tow GMC SIERRA 2004 Owner's Manual

Cleaning the Outside of Your
Vehicle
The paint ®nish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle's ®nish is to keep it
clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don't wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Use a car washing soap. Don't use strong soaps
or chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the vehicle
well, removing all soap residue completely. You can get
GM-approved cleaning products from your dealer.
See
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page 5-123.
Don't use cleaning agents that are petroleum based,
or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be ¯ushed promptly and not allowed to dry on the
surface, or they could stain. Dry the ®nish with a soft,
clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid surface
scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with QUADRASTEERŸ see
QUADRASTEERŸ on page 4-14.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a car
washing soap to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under ªWashing Your Vehicle.º
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the
paint ®nish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. See
Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials on page 5-123.
If your vehicle has a ªbasecoat/clearcoatº paint ®nish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint
®nish.
Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint ®nish may
damage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes and
polishes that are made for a basecoat/clearcoat
paint ®nish on your vehicle.
5-120

Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels
Your vehicle may be equipped with either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don't use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,
cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes on
them because you could damage the surface. Do not
use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.
Use chrome polish only on chrome-plated wheels, but
avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and buff off
immediately after application.
Don't take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire cleaning brushes. These
brushes can also damage the surface of these wheels.
Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based tire dressing
products on your vehicle may damage the paint
®nish and/or tires. When applying a tire dressing,
always wipe off any overspray from all painted
surfaces on your vehicle.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide the
corrosion protection while maintaining the warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the ®nish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials avaliable from your dealer. Larger areas of
®nish damage can be corrected in your dealer's
body and paint shop.
5-122

(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose or missing parts,
signs of wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect power
steering lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, cha®ng, etc. Visually check constant
velocity joints, rubber boots and axle seals for leaks.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
®ttings and clamps; replace with genuine GM parts as
needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken air bag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air
bag system does not need regular maintenance.)
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, body door hinges,
hood latch assembly, secondary latch, pivots, spring
anchor, release pawl, tailgate hinges, tailgatelinkage,
tailgate handle pivot points, latch bolt, fuel door
hinge, locks and folding seat hardware. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them last longer, seal
better and not stick or squeak.
(g)Add ¯uid as needed. A ¯uid loss could indicate a
problem; repair as needed. Check vent hose at transfer
case for kinks and proper installation.
(h)Change automatic transmission ¯uid and ®lter if the
vehicle GVWR is over 8600 lbs. or if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:
þIn heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or higher.
þIn hilly or mountainous terrain.
þWhen doing frequent trailer towing.
þUses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ¯ush and re®ll cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-33for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ®ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
6-9

(j)A ¯uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the ¯uid level checked. Add ¯uid if needed.
(k)Inspect system. Check all fuel and vapor lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, routing and condition.
Check that the purge valve works properly (if equipped).
Replace as needed.
(l)Change ®lter only at the ®rst maintenance service
performed on the vehicle.
(m)Change automatic transmission ¯uid and ®lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
þIn heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or higher.
þIn hilly or mountainous terrain.
þWhen doing frequent trailer towing.
þUses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
(n)Change clutch ¯uid (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs ®rst).
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals speci®ed to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any ¯uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
6-10

Canada
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
1-800-263-3777 (English)
1-800-263-7854 (French)
1-800-263-3830 (For Text
Telephone devices (TTYs))
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-268-6800
All Overseas Locations
Please contact the local General Motors Business Unit.
Mexico, Central America and
Caribbean Islands/Countries (Except
Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)
General Motors de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.
Customer Assistance Center
Paseo de la Reforma # 2740
Col. Lomas de Bezares
C.P. 11910, Mexico, D.F.
01-800-508-0000
Long Distance: 011-52-53 29 0 800
GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
quali®ed applicants, can
reimburse you up to $1,000
toward eligible 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 offer is available for
a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. For more details, or to determine your
vehicle's eligibility, see your GM dealer 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.
7-5

Roadside Assistance Program
Security While You Travel
1-800-GMC-8782 (1-800-462-8782, Roadside
Assistance prompt)
As the proud owner of a new GMC vehicle, you are
automatically enrolled in the GMC Roadside Assistance
program. This value-added service is intended to
provide you with peace of mind as you drive in the city
or travel the open road. GMC's Roadside Assistance
toll-free number is staffed by courteous and capable
Roadside Assistance Representatives who are available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We will provide the following services during the
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty period, at no expense
to you:
·Fuel Delivery:Delivery of enough fuel ($5
maximum) for the customer to get to the nearest
service station.
·Lock-out Service (identi®cation required):
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.
·Emergency Tow:Tow to the nearest dealership for
warranty service or in the event of a
vehicle-disabling accident. Assistance when the
vehicle is mired in sand, mud or snow.
·Flat Tire Change:Installation of a spare tire will be
covered at no charge. (The customer is responsible
for the repair or replacement of the tire if not
covered by a warrantable failure.)
·Jump Start:No-start occurrences which require a
battery jump start will be covered at no charge.
·Dealer Locator Service
·Trip Routing:Your Roadside Assistance
Representative can provide you with speci®c
information regarding this feature.
·Trip Interruption Expense Bene®ts:Your
Roadside Assistance Representative can provide
you with speci®c information regarding this feature.
In many instances, mechanical failures are covered
under GMC's Bumper-to-Bumper warranty. However,
when other services are utilized, our Roadside
Assistance Representatives will explain any payment
obligations you might incur.
7-6

Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it ®nds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in a
situation like this, we certainly hope you'll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-GMC-8782 (1-800-462-8782), or
write:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
7-11

D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-16
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.........................3-24, 3-31
Delayed Locking.............................................2-10
Dinghy Towing................................................4-54
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-56
Dome Lamps.................................................3-20
Door
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Rear Doors.................................................2-13
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-16
DRIVER DOOR AJAR.....................................3-68
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-55
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-55
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-66
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-37
City...........................................................4-42
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-43
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-45Driving (cont.)
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-39
Winter........................................................4-47
Driving Across an Incline..................................4-32
Driving Downhill..............................................4-31
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice....................4-35
Driving in Water..............................................4-36
Driving On Grades..........................................4-93
Driving on Off-Road Hills.................................4-26
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-47
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-40
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-41
Driving Uphill..................................................4-28
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-91
Dual Automatic Climate Control System.............3-26
Dual Climate Control System............................3-22
Dual Stage Air Bags........................................1-74
Dual Tire Operation.........................................5-85
DVD
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-131
Distortion..................................................3-129
Rear Seat Entertainment System..................3-115
DVD Player..................................................3-116
E
Easy Exit Seat...............................................2-70
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-125
5

K
Key Release Button (Manual Transmission)........2-23
KEYFOB X BATTERY LOW.............................3-68
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-14
Interior.......................................................3-19
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-16
Lap Belt........................................................1-26
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-16
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-48
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System................................1-50, 1-51
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-8
Leaving Your Vehicle With
the Engine Running (Automatic
Transmission Only)......................................2-50
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR (Crew Cab)...............3-69
Light
Air Bag Off .................................................3-37
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-36
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-45
Battery Warning..........................................3-42Light (cont.)
Brake System Warning.................................3-43
Cruise Control.............................................3-53
Four-Wheel-Drive.........................................3-53
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-54
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-49
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator................3-40
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-36
Tow/Haul Mode...........................................3-53
Traction Off................................................3-45
Up-Shift.....................................................3-43
Listening to a DVD..............................3-101, 3-115
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-57
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving..........4-23
Locking Rear Axle...........................................4-12
Lockout Protection..........................................2-13
Lock-Out Switch.............................................2-18
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-10
Door........................................................... 2-8
Lockout Protection.......................................2-13
Power Door.................................................. 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-18
LOW COOLANT LEVEL..................................3-69
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-54
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-5
9

M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-11
At Least Once a Month................................6-11
At Least Once a Year..................................6-12
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000km).......................6-11
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-8
Maintenance Record....................................6-19
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-17
Owner Checks and Services.........................6-10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-14
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-95
Making Turns.................................................4-92
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-49
Manual Seats................................................... 1-3
Manual Selectable Ride...................................4-11
Manual Transfer Case.....................................2-36
Manual Transmission.......................................2-24
Fluid..........................................................5-31
Operation...................................................2-30Manual Transmission (cont.)
Manual Windows............................................2-16
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6
Memory Seat.................................................2-69
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-66
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands)....................................................... 7-5
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-57
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
ž,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-55
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-54
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-63
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors........................2-60
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-64
Outside Curb View Assist Mirrors...................2-63
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-64
Outside Manual Mirrors................................2-60
Outside Power Camper-Type.........................2-62
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-62
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-61
Outside West Coast-Type Mirrors...................2-61
Model Reference................................................ vi
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
10