) away using the remote
keyless entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
UNLOCK:Pressing this button once will unlock
the driver’s door. The interior lamps will come on.
Pressing UNLOCK again within three seconds will cause
the remaining doors to unlock.
You can choose different feedback options for each
press of the UNLOCK button. SeeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-42for more information.
LOCK:Pressing this button once will lock all of the
doors. You can choose different feedback options
for each press of the LOCK button. SeeDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-42for more information.
Operating the keyless entry transmitter may interact with
the theft-deterrent system. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent
on page 2-13andDIC Operation and Displays on
page 3-42for more information.
Remote Alarm
When the horn symbol on the keyless entry transmitter
is pressed, the horn will sound and the headlamps
and taillamps willash for up to 30 seconds. This can
be turned off by pressing the horn button again, waiting
for 30 seconds, or starting the vehicle.
2-4
2003 - Sierra Denali

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can
be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring
any remaining transmitters with you when you go to
your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote keyless
entry transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won’t
work at the normal range in any location. If you have
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it’s probably time to change the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.To replace the battery in the keyless entry transmitter,
do the following:
1. Insert a thin coin, or similar object, in the slot
between the covers of the transmitter housing
near the key ring hole. Remove the bottom
by twisting the coin.
2. Remove and replace the battery with a three-volt
CR2032 or equivalent battery, positive (+) side up.
3. Align the covers and snap them together.
4. Resynchronize the transmitter.
5. Check the operation of the transmitter.
2-5
2003 - Sierra Denali

Resynchronization
Resynchronization may be necessary due to the security
method used by this system. The transmitter does not
send the same signal twice to the receiver. The receiver
will not respond to a signal that has been sent previously.
This prevents anyone from recording and playing back
the signal from the transmitter.
To resynchronize your transmitter, stand close to your
vehicle and press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK
buttons on the transmitter at the same time for
15 seconds. The door locks should cycle to conrm
synchronization. If the locks do not cycle, see your dealer
for service.
Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers — especially children — can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked, the
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
handle won’t open it. You increase the chance
of being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if
the doors aren’t locked. So, wear safety belts
properly and lock the doors whenever you
drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can
help prevent this from happening.
To lock and unlock your vehicle, do one of the following:
You can use the keyless entry system,
use your key, or
2-6
2003 - Sierra Denali

1. lock the door from the
inside by sliding the
manual lock lever
rearward. To unlock
the door, slide the
manual lock lever
forward.
Power Door Locks
If your vehicle is equipped
with power door locks,
press the raised side of the
switch, with the lock
symbol, on either front
door to lock all the doors
at once.
Press the recessed side of the switch with the unlock
symbol, to unlock all the doors at once.The power door locks will operate at any time even
when the ignition is off.
Operating the power locks may interact with the
theft-deterrent system (if equipped). SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-13.
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic lock/unlock
feature which enables you to program your vehicle’s
power door locks. You can program this feature through
the Driver Information Center (DIC), or by the following
method.
Programmable Locking Feature
The following is the list of available programming
options:
Mode 1:All doors lock when the transmission is shifted
into gear. This is the mode that is pre-programmed in
the factory for your vehicle.
Mode 2:All doors lock when the vehicle speed is
greater than 8 mph (13 km/h).
Mode 3:No automatic door locking.
2-7
2003 - Sierra Denali

The following instructions tell you how to change the
automatic door lock mode. Choose one of the three
programming options listed above before entering the
program mode. To enter the program mode, do the
following:
1. Begin with the ignition off. Then pull the turn
signal/multifunction lever toward you and hold
it there while you perform the next step.
2. Turn the key to RUN then back to LOCK twice.
Then, with the key in LOCK, release the turn
signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, the
doors will lock and unlock, the horn will chirp twice,
and a 30-second timer will begin. You are now
ready to program the automatic door lock feature.
3. Press the door lock switch once. You will hear one,
two, or three chimes. The number of chimes tells
you which lock mode is currently selected. Continue
to press the door lock switch until the number of
chimes that you hear matches the number of
the mode that you want. If you take longer than 30
seconds, the locks will automatically lock and
unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that
you have left the program mode. If this occurs,
you can repeat the procedure beginning with Step 1
to re-enter the programming mode.
You can exit the program mode any time by turning the
ignition to RUN (the doors will automatically lock and
unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you
are leaving the program mode). If the lock/unlockswitches are not pressed while in the programming
mode, the current automatic settings will not be
modied.
See your dealer for more information.
Programmable Unlocking Feature
The following is the list of available programming
options:
Mode 1:Driver’s door unlocks when the transmission is
shifted into PARK (P).
Mode 2:All doors unlock when the transmission is
shifted into PARK (P). This is the mode that is
pre-programmed in the factory for your vehicle.
Mode 3:All doors unlock when the key is removed
from the ignition.
Mode 4:No automatic door unlock.
The following instructions tell you how to change the
automatic door unlock mode. Choose one of the
four programming options listed above before entering
the program mode. To enter the program mode, do
the following:
1. Begin with the ignition off. Then pull the turn
signal/multifunction lever toward you and hold
it there while you perform the next step.
2. Turn the key to RUN and LOCK twice. Then, with
the key in LOCK, release the turn
signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, the
2-8
2003 - Sierra Denali

doors will lock and unlock, the horn will chirp twice,
and a 30-second timer will begin. You are now
ready to program the automatic door unlock feature.
3. Press the door unlock switch once. You will hear
one, two, three, or four chimes. The number of
chimes tells you which unlock mode is currently
selected. Continue to press the door unlock switch
until the number of chimes that you hear matches the
number of the mode that you want. If you take longer
than 30 seconds, the locks will automatically lock and
unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that
you have left the program mode. If this occurs, you
can repeat the procedure beginning with Step 1 to
re-enter the programming mode.
You can exit the program mode any time by turning the
ignition to RUN (the doors will automatically lock and
unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you
are leaving the program mode). If the lock/unlock
switches are not pressed while in the programming
mode, the current automatic settings will not be
modied.
See your dealer for more information.
Rear Doors
Your vehicle is equipped with rear access doors that
allow easier access to the rear area of the extended cab.To open a rear access
door from the outside,rst
open the front door.
Then, use the handle
located on the front edge
of the rear access door
to open it.
You must fully close a rear access door before you can
close the front door.
To open a rear access
door from the inside, the
front door must be opened
rst. Then, use the
handle located on the
inside of the rear access
door to open it.
2-9
2003 - Sierra Denali

Tailgate
You can open the tailgate by lifting up on its handle
while pulling the tailgate toward you.
To shut the tailgate,rmly push it upward until it
latches.
After you put the tailgate back up, pull it back towards
you to be sure it latches securely.
Tailgate Removal
The tailgate on your vehicle can be removed to allow for
different loading situations. Although the tailgate can
be removed without assistance, you may want someone
to assist you with the removal to avoid possible
damage to the vehicle.
To remove the tailgate, do the following:1. Raise the tailgate
slightly and release
both retaining cable
clips. To release the
retaining cable clips, lift
the cable so it points
straight out and push
the cable clip forward.
2. With the tailgate at a
slight upward angle,
pull back on the tailgate
at the right edge and
then move the
tailgate to the right to
release the left edge.
Reverse the above procedure to reinstall. Make sure the
tailgate is secure.
2-10
2003 - Sierra Denali

Windows
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome
by the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never
leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with
the windows closed in warm or hot weather.
2-11
2003 - Sierra Denali

Power Windows
A power window control is located on the inside of each
front door.
The driver’s door has a switch for the passenger
window as well. Your power windows will work when the
ignition has been turned to ACCESSORY or RUN or
when Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is active.
See“Retained Accessory Power”underIgnition
Positions on page 2-16.
Press the rear of the switch with the power window
symbol on it to lower the window or press the front of
the switch to raise the window.
Express-Down Windows
The driver and passenger windows also has an express
down feature that allows the windows to be lowered
without holding the switch. Press and hold the front edge
of the window switch for one second to activate the
express down mode. The express down mode can be
canceled at any time by pulling up on the switch.
To open the window partway, lightly tap the switch until
the window is at the desired position.
Swing-Out Windows
To open a rear swing-out
window,ip the latch open
and swing the glass out.
The latch will catch when the window is fully open and it
will also hold it in the open position.
2-12
2003 - Sierra Denali