traction control GMC SIERRA 2018 Owner's Guide

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 343
California Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0369
and Jump Starting - North America
0 426 and the back cover.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty. Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 090.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
408 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle. Park
a vehicle that will be stored for at
least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be free
of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.
Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires or
raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When
replacement tires are needed,GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of the
vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire's
sidewall near the tire size. If the
tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC Spec number
will be followed by MS for mud
and snow. See
Tire Sidewall
Labeling 0391 for additional
information.
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four (six
for dual rear wheels). Uniform
tread depth on all tires will help
to maintain the performance of
the vehicle. Braking and handling performance may be
adversely affected if all the tires
are not replaced at the same
time. If proper rotation and
maintenance have been done,
all four tires (six for dual rear
wheels) should wear out at
about the same time. See
Tire
Rotation 0405 for information
on proper tire rotation. However,
if it is necessary to replace only
one axle set of worn tires, place
the new tires on the rear axle
(two for single rear wheels, four
for dual rear wheels).
{Warning
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting
to mount or dismount a tire
could cause injury or death.
Only your dealer or authorized
tire service center should
mount or dismount the tires.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 409
{Warning
Mixing tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may cause
loss of control of the vehicle,
resulting in a crash or other
vehicle damage. Use the
correct size, brand, and type
of tires on all wheels.
This vehicle may have a
different size spare than the
road tires originally installed
on the vehicle. When new, the
vehicle included a spare tire
and wheel assembly with a
similar overall diameter as the
road tires and wheels, so it is
all right to drive on it. The
spare tire was developed for
use on this vehicle and will not
affect vehicle handling.{Warning
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment
tires may not be available for H,
V, W, Y and ZR speed rated
tires. Never exceed the winter
tires’ maximum speed capability
when using winter tires with a
lower speed rating.
If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
original tires. Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low-pressure warning if non-TPC
Spec rated tires are installed.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
System 0399.
The Tire and Loading
Information label indicates the
original equipment tires on the
vehicle. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 248 for the label location and
more information about the Tire
and Loading Information label.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that
are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle
performance, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover
may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, electronic stability control,

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
410 Vehicle Care
or All-Wheel Drive, the performance
of these systems can also be
affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires 0408 and
Accessories and Modifications
0 343.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter tires,
compact spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1½) times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 411
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.Temperature
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of
performance which all
passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum
required by law. Warning: The
temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance
The tires and wheels were aligned
and balanced at the factory to
provide the longest tire life and best
overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing
are not necessary on a regular
basis. Consider an alignment check
if there is unusual tire wear or the
vehicle is significantly pulling to one
side or the other. Some slight pull to
the left or right, depending on the
crown of the road and/or other road
surface variations such as troughs
or ruts, is normal. If the vehicle is
vibrating when driving on a smooth
road, the tires and wheels may need
to be rebalanced. See your dealer
for proper diagnosis.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Vehicle Care 413
Tire Chains
{Warning
If the vehicle has dual wheels or
265/65R18, P265/65R18,
P275/55R20, LT265/70R17,
LT265/70R18, LT265/60R20,
LT275/65R18, P285/50R20,
285/45R22, or P285/45R22 size
tires, do not use tire chains. They
can damage the vehicle because
there is not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to
the brakes, suspension, or other
vehicle parts. The area damaged
by the tire chains could cause you
to lose control of the vehicle and
you or others may be injured in a
crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
help avoid damage to the vehicle,
drive slowly, readjust, or remove
the device if it is contacting the
vehicle, and do not spin the
vehicle's wheels.
If you do find traction devices that
will fit, install them on the rear
tires.
Caution
If the vehicle does not have dual
wheels and has a tire size other
than 265/65R18, P265/65R18,
P275/55R20, LT265/70R17,
LT265/70R18, LT265/60R20,
LT275/65R18, P285/50R20,
285/45R22, or P285/45R22, use
tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use chains
that are the proper size for the(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
tires. Install them on the tires of
the rear axle. Do not use chains
on the tires of the front axle.
Tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer's
instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting the vehicle,
stop and retighten them. If the
contact continues, slow down
until it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains
on will damage the vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if there ever is a
blowout, here are a few tips about
what to expect and what to do:

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Index 493
California (cont'd)Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
California
Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .343, 369, 426, Back Cover
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Tailgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Cargo Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 3
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 125
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
Center Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413
Charging Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 149 Check
Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 374
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 94
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111, 114, 115
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 441
Climate Control
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224, 226
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . 224, 226
Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224, 226
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 472
Compartments Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Connections OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482 Control
Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Traction and Electronic
Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Control Light Hill Descent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gauge . . 144
Engine TemperatureWarning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224, 226, 228
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Courtesy Transportation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 468 Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 467
Text Telephone (TTY)
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 468
Customer Information Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 474
Customer Satisfaction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465

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

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
502 Index
Towing (cont'd)Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 334
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Trademarks and License Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . 334
Tow Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Transfer Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Transmission Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . 354, 357
Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 145
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Turn Signal
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 378
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 410
Universal Remote System . . . . . . 172Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Updates Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
V
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Identification Number (VIN) . . . 460
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 430
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . 154 Vehicle Care
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Voice Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . 380
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
W
Warning Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Caution and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Lane Departure (LDW) . . . . . . . 295
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Warnings Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance . . .411
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . 98
Wi-Fi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 482