fuel cap GMC SIERRA 2010 Owner's Manual

2010 GMC Sierra Owner ManualM
Instrument Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-51
Audio System(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-84
Driving Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Service and Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Checking Things Under the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-48
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-50
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-52 Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-53
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-54
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-57
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 6-63
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-64
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-110
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-126
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Customer Assistance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Customer Assistance and Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1

On all vehicles, the Engine Oil Life System can be reset
as follows:1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within five seconds.
3. Display the OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the display shows 100%, the system is reset.
See Engine Oil Life System on page 6‑20.
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
Vehicles that have the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 0),
the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 3), the 6.0L V8 engine
(VIN Code J), or the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code 2) have
a yellow fuel cap and can use either unleaded gasoline
or ethanol fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
SeeGasoline Octane
on page 6‑7andFuel E85
(85% Ethanol) on page 6‑9.
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here are some
driving tips to get the best fuel economy possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control, if equipped.
.Always follow posted speed limits or drive more
slowly when conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same TPC
Spec number molded into the tire's sidewall near
the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled maintenance.
1-33

This light comes on during a malfunction in one of
two ways:
Light Flashing :A misfire condition has been detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and could
damage the emission control system on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard accelerations.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
.If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light is still flashing, follow the
previous steps and see your dealer/retailer for service
as soon as possible. Light On Steady :
An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction might be corrected by
doing the following:
.Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. See Filling
the Tankon page 6‑11. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
.If the vehicle has been driven through a deep
puddle of water, the vehicle's electrical system
might be wet. The condition is usually corrected
when the electrical system dries out. A few driving
trips should turn the light off.
4-44

When the fuel tank is low the FUEL LEVEL LOW
message appears. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑65for more information.
Here are some situations owners can experience with
the fuel gage. None of these indicate a problem with the
fuel gage.
.At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
.It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may
have indicated the tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than half the fuel tank's
capacity to fill it.
.The gage goes back to empty when the ignition is
turned off.
For a diesel engine, see “Fuel Gage”in the Diesel
Engine Supplement.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, under the fuel
gage, comes on briefly
while the engine is being
started.
This light and a chime comes on when the fuel tank is
low on fuel. The Driver Information Center also displays
a “FUEL LEVEL LOW” message. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages
on page 4‑65for more information.
When fuel is added this light and message should go
off. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
4-50

STABILITRAK OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak, this message displays
when you turn off StabiliTrak, or when the stability
control has been automatically disabled. To limit
wheel spin and realize the full benefits of the stability
enhancement system, you should normally leave
StabiliTrak on. However, you should turn StabiliTrak off
if your vehicle gets stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow and
you want to rock your vehicle to attempt to free it, or if
you are driving in extreme off-road conditions and
require more wheel spin. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 5‑28. To turn the
StabiliTrak system on or off, see StabiliTrak®Systemon page 5‑6.
There are several conditions that can cause this
message to appear.
.One condition is overheating, which could occur if
StabiliTrak®activates continuously for an extended
period of time.
.The message also displays if the brake system
warning light is on. See Brake System Warning
Light on page 4‑39.
.The message could display if the stability system
takes longer than usual to complete its diagnostic
checks due to driving conditions.
.The message displays if an engine or vehicle
related problem has been detected and the vehicle
needs service. See your dealer/retailer.
.The message also displays if the vehicle is shifted
into 4LO.
The message turns off as soon as the conditions
that caused the message to be displayed are no
longer present.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along with the check engine
light on the instrument panel cluster if the vehicle's fuel
cap is not tightened properly. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
on page 4‑42. Reinstall the fuel cap fully. See
Filling the Tankon page 6‑11. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap allows
fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn this light
and message off.
4-72

Example 3
Item DescriptionTotal
A Vehicle Capacity
Weight for
Example 3 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
B Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 200 lbs
(91 kg) × 5 = 1000 lbs (453 kg)
C Available Cargo
Weight =
0 lbs (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle's tire and loading information
label for specific information about your vehicle's
capacity weight and seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed your vehicle's
capacity weight.
Certification/Tire Label
A vehicle specific Certification/Tire label is found
on the rear edge of the driver's door. The label
shows the size of your vehicle's original tires and
the inflation pressures needed to obtain the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle. This is called
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The
GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, and cargo.
5-33

Front axle reserve capacity is the difference between
your the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and the
front axle weight of the vehicle with full fuel and
passengers. Basically, it is the amount of weight that
can be added to the front axle before reaching the
front GAWR.
The front axle reserve capacity for the vehicle can be
found in the lower right corner of the Certification/Tire
label, as shown.
United StatesCanadaIn order to calculate the amount of weight any front
accessory, such as a snow plow, is adding to the front
axle, use the following formula:
(W x (A + W.B.)) /W.B.= Weight the accessory is adding
to the front axle.
Where:
W = Weight of added accessory
A = Distance that the accessory is in front of the
front axle
W.B. = Vehicle Wheelbase
5-38

For example, adding a 318 kg (700 lb) snow plow
actually adds more than 318 kg (700 lbs) to the
front axle. Using the formula, if the snow plow is
122 cm (4 ft) in front of the front axle and the
wheel base is 305 cm (10 ft), then:
W = 318 kg (700 lb)
A = 122 cm (4 ft)
W.B. = 305 cm (10 ft)
(W x (A + W.B.))/W.B. = (700 x (4 + 10))/10 = 445 kg
(980 lbs)
So, if the front axle reserve capacity is more than
445 kg (980 lbs), you could add the snow plow without
exceeding the front GAWR.
You can add heavier equipment on the front of the
vehicle if you compensate for it by carrying fewer
passengers, less cargo, or by positioning cargo toward
the rear. This has the effect of reducing the load on the
front. However, the front GAWR, rear GAWR, and the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) must never be
exceeded.
{WARNING:
On some vehicles that have certain front mounted
equipment, such as a snow plow, it may be
possible to load the front axle to the front gross
axle weight rating (GAWR) but not have enough
weight on the rear axle to have proper braking
performance. If your brakes can not work properly,
you could have a crash. To help your brakes work
properly when a snow plow is installed, always
follow the snow plow manufacturer or installer's
recommendation for rear ballast to ensure a
proper front and rear weight distribution ratio,
even though the actual front weight may be less
than the front GAWR, and the total vehicle weight
is less than the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR). Maintaining a proper front and rear
weight distribution ratio is necessary to provide
proper braking performance.
Total vehicle reserve capacity is the difference between
the GVWR and the weight of the truck with full fuel and
passengers. It is the amount of weight that can be
5-39

Towing a Trailer
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the DURAMAX®
Diesel manual for more information.
If the vehicle has a two–mode hybrid engine, see the
Two–mode Hybrid manual for more information.
Do not tow a trailer during break‐in. SeeNew Vehicle
Break-In
on page 3‑21for more information.
{WARNING:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not work well or even
at all. The driver and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the vehicle. Notice:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section and see your
dealer/retailer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of the vehicle, read the
information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears later
in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving the vehicle by
itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
The following information has many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of
these are important for your safety and that of your
passengers. So please read this section carefully before
pulling a trailer.
5-50

The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel
door on the driver side of the vehicle. If the vehicle
has E85 fuel capability, the fuel cap will be yellow
and state that E85 or gasoline can be used.
SeeFuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 6‑9.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise.
{WARNING:
Fuel can spray out on you if you open the fuel cap
too quickly. If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly burned. This spray
can happen if the tank is nearly full, and is more
likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and
wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then unscrew the
cap all the way.
If the vehicle is a dual fuel tank chassis cab model, and
it runs out of fuel, refuel the front fuel tank first to ensure
a quick restart.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overfill the
tank and wait a few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See Washing
Your Vehicle on page 6‑113.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it
clicks. It will require more effort to turn the fuel cap on
the last turn as you tighten it. Make sure the cap is fully
installed. The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. This
would allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 4‑42.
6-12