GMC SIERRA 2005 Owner's Manual

When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.
When you turn the headlamp switch off, the headlamps
will go off, and your DRL lamps will illuminate,
provided it is not dark outside.
Shifting the transmission into PARK (P) will allow you to
idle the vehicle with the DRL off. The DRL will stay
off until you shift the transmission out of PARK (P).
This procedure applies only to vehicles rst sold in the
United States.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the
instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn the
exterior lamps switch to the off position and then
release. Turning off the automatic headlamp system
with the headlamp switch is not available for vehicles
rst sold in Canada. For vehicles rst sold in Canada,
you can turn off the automatic headlamp systemwhen parked at night by applying the parking brake
before starting your vehicle. The headlamps will remain
off once the vehicle is started for as long as you are
parked. If you release the parking brake, the lights will
turn on. If the parking brake is not released before
you begin to drive, the exterior lamps will turn on above
2 mph (3.2 km/h).
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor located on
the top of the instrument panel in the defroster grille.
Be sure it is not covered, or the system will be on
whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on your headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so
that driving under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
automatic headlamp system will only be affected when
the light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting
longer than the delay.
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If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
you leave the garage, it will take approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is bright enough outside. During that
delay, your instrument panel cluster may not be as
bright as usual. Make sure your instrument panel
brightness control is in the full bright position. See
Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-17.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, turn the control to the off position.
You may be able to turn off your Automatic Headlamp
System. See “Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)” later
in this section for more information.
Your headlamps will also stay on after you exit the
vehicle. You can program this feature using the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDriver Information Center
(DIC) on page 3-50.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need them.Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has fog lamps, use them for better vision
in foggy or misty conditions.
The fog lamp button is
located on the left side of
the instrument panel.
Your parking lamps and/or low-beam headlamps must
be on for your fog lamps to work.
Press the button to turn the fog lamps on. Press the
button again to turn them off. An indicator light will glow
in the button when the fog lamps are on.
Remember, fog lamps alone will not give off as much
light as your headlamps. Never use your fog lamps
in the dark without turning on your headlamps.
The fog lamps will go off whenever your high-beam
headlamps come on. When the high beams go off, the
fog lamps will come on again.
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The fog lamps will be cancelled after the ignition is
turned off. If you still want to use the fog lamps after you
restart the vehicle, you will need to press the fog
lamp button again.
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp
If your vehicle has this feature, this switch includes
wiring provisions for a dealer or a qualied service
center to install an auxiliary roof lamp.
This switch is located on
the center of the
instrument panel near the
climate controls.
When the switch wiring is connected to an auxiliary roof
mounted lamp, pressing the switch will activate the lamp
and illuminate an indicator light near the switch. Pressing
the switch again will turn off the roof mounted lamp.
Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Brightness):This feature
controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature is located next to
the headlamp control.
Turn the thumbwheel up to adjust the instrument panel
lights. Turn the thumbwheel up to return the radio
display to full brightness when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on. To turn on the dome lamps, turn the
thumbwheel all the way up.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when you open a door.
You can also turn the dome lamps on by turning
the thumbwheel, located next to the exterior lamps
control, all the way up. In this position, the dome lamps
will remain on whether a door is opened or closed.
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Dome Lamp Override
E(Dome Lamp Override):You can use the dome
override button, located below the exterior lamps control,
to set the dome lamps to come on automatically when
a door is opened, or to remain off. To turn the lamps off,
press the button into the in position. With the button
in this position, the dome lamps will remain off when the
doors are open. To return the lamps to automatic
operation, press the button again and return it to the out
position. With the button in this position, the dome
lamps will come on when you open a door.
Entry Lighting
Your vehicle is equipped with an illuminated
entry feature.
When the doors are opened, the dome lamps will come
on if the dome override button is in the out position.
If the dome override button is pressed in, the lamps will
not come on.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition. The lights will
not come on if the dome override button is pressed in.
Front Reading Lamps
The reading lamps
are located on the
overhead console.
To turn on the reading lamps, press the button
located next to each lamp. To turn them off, press the
button again.
The lamps can be adjusted to point in the direction
you want.
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Your vehicle may also have reading lamps in other
locations. To turn the lamps on or off, press the button
located next to the lamp. The lamps are xed and
cannot be adjusted.
Cargo Lamp
The cargo lamp button is
located on the left side of
the instrument panel.
Press the button to turn
the cargo lamp on.
Press the button again to
turn it off.
An indicator light on the instrument panel cluster will
illuminate when the cargo lamp is turned on, and
the ignition key is turned to RUN.
Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or
CB radio.
Your vehicle may have two accessory power outlets, or
may have one accessory power outlet located near
the cigarette lighter, if equipped. The cigarette lighter is
designed to t only in the receptacle to the right of
the accessory power outlet.
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To use the outlet, lift the cover. When not using it,
always close the cover.
Certain power accessory plugs may not be compatible
to the accessory power outlet and could result in
blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information on
the accessory power plugs.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Check with your
dealer before adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
proper installation instructions included with the
equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may be equipped with a front ashtray
located near the center of the instrument panel. Pull on
the door to open it.
Notice:If you put papers or other ammable items
in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
To remove the front ashtray, pull the ashtray toward you.
To replace the ashtray, place the ashtray on the slides at
the side of its location in the instrument panel. To use the
cigarette lighter, push it in all the way, and let go. When
it’s ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating. Do not
use anything other than the cigarette lighter in the
heating element.
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Climate Controls
Climate Control System
Fan Knob
The fan knob on the left side of the control panel
adjusts the fan speed. To increase airow, turn the knob
clockwise. To decrease airow, turn it counterclockwise.
To turn the fan off, turn the knob to the off position.
9(Off):If the fan is off, outside air will still enter the
vehicle, and will be directed based on the position of
the mode knob. The temperature can also be adjusted
using the temperature knob.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select the
temperature of the air owing 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.
H(Vent):This setting directs the air through the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Air is delivered through the oor outlets
as well as the instrument panel outlets. The ow can
be divided between vent and oor outlets depending
upon where the knob is placed between the settings.
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6(Floor):This setting directs most of the air through
the oor outlets, and the rest of the air is divided
between the windshield defroster outlets and the side
window defroster outlets.
W(Defog):Airow is delivered through the oor
outlets, the windshield defroster outlets and the side
window defroster outlets. The air ow can be divided
between oor and defrost depending upon where
the knob is placed between the settings.
1(Defrost):This setting directs most air through the
windshield defroster outlets, side window defroster
outlets and some through the oor outlets.
Dual Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Turn the knob to the off position to turn off the fan. If
the knob is in off, outside air will still enter the vehicle
and will be directed based on the position of the
mode knob. The temperature can also be adjusted
using the temperature levers.
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the airow inside of your vehicle.
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To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel vents.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel vents; then directs most of the
remaining air to the oor vents. A little air is directed
toward the windshield and the side window vents. Cooler
air is directed to the upper vents and warmer air to
the oor vents.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor vents with a little air directed to the windshield and
the side window vents.
h(Recirculation):The recirculation mode is used
to recirculate the air inside of your vehicle. Use this
mode to help prevent outside odors and/or dust
from entering your vehicle or to help cool the air inside
of your vehicle more quickly. Press this button to
turn the recirculation mode on or off. The light on the
recirculation button will illuminate. Recirculation cannot
be used in oor, bi-level, defog or defrost modes.
An indicator on the button will light up, ash three times
and turn off when recirculation is selected in these
modes. The air-conditioning compressor will also come
on when this mode is activated. While in recirculation
mode the windows may fog when the weather is
cold and damp. To clear the fog, select either the blend
or defrost mode and increase fan speed.Temperature Control
Driver’s Side:The lever on the left side of the climate
control panel is used to raise or lower the temperature on
the driver’s side of the vehicle. This lever also adjusts the
temperature to the center console outlets (if equipped).
Passenger’s Side:The lever on the right side of the
climate control panel is used to raise or lower the
temperature on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the
air-conditioning system on or off. When the button is
pressed, an indicator light will come on and the system
will begin to cool and dehumidify the air inside of your
vehicle. You may notice a slight change in engine
performance when the air conditioning compressor shuts
off and turns on again. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate control
system is used properly. There are two modes to choose
from to clear fog or frost from your windshield. Use
the defog mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture
and warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode to
remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
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Turn the right knob to select one of the following
modes:
-(Defog):This mode directs the air to the oor
outlets, windshield and the side window vents. The air
conditioning compressor will run automatically to
dehumidify the air to prevent window fogging. The
recirculation mode cannot be selected while in the
defog mode.
1(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield and the side window vents, with only a
little air directed to the oor vents. The air conditioning
compressor will run automatically to dehumidify the
air to prevent window fogging. The recirculation mode
cannot be selected while in defrost mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The lines you see on the rear window warm the glass.
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window. If your vehicle has a
sliding rear window, you will not have a rear window
defogger, however, you will still have a rear window
defogger button to activate the heated outside rearview
mirrors, if equipped.
<(Rear):Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will automatically turn off
several minutes after the button is pressed. Pressing the
button while the defogger is running can also turn off
the defogger.
If your vehicle is equipped with heated mirrors this
button will activate them.
Notice:Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’t be
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
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