ECU GMC SIERRA 2013 Owner's Manual

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
2013 GMC Sierra Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-7
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-46
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-54
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
Rear Seat Infotainment . . . . . . . 7-38
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-49
Trademarks and License
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-56 Climate Controls
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-23
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-32
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-53
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-59
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-65
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-71
Conversions and
Add-Ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-101
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-46

Black plate (29,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
In Brief 1-29
SeeUltrasonic Parking Assist on
page 9‑59.
Power Outlets
Accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone, MP3
player, etc.
The vehicle may have two
accessory power outlets located
below the climate control system,
or may have one accessory power
outlet and one cigarette lighter. The
cigarette lighter is designed to fit
only in the receptacle closest to the
driver.
There may be another accessory
power outlet in the rear cargo area.
If the vehicle has a floor console,
there is an accessory power outlet
inside the storage bin and one on
the rear of the floor console.
The accessory power outlets are
powered, even when the ignition is
in LOCK/OFF. Continuing to use power outlets while the ignition is in
LOCK/OFF may cause the vehicle's
battery to run down.
See
Power Outlets on page 5‑9.Universal Remote System
Vehicles with the Universal Remote
System will have these buttons
located in the headliner.
This system provides a way to
replace up to three remote control
transmitters used to activate
devices such as garage door
openers, security systems, and
home automation devices.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program the
transmitter. Because of the steps involved, it may be helpful to have
another person assist with
programming the transmitter.
See
Universal Remote System on
page 5‑54.
Sunroof
Extended Cab
On vehicles with a sunroof, the
sunroof only operates when the
ignition is in ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN, or when Retained

Black plate (33,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
In Brief 1-33
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.
Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.: 1-888-881-3302
TTY Users (U.S. Only):
1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
Mexico: 01-800-466-0801
As the owner of a new GMC, you
are automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance program.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑7 orRoadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑11. Roadside Assistance and OnStar
(U.S. and Canada)
If the vehicle has an active OnStar
subscription, contact OnStar and the
vehicle’s current GPS location will
be sent to an OnStar advisor to
assess the situation, contact
Roadside Assistance, and relay the
exact location to send help.OnStar®
If equipped, this vehicle has a
comprehensive, in-vehicle system
that can connect to a live Advisor
for Emergency, Security, Navigation,
Connection, and Diagnostic
Services. See
OnStar Overview on
page 14‑1.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-1
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Doors
Rear Doors (Extended Cab) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . 2-10
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . 2-11
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Trailer-Tow Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . 2-16
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Rear Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Roof
Sunroof (Extended Cab) . . . . . 2-20
Sunroof (Crew Cab) . . . . . . . . . 2-21
Keys and Locks
Keys
{WARNING
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous and
children or others could be
seriously injured or killed. They
could operate the power windows
or other controls or make the
vehicle move. The windows will
function with the keys in the
ignition, and children or others
could be caught in the path of a
closing window. Do not leave
children in a vehicle with the
ignition key.

Black plate (8,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
2-8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Lockout Protection
If the driver side power door lock
switch is pressed when the driver
door is open and the key is in the
ignition, all of the doors will lock and
then the driver door will unlock.
If the passenger side power door
lock switch is pressed when the
front passenger door is open and
the key is in the ignition, all of the
doors will lock and then the front
passenger door will unlock.
Safety Locks
The vehicle has rear door security
locks to prevent passengers from
opening the rear doors from the
inside.
Open the rear doors to access the
security locks on the inside edge of
each door.
To set the locks, insert a key into
the slot and turn it to the horizontal
position. The door can only be
opened from the outside with the
door unlocked. To return the door to
normal operation, turn the slot to the
vertical position.
Doors
Rear Doors
(Extended Cab)
To open a rear access door from the
outside, first open the front door.
Then, use the handle located on the
front edge of the rear access door to
open it.
The rear access door must be
closed before the front door can
close.

Black plate (9,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-9
To open a rear access door from the
inside, first open the front door.
Then, use the handle located on the
inside of the rear access door
to open.
Tailgate
{WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride
on the tailgate, even when the
vehicle is operated at low speeds.
People riding on the tailgate can(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
easily lose their balance and fall
in response to vehicle
maneuvers. Falling from a moving
vehicle may result in serious
injuries or death. Do not allow
people to ride on the tailgate. Be
sure everyone in your vehicle is in
a seat and using a safety belt
properly.
On vehicles with a lock on the
tailgate, use the key to lock or
unlock the tailgate.
Open the tailgate by lifting up on its
handle while pulling the
tailgate down.
To shut the tailgate, firmly push it
upward until it latches.
After closing the tailgate, pull it back
to be sure it latches securely.
Tailgate Removal
The tailgate can be removed to
allow for different loading situations.
Assistance may be needed with the
removal to avoid damage to the
vehicle.
On vehicles with a Rear Vision
Camera, it must be disconnected
before removing the tailgate. See
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) on
page 9‑60.
To remove the tailgate:

Black plate (10,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
2-10 Keys, Doors, and Windows
1. Raise the tailgate slightly, pullout and hold the cable retaining
clip (A). Push the cable (C) up
and off of the bolt (B). Repeat on
the other side.
2. With the tailgate about halfway open, lift the right edge of the
tailgate from the lower pivot.
On vehicles with the tailgate
assist feature, raise the tailgate
nearly all the way to the closed
position prior to removing the
left edge.
3. Move the tailgate to the right to release the left edge.
Reverse this procedure to reinstall
the tailgate. Make sure the tailgate
is secure.Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle may have a content
theft-deterrent alarm system.
This is the security light.
To arm the theft-deterrent system:
1. Open the door. 2. Lock the door with the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
The security light should flash.
If the delayed locking feature is
active, the alarm will not be
activated until all doors are
closed and the security light
goes off.
3. Close all doors. The security light will stop flashing and go off
after approximately 30 seconds.
The system is armed when the
security light goes off.
If a locked driver door is opened
without using the RKE transmitter, a
10 second pre-alarm will occur. The
horn will chirp and the lights will
flash. If the key is not placed in the
ignition and turned to START or the
door is not unlocked by pressing the
unlock button on the RKE
transmitter during the 10 second
pre-alarm, the alarm will go off. The
vehicle's headlamps will flash and
the horn will sound for about
30 seconds, then will turn off to save
the battery power.

Black plate (11,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-11
The theft-deterrent system will not
activate if the doors are locked with
the key or the manual door lock.
It activates only if you use the
power door lock switch or the RKE
transmitter. The vehicle can be
started with the correct key if the
alarm is set off.
To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
.If you do not want to activate the
theft-deterrent system, the
vehicle should be locked with
the door key after the doors are
closed.
.Always unlock a door with the
RKE transmitter.
If the alarm is set off, press unlock
on the RKE transmitter or place the
key in the ignition and turn it to
START.
Testing the Alarm
To test the alarm:
1. Lower the driver window and open the driver door. 2. Press lock on the RKE
transmitter.
3. Close the door and wait for the security light to go out.
4. Reach in through the window, unlock the door with the manual
door lock, and open the door.
This should set off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it
should but the headlamps flash,
check to see if the horn works. The
horn fuse may be blown. To replace
the fuse, see Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 10‑39.
If the alarm does not sound or the
headlamps do not flash, see your
dealer for service.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑20 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has PASS-Key®III+
(Personalized Automotive Security
System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key III+ is a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from the
ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the key is turned to
ON/RUN, ACC/ACCESSORY,
or START from the LOCK/OFF
position.
You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system.
The security light will come on if
there is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
When the PASS-Key III+ system
senses that someone is using the
wrong key, it prevents the vehicle
from starting. Anyone using a
trial-and-error method to start the

Black plate (12,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
2-12 Keys, Doors, and Windows
vehicle will be discouraged because
of the high number of electrical key
codes.
If the engine does not start and the
security light on the instrument
panel cluster comes on when trying
to start the vehicle, there may be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. Turn the ignition off and try
again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged,
try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the
fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 10‑39. If the
engine still does not start with the
other key, the vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle does start, the first key
may be faulty. See your dealer who
can service the PASS-Key III+ to
have a new key made.
It is possible for the PASS-Key III+
decoder to learn the transponder
value of a new or replacement key. Up to 10 keys may be programmed
for the vehicle. The following
procedure is for programming
additional keys only. If all the
currently programmed keys are lost
or do not operate, you must see
your dealer or a locksmith who can
service PASS-Key III+ to have keys
made and programmed to the
system.
See your dealer or a locksmith who
can service PASS-Key III+ to get a
new key blank cut exactly as the
ignition key that operates the
system.
To program the new additional key:
1. Verify that the new key has a
1
stamped on it.
2. Insert the original, already programmed key in the ignition
and start the engine. If the
engine will not start, see your
dealer for service. 3. After the engine has started, turn
the key to LOCK/OFF, and
remove the key.
4. Insert the new key to be programmed and turn it to the
ON/RUN position within
five seconds of turning the
ignition to the LOCK/OFF
position in Step 3.
The security light will turn off
once the key has been
programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to be
programmed.
If you lose or damage your
PASS-Key III+ key, see your dealer
or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key III+ to have a new
key made.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.

Black plate (1,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual - 2013 - crc - 8/14/12
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . 3-4
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Memory Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Heated and Ventilated FrontSeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Rear Seats
Rear Seats (Extended Cab FullBench) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Rear Seats (All Split Bench and Hybrid Full Bench) . . . . . 3-10
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12 Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Lap Belt (Crew and Extended Cab) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-19
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-22
When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Airbag On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . 3-28
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35 Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-35
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-37
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Infants and Young
Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-42
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 3-44
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-45
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-54
Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat Position) . . . . . . . . 3-54
Securing Child Restraints (Center Front Seat
Position) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Securing Child Restraints (Right Front Seat
Position) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57