ECO mode GMC SIERRA 2010 Owner's Manual

{WARNING:
Do not attach more than one child restraint to a
single anchor, except for the center top tether
anchors in the crew and extended cabs. Attaching
more than one child restraint to a single anchor
could cause the anchor or attachment to come
loose or even break during a crash. A child or
others could be injured. To reduce the risk of
serious or fatal injuries during a crash, attach only
one child restraint per anchor.
{WARNING:
Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a
shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and
the safety belt continues to tighten. Buckle any
unused safety belts behind the child restraint so
children cannot reach them. Pull the shoulder belt
all the way out of the retractor to set the lock,
if your vehicle has one, after the child restraint
has been installed.Notice:
Do not let the LATCH attachments rub
against the vehicle’ s safety belts. This may damage
these parts. If necessary, move buckled safety belts
to avoid rubbing the LATCH attachments.
Do not fold the empty rear seat with a safety belt
buckled. This could damage the safety belt or the
seat. Unbuckle and return the safety belt to its
stowed position, before folding the seat.
Regular Cab Models
1. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the
top tether to the top tether anchor, if your vehicle
has one. Refer to the child restraint instructions
and the following steps:
1. 1. Pull the passenger seatback forward by pulling the recliner handle upward to access
the top tether anchor. See Reclining
Seatbacks
on page 2‑10for additional
information.
1. 2. Find the top tether anchor.
2-55

The vehicle has a feature that may automatically unlock
the doors, turn on the interior lamps and hazard warning
flashers, and shut off the fuel system after the airbags
inflate. You can lock the doors, turn off the interior
lamps and hazard warning flashers by using the
controls for those features.
{WARNING:
A crash severe enough to inflate the airbags may
have also damaged important functions in the
vehicle, such as the fuel system, brake and
steering systems, etc. Even if the vehicle appears
to be drivable after a moderate crash, there may
be concealed damage that could make it difficult
to safely operate the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt to restart the
engine after a crash has occurred.In many crashes severe enough to inflate the airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from
the right front passenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflate only once. After an
airbag inflates, you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there to help protect you
in another crash. A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
.The vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic
module which records information after a crash.
See
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
on
page 8‑18and Event Data Recorderson
page 8‑18.
.Let only qualified technicians work on the airbag
systems. Improper service can mean that an
airbag system will not work properly. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
2-81

Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have a remote starting feature. This
feature allows you to start the engine from outside of
the vehicle. It may also start up the vehicle's heating or
air conditioning systems and rear window defogger.
Normal operation of the system will return after the key
is turned to the ON/RUN position.
If your vehicle has an automatic climate control system,
the climate control system will default to a heating or
cooling mode depending on the outside temperatures.
If your vehicle does not have an automatic climate
control system, the system will turn on at the setting the
vehicle was set to when the vehicle was last turned off.
During a remote start, if your vehicle has an automatic
climate control system and heated seats, the heated
seats will turn on during colder outside temperatures
and will shut off when the key is turned to ON/RUN.
If your vehicle does not have an automatic climate
control system, during remote start, you will need to
manually turn the heated seats on and off. SeeHeated
Seats
on page 2‑8for additional information.
Laws in some communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, some laws may require a
person using the remote start to have the vehicle in
view when doing so. Check local regulations for any
requirements on remote starting of vehicles. Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low
on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the RKE
transmitter functions will have an increased range of
operation. However, the range may be less while the
vehicle is running.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, see
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System
on page 3‑4for additional
information.
/ (Remote Start) : This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if you have remote start.
To start the vehicle using the remote start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter's lock button. The vehicle's doors will lock. Immediately press
and hold the transmitter's remote start button until
the turn signal lights flash. If you cannot see the
vehicle's lights, press and hold the remote start
button for two to four seconds. Pressing the remote
start button again after the vehicle has started will
turn the engine off.
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn
on and remain on while the vehicle is running.
If the vehicle is left running it will automatically shut
off after 10 minutes unless a time extension has
been done.
3-7

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.The cord is secured to the Engine Compartment
Fuse Block with a clip. Carefully remove the wire
tie which bundles the electrical plug. Do not cut the
electrical cord.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into
a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from
moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged. The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer in the
area where you will be parking the vehicle for the best
advice on this.
Active Fuel Management™
Vehicles with V8 engines may have Active Fuel
Management™. This system allows the engine to
operate on either all or half of its cylinders, depending
on the driving conditions.
When less power is required, such as cruising at a
constant vehicle speed, the system will operate in the
half cylinder mode, allowing the vehicle to achieve
better fuel economy. When greater power demands are
required, such as accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the system will maintain
full-cylinder operation.
If the vehicle has an Active Fuel Management™
indicator, see
DIC Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons)
on page 4‑51or DIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons)on page 4‑58for more
information on using this display .
3-27

If the shift stabilization feature determines that a current
vehicle speed cannot be maintained, the transmission
does not upshift and instead holds the current gear.
In some cases, this could appear to be a delayed shift,
however the transmission is operating normally.
The transmission uses adaptive shift controls.
Adaptive shift controls continually compares key shift
parameters to pre-programmed ideal shifts stored in the
transmissions computer. The transmission constantly
makes adjustments to improve vehicle performance
according to how the vehicle is being used, such as
with a heavy load or when temperature changes.
During this adaptive shift control process, shifting
might feel different as the transmission determines
the best settings.
When temperatures are very cold, the Allison
Transmission
®and Hydra-Matic®6-Speed
transmission's gear shifting could be delayed
providing more stable shifts until the engine
warms up. Shifts could be more noticeable with a
cold transmission. This difference in shifting is normal. M (Manual Mode) :
This position is available on
vehicles with the Allison Transmission
®or Hydra-Matic®
6-Speed transmission. It lets drivers select the range of
gears appropriate for current driving conditions. If the
vehicle has this feature, see Range Select Mode
(Allison Transmission
®or Hydra-Matic®6-Speed
transmission) later in this section.
3 (Third) : This position is also used for normal driving.
It reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive) without
using the brakes. You might choose 3 (Third) instead of
D (Drive) when driving on hilly, winding roads, when
towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears
and when going down a steep hill.
2 (Second) : This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can
use 2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle
speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use the brakes off and on.
If you manually select 2 (Second) in an automatic
transmission, the transmission will start in second gear.
You can use this feature for reducing the speed of the
rear wheels when you are trying to start the vehicle
from a stop on slippery road surfaces.
3-31

1 (First) :For the Hydra-Matic®4-Speed transmission
this position reduces vehicle speed even more than
2 (Second) without using the brakes. You can use it on
very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift
lever is put in 1 (First) while the vehicle is moving
forward, the transmission does not shift into first gear
until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
For an Allison Transmission
®or Hydra-Matic®6-Speed
transmission, this position reduces vehicle speed
without using the brakes. You can use it for major/
severe downgrades and off-road driving where the
vehicle would otherwise accelerate due to steepness of
grade. When you shift to 1 (First) it provides the lowest
gear appropriate to current road speed and continues to
downshift as the vehicle slows, eventually downshifting
to 1 (First) gear.
Notice: Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission. The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Range Selection Mode (Allison®or
Hydra-Matic®6-Speed Transmission)
The vehicle may have a Range Selection Mode.
The Range Selection Mode helps control the vehicle's
transmission and vehicle speed while driving down hill
or towing a trailer by letting you select a desired range
of gears.
3-32

To use this feature, do the following:1. Move the shift lever to M (Manual Mode).
2. Press the plus/minus buttons, located on the steering column shift lever, to select the desired
range of gears for current driving conditions.
When M (Manual Mode) is selected a number displays
next to the M, indicating the current gear.
This number is the highest gear that can be used.
However, the vehicle can automatically shift to lower
gears as it adjusts to driving conditions. This means
that all gears below that number are available. When
5 (Fifth) is selected, 1 (First) through 5 (Fifth) gears are
automatically shifted by the vehicle, but 6 (Sixth) cannot
be used until the plus/minus button located on the
steering column lever is used to change to the gear.
Grade Braking is not available when Range Selection
Mode is active. See Tow/Haul Mode on page 3‑34.
While using Range Selection Mode, cruise control and
the Tow/Haul mode can be used. Notice:
Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission. The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Low Traction Mode
If your vehicle has the Allison Transmission®, or the
Hydra-Matic®6-Speed Automatic Transmission,
it has a Low Traction Mode that can assist in vehicle
acceleration when road conditions are slippery, such as
with ice or snow. While the vehicle is at a stop, select
the second gear range using Range Selection Mode.
This will limit torque to the wheels after it detects wheel
slip, preventing the tires from spinning.
3-33

When Using the Manual Transfer Case
.Shifting should be made using quick motions.
Shifting slowly may make it more difficult to shift.
.You may notice that it is harder to shift when the
vehicle is cold. After the vehicle warms up the
shifting will return to normal.
.While in Four-Wheel High or Four-Wheel-Drive
Low you may experience reduced fuel economy.
.Avoid driving in Four-Wheel Drive on clean, dry
pavement. It may cause your tires to wear faster,
make the transfer case harder to shift, and run
noisier.
.If the transfer case shifter is in the N (Neutral)
position and you have difficulty reaching the
selected transfer case mode, with the engine
running, shift the transmission momentarily to drive
and then back to N (Neutral). This will realign the
gear teeth in the transfer case and allow you to
complete the shift.
Shifting from Two-Wheel-Drive High to
Four-Wheel-Drive High
.Shifts between Two-Wheel-Drive High and
Four-Wheel-Drive High can be made at any
vehicle speed.
.Shift the transfer case lever in one continuous
motion into either the Four-Wheel-Drive High or
Two-Wheel-Drive High position.
.In extremely cold weather, it may be necessary
to slow or stop the vehicle to shift into
Four-Wheel-Drive High until the vehicle has
warmed up.
.While in Four-Wheel-Drive High, the vehicle can be
driven at any posted legal speed limit.
3-39

Shifting Into Two-Wheel-Drive High
Turn the knob to the Two-Wheel-Drive High position.
This can be done at any speed, except when shifting
from Four-Wheel-Drive Low. See Shifting Out of
Four-Wheel-Drive Low for more information.
Shifting Into Four-Wheel Drive Low
When Four-Wheel-Drive Low is engaged, vehicle speed
should be kept below 45 mph. Extended high-speed
operation in Four-Wheel-Drive Low may damage or
shorten the life of the drivetrain.
To shift to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position, the
ignition must be in ON/RUN and the vehicle must be
stopped or moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) with the
transmission in N (Neutral). The preferred method for
shifting into Four-Wheel-Drive Low is to have the
vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Turn the
knob to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low position. You must
wait for the Four-Wheel-Drive Low indicator light to stop
flashing and remain on before shifting the transmission
in gear.Notice:
Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
flashing could damage the transfer case. To help
avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the
mode indicator lights to stop flashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for the vehicle to exhibit significant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel-Drive Low and Four-Wheel-Drive High
ranges or from transfer case N (Neutral) with the engine
running.
If the knob is turned to the Four-Wheel-Drive Low
position when the vehicle is in gear and/or moving,
the Four-Wheel-Drive Low indicator light will flash for
30 seconds and not complete the shift unless the
vehicle is moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and the
transmission is in N (Neutral). After 30 seconds the
transfer case will shift to Four-Wheel-Drive High mode.
3-43

Shifting Out of Four-Wheel-Drive Low
To shift from Four-Wheel-Drive Low to
Four-Wheel-Drive High, or Two-Wheel-Drive High, the
vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 3 mph
(5 km/h) with the transmission in N (Neutral) and the
ignition in ON/RUN. The preferred method for shifting
out of Four-Wheel-Drive Low is to have the vehicle
moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Turn the knob to the
Four-Wheel-Drive High, or Two-Wheel-Drive High
position. You must wait for the Four-Wheel-Drive High,
or Two-Wheel-Drive High indicator light to stop flashing
and remain on before shifting the transmission
into gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
flashing could damage the transfer case. To help
avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the
mode indicator lights to stop flashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for the vehicle to exhibit significant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel-Drive Low and Four-Wheel-Drive High
ranges or from transfer case N (Neutral) with the engine
running. If the knob is turned to the Four-Wheel-Drive High,
or Two-Wheel-Drive High switch position when the
vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the Four-Wheel-Drive
High, or Two-Wheel-Drive High indicator light will flash
for 30 seconds but will not complete the shift unless
your vehicle is moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and the
transmission is in N (Neutral).
Shifting into Neutral
To shift the transfer case to N (Neutral) do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll.
2. Set the parking brake and press and hold the regular brake pedal. See Parking Brake
on
page 3‑50for more information.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel-Drive High.
6. Turn the transfer case dial clockwise to N (Neutral) until it stops and hold it there until the Neutral light
starts blinking. This will take at least 10 seconds.
Then slowly release the dial to the four low
position. The N (Neutral) light will come on when
the transfer case shift to N (Neutral) is complete.
3-44