front drive train GMC SIERRA 2017 User Guide

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
78 Seats and Restraints
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags
are designed to help contain the
head and chest of occupants in the
outboard seating positions in the
first and second rows. The rollover
capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk of
full or partial ejection in rollover
events, although no system can
prevent all such ejections.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. SeeWhen
Should an Airbag Inflate? 075.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
For an eAssist vehicle, see the
Silverado/Sierra eAssist
supplement.
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, see
Where Are the
Airbags? 074.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. You can lock the doors,
and turn off the interior lamps, and
turn off the hazard warning flashers
by using the controls for those
features.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
80 Seats and Restraints
.My vehicle has a rear seat too
small to accommodate a
rear-facing infant seat; or
. The infant has a medical
condition which, according to the
infant's physician, makes it
necessary for the infant to ride in
the front seat so that the driver
can constantly monitor the
child's condition.
Child age 1 to 12. A child
age 1 to 12 must ride in the front
seat because:
. My vehicle has no rear seat;
. Although children ages 1 to 12
ride in the rear seat(s) whenever
possible, children ages 1 to 12
sometimes must ride in the front
because no space is available in
the rear seat(s) of my vehicle; or
. The child has a medical
condition which, according to the
child's physician, makes it
necessary for the child to ride in
the front seat so that the driver
can constantly monitor the
child's condition. Medical Condition. A passenger
has a medical condition which,
according to his or her physician:
.
Causes the passenger airbag to
pose a special risk for the
passenger; and
. Makes the potential harm from
the passenger airbag in a crash
greater than the potential harm
from turning off the airbag and
allowing the passenger, even if
belted, to hit the instrument
panel or windshield in a crash.
{Warning
If the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag is turned off for a
person who is not in a risk group
identified by the national
government, that person will not
have the extra protection of an
airbag. In a crash, the airbag will
not be able to inflate and help
protect the person sitting there.
Do not turn off the front outboard
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
passenger frontal airbag unless
the person sitting there is in a risk
group.
To turn off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag, insert the
ignition key into the switch, push in,
and move the switch to the off
position.
The word OFF or the off symbol will
come on in the passenger airbag
status indicator located in the
overhead console to let you know
that the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag is off, after the system
check is completed. The airbag off
light will come on and stay on to let

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Seats and Restraints 101
2. Secure the child restraint in theright front seating position with
the vehicle safety belts.
See Securing Child Restraints
(With the Safety Belt in the
Center Front Seat) 0110 or
Securing Child Restraints (With
the Safety Belt in the Rear
Seat) 0106 orSecuring Child
Restraints (With the Safety Belt
in the Front Passenger Seat)
0 110.
3. Before placing a child in the child restraint, make sure it is
securely held in place. To
check, grasp the child restraint
at the safety belt path and
attempt to move it side to side
and back and forth. There
should be no more than 2.5 cm
(1 in) of movement for proper
installation. Crew Cab Models
1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the lower
anchors. If the child restraint
does not have lower
attachments or the desired
seating position does not have
lower anchors, secure the child
restraint with the top tether and
the safety belts. Refer to your
child restraint manufacturer ’s
instructions and the
instructions in this manual.
1.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired seating
position.
1.2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
1.3. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on the
child restraint to the lower
anchors. 2. For forward-facing child
restraints, attach and tighten
the top tether to the top tether
anchor (loop), if your vehicle
has one. Follow the child
restraint instructions the
vehicle LATCH anchor weight
limits described at the
beginning of this section, and
the following steps:
Example —Rear Driver Side
Position

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Instruments and Controls 163
Safety Belt Messages
SHIFTER LOCKED. BUCKLE
SEATBELT
This message displays if the vehicle
is equipped with the Safety Belt
Assurance System and the driver
and front outboard passenger,
if present, safety belts are not
buckled. The vehicle will not shift
out of P (Park). Buckle the safety
belt(s) to unlock the shift lever.
This system may not allow the
vehicle to shift out of P (Park) if an
object—such as a briefcase,
handbag, grocery bag, laptop,
or other electronic device —is on
the front outboard passenger seat.
If this happens, remove the object
from the seat or buckle the
safety belt.
If the driver or front outboard
passenger unbuckles their safety
belt while driving, the safety belt
reminder chime and light(s) will
come on. See Safety Belt
Reminders 0140.
SHIFTER UNLOCKED. BRAKE
TO SHIFT
This message displays when the
Safety Belt Assurance System times
out and allows the vehicle to be
shifted out of P (Park) after
30 seconds following brake apply.
See “Safety Belts” and“Child
Restraints” in the Index for
information about the importance of
proper restraint use.
This system may not function
properly if the airbag readiness light
is on. See Airbag Readiness Light
0 141.
Security Messages
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. The vehicle may or may not
restart, so you may want to take the
vehicle to your dealer before turning
off the engine. See Immobilizer
Operation 045.
Steering System
Messages
STEERING ASSIST IS
REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE
This message may display if a
problem occurs with the electric
power steering system. If this
message appears, steering effort
may be slightly higher than normal.
The vehicle is still safe to drive. Use
caution while in reduced assist
mode. If this message is persistent
or appears repeatedly, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
See Steering 0255.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
(1500 Series)
This message displays when there
is a problem with electric power
steering. If this message displays
and a reduction in steering
performance or loss of power
steering assistance is noticed. See
your dealer. See Steering0255.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Driving and Operating 253
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 340
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 349
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep
your eyes on the road, keep your
hands on the steering wheel, and
focus your attention on driving.
. Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices. .
Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
. Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
. Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/19/17
Driving and Operating 289
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive
If equipped, four-wheel drive
engages the front axle for extra
traction. Read the appropriate
section for transfer case operation
before using.
Caution
Do not drive on clean, dry
pavement in 4
mand 4n(if
equipped) for an extended period
of time. These conditions may
cause premature wear on the
vehicle’s powertrain.
Driving on clean, dry pavement in
4
mor 4nmay:
. Cause a vibration to be felt in
the steering system.
. Cause tires to wear faster.
. Make the transfer case harder to
shift, and cause it to run noisier.
{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
could be seriously injured. Be
sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case in
N (Neutral). See Parking Brake
0 297.
Caution
Extended high-speed operation in
4
nmay damage or shorten the
life of the drivetrain.
Engagement noise and bump when
shifting between 4
nand 4mor from
N (Neutral), with the engine running,
is normal.
Shifting into 4
nwill turn Traction
Control and StabiliTrak®off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0299.
Manual Transfer Case
Move the lever to shift into and out
of four-wheel drive.
An indicator light comes on when
four-wheel drive is engaged. See
Four-Wheel-Drive Light 0147.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
440 Vehicle Care
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle, such as a motor home. The
two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are
dinghy and dolly towing. Dinghy
towing is towing the vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground. Dolly
towing is towing the vehicle with two
wheels on the ground and two
wheels on a dolly.
Follow the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s instructions. See
your dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front
of the vehicle grille could restrict
airflow and cause damage to the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
warranty. If using a shield, only
use one that attaches to the
towing vehicle.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Caution
If the two-wheel-drive vehicle is
towed with all four wheels on the
ground, the drivetrain(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
components could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not
be towed with all four wheels on the
ground.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive
vehicles with a two-speed transfer
case that have an N (Neutral) and a
Four-Wheel Drive Low (4 (
n) setting.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Index 507
RecordsMaintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 468
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 440
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Replacement Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392
Replacement Parts
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 87
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 485
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Ride Control Systems
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 473
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 72
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 70
Safety Defects Reporting
Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 485
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485 Safety Defects Reporting (cont'd)
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200, 201
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . 480
Seats Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Heated and Ventilated Front . . . . 62
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 58
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . 58
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63, 64
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Securing Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106, 110
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 489
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357