cooling GMC SIERRA 2013 User Guide

Black plate (10,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
9-10 Driving and Operating
Driving in Water
{WARNING
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires.
Traction could be lost, and the
vehicle could roll over. Do not
drive through rushing water.
Notice: Do not drive through
standing water if it is deep
enough to cover the wheel hubs,
axles or exhaust pipe. Deep water
can damage the axle and other
vehicle parts.
If the standing water is not too deep,
drive slowly through it. At faster
speeds, water splashes on the
ignition system and the vehicle can
stall. Stalling can also occur if you
get the tailpipe under water. While the tailpipe is under water, you will
not be able to start the engine.
When going through water, the
brakes get wet, and it might take
longer to stop. See Driving on Wet
Roads.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that
has collected on the underbody,
or chassis, or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a fire
hazard.
After operation in mud or sand,
have the brake linings cleaned and
checked. These substances can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the body structure, steering,
suspension, wheels, tires, and
exhaust system for damage and
check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
More frequent maintenance service
is required. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule for more
information.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep‐standing or flowing water.
{WARNING
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
(Continued)

Black plate (11,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Driving and Operating 9-11
WARNING (Continued)
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 10‑46.
.Turn off cruise control.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find a
safe place to park the vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep the interior
temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving —scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{WARNING
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.

Black plate (37,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Driving and Operating 9-37
Low Traction Mode
If the vehicle has the Allison
Transmission, a 4-Speed automatic
transmission, or the Hydra-Matic
6-Speed Automatic Transmission
with the 6.0L engine, it has a Low
Traction Mode that assists 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 helping to
prevent the tires from spinning.
Tow/Haul Mode
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
6-Speed Automatic Transmission
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission have a Tow/Haul
Mode. The Tow/Haul Mode adjusts
the transmission shift pattern to
reduce shift cycling, providing
increased performance, vehicle
control, and transmission cooling
when driving down steep hills or
Mountain grades, towing, or hauling
heavy loads.
The selector button is located on the
end of the shift lever. Turn the Tow/
Haul Mode on and off by pressing
the button. When the Tow/Haul
Mode is enabled, a light on the
instrument panel cluster will
come on. See
Tow/Haul Mode Light on
page 5‑25 andHill and Mountain
Roads on page 9‑11 for more
information.
Also see “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing Equipment on page 9‑89 for
more information.
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking
(6-Speed Automatic
Transmission)
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking is
only enabled while the Tow/Haul
Mode is selected and the vehicle is
not in the Range Selection Mode.
See “Tow/Haul Mode” listed
previously and Manual Mode on
page 9‑36. Tow/Haul Mode Grade
Braking assists in maintaining
desired vehicle speeds when driving
on downhill grades by using the
engine and transmission to slow the
vehicle.

Black plate (73,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Driving and Operating 9-73
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine Overheating
on page 10‑20.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
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.
If the vehicle is bi-fuel, see the
bi-fuel supplement for more
information.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See
New Vehicle Break-In on
page 9‑23 for more information.

Black plate (75,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Driving and Operating 9-75
Weights listed apply for conventional trailers and fifth-wheel trailers unless otherwise noted.Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Standard Box
4.3L V6 (b) 3.232 177 kg (4,800 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.3L V6 —With Automatic
Transmission (b) 3.73
2 449 kg (5,400 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.3L V6 —With Manual
Transmission (b) 3.73
1 860 kg (4,100 lbs) 3 938 kg (8,683 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.733 266 kg (7,200 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8 (b) 3.082 994 kg (6,600 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8, K5L HD
Cooling Pkg 3.08
3 357 kg (7,400 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L LMG V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 4 128 kg (9,100 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Standard Box 4.3L V6 (b) 3.231 996 kg (4,400 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.733 039 kg (6,700 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (b) 3.082 812 kg (6,200 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)

Black plate (76,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
9-76 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg (b) 3.083 130 kg (6,900 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 400 kg (9,700 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 264 kg (9,400 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 400 kg (9,700 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 264 kg (9,400 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering Pkg
— Conventional Trailer 3.73
4 853 kg (10,700 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering Pkg
— Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.73
4 808 kg (10,600 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
1500 Series 2WD Crew Cab Short Box (b) 4.8L V8 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 3.733 039 kg (6,700 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (LMG) 3.082 812 kg (6,200 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 (LMG) K5L HD
Cooling Pkg 3.08
3 130 kg (6,900 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)

Black plate (77,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Driving and Operating 9-77
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 (LC9) XFE 3.083 175 kg (7,000 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 (LMG) K5L HD
Cooling Pkg 3.42
4 355 kg (9,600 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.424 400 kg (9,700 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering Pkg 3.734 808 kg (10,600 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
1500 Series 2WD Regular Cab Long Box 4.3L V6 (b) 3.232 132 kg (4,700 lbs) 4 309 kg (9,500 lbs)
4.3L V6 (b) 3.732 359 kg (5,200 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.232 313 kg (5,100 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.733 221 kg (7,100 lbs) 5 443 kg (12,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.082 948 kg (6,500 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.083 266 kg (7,200 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 536 kg (10,000 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 037 kg (8,900 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)

Black plate (78,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
9-78 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 2WD Extended Cab Long Box 5.3L V8 (b) 3.082 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg (b) 3.083 039 kg (6,700 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 309 kg (9,500 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 082 kg (9,000 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Standard Box 4.3L V6 (b) 3.732 313 kg (5,100 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.422 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (b) 3.082 903 kg (6,400 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.083 221 kg (7,100 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 037 kg (8,900 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
3 719 kg (8,200 lbs) 6 350 kg (14,000 lbs)

Black plate (79,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Driving and Operating 9-79
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
1500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Standard Box 4.8L V8 (b) 3.422 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (b) 3.082 767 kg (6,100 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg (b) 3.083 084 kg (6,800 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 354 kg (9,600 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 354 kg (9,600 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 264 kg (9,400 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 128 kg (9,100 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering Pkg
— Conventional Trailer 3.73
4 717 kg (10,400 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering Pkg
— Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.73
4 672 kg (10,300 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Crew Cab Short Box (b) 4.8L V8 3.422 495 kg (5,500 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 3.082 722 kg (6,000 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)

Black plate (80,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
9-80 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.083 039 kg (6,700 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.424 309 kg (9,500 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.424 264 kg (9,400 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
6.2L V8 NHT Max Trailering Pkg 3.734 717 kg (10,400 lbs) 7 257 kg (16,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Regular Cab Long Box
4.3L V6 (b) 3.732 223 kg (4,900 lbs) 4 536 kg (10,000 lbs)
4.8L V8 (b) 3.422 631 kg (5,800 lbs) 4 990 kg (11,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 (b) 3.082 858 kg (6,300 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.083 175 kg (7,000 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 445 kg (9,800 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Fifth-Wheel Trailer 3.42
4 400 kg (9,700 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)
1500 Series 4WD Extended Cab Long Box 5.3L V8 (b) 3.082 631 kg (5,800 lbs) 5 216 kg (11,500 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg (b) 3.082 948 kg (6,500 lbs) 5 534 kg (12,200 lbs)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg —
Conventional Trailer 3.42
4 218 kg (9,300 lbs) 6 804 kg (15,000 lbs)