towing 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

A.Outlet Adjustment on page 4‑29.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 4‑4.
C. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 4‑51.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers on page 4‑3.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster on page 4‑30.
F. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transmission Operation
on page 3‑28. Tow/Haul Selector Button
(If Equipped). See Tow/Haul Modeon page 3‑34.
Range Selection Mode (Allison Transmission and
Hydra-Matic
®6‐Speed Button (If Equipped). See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 3‑28.
G. Audio System(s) on page 4‑84.
H. Instrument Panel Storage on page 3‑76.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped). See Towing a Trailer on page 5‑50.
J. Exterior Lamps on page 4‑10.
K. Hood Release on page 6‑15.
L. Parking Brake on page 3‑50.
M. Dome Lamp Override
on page 4‑15.Dome Lampson page 4‑14.Fog Lampson page 4‑13(If Equipped).
N. Cruise Control on page 4‑7.
O. Tilt Wheel on page 4‑3. P.
Horn on page 4‑3.
Q. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 4‑145(If Equipped).
R. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped). See Four-Wheel Drive on page 3‑36.
S. Ashtray (If Equipped). See Ashtray(s) and
Cigarette Lighter on page 4‑18.
T. StabiliTrak
®Systemon page 5‑6(If Equipped).
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)on
page 3‑60(If Equipped). Pedal Adjust Button
(If Equipped). See Adjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal
on page 3‑26. Heated Windshield Washer
Fluid Button (If Equipped). Windshield Washeron
page 4‑6.
U. Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 4‑17.
V. Climate Control System (With Heater Only)
on
page 4‑18or Climate Control System (With Air
Conditioning)on page 4‑20and Dual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 4‑22.
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 2‑82.
Y. Glove Box on page 3‑75.
1-3

A.Outlet Adjustment on page 4‑29.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 4‑4.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster on page 4‑30.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers
on page 4‑3.
E. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transmission Operation
on page 3‑28.
F. Tow/Haul Mode
on page 3‑34(If Equipped).
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 4‑51.
H. Audio System(s) on page 4‑84.
I. Exterior Lamps on page 4‑10.
J. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped). See Towing a Trailer on page 5‑50.
K. Dome Lamp Override
on page 4‑15.Dome Lampson page 4‑14.
L. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped). See Four-Wheel Drive on page 3‑36.
M. Hood Release on page 6‑15.
N. Parking Brake on page 3‑50. O.
Cruise Control on page 4‑7.
P. Tilt Wheel on page 4‑3.
Q. Horn on page 4‑3.
R. Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 4‑145.
S. Climate Control System (With Heater Only)
on
page 4‑18or Climate Control System (With Air
Conditioning)on page 4‑20or Dual Automatic
Climate Control Systemon page 4‑22(If Equipped).
T. Accessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 4‑17.
Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). See Ashtray(s) and
Cigarette Lighter
on page 4‑18.
U. StabiliTrak®Systemon page 5‑6(If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button (If Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal
on page 3‑26. Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA)on page 3‑60(If Equipped). Heated Windshield Washer Fluid
Button (If Equipped). See Windshield Washeron
page 4‑6.
V. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped). See Airbag Off Switch on page 2‑82.
W. Glove Box on page 3‑75.
1-5

Mirror Adjustment
Exterior Mirrors
Vehicles with outside
power mirrors and
foldaway mirrors have
controls located on the
driver door.
1. Press (A) or (B) to select the driver or passenger side mirror.
2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control pad to adjust the mirror.
3. Press either (A) or (B) again to deselect the mirror.
Power Foldaway Mirrors
To fold the mirrors:
1. Press (C) to fold the mirrors out to the driving position.
2. Press (D) to fold the mirrors in to the folded position.
Vehicles with manual outside mirrors can be adjusted
for a clearer view.
If the vehicle has towing mirrors, they can be adjusted
for a clearer view of the objects behind you. Manually
pull out the mirror head to extend it for better visibility
when towing a trailer. See Outside Towing Mirrors
on
page 3‑57.
Manual Foldaway Mirrors
Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To fold,
push the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror
outward, to return to its original position.
1-15

Automatic Transfer Case
This transfer case knob is located next to the
steering column.Each transfer case design offers different drive options.
The list below described the different drive options that
may be available.
2
m(Two-Wheel-Drive High):
This setting is used for
driving in most street and highway situations.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive) : This setting is
ideal for use when road surface traction conditions are
variable.
4
m(Four-Wheel High): Use the Four-Wheel-Drive High
position when extra traction is needed, such as on
snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations.
N (Neutral) : Shift the transfer case to Neutral only
when towing the vehicle. See Recreational Vehicle
Towing
on page 5‑43or Towing a Trailer on page 5‑50.
4
n(Four-Wheel-Drive Low): This setting sends
maximum power to all four wheels. You might choose
Four-Wheel-Drive Low if you are driving off-road in
deep sand, deep mud, deep snow, and while climbing
or descending steep hills.
See Four-Wheel Drive on page 3‑36.
1-23

Roadside Assistance Program
U.S.:1-800-GMC-8782 (462-8782)
TTY Users: 1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
As the owner of a new GMC, you are automatically
enrolled in the Roadside Assistance program. This
program provides technically trained advisors who are
available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, minor repair
information or towing arrangements.
Roadside Assistance and OnStar
If you have a current OnStar subscription, press the
OnStar button and the current GPS location will be sent
to an OnStar Advisor who will assess your problem,
contact Roadside Assistance, and relay exact location
to get you the help you need.
Online Owner Center
The Online Owner Center is a complimentary service
that includes online service reminders, vehicle
maintenance tips, online owner manual, special
privileges and more.
Sign up today at: www.gmownercenter.com/gmc
(U.S.) or www.gm.ca (Canada).
OnStar®
OnStar®uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide a wide range of safety, security,
navigation, diagnostics, and calling services.
Automatic Crash Response
In a crash, built in sensors can automatically alert an
OnStar advisor who is immediately connected to the
vehicle to see if you need help.
How OnStar Service Works
Q
: This blue button connects you to a specially
trained OnStar advisor to verify your account
information and to answer questions.
]: Push this red emergency button to get priority help
from specially trained OnStar emergency advisors.
X: Push this button for hands‐free, voice‐activated
calling and to give voice commands for turn‐by‐turn
navigation.
1-34

Additional Factors Affecting System
Operation
Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the
seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which helps
the passenger sensing system maintain the passenger
airbag status. See“Safety Belts”and“Child Restraints”
in the Index for additional information about the
importance of proper restraint use.
If the shoulder portion of the belt is pulled out all the
way, the child restraint locking feature will be engaged.
This may unintentionally cause the passenger sensing
system to turn the airbag off for some adult size
occupants. If this happens, let the belt go back all the
way and start again.
A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket
or cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates. We recommend that you not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when approved by GM
for your specific vehicle. See
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicleon page 2‑91for more
information about modifications that can affect how the
system operates.
The on indicator may be lit if an object, such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device, is put on an unoccupied seat.
If this is not desired, remove the object from the seat.
{WARNING:
Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or
between the passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper operation
of the passenger sensing system.
2-90

Section 3 Features and Controls
Mirrors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Outside Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Outside Towing Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Outside Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-58
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-59
Outside Convex Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-59
Outside Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-59
Object Detection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-60
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) . . . . . . . . 3-60
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-63 Universal Home Remote System
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-69
Universal Home Remote System Operation (With Three Round LED) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-69
Storage Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-75
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-75
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-75
Instrument Panel Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-76
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-76
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-77
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-78
Cargo Management System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-78
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-80
3-2

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
.Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less
for the first 500 miles (805 km).
.Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
the new brake linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer
on page 5‑50for the trailer
towing capabilities of the vehicle and more
information.
Following break‐in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
3-21

{WARNING:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park
on page 3‑51. If you are pulling a trailer,
see Towing a Trailer on page 5‑50.
{WARNING:
If you have Four-Wheel Drive, the vehicle
will be free to roll —even if the shift lever is in
P (Park) —if the transfer case is in Neutral.
So, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear,
Two-Wheel Drive High or Four-Wheel Drive High
or Four-Wheel Drive Low —not in Neutral.
See Shifting Into Park on page 3‑51.
R (Reverse) : Use this gear to back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, see If
Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on
page 5‑28.
3-29