ignition GMC SIERRA 2006 Owner's Guide

Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)
when the ignition is in the LOCK position. You have to
fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-26and “Torque Lock”
underShifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-55.
If your vehicle has an Allison Transmission
®, the
transmission is equipped with a park pawl designed to
hold the higher weight of commercial medium duty trucks.
Therefore, the Allison Transmission
®uses larger parts
than other automatic transmissions. These larger parts
may sometimes make a clunk noise when the selector
lever is moved from DRIVE (D) or REVERSE (R) to
PARK (P). This is normal and there is no damage
occurring during these shifts.If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then, move
the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACCESSORY. There is no shift
interlock in this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
2-55

Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the manual
transmission is in gear. Your or someone else
could be seriously injured. Be sure to set the
parking brake before placing the transfer case
in NEUTRAL. SeeParking Brake on page 2-52
for more information.
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R), and rmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the ignition
key to LOCK, press the key release button, remove the
key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-67.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
2-56

Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror function is turned
on automatically each time the ignition is started. To
operate the automatic dimming mirror, do the following:
1. Make sure the green indicator light, located to the left
of the on/off button, is lit. If it’s not, press and hold the
on/off button for approximately six seconds until the
green light comes on, indicating that the mirror is in
automatic dimming mode.
2. Turn off the automatic dimming mirror function
by pressing and holding the on/off button for
approximately six seconds, until the green
indicator light turns off.
Compass Variance
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory.
It will be necessary to adjust the compass to compensate
for compass variance if you live outside of zone eight.
Under certain circumstances, as during a long distance
cross-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for
compass variance. Compass variance is the difference
between earth’s magnetic north and true geographic
north. If not adjusted to account for compass variance,
your compass could give false readings.To adjust for compass variance do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the following zone map.
2. Press and hold the on/off button until a Z and a
zone number appear in the display. The compass
is now in zone mode.
2-62

Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The time period you need to press and hold the TEMP
button to turn the automatic dimming feature on or off is
approximately eight seconds. The indicator light to the left
of the TEMP button will still turn on or off to show you
when the automatic dimming feature is activated. Once
the mirror is turned off, it will remain off until it is turned
back on, or until the vehicle is restarted.
Compass Operation
Press the COMP button once briey to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on, the
compass will show two character boxes for approximately
two seconds. After two seconds, the mirror will display
the compass heading.
Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration if one of the
following occurs:
If CAL is displayed while driving in the vehicle.
After approximately ve seconds, the display does
not show a compass heading (N for North, for
example), there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may
be caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder or a similar magnetic item.
The compass does not display the correct heading
and the compass zone variance is set correctly.
In order to calibrate, CAL must be displayed in the
mirror compass windows. If CAL is not displayed, push
in the COMP button for approximately eight seconds
or until CAL is displayed.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads a
direction.
2-66

Sunroof
The vehicle may be equipped with a power sliding
sunroof. To open or close your sunroof, the ignition
must be on or Retained Accessory Power (RAP) must
be active. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 2-23for more information.
The sunroof control is
located on the overhead
console. Press the rear
of the control to open the
sunroof to the vent position,
then press the rear of
the control again to
express-open the sunroof.
To close the sunroof, press and hold the front of the
control. The control must be held until the glass stops
moving, so that the sunroof will be fully seated.The sunroof also has a roller sunscreen that can be used
to block the rays of the sun. The roller sunscreen can be
manually operated with the sunroof in an open or closed
position. To open the sunscreen, press up to unlatch it
and roll it back. To close, pull it forward and latch it to the
close position.
If the battery has been recharged, disconnected, or not
working, the sunroof may need to be reprogrammed. To
do this, start the vehicle and press forward on the sunroof
control until it moves to a fully closed position. This resets
the sunroof memory, enabling the sunroof to function
properly.
Vehicle Personalization
In addition to the following features, your vehicle may
also have features that can be programmed through
the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-64for more information.
2-82

Easy Exit Seat
The controls for this memory function are located on the
driver’s door.
B(Easy Exit Seat):This button is used to program
and recall the desired driver’s seat position when exiting
or entering the vehicle. The seat position can be saved
for up to two drivers.
To store the seat exit position, do the following:
1. If you have an automatic transmission, place the
vehicle in PARK (P).
If you have a manual transmission, set the
parking brake.
2. Press and release the 1 or 2 button. The seat will
move to the stored memory position.
3. Adjust the seat to the desired exit position.
4. Press and hold the exit button of the memory control
for three seconds. A double chime will sound to let
you know that the position has been stored for the
selected button 1 or 2.
To repeat the procedure for a second driver, follow the
preceding steps, but press the other numbered memory
control button.To use the seat exit position, do one of the following:
If you have an automatic transmission, press and
release the exit button on the memory control while
the vehicle is in PARK (P).
If you have a manual transmission, press and
release the exit button on the memory control while
the parking brake is set.
If this feature is activated in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), removing the key from the ignition will
move the seat to the exit position.
See “Easy Exit Seat” underDIC Vehicle Customization
on page 3-64for more information on activating this
feature in the DIC.
2-84

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning asher
button is located on top of
the steering column.
Your hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key is not in
the ignition.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to turn the
ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your turn
signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind your
vehicle.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the center pad on the steering
wheel.
Tilt Wheel
If your vehicle is equipped with a tilt wheel, it will allow
you to adjust the steering wheel before you drive. You
can raise it to the highest level to give your legs more
room when you exit and enter your vehicle.
The tilt steering wheel lever is located on the lower left
side of the column.
3-6

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
Press in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, briey press
the set button. Each time you do this, you’ll go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may want to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers nd this to
be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal,
move the cruise control switch to off, or
shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
If the accelerator pedal is held for 60 seconds or
longer, cruise control will turn off.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-13

Headlamps
The control on the driver’s side of your instrument panel
operates the headlamps.
Turn the control clockwise to operate the lamps.
The headlamp control has four positions:
9(Off):Turning the control to this position turns off
the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) and the automatic
headlamps.
AUTO (Automatic):Turning the control to this position
puts the system into automatic headlamp mode.
;(Parking Lamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps, together with
the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Roof Marker Lamps (If Equipped)
5(Headlamps):Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
You can switch your headlamps from high to low-beam
by pushing the turn signal/high-beam lever towards the
instrument panel.
A circuit breaker protects your headlamps. If you have an
electrical overload, your headlamps will icker on and off.
Have your headlamp wiring checked right away if this
happens.
Headlamps on Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on and your ignition is
off, in LOCK, ACCESSORY, or a door is open. To disable
the chime, turn the light off then back on.
3-14

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving conditions,
but they can be especially helpful in the short periods
after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold in
Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO
The automatic transmission is not in PARK (P)
The light sensor determines it is daytime
When the DRL are on, only your DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won’t be on.
The instrument panel won’t be lit up either.
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 system when 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).
3-15