wheel GMC SIERRA 2008 Owner's Guide

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-53.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-31.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if the shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be
sure the transfer case is in a drive gear — not
in NEUTRAL. Always set the parking brake.
2-54

be linked to a Verizon Wireless service plan in the U.S.
or a Bell Mobility service plan in Canada, depending
on eligibility. To nd out more, refer to the OnStar
Owner’s Guide in the vehicle’s glove box, visit
www.onstar.com or www.onstar.ca, or speak with an
OnStar advisor by pressing the OnStar button or calling
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar Virtual Advisor
OnStar Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar
Hands-Free Calling that uses your minutes to access
location-based weather, local traffic reports, and
stock quotes. By pressing the phone button and giving
a few simple voice commands, you can browse
through the various topics. See the OnStar Owner’s
Guide for more information (Only available in the
continental U.S.).
OnStar Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that can be
used to interact with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-124for
more information.
On some vehicles, you may have to hold the button for
a few seconds and give the command “ONSTAR” to
activate the OnStar Hands-Free Calling.On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to dial
numbers into voicemail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
How OnStar Service Works
Your vehicle’s OnStar system has the capability of
recording and transmitting vehicle information. This
information is automatically sent to an OnStar Call
Center at the time of an OnStar button press,
Emergency button press or if your airbags or AACN
system deploys. The vehicle information usually includes
your GPS location and, in the event of a crash,
additional information regarding the accident that your
vehicle has been involved in (e.g. the direction from
which your vehicle was hit). When you use the Virtual
Advisor feature of OnStar Hands-Free Calling, your
vehicle also sends OnStar your GPS location so that we
can provide you with location-based services.
OnStar service cannot work unless your vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar
service also cannot work unless you are in a place
where the wireless service provider OnStar has hired for
that area has coverage, network capacity and reception
when the service is needed, and technology that is
compatible with the OnStar service. Not all services are
available everywhere, particularly in remote or
enclosed areas, or at all times.
2-67

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Instrument Panel Overview
(Base/Uplevel version).................................3-4
Instrument Panel Overview
(Premium version).......................................3-6
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-8
Other Warning Devices...................................3-8
Horn.............................................................3-8
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-9
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-9
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................3-10
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................3-11
Flash-to-Pass...............................................3-11
Windshield Wipers........................................3-12
Rainsense™ II Wipers...................................3-12
Windshield Washer.......................................3-13
Cruise Control..............................................3-14
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-17
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-18
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-18
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-19
Puddle Lamps..............................................3-20
Fog Lamps..................................................3-20
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp.........................3-20Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-21
Dome Lamps...............................................3-21
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-21
Entry Lighting...............................................3-21
Exit Lighting.................................................3-21
Reading Lamps............................................3-22
Cargo Lamp.................................................3-22
Electric Power Management...........................3-22
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-23
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-23
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-24
Climate Controls............................................3-25
Climate Control System
(With Air Conditioning)...............................3-25
Climate Control System (Heater Only)..............3-27
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-28
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-33
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-34
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-35
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-36
Trip Odometer..............................................3-36
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-37
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-38
Airbag Off Light............................................3-39
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-41
Charging System Light..................................3-43
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-43
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-44
Antilock Brake System Warning Light...............3-45
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light..............................3-46
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-46
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-47
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-48
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-50
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-51
Security Light...............................................3-52
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-52
Cruise Control Light......................................3-52
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-52
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-53
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-53
Fuel Gage...................................................3-53
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-54Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-54
DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons)....................................3-55
DIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons)................................3-60
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-63
DIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons)....................................3-72
Audio System(s).............................................3-80
Setting the Clock..........................................3-81
Radio(s)......................................................3-84
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD or
Six-Disc CD Player).................................3-102
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD and
DVD Player)...........................................3-106
XM Radio Messages...................................3-111
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-112
Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System.........3-113
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-122
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-123
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-124
Radio Reception.........................................3-125
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-126
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-126
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

C. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-54.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-35.
F. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If
Equipped). SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34.
Range Selection Mode (Allison Transmission
®and
Hydra-Matic®6-Speed Button (If Equipped). See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-28.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-80.
H. Instrument Panel Storage Area. SeeInstrument
Panel Storage on page 2-75.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped). See
Towing a Trailer on page 4-55.
J. Exterior Lamp Controls. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-17.
K. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
L. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-49.
M. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-21. Dome Lamp Knob. See
Dome Lamps on page 3-21. Fog Lamp Button
(If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps on page 3-20.
N. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-14.
O. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-9.P. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-8.
Q. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-124.
R. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-36.
S. Ashtray (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-24.
T. StabiliTrak
®Button (If Equipped). SeeStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-6. Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist
Disable Button (If Equipped). SeeUltrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-63. Pedal
Adjust Button (If Equipped). SeeAdjustable Throttle
and Brake Pedal on page 2-26. Heated Windshield
Washer Fluid Button (If Equipped).Windshield
Washer on page 3-13.
U. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-23.
V. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System (With Air Conditioning ) on page 3-25or
Climate Control System (Heater Only) on page 3-27
andDual Automatic Climate Control System on
page 3-28.
W. Power Take Off (PTO) Control (If Equipped). See
Power Take Off (PTO) in the DURAMAX
®Diesel
Supplement Index.
X. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped). See
Airbag Off Switch on page 1-76.
Y. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-74.
3-5

A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-33.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-9.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-35.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
E. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28.
F. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If Equipped). See
Tow/Haul Mode on page 2-34.
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-54.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-80.
I. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-17.
J. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped). See
Towing a Trailer on page 4-55.
K. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-21. Dome Lamp Knob.
SeeDome Lamps on page 3-21.
L. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-36.
M. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
N. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-49.O. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-14.
P. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-9.
Q. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-8.
R. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-124.
S. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System (With
Air Conditioning ) on page 3-25orClimate Control
System (Heater Only) on page 3-27or Dual
Automatic Climate Controls (If Equipped). SeeDual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-28.
T. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-23. Cigarette Lighter (If
Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-24.
U. StabiliTrak
®Button (If Equipped). SeeStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-6. Pedal Adjust Button (If
Equipped). SeeAdjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal
on page 2-26. Rear Park Assist Disable Button (If
Equipped). SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) on page 2-63. Heated Windshield Washer
Fluid Button (If Equipped). SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-13.
V. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped). See
Airbag Off Switch on page 1-76.
W. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-74.
3-7

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers warn others. They also let
police know you have a problem.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
on top of the steering
column.
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.The hazard warning ashers work no matter what
ignition position the key is in, and even if the key is not
in the ignition.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your vehicle’s
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 horn symbols located on
the steering wheel.
3-8

Tilt Wheel
The tilt wheel lets you adjust the steering wheel before
you drive. Raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when exiting or entering the vehicle.
The tilt steering wheel lever is located on the lower left
side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Then move the steering wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane Change Signals. SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-10.
53Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-11.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 3-11.
NWindshield Wipers. SeeWindshield Wipers on
page 3-12.
LWindshield Washer. SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-13.
For information on the exterior lamps, seeExterior
Lamps on page 3-17.
3-9

Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, cruise control is turned off.
If your vehicle has an Allison
®automatic transmission,
see “Grade Braking and Cruise Grade Braking
(Allison Transmission
®) underTow/Haul Mode onpage 2-34for an explanation of how cruise control
interacts with the Range Selection Mode, tow/haul and
grade braking systems.
If your vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®™ system and
begins to limit wheel spin while you are using cruise
control, the cruise control will automatically disengage.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
The cruise control buttons
are located on left side of
the steering wheel.
T(On/Off):This button can both activate and turn
off the system. The indicator light is on when cruise
control is on and turns off when cruise control is off.
3-14

+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):Press this button to
make the vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously
set speed.
SET−(Set/Coast):Press this button to set the speed
or make the vehicle decelerate.
[(Cancel):Press this button to cancel cruise control
without erasing the set speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
Cruise control will not work if the parking brake is set, or
if the master cylinder brake uid level is low.
The cruise control light on the instrument panel cluster
will come on after the cruise control has been set to
the desired speed.
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Press the cruise control On/Off button.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET−button located on the steering
wheel and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
3-15