ignition GMC SIERRA 2011 Service Manual

Black plate (38,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-38 Instruments and Controls
Compass Zone Setting
This display allows for setting the
compass zone. SeeCompass on
page 5‑6 for more information.
Compass Recalibration
This display allows for calibrating
the compass. See Compass on
page 5‑6 for more information.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Trip Odometer Reset Stem
Menu Items (with DIC Buttons)
Use the trip odometer reset stem
to view the odometer and trip
odometer. The Language selection
and Engine Hours display can also
be accessed with the trip odometer
reset stem. Odometer
Press the trip odometer reset
stem until ODOMETER displays.
This display shows the distance the
vehicle has been driven in either
kilometers (km) or miles (mi).
Trip Odometer
Press the trip odometer reset stem
until TRIP displays. This display
shows the current distance traveled
in either kilometers (km) or
miles (mi) since the last reset
for the trip odometer.
The trip odometer can be reset to
zero by pressing and holding the trip
odometer reset stem while the trip
odometer is displayed.
The trip odometer has a feature
called the retro-active reset. This
can be used to set the trip odometer
to the number of miles (kilometers)driven since the ignition was last
turned on. This can be used if the
trip odometer is not reset at the
beginning of the trip.
To use the retro-active reset feature,
press and hold the trip odometer
reset stem for at least four seconds.
The trip odometer will display
the number of kilometers (km) or
miles (mi) driven since the ignition
was last turned on and the vehicle
was moving. Once the vehicle
begins moving, the trip odometer
will accumulate mileage.
For example, if the vehicle was
driven 8 km (5 miles) before it
is started again, and then the
retro-active reset feature is
activated, the display will show
8 km (5 miles). As the vehicle
begins moving, the display will
then increase to 8.2 km (5.1 miles),
8.4 km (5.2 miles), etc.

Black plate (39,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-39
Language
This display allows you to select
the language in which the DIC
messages will appear. To select a
language:
1. Press the trip odometer resetstem until ODOMETER displays.
2. While in the ODOMETER display, press and hold the
trip odometer reset stem for
three seconds until the currently
set language displays.
3. Continue to press and hold the trip odometer reset stem to scroll
through all of the available
languages.
The available selections
are ENGLISH (default),
FRANCAIS (French),
ESPANOL (Spanish),
and NO CHANGE.
4. Once the desired language is displayed, release the trip
odometer reset stem to set the
choice. Engine Hours
To display the ENGINE HOURS,
place the ignition in LOCK/OFF or
ACC/ACCESSORY, then press and
hold the trip odometer reset stem
for four seconds while viewing the
ODOMETER. This display shows
the total number of hours the engine
has run.
Trip Odometer Reset
Stem Menu Items
(without DIC Buttons)
Language
This display allows you to select
the language in which the DIC
messages will appear. To select a
language:
1. Press the trip odometer reset
stem until ODOMETER displays.
2. While in the ODOMETER display, press and hold the
trip odometer reset stem for
three seconds until the currently
set language displays. 3. Continue to press and hold the
trip odometer reset stem to scroll
through all of the available
languages.
The available languages
are ENGLISH (default),
FRANCAIS (French),
ESPANOL (Spanish),
and NO CHANGE.
4. Once the desired language is displayed, release the trip
odometer reset stem to set the
choice.
Trip Odometer
Press the trip odometer reset stem
until TRIP displays. This display
shows the current distance
traveled in either kilometers (km)
or miles (mi) since the last reset
for the trip odometer.
The trip odometer can be reset to
zero by pressing and holding the trip
odometer reset stem while the trip
odometer is displayed.

Black plate (40,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-40 Instruments and Controls
The trip odometer has a feature
called the retro-active reset. This
can be used to set the trip odometer
to the number of miles (kilometers)
driven since the ignition was last
turned on. This can be used if the
trip odometer is not reset at the
beginning of the trip.
To use the retro-active reset feature,
press and hold the trip odometer
reset stem for at least four seconds.
The trip odometer will display
the number of kilometers (km)
or miles (mi) driven since the
ignition was last turned on and
the vehicle was moving. Once the
vehicle begins moving, the trip
odometer will accumulate mileage.
For example, if the vehicle was
driven 8 km (5 miles) before it
is started again, and then the
retro-active reset feature is
activated, the display will show
8 km (5 miles). As the vehicle
begins moving, the display will
then increase to 8.2 km (5.1 miles),
8.4 km (5.2 miles), etc.Transmission Temperature
Press the trip odometer reset
stem until TRANS TEMP displays.
This display shows the temperature
of the automatic transmission fluid
in either degrees Celsius (°C) or
degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Trailer Gain and Output
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
the trailer brake display appears in
the DIC. Press the trip odometer
reset stem until TRAILER GAIN
and OUTPUT display.
TRAILER GAIN shows the trailer
gain setting. This setting can be
adjusted from 0.0 to 10.0 with either
a trailer connected or disconnected.
OUTPUT shows the power output
to the trailer any time a trailer with
electric brakes is connected. Output
is displayed in 0 to 10 bars. Dashes
may appear in the OUTPUT display.
To adjust trailer gain see
“Integrated
Trailer Brake Control System” under
Towing Equipment on page 9‑112
for more information.
Compass Zone Setting
This display allows for setting the
compass zone. See Compass on
page 5‑6 for more information.
Compass Recalibration
This display allows for calibrating
the compass. See Compass on
page 5‑6 for more information.
Oil Life
To access this display, the vehicle
must be in P (Park). Press the trip
odometer reset stem until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays. This display
shows an estimate of the oil's
remaining useful life. If you see
99% OIL LIFE REMAINING on the
display, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains. The engine
oil life system will alert you to
change the oil on a schedule
consistent with your driving
conditions.

Black plate (43,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-43
As soon as it is safe to do so,
carefully pull your vehicle over
to the side of the road and turn
the ignition off. Check the wiring
connection to the trailer and turn
the ignition back on. If this message
still displays, either your vehicle or
the trailer needs service. See your
dealer.
See“Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System” underTowing
Equipment on page 9‑112 for more
information.
Door Ajar Messages
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the driver door is
not fully closed and the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park). Stop and
turn off the vehicle, check the door
for obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays and a
chime may sound if the hood
is not fully closed. Stop and turn
off the vehicle, check the hood for
obstructions, and close the hood
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
(Crew Cab)
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the driver side rear
door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and close
the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.
PASSENGER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the front passenger
door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and close
the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.
RIGHT REAR DOOR OPEN
(Crew Cab)
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the passenger side
rear door is not fully closed and the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and close
the door again. Check to see if the
message still appears on the DIC.

Black plate (49,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-49
Tire Messages
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM
If the vehicle has the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays if a part on the
system is not working properly.
The tire pressure light also flashes
and then remains on during the
same ignition cycle. SeeTire
Pressure Light on page 5‑30.
Several conditions may cause
this message to appear. See Tire
Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 10‑69 for more information.
If the warning comes on and stays
on, there may be a problem with
the TPMS. See your dealer.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
If the vehicle has the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the system
is re-learning the tire positions on
your vehicle. The tire positions must
be re-learned after rotating the tires
or after replacing a tire or sensor.
See Tire Inspection on page 10‑73,
Tire Rotation on page 10‑73,
Tire Pressure Monitor System on
page 10‑68, and Tire Pressure on
page 10‑66 for more information.
TIRE LOW ADD AIR TO TIRE
If the vehicle has the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the
vehicle's tires is low. This message
also displays LEFT FRT (left front),
RIGHT FRT (right front), LEFT RR (left rear), or RIGHT RR (right rear)
to indicate the location of the low
tire. The low tire pressure warning
light will also come on. See
Tire
Pressure Light on page 5‑30.
You can receive more than one
tire pressure message at a time.
To read the other messages that
may have been sent at the same
time, press the set/reset button or
the trip odometer reset stem. If a
tire pressure message appears on
the DIC, stop as soon as you can.
Have the tire pressures checked
and set to those shown on the Tire
Loading Information label. See Tires
on page 10‑57, Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑25, and Tire Pressure on
page 10‑66. The DIC also shows
the tire pressure values. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑33.

Black plate (50,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-50 Instruments and Controls
Transmission Messages
SERVICE 4 WHEEL DRIVE
If the vehicle has four-wheel
drive, this message may display
if a problem occurs with the
four-wheel-drive system. If this
message appears, stop as soon
as possible and turn off the vehicle.
Make sure the key is in the
LOCK/OFF position for at least
one minute and then restart the
vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message
is still displayed or appears again
when you begin driving, the
four-wheel-drive system needs
service. See your dealer.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive the vehicle
while the transmission fluid is
overheating and the transmission
temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster
and/or DIC, you can damage the
transmission. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be
covered by the warranty. Do not
drive the vehicle with overheated
transmission fluid or while the
transmission temperature
warning is displayed.
This message displays and a chime
may sound if the transmission fluid
in the vehicle gets hot. Driving with
the transmission fluid temperature
high can cause damage to the
vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it
idle to allow the transmission to
cool. This message clears and
the chime stops when the fluid
temperature reaches a safe level.
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
CHECK TRAILER WIRING
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message may display and a
chime may sound when one of the
following conditions exists:
.A trailer with electric brakes
becomes disconnected from the
vehicle.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is stopped, this
message clears itself after a
short time.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is moving, this
message stays on until the
ignition is turned off.
.There is a short in the wiring to
the electric trailer brakes.

Black plate (51,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-51
When this message displays, power
is no longer available to the trailer
brakes.
As soon as it is safe to do so,
carefully pull the vehicle over to the
side of the road and turn the ignition
off. Check the wiring connection to
the trailer and turn the ignition back
on. This message clears if the trailer
is reconnected. This message also
clears if you acknowledge it. If this
message still displays, either the
vehicle or the trailer needs service.
See your dealer.
See“Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System” underTowing
Equipment on page 9‑112 for more
information.
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when ice
conditions are possible.
TRAILER CONNECTED
On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message displays briefly when
a trailer with electric brakes is first
connected to the vehicle.
This message clears itself after
several seconds. This message also
clears if you acknowledge it. After
this message clears, the TRAILER
GAIN/OUTPUT display appears in
the DIC.
See “TRAILER GAIN/OUTPUT”
under Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5‑33 and“Integrated
Trailer Brake Control System” under
Towing Equipment on page 9‑112
for more information.
Washer Fluid Messages
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID
This message displays when the
windshield washer fluid is low.
Fill the windshield washer fluid
reservoir as soon as possible.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 10‑6 for the location
of the windshield washer fluid
reservoir. Also, see Washer Fluid on
page 10‑29 for more information.

Black plate (52,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-52 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle
Personalization
Vehicle Personalization
(with DIC Buttons)
The 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 the vehicle.
Only the options available will be
displayed on the DIC.The default settings for the
customization features were set
when the 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 vehicle in P (Park).
To avoid excessive drain on the
battery, turn the headlamps off.
2. Press the customization button to scroll through the available
customizable options.
Feature Settings Menu Items
The following customization features
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.

Black plate (54,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-54 Instruments and Controls
AUTO DOOR UNLOCK
This feature allows you to turn
off the automatic door unlocking
feature. It also allows you to select
which doors and when the doors will
automatically unlock. SeeAutomatic
Door Locks on page 2‑9 for more
information.
Press the customization button until
AUTO DOOR UNLOCK appears on
the DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings
for this feature. Then press the
customization button to scroll
through the following settings:
OFF: None of the doors will
automatically unlock.
DRIVER AT KEY OUT: Only the
driver door will unlock when the key
is taken out of the ignition.
DRIVER IN PARK: Only the driver
door will unlock when the vehicle is
shifted into P (Park) . ALL AT KEY OUT:
All of the doors
will unlock when the key is taken
out of the ignition.
ALL IN PARK (default): All of the
doors will unlock when the vehicle is
shifted into P (Park).
NO CHANGE: No change will be
made to this feature. The current
setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the
set/reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
REMOTE DOOR LOCK
This feature allows you to select the
type of feedback received when
locking the vehicle with the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
You will not receive feedback when
locking the vehicle with the RKE
transmitter if the doors are open.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3 for
more information. Press the customization button until
REMOTE DOOR LOCK appears on
the DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings
for this feature. Then press the
customization button to scroll
through the following settings:
OFF:
There will be no feedback
when you press the lock button on
the RKE transmitter.
LIGHTS ONLY: The exterior lamps
will flash when you press the lock
button on the RKE transmitter.
HORN ONLY: The horn will sound
on the second press of the lock
button on the RKE transmitter.
HORN & LIGHTS (default): The
exterior lamps will flash when you
press the lock button on the RKE
transmitter, and the horn will sound
when the lock button is pressed
again within five seconds of the
previous command.

Black plate (55,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-55
NO CHANGE:No change will be
made to this feature. The current
setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the
set/reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
REMOTE DOOR UNLOCK
This feature allows you to select
the type of feedback received
when unlocking the vehicle with
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. You will not receive
feedback when unlocking the
vehicle with the RKE transmitter if
the doors are open. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3 for more
information. Press the customization button
until REMOTE DOOR UNLOCK
appears on the DIC display. Press
the set/reset button once to access
the settings for this feature. Then
press the customization button to
scroll through the following settings:
LIGHTS OFF:
The exterior lamps
will not flash when you press
the unlock button on the RKE
transmitter.
LIGHTS ON (default): The exterior
lamps will flash when you press
the unlock button on the RKE
transmitter.
NO CHANGE: No change will be
made to this feature. The current
setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the
set/reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC. DELAY DOOR LOCK
On vehicles with a crew cab, this
feature turns the delayed door locks
on or off. When locking the doors
with the power door lock switch
and a door is open, this feature
will delay locking the doors until
five seconds after the last door is
closed. You will hear three chimes
to signal that the delayed locking
feature is in use. The key must be
out of the ignition for this feature to
work. You can temporarily override
delayed locking by pressing the
power door lock switch twice.
See
Delayed Locking on page 2‑8
for more information.