ABS GMC SIERRA 2018 User Guide

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
280 Driving and Operating
Shifting Out of N (Neutral)
To shift out of N (Neutral):1. Set the parking brake and apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition on with the engine off.
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
4. Turn the transfer case knob to the desired setting.
After the transfer case has
shifted out of N (Neutral), the
N (Neutral) light will go out.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the
desired gear.Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and it may even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little. This
is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 152. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Driving and Operating 281
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You may hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate. This is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake
Set the parking brake by holding the
regular brake pedal down, then
pushing down the parking brake
pedal.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light
0 152.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down, then
push down momentarily on the
parking brake pedal until you feel
the pedal release. Slowly pull your
foot up off the parking brake pedal.
If the parking brake is not released
when you begin to drive, a DIC message will appear and a chime
will sound warning you that the
parking brake is still on.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
306 Driving and Operating
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gearbefore starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might get hot and no longer
work well.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
The Tow/Haul Mode may be used if
the transmission shifts too often.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0271.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes before turning the engine
off. If the overheat warning comes
on, see
Engine Overheating 0363.
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.
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
368 Vehicle Care
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts
with new, approved replacement
parts. If this is not done, the brakes
may not work properly. The braking
performance expected can change
in many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are
installed or parts are improperly
installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0345 for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down: .
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the
fluid level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake
hydraulic system. Have the
brake hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
Do not top off the brake fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove fluid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0152.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time.
Replace brake fluid at the specified
intervals to prevent increased
stopping distance. See Maintenance
Schedule 0448.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0345.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 419
Front Position–1500 Models
4. If the flat tire is on the front of the vehicle (1500 models),
position the jack under the
bracket attached to the
vehicle's frame, behind the flat
tire, as shown.Front Position –All Other Models
If the flat tire is on the front of
the vehicle (all other models),
position the jack under the
vehicle, as shown.Rear Position –1500 Models
5. If the flat tire is on the rear, for 1500 models position the jack
under the rear axle about 5 cm
(2 in) inboard of the shock
absorber bracket.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
420 Vehicle Care
Rear Position–All Other Models
For all other models, position
the jack under the rear axle
between the spring anchor and
the shock absorber bracket.
If a snow plow has been added
to the front of the vehicle, lower
the snow plow fully before
raising the vehicle.
Make sure that the jack head is
positioned so that the rear axle
is resting securely between the
grooves that are on the
jack head.
{Warning
Getting under a vehicle when it is
lifted on a jack is dangerous.
If the vehicle slips off the jack,
you could be badly injured or
killed. Never get under a vehicle
when it is supported only by
a jack.
{Warning
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.
6. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise to raise the vehicle.
Raise the vehicle far enough
off the ground so there is
enough room for the spare tire
to fit under the wheel well.
7. Remove all the wheel nuts andtake off the flat tire.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
(Continued)

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 435
5. Use a clamping devicedesigned for towing to ensure
that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
6. Turn the ignition off.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive
vehicle's transfer case into
N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is
in P (Park). You or others could
be injured. Set the parking brake
before shifting the transfer case
to N (Neutral). To dolly tow a four-wheel-drive
vehicle from the rear:
1. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
2. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0281.
3. Put the transmission in P (Park).
4. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions.
5. Use a clamping device designed for towing to ensure
that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
6. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into
N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel
Drive 0272 for the proper
procedure.
7. Turn the ignition off.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0456.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
{Warning
Do not power wash any part of
the vehicle’s interior, including the
vinyl floor covering. This could
damage safety and other systems
in the vehicle, which would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Index 491
IndexA
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Active Fuel Management . . . . . . . 264
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 336
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Additional Information OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 485
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Adjustments Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Agreements Trademarks and License . . . . . 218
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 358
Air Conditioning . . . . . .224, 226, 228
Air Filter, Passenger
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 86 Airbag System (cont'd)
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 78
Airbags
Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Light On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 149
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Antenna Fixed Mast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 280

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
492 Index
Antilock Brake System(ABS) (cont'd)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Appearance Care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Assistance Program,
Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 469
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Assistance Systems for
Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . 289
Audio Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . 187
Audio Players
CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Automatic Dimming Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Forward Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . 354, 357
Automatic Transmission
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 Automatic Transmission (cont'd)
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Auxiliary
Roof Mounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 182
Auxiliary Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Avoiding Untrusted Media Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Axle, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
B
Battery Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Battery - North America . . . . 369, 426
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 375
Blind Spot Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Bluetooth Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211, 213
Bluetooth Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Brake Pedal and AdjustableThrottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 152
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367 Brakes (cont'd)
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Automatic Forward . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 255
Bulb Replacement Center High-MountedStoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 300

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Index 497
Lamps (cont'd)Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . 297
Lane Keep Assist Light . . . . . . . . . 154
Lap Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
LATCH System Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Lighting (cont'd)
LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
Lights Airbag On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 152
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning . . . . . . . 155
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 156
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Four-Wheel-Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 179
Hill Descent Control . . . . . . . . . . 153
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . 153
Lane Keep Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . 146
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
StabiliTrak OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Lights (cont'd)
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 156
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 448