oil GMC SIERRA 2011 Owner's Manual

Black plate (5,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer
to the Index.
0:Adjustable Pedals
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway
Mirrors
}: Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_: Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel(Base/Uplevel Version) . . . . . . 1-2
Instrument Panel (Premium Version) . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15 Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Sensing System for
Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Throttle and Brake Pedal Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-20
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-28
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-28 Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 1-31
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32
Universal Remote System . . . 1-32
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32
Performance and Maintenance
StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . 1-33
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-34
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-34
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 1-35
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-35
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-36

Black plate (30,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
1-30 In Brief
Navigation System
If the vehicle has a navigation
system, there is a separate
Navigation System Manual that
includes information on the radio,
audio players, and navigation
system.
The navigation system provides
detailed maps of most major
freeways and roads. After a
destination has been set, the
system provides turn-by-turn
instructions for reaching the
destination. In addition, the system
can help locate a variety of points
of interest (POI), such as banks,
airports, restaurants, and more.
See the Navigation System Manual
for more information.
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC display is located at
the bottom of the instrument
panel cluster. It shows the status of
many vehicle systems and enables
access to the personalization menu.
The DIC buttons are located on
the instrument panel, next to the
steering wheel.
Some vehicles do not have the
buttons shown, however some of
the menus can be viewed by using
the trip odometer reset stem.
3:Press to display the
odometer, trip odometer, fuel
range, average economy, fuel
used, timer, instantaneous economy
and Active Fuel Management™
indicator, and transmission
temperature. The compass
and outside air temperature
will also be shown in the display.
The temperature will be shown
in °C or °F depending on the
units selected.
T: Press to display the oil life,
units, tire pressure readings for
vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), trailer
brake gain and output information
for vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
engine hours, compass zone
setting, and compass recalibration.
U: Press to customize the
feature settings on your vehicle.
See Vehicle Personalization (with
DIC Buttons) on page 5‑52 for more
information.

Black plate (34,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
1-34 In Brief
.To turn off both traction control
and StabiliTrak, press and
hold
5untilFilluminates and
the appropriate DIC message
displays. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5‑47.
.Press and release5again to
turn on both systems.
For more information, see
StabiliTrak
®System on page 9‑70.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS warning light alerts
you to a significant loss in pressure
of one of the vehicle's tires. If the warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See
Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑25. The warning
light will remain on until the tire
pressure is corrected.
During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear
when the vehicle is first started and
then turn off. This may be an early
indicator that the tire pressures are
getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. It is the
driver ’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10‑68.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and, on most vehicles, displays a
DIC message when it is necessary
to change the engine oil and filter.
The oil life system should be reset
to 100% only following an oil
change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
To reset the Engine Oil Life System
on most vehicles:
1. Display OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the vehicle does
not have DIC buttons, the
vehicle must be in P (Park)
to access this display.
2. Press and hold the SET/RESET button on the DIC, or the trip
odometer reset stem if the
vehicle does not have DIC
buttons, for more than
five seconds. The oil life
will change to 100%.

Black plate (35,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-35
On all vehicles, the Engine Oil Life
System can be reset as follows:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN withthe engine off.
2. Fully press the accelerator pedal slowly three times within
five seconds.
3. Display OIL LIFE REMAINING on the DIC. If the display shows
100%, the system is reset.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑11.
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
Vehicles that have a FlexFuel badge
and a yellow fuel cap can use either
unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85).
See Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) on
page 9‑87. For all other vehicles,
use only the unleaded gasoline
described under Recommended
Fuel on page 9‑84.
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.
.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.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Keys, Doors and Windows 2-7
The vehicle can be remote started
two separate times between driving
sequences. The engine will run for
10 minutes after each remote start.
Or, you can extend the engine run
time by another 10 minutes within
the first 10 minute remote start time
frame, and before the engine stops.
For example, if
Qand then/are
pressed again after the vehicle
has been running for 5 minutes,
10 minutes are added, allowing
the engine to run for 15 minutes.
The additional 10 minutes are
considered a second remote vehicle
start. Once two remote starts, or a single
remote start with one time extension
has been done, the vehicle must be
started with the key. After the key
is removed from the ignition, the
vehicle can be remote started again.
The vehicle cannot be remote
started if the key is in the ignition,
the hood is not closed, or if there
is an emission control system
malfunction and the check engine
light is on.
Also, the engine will turn off during a
remote vehicle start if the coolant
temperature gets too high or if the
oil pressure gets low.
Remote Start Ready
If the vehicle does not have the
remote vehicle start feature, it may
have the remote start ready feature.
This feature allows your dealer to
add the manufacturer's remote
vehicle start feature.
See your dealer to add the
manufacturer's remote vehicle
start feature to the vehicle.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-3
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-5
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15 Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-19
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-20
Airbag On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-24
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . 5-29
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . 5-29
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light . . . 5-30
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-31
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 5-31
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-32
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-33
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-41
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-42
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-45
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-45
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-46
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-46
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-46
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-47
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-48
Anti-Theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48
Starting the Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-48

Black plate (16,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
5-16 Instruments and Controls
When the fuel tank is low the
FUEL LEVEL LOW message
appears. SeeFuel System
Messages on page 5‑46 for
more information.
Here are some situations owners
can experience with the fuel gauge.
None of these indicate a problem
with the fuel gauge.
.At the gas station, the fuel pump
shuts off before the gauge
reads full.
.It takes a little more or less fuel
to fill up than the fuel gauge
indicated. For example, the
gauge 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 gauge goes back to empty
when the ignition is turned off. If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel supplement
for more information.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see
the hybrid supplement for more
information.
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge
Metric
English
The engine oil pressure gauge
shows the engine oil pressure
in kPa (kilopascals) or psi (pounds
per square inch) when the engine is
running.

Black plate (17,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-17
Oil pressure can vary with engine
speed, outside temperature and
oil viscosity, but if readings are
outside the normal operating range,
the oil pressure light comes on.
SeeEngine Oil Pressure Light on
page 5‑31 for more information.
A reading outside the normal
operating range can be caused
by a dangerously low oil level or
some other problem causing low
oil pressure. Check the vehicle's
oil as soon as possible. See “OIL
PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE”
under Engine Oil Messages on
page 5‑45 andEngine Oil on
page 10‑7.{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine
oil maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel supplement
for more information.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
Metric

Black plate (31,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-31
Engine Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.Notice:
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally the indicator light then
goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and it might
have some other system problem.
If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the
hybrid supplement for more
information.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, under the fuel gauge,
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. See Fuel System
Messages on page 5‑46 for more
information. When fuel is added this
light and message should go off. If it
does not, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer.