headlamp GMC SIERRA 2010 User Guide

Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal and the message TURN SIGNAL ON will also
appear in the Driver Information Control (DIC). To turn
the chime and message off, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
53(Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer) :
To change the headlamps from low to high beam,
push the lever toward the instrument panel. To return
to low-beam headlamps, pull the multifunction lever
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this indicator light on
the instrument panel
cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use the high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if the headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
If the headlamps are in the automatic position or on low
beam, the high-beam headlamps will turn on. They will
stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you.
The high-beam indicator on the instrument panel cluster
will come on. Release the lever to return to normal
operation.
4-5

Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. While going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle's
speed. While going downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle's speed down.
When the brakes are applied the cruise control turns off.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press[on the steering wheel.
.PressTon the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased, when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamps
control is located on the
instrument panel to the
left of the steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:
.Headlamps
.Taillamps
.Parking Lamps
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
The exterior lamps control has four positions:
O(Off): Turns off the automatic headlamps and
daytime running lamps (DRL). Turn the headlamp
control to the off position again to turn the automatic
headlamps or DRL back on.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, the off position will
only work when the vehicle is shifted into P (Park).
4-10

AUTO (Automatic) :Automatically turns on the
headlamps at normal brightness, together with the
following:
.Parking Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
When the vehicle is turned off and the headlamps are in
AUTO, the headlamps may automatically remain on for
a set time. The time of the delay can be changed using
the DIC. See Driver Information Center (DIC)
on
page 4‑51(If Equipped).
; (Parking Lamps) : Turns on the parking lamps
together with the following:
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps
2 (Headlamps) : Turns on the headlamps together with
the following:
.Parking Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Taillamps
.License Plate Lamps When the headlamps are turned on while the vehicle is
on, the headlamps turn off automatically 10 minutes
after the ignition is turned off. When the headlamps are
turned on while the vehicle is off, the headlamps will
stay on for 10 minutes before automatically turning off
to prevent the battery from being drained. Turn the
headlamp control to off and then back to the headlamp
on position to make the headlamps stay on for an
additional 10 minutes.
Push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward the
instrument panel to change the headlamps from low
beam to high beam.
Headlamps on Reminder
For vehicles with a radio, a reminder chime sounds
when the headlamps or parking lamps are manually
turned on, the ignition is off and a door is open.
To disable the chime, turn the light off.
4-11

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on
all vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on when the following
conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
.The engine is running.
.The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL system is on, only the DRL lamps are
on. The taillamps, sidemarker, instrument panel lights,
and other lamps will not be on.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system switches from DRL to the headlamps.
To turn off the DRL lamps, turn the exterior lamps
control to the OFF position and then release.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, the transmission
must be in the P (Park) position, before the DRL lamps
can be turned off.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic
headlamp system turns on the headlamps at the normal
brightness, along with 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 it. For vehicles first sold in Canada, the
transmission must be in the P (Park) position, before
the automatic headlamp system can be turned off.
The vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of the
instrument panel in the defroster grille that regulates
when the automatic headlamps turn on. Do not cover
the sensor or the headlamps will come on whenever the
ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage or heavy overcast
weather. 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 is only affected when the light sensor
detects a change in lighting lasting longer than the
delay.
4-12

If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system comes on immediately. Once the
vehicle leaves the garage, it takes approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is bright enough outside. During that
delay, the instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness
control is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 4‑14.
To idle the vehicle with the automatic headlamp system
off, turn the control to the off position.
The headlamps will also stay on after you exit the
vehicle. This feature can be programmed using the
Driver Information Center (DIC), if equipped. See DIC
Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons)
on
page 4‑75.
If the vehicle is not equipped with DIC buttons, exit
lighting is automatic. When it is dark enough outside,
the exterior lamps remain on for 30 seconds after the
ignition is moved from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF.
For vehicles without a radio, the instrument panel light
remains on for 30 seconds with the driver's door closed.
For vehicles with a radio, the instrument panel light
remains on for 10 minutes with the driver's door closed.
See Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 3‑23.
The regular headlamp system can be turned on when
needed.
Puddle Lamps
If the vehicle has puddle lamps, they come on when the
unlock button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
Transmitter is pressed. The lamps time out or turn off
once the engine is started.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the control is located next
to the exterior lamps control on the instrument panel,
to the left of the steering column.
The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position for the
fog lamps to come on.
#(Fog Lamps): Press to turn the fog lamps on or off.
A light will come on in the instrument panel cluster.
When the fog lamps are turned on, the parking lamps
automatically turn on.
When the headlamps are changed to high-beam, the
fog lamps also go off. When the high-beam headlamps
are turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps
to be on along with the fog lamps.
4-13

Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery's temperature and state of charge.
It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and
extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a
voltmeter gage or a voltage display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), you may see the voltage
move up or down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be spinning
fast enough at idle to produce all the power that is
needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following are on, such as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer loads,
and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands
of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels,
without being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest
levels of corrective action, this action may be noticeable
to the driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or
LOW BATTERY. If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce the electrical loads
as much as possible. See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑65.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome and reading lamps,
if they are left on for more than 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned off. The cargo lamp shuts off after
20 minutes. This prevents the battery from
running down.
4-16

Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle's
security system, see
Content Theft-Deterrent
on page 3‑17.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light comes
on when the fog lamps
are in use.
The light goes out when the fog lamps are turned off.
See Fog Lamps
on page 4‑13for more information.
Cruise Control Light
The cruise control light
comes on whenever the
cruise control is set.
The light goes out when the cruise control is turned off.
See Cruise Control
on page 4‑7for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
on page 4‑5for more information.
4-48

DIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons)
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities
that allow you to program certain features to one
preferred setting. Customization features can only
be programmed to one setting on the vehicle and
cannot be programmed to a preferred setting for
two different drivers.
All of the customization options may not be available
on your vehicle. Only the options available will be
displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the customization features were
set when your vehicle left the factory, but may have
been changed from their default state since then.
The customization preferences are automatically
recalled.
To change customization preferences, use the
following procedure.
Entering the Feature Settings Menu
1. Turn the ignition on and place the vehiclein P (Park).
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press the customization button to scroll through the available customizable options.
Feature Settings Menu Items
The following are customization features that allow
you to program settings to the vehicle:
DISPLAY IN ENGLISH
This feature will only display if a language other
than English has been set. This feature allows you to
change the language in which the DIC messages
appear to English.
Press the customization button until the PRESS
VTO
DISPLAY IN ENGLISH screen appears on the DIC
display. Press the set/reset button once to display all
DIC messages in English.
4-75

.Sound the horn as you approach the top of the hill
to let opposing traffic know you are there.
.Use headlamps even during the day to make the
vehicle more visible to oncoming traffic.
{WARNING:
Driving to the top (crest) of a hill at full speed can
cause an accident. There could be a drop-off,
embankment, cliff, or even another vehicle. You
could be seriously injured or killed. As you near
the top of a hill, slow down and stay alert.
If the vehicle stalls, or is about to stall, and you cannot
make it up the hill:
.Push the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and
keep it from rolling backwards and apply the
parking brake.
.If the engine is still running, shift the transmission
to R (Reverse), release the parking brake, and
slowly back down the hill in R (Reverse).
.If the engine has stopped running, you need to
restart it. With the brake pedal pressed and the
parking brake still applied, shift the transmission to
P (Park) and restart the engine. Then, shift to
R (Reverse), release the parking brake, and slowly
back down the hill as straight as possible in
R (Reverse).
.While backing down the hill, put your left hand
on the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position
so you can tell if the wheels are straight and can
maneuver as you back down. It is best to back
down the hill with the wheels straight rather than
in the left or right direction. Turning the wheel too
far to the left or right will increase the possibility
of a rollover.
Things not to do if the vehicle stalls, or is about to stall,
when going up a hill:
.Never attempt to prevent a stall by shifting into
N (Neutral) to rev-up the engine and regain forward
momentum. This will not work. The vehicle can roll
backward very quickly and could go out of control.
.Never try to turn around if about to stall when
going up a hill. If the hill is steep enough to stall
the vehicle, it is steep enough to cause it to roll
over. If you cannot make it up the hill, back straight
down the hill.
5-17

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired—by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
.Drive defensively.
.Do not drink and drive.
.Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
.Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because headlamps can only light
up so much road ahead.
.Watch for animals.
.When tired, pull off the road.
.Do not wear sunglasses.
.Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
.Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean —inside and out.
.Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns
or curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and
affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always drive
slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and deep‐standing or
flowing water.
{WARNING:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or a
car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake pedal
until the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
Driving through flowing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this happens, you
and other vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very cautious about
trying to drive through flowing water.
5-23