engine GMC SIERRA 2008 Owner's Manual

Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc.
on the World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide
antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your
dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some
modules may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
7-16

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-4
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment.........4-43
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-85
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-122
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-26
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-19
Air Conditioning..............................3-25, 3-27, 3-28
Airbag
Off Light.....................................................3-39
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-41
Readiness Light..........................................3-38
Airbag System................................................1-68
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-75
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-73
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-71
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-85
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-76
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-74
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-80
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-84
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-74
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-126Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-126
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-45
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-118
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-115
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-120
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-116
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-114
Finish Care...............................................5-116
Finish Damage..........................................5-119
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces
...............................................5-115
Interior Cleaning........................................5-112
Leather....................................................5-114
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-119
Tires........................................................5-119
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-119
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-120
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-116
Weatherstrips............................................5-115
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-117
Appointments, Scheduling Service....................... 7-9
Ashtray.........................................................3-24
Audio System.................................................3-80
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-124
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-126
1

Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp...............................................5-61
Center Seat...................................................1-12
Chains, Tire...................................................5-90
Charging System Light....................................3-43
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-48
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-120
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-42
Infants and Young Children...........................1-38
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-45
Older Children.............................................1-35
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-55
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position...................................1-57
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................1-58, 1-62, 1-66
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-44
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-24
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-118
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................5-116
Fabric/Carpet............................................5-114
Finish Care...............................................5-116
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................5-115Cleaning (cont.)
Interior.....................................................5-112
Leather....................................................5-114
Tires........................................................5-119
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-119
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-116
Weatherstrips............................................5-115
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-117
Climate Control System...........................3-25, 3-27
Dual Automatic............................................3-28
Outlet Adjustment........................................
3-33
Clock, Setting.................................................3-81
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Compass...............................................2-55, 2-57
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-46
Heater, Engine............................................2-26
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-30
Cooling System..............................................5-34
Cruise Control................................................3-14
Cruise Control Light........................................3-52
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-75
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-9
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-5
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-5
3

Electrical System (cont.)
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-124
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-123
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-126
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-123
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-19
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-48
Coolant......................................................5-28
Coolant Heater............................................2-26
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-46
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-18
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-53
Fan Noise..................................................5-39
Fast Idle System.........................................2-25
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-33
Overheating................................................5-30
Running While Parked..................................2-54
Starting......................................................2-24
Entry Lighting.................................................3-21
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Exit Lighting...................................................3-21
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-35
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-17F
Fast Idle System............................................2-25
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-19
Finish Damage.............................................5-119
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-126
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-11
Flat Tire........................................................5-91
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-92
Flat Tire, Storing...........................................5-108
Fluid.....................................................5-22, 5-25
Power Steering...........................................5-39
Windshield Washer......................................5-40
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-20
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-52
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-36, 5-52
Four-Wheel-Drive Light....................................3-53
Front Axle......................................................5-54
Fuel............................................................... 5-6
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-7
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-12
Filling the Tank...........................................5-10
5

Fuel (cont.)
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-9
Gage.........................................................3-53
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-54
Fuses
Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block.............5-125
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-123
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-124
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-126
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-123
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-46
Fuel..........................................................3-53
Oil Pressure...............................................3-50
Speedometer..............................................3-36
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-43
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-68
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-6
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-74
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-8
Head Restraints..............................................1-10
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-56
Headlamps....................................................5-60
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-59
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-18
Exterior Lamps............................................3-17
Flash-to-Pass..............................................3-11
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-59
High/Low Beam Changer..............................3-11
On Reminder..............................................3-18
Pickup Box Identication and Fender
Marker Lamps.........................................5-62
Heated Seats................................................... 1-6
Heater...................................................3-25, 3-27
Heater...........................................................3-28
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-52
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-29
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-30
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-12
Release.....................................................5-13
Horn............................................................... 3-8
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-19
6

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass
and Temperature Display...........................2-57
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-55
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-55
Outside Manual Mirrors................................2-58
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-61
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-59
Outside Trailer-Tow Mirrors...........................2-59
MP3 ..................................................3-102, 3-106
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-18
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.....................................................3-112
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-22
Noise Control System, Tampering......................5-56
O
Odometer......................................................3-36
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-36
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-12Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-10
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Gage............................................3-50
Pressure Light.............................................3-51
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-35
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-65
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-69
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-8
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-33
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-23
Outside
Manual Mirrors............................................2-58
Power Foldaway Mirrors...............................2-61
Power Mirrors.............................................2-59
Trailer-Tow Mirrors.......................................2-59
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-33
Owner Checks and Services.............................6-11
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
9

Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass and Temperature Display................2-57
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display..................2-55
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-55
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-15
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-35
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-50
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System, Operation.... 2-5
Remote Vehicle Start........................................ 2-7
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-98
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-93
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-65
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-17
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-15
General Motors...........................................7-15
United States Government............................7-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-87
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash..................................................1-88
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-23
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-7
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-34Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-18
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-54
SSafety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-37
Safety Belts
Care of....................................................5-115
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-19
Lap Belt.....................................................1-34
Lap-Shoulder Belt........................................1-28
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-35
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-33
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-14
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seatback Latches...........................................1-11
Seats
Center Seat................................................1-12
Head Restraints..........................................1-10
Heated Seats............................................... 1-6
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-5
Memory, Mirrors and Pedals........................... 1-6
Power Lumbar.............................................. 1-5
Power Seats................................................. 1-4
Rear Seat Operation............................1-12, 1-13
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-8
Seatback Latches........................................1-11
11

Secondary Latch System................................5-105
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Front Seat Position............................1-57
Rear Seat Position......................................1-55
Right Front Seat Position..............1-58, 1-62, 1-66
Security Light.................................................3-52
Service........................................................... 5-4
Accessories and Modications......................... 5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-6
California Pershlorate Materials Requirements.... 5-5
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-5
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-48
Publications Ordering Information...................7-15
Service, Scheduling Appointments....................... 7-9
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-84
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-119
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-50
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-52
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change........................3-10
Sliding Rear Window, Power.............................2-17
Snow Plow....................................................4-43
Spare Tire....................................................5-112
Installing....................................................5-98
Removing...................................................5-93
Storing.....................................................5-108
Specications, Capacities...............................5-130
Speedometer..................................................3-36
StabiliTrak
®System.......................................... 4-6StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light................................3-46
Start Vehicle, Remote....................................... 2-7
Starting the Engine.........................................2-24
Steering.......................................................... 4-8
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-124
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-9
Storage Areas
Cargo Management System..........................2-78
Center Console Storage Area........................2-76
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-75
Glove Box..................................................2-74
Instrument Panel Storage Area......................2-75
Luggage Carrier..........................................2-76
Rear Seat Armrest.......................................2-77
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow.....................4-34
Sun Visors.....................................................2-18
Sunroof.........................................................2-79
T
Tachometer....................................................3-36
Tailgate.........................................................2-14
Taillamps
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps....5-62
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-123
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-20
PASS-Key®III+ Operation.............................2-20
12