rear end GMC SIERRA 2014 Owner's Guide

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 6/6/14
Instruments and Controls 5-7
The power outlets on the center
stack and in front of the cupholders
are powered at all times. The power
outlets inside the storage area and
on the rear of the console are
powered when the ignition is in ON/
RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY,
or when RAP is active.
{Warning
Power is always supplied to the
outlets. Do not leave electrical
equipment plugged in when the
vehicle is not in use because the
vehicle could catch fire and cause
injury or death.
{Caution
Leaving electrical equipment
plugged in for an extended period
of time while the vehicle is off will
drain the battery. Always unplug
electrical equipment when not in
use and do not plug in equipment
that exceeds the maximum
15 amp rating.
Certain power accessory plugs may
not be compatible with the
accessory power outlet and could
overload vehicle or adapter fuses.
If a problem is experienced, see
your dealer.
When adding electrical equipment,
be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions included with
the equipment. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment on page 9-99.
{Caution
Hanging heavy equipment from
the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty. The power
outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only, such
as cell phone charge cords.

Black plate (9,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - 3rd crc - 6/6/14
Lighting 6-9
When the battery's state of charge
is low, the voltage is raised slightly
to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high,
the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. The voltmeter
gauge or the voltage display on the
Driver Information Center (DIC),
if equipped, may show the voltage
moving up or down. This is normal.
If there is a problem, an alert will be
displayed.
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all the
power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.
It can increase engine idle speed to
generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a DIC message might
be displayed and it is recommended
that the driver reduce the electrical
loads as much as possible. See
“Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages”
underVehicle Messages
on page 5-35.
Battery Power Protection
This feature shuts off the dome and
reading lamps, if they are left on for
more than 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned off. The cargo
lamp shuts off after 20 minutes. This
prevents the battery from
running down.

Black plate (7,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - CRC - 6/6/14
Driving and Operating 9-7
To gain more ground clearance if
needed, it may be necessary to
remove the front fascia lower
air dam.
{Caution
Operating the vehicle for
extended periods without the front
fascia lower air dam installed can
cause improper air flow to the
engine. Re-attach the front fascia
air dam after off-road driving.
Loading the Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving
{Warning
.Unsecured cargo on the load
floor can be tossed about
when driving over rough
terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck by
flying objects. Secure the
cargo properly.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Keep cargo in the cargo area
as far forward and as low as
possible. The heaviest things
should be on the floor,
forward of the rear axle.
.Heavy loads on the roof raise
the vehicle's center of gravity,
making it more likely to roll
over. You can be seriously or
fatally injured if the vehicle
rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on
the roof.
For more information about loading
the vehicle, see If the Vehicle Is
Stuck on page 9-14 andTires on
page 10-51.
Environmental Concerns
.Always use established trails,
roads, and areas that have been
set aside for public off-road
recreational driving and obey all
posted regulations.
.Do not damage shrubs, flowers,
trees, or grasses or disturb
wildlife.
.Do not park over things that
burn. See Parking over Things
That Burn on page 9-32.
Driving on Hills
Driving safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of
what the vehicle can and cannot do.
{Warning
Many hills are simply too steep
for any vehicle. Driving up hills
can cause the vehicle to stall.
Driving down hills can cause loss
of control. Driving across hills can
cause a rollover. You could be
injured or killed. Do not drive on
steep hills.
Before driving on a hill, assess
the steepness, traction, and
obstructions. If the terrain ahead

Black plate (16,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - CRC - 6/6/14
9-16 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information
Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the center pillar
(B-pillar). With the driver door open, you will find the label
attached below the door lock
post (striker). The Tire and
Loading Information label shows
the number of occupant seating
positions (1), and the maximum
vehicle capacity weight (2) in
kilograms and pounds.
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows the
size of the original equipment
tires (3) and the recommended
cold tire inflation pressures (4).
For more information on tires
and inflation see
Tires on
page 10-51 andTire Pressure
on page 10-61.
There is also important loading
information on the vehicle
Certification/Tire label. It tells
you the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axles. See
“Certification/Tire Label”
later in
this section.
“Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit–
1.
Locate the statement "The
combined weight of
occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s
placard.
2.Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals
the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the "XXX"
amount equals 1400 lbs. and

Black plate (20,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - CRC - 6/6/14
9-20 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.
There is also important loading
information for off-road driving in
this manual. See “Loading the
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving“
under Off-Road Driving on
page 9-6.
Two-Tiered Loading
Depending on the model of the
pickup, an upper load platform
can be created by positioning
three or four 5 cm (2 in) by
15 cm (6 in) wooden planks
across the width of the pickup
box. The planks must be
inserted in the pickup box
depressions. When using this upper load
platform, be sure the load is
securely tied down to prevent it
from shifting. The load's center
of gravity should be positioned
in a zone over the rear axle. The
zone is located in the area
between the front of each wheel
well and the rear of each wheel
well. The center of gravity height
must not extend above the top
of the pickup box flareboard.
Any load that extends beyond
the vehicle's taillamp area must
be properly marked according to
local laws and regulations.
Remember not to exceed the
Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the front or
rear axle.
Add-On Equipment
When carrying removable items,
a limit on how many people
carried inside the vehicle may
be necessary. Be sure to weigh
the vehicle before buying and
installing the new equipment.
{Caution
Overloading the vehicle may
cause damage. Repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not overload the
vehicle.
Remember not to exceed the
Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the front or
rear axle.
* Equipment Maximum
Weight
Ladder Rack
and Cargo 340 kg (750 lb)
Cross Toolbox
and Cargo 181 kg (400 lb)

Black plate (22,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - CRC - 6/6/14
9-22 Driving and Operating
weight of the people inside. But,
use about 68 kg (150 lb) for
each seat.
The total cargo load must not be
more than the vehicle's CWR.
Refer to the Truck-Camper
Loading Information label in the
glove box for dimensions 1 and
2 as shown in the following
illustration.
Use the rear edge of the load
floor for measurement purposes.
The recommended location for
the cargo center of gravity is at
point 3 for the CWR. It is the
point where the mass of a bodyis concentrated and,
if suspended at that point, would
balance the front and rear.
Here is an example of proper
truck and camper match:
1.Camper Center of Gravity
2.Recommended Center of
Gravity Location Zone
When the truck is used to carry
a slide-in camper, the total cargo
load of the truck consists of the
manufacturer's camper weight
figure, the weight of installed additional camper equipment not
included in the manufacturer's
camper weight figure, the weight
of camper cargo, and the weight
of passengers in the camper.
The total cargo load should not
exceed the truck's cargo weight
rating, and the camper's center
of gravity (1) should fall within
the truck's recommended center
of gravity zone (2) when
installed.
Any accessories or other
equipment that are added to the
vehicle must be weighed. Then,
subtract this extra weight from
the CWR. This extra weight may
shorten the center of gravity
zone of the vehicle.
If the slide-in camper and its
load weighs less than the CWR,
the center of gravity zone for the
vehicle may be larger.

Black plate (48,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - CRC - 6/6/14
9-48 Driving and Operating
when you turn on the ignition and
one will stay on. If no lights display,
take the vehicle to your dealer for
service. If the lights display
momentarily when the ignition is in
ON/RUN, but none stay on, the
knob may have been turned while
the vehicle was off. To see the
indicator, turn the knob to another
position so that it matches the
actual transfer case setting.
An indicator light flashes while
shifting the transfer case and
remains illuminated when the shift is
complete. If the transfer case
cannot make a requested shift, it will
return to the last chosen setting.
The knob will need to be turned
back to the previous transfer case
setting in order to see the indicator.
Choose among five driving settings:
2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High):This
setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations. The
front axle is not engaged in
two-wheel drive. This setting also
provides the best fuel economy. AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel
Drive):
This setting is ideal for use
when road surface traction
conditions are variable. When
driving the vehicle in AUTO, the
front axle is engaged, and the
vehicle's power is sent to the front
and rear wheels automatically
based on driving conditions. Driving
in this mode results in slightly lower
fuel economy than Two-Wheel
Drive High.
Do not use AUTO mode to park on
a steep grade with poor traction
such as ice, snow, mud or gravel. In
AUTO mode only the rear wheels
will hold the vehicle from sliding
when parked. If parking on a steep
grade, use 4
mto keep all four
wheels engaged.
4
m(Four-Wheel Drive High): Use
this position when extra traction is
needed, such as on snowy or icy
roads or in most off-road situations.
This setting also engages the front axle to help drive the vehicle. This is
the best setting to use when
plowing snow.
4
n(Four-Wheel Drive Low):
This
setting also engages the front axle
and delivers extra torque. You may
never need this setting. It 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, or deep
snow, and while climbing or
descending steep hills.
Shifting into Four-Wheel Drive Low
will turn Traction Control and
StabiliTrak off. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control on
page 9-54.
{Warning
Shifting the transfer case to
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). You or someone else
(Continued)

Black plate (54,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - CRC - 6/6/14
9-54 Driving and Operating
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has an HSA feature,
which may be useful when the
vehicle is stopped on a grade. This
feature is designed to prevent the
vehicle from rolling, either forward or
rearward, during vehicle drive off.
After you completely stop and hold
the vehicle in a complete standstill
on a grade, HSA will automatically
activate. During the transition period
between when you release the
brake pedal and start to accelerate
to drive off on a grade, HSA holds
the braking pressure for a maximum
of two seconds to ensure that there
is no rolling. The brakes will
automatically release when the
accelerator pedal is applied within
the two-second window.If the vehicle is equipped with the
Integrated Trailer Brake Control
(ITBC) system, HSA may also apply
the trailer brakes. It will not activate
if the vehicle is in a drive gear and
facing downhill or if the vehicle is
facing uphill and in R (Reverse).
There may be situations on minor
hills (less than 5% grade) with a
loaded vehicle or while pulling a
trailer where HSA will not activate.
If you release the brake pedal and
then reapply the brake pedal while
HSA is activated, the brake pedal
typically feels firmer with less pedal
travel.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel spin
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the

Black plate (64,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - CRC - 6/6/14
9-64 Driving and Operating
Disconnecting the Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
The RVC must be disconnected if
the tailgate needs to be removed.
The RVC is disconnected by
removing the connector from the
electrical junction block mounted on
the left side of the cross member of
the vehicle frame. After
disconnecting, the cap mounted
next to the camera connector must
be relocated so that the open
terminals on the junction block are
covered.
Assistance Systems for
Driving
If equipped, when driving the
vehicle, Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) and Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) can help to avoid a crash or
reduce crash damage.
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
If equipped, the FCA system may
help to avoid or reduce the harm
caused by front-end crashes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a red flashing
alert on the windshield and rapidly
beeps or pulses the driver seat.
FCA also lights an amber visual
alert if following another vehicle
much too closely.
FCA detects vehicles within a
distance of approximately 60 m
(197 ft) and operates at speeds
above 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
FCA is a warning system and
does not apply the brakes. When
approaching a slower-moving or
stopped vehicle ahead too rapidly,
or when following a vehicle too
closely, FCA may not provide a(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
warning with enough time to help
avoid a crash. FCA does not warn
of pedestrians, animals, signs,
guardrails, bridges, construction
barrels, or other objects. Be ready
to take action and apply the
brakes. For more information, see
Defensive Driving on page 9-3.
FCA can be disabled with the FCA
steering wheel control.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
FCA warnings will not occur unless
the FCA system detects a vehicle
ahead. When a vehicle is detected
ahead, the vehicle ahead indicator
will display green. Vehicles may not

Black plate (67,1)GMC Sierra Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
5853626) - 2014 - CRC - 6/6/14
Driving and Operating 9-67
{Warning
The LDW system is an aid to help
the vehicle stay in the driving
lane. It does not steer the vehicle.
The LDW system may not:
.Provide enough time to avoid
a crash.
.Detect lane markings under
bad weather conditions or if
the windshield is dirty.
.Detect lane markings and will
not detect road edges.
.Warn that the vehicle is
crossing a lane marking if the
system does not detect the
lane marking.
If LDW only detects lane
markings on one side of the road,
it will only warn you when
departing the lane on the side
where it has detected a lane
marker. Even with LDW, always
keep your attention on the road (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and maintain proper vehicle
position within the lane, or vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Always keep the
windshield clean and do not use
LDW in bad weather conditions.
How the System Works
The LDW camera sensor is on the
windshield ahead of the rearview
mirror.
To turn LDW on and off, press
@on
the center stack. The control
indicator will light when LDW is on.
When the vehicle is started, the
LDW indicator on the instrument
cluster will come on briefly. If LDW is on, the LDW indicator will
appear green if the system detects
a left or right lane marking while the
vehicle is traveling at 56 km/h
(35 mph) or greater. If the vehicle
crosses a detected lane marking
without using the turn signal in the
lane departure direction, this
indicator will change to amber and
flash. In addition, three beeps will
be sounded from the left or right
side, or the Safety Alert Seat will
pulse three times on either the left
or right side of the seat, depending
on the lane departure direction.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
If the LDW symbol does not appear
when the system is on and the
vehicle is traveling at least 56 km/h
(35 mph):
.The lane markings on the road
may not be seen.
.The camera sensor may be
blocked by dirt, snow, or ice.