GMC SIERRA 2020 User Guide

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
10 Keys, Doors, and Windows
{Warning
If the key is unintentionally
rotated while the vehicle is
running, the ignition could be
moved out of the RUN position.
This could be caused by heavy
items hanging from the key ring,
or by large or long items attached
to the key ring that could be
contacted by the driver or
steering wheel. If the ignition
moves out of the RUN position,
the engine will shut off, braking
and steering power assist may be(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
impacted, and airbags may not
deploy. To reduce the risk of
unintentional rotation of the
ignition key, do not change the
way the ignition key and Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
if equipped, are connected to the
provided key rings.
The ignition key and key rings, and
RKE transmitter, if equipped, are
designed to work together as a
system to reduce the risk of
unintentionally moving the key out
of the RUN position. The ignition
key has a small hole to allow
attachment of the provided key ring.
It is important that any replacement
ignition keys have a small hole. See
your dealer if a replacement key is
required.
The combination and size of the
rings that came with your keys were
specifically selected for your
vehicle. The rings are connected to
the key like two links of a chain to reduce the risk of unintentionally
moving the key out of the RUN
position. Do not add any additional
items to the ring attached to the
ignition key. Attach additional items
only to the second ring, and limit
added items to a few essential keys
or small, light items no larger than
an RKE transmitter.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 11
Interference from radio-frequency
identification (RFID) tags may
prevent the key from starting the
vehicle. Keep RFID tags away from
the key when starting the vehicle.
The key is used for the ignition, all
door locks, and the glove box.
If equipped with memory seats,
keys 1 and 2 are linked to seating
positions of memory 1 or 2. See
Memory Seats059.
Programming Keys
Follow these procedures to program
up to eight keys to the vehicle. Programming with Two
Recognized Keys
To program a new key:
1. Insert the original, already programmed key in the ignition
and turn the ignition on.
2. Turn the ignition off, and remove the key.
3. Quickly, within five seconds, insert the second original
already programmed key in the
ignition and turn the ignition on.
4. Turn the ignition off, and remove the key.
5. Insert the key to be programmed and turn the
ignition on within five seconds.
6. After a few seconds, the security light will turn off once
the key has been programmed.
7. Repeat Steps 1–5 if additional keys are to be programmed.
If a key is lost or damaged, see your
dealer to have a new key made. Programming without
Recognized Keys
Program a new key to the vehicle
when a recognized key is not
available. Canadian regulations
require that owners see their dealer.
If two currently recognized keys are
not available, follow this procedure
to program the first key.
This procedure will take
approximately 30 minutes to
complete for the first key. The
vehicle must be off and all of the
keys you wish to program must be
with you.
1. Insert the new vehicle key into the ignition.
2. Turn the ignition on. The security light will come on.
3. Wait 10 minutes until the security light turns off.
4. Turn the ignition off.
5. Repeat Steps 2–4 two more times. After the third time, turn
the ignition on; the key is

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
12 Keys, Doors, and Windows
learned and all previously
known keys will no longer work
with the vehicle.
6. To learn a second key, turn the ignition off, insert the second
key to be learned, and turn the
ignition on.
After two keys are learned, the
remaining keys can be learned by
following the procedure in
“Programming with Two
Recognized Keys.”
The key has a bar-coded key tag
that the dealer or qualified locksmith
can use to make new keys. Store
this information in a safe place, not
in the vehicle.
See your dealer if a replacement
key or additional key is needed.
If it becomes difficult to turn a key,
inspect the key blade for debris.
Periodically clean with a brush
or pick.
If locked out of the vehicle, see
Roadside Assistance Program
0 467. With an active OnStar or connected
service plan, an OnStar Advisor
may remotely unlock the vehicle.
See
OnStar Overview 0477.
Keys (Keyless Access)
{Warning
Leaving children in a vehicle with
an ignition key or Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is
dangerous and children or others
could be seriously injured or
killed. They could operate the
power window or other controls or
make the vehicle move. The
windows will function with the key
in the ignition or with the RKE
transmitter in the vehicle, 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 or an RKE
transmitter.
If the vehicle has the Keyless
Access system, the transmitter has
a button on the side of the
transmitter used to remove the key.
This key is used for the driver door
and glove box.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 13
Press the button to remove the key.
Never pull the key out without
pressing the button.
See your dealer if a replacement
key or additional key is needed.
If it becomes difficult to turn a key,
inspect the key blade for debris.
Periodically clean with a brush
or pick.
With an active OnStar or connected
service plan, an OnStar Advisor
may remotely unlock the vehicle.
SeeOnStar Overview 0477.
If locked out of the vehicle, see
Roadside Assistance Program
0 467. If equipped with memory seats, RKE
transmitters 1 and 2 are linked to
seating positions of memory 1 or 2.
See
Memory Seats 059.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
See Radio Frequency Statement
0 472.
If there is a decrease in the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) operating
range:
. Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
. Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
. Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
. If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
(Key Access)
The RKE transmitter functions may
work up to 60 m (197 ft) away from
the vehicle.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System 013.
/:Press and releaseQ, then
immediately press and hold
/until
the turn signal lamps flash or for at

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
least four seconds. The engine may
be started from outside the vehicle
using the RKE transmitter. See
Remote Vehicle Start024.
Q:Press to lock all doors.
If enabled, the turn signal lamps
may flash and/or the horn may
sound on the second press to
indicate locking has occurred.
If enabled, the horn chirps when
Q
is pressed again within
three seconds. See Vehicle
Personalization 0157.
Pressing
Qarms the alarm system.
See Vehicle Alarm System 037.
If equipped with remote mirror
folding, pressing and holding
Qfor
one second will fold the mirrors,
if enabled. See Vehicle
Personalization 0157.
K:Press once to unlock only the
driver door. If
Kis pressed again
within three seconds, all remaining
doors unlock. The interior lamps may come on and stay on for
20 seconds or until the ignition is
turned on.
If enabled, the turn signal lamps
flash twice to indicate unlocking has
occurred. If enabled, the exterior
lamps may turn on. See
Vehicle
Personalization 0157.
Pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter
disarms the alarm system. See
Vehicle Alarm System 037.
If equipped with remote mirror
folding, pressing and holding
Kfor
one second will unfold the mirrors,
if enabled. See Vehicle
Personalization 0157.
Press and hold
Kto remotely open
the windows, if enabled. See
Vehicle Personalization 0157.
x:Press twice quickly to release
the tailgate, if equipped.
7: Press and release to initiate the
vehicle locator. The turn signal
lamps flash and the horn sounds
three times. Press and hold
7for more than
three seconds to activate the panic
alarm. The turn signal lamps flash
and the horn sounds repeatedly for
30 seconds. The alarm turns off
when the ignition is turned on or
7
is pressed again. The ignition must
be off for the panic alarm to work.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
Each vehicle can have up to
eight transmitters programmed to it.
See your dealer for transmitter
programming.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery in the
transmitter soon if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 15
Caution
When replacing the battery, do
not touch any of the circuitry on
the transmitter. Static from your
body could damage the
transmitter.
To replace the battery:
1. Separate and remove the back cover of the transmitter with a
flat, thin object, such as a coin.
2. Press and slide the batterydown toward the pocket of the
transmitter in the direction of
the key ring. Do not use a
metal object
3. Remove the battery.
4. Insert the new battery, positive side facing up. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
5. Push together the transmitter back cover top side first, and
then the bottom toward the
key ring.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
(Keyless Access)
The Keyless Access system allows
for vehicle entry when the
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft). See
“Keyless Access Operation” later in
this section.
The RKE transmitter functions may
work up to 60 m (197 ft) away from
the vehicle.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System 013.
The key that is part of the RKE
transmitter can be used for all locks.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Remove the key by pressing the
button on the side of the RKE
transmitter near the bottom and pull
the key out. Never pull the key out
without pressing the button.
See your dealer if a new transmitter
is needed./:Press and releaseQ, then
immediately press and hold
/until
the turn signal lamps flash or for at
least four seconds. The engine may
be started from outside the vehicle
using the RKE transmitter. See
Remote Vehicle Start 024.
Q:Press to lock all doors and the
tailgate, if equipped.
If enabled, the turn signal lamps
flash and/or the horn may sound on
the second press to indicate locking
has occurred. If enabled, the horn chirps when
Qis pressed again
within three seconds. See Vehicle
Personalization 0157.
If the driver door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors will lock and then
the driver door will immediately
unlock, if enabled. See Vehicle
Personalization 0157.
If the passenger door is open when
Qis pressed, all doors lock.
Pressing
Qarms the alarm system.
See Vehicle Alarm System 037.
If equipped with remote mirror
folding, pressing and holding
Qfor
one second will fold the mirrors,
if enabled. See Vehicle
Personalization 0157.
K:Press once to unlock only the
driver door. If
Kis pressed again
within three seconds, all remaining
doors and the tailgate unlock. The

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 17
interior lamps may come on and
stay on for 20 seconds or until the
ignition is turned on.
If enabled, the turn signal lamps
flash twice to indicate unlocking has
occurred. If enabled, the exterior
lamps may turn on. SeeVehicle
Personalization 0157.
Pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter
disarms the alarm system. See
Vehicle Alarm System 037.
If equipped with remote mirror
folding, pressing and holding
Kfor
one second will unfold the mirrors,
if enabled. See Vehicle
Personalization 0157.
Press and hold
Kuntil the windows
fully open, if remote window
operation is enabled. See Vehicle
Personalization 0157.
x:Press twice quickly to release
the tailgate, if equipped.
7: Press and release to initiate
vehicle locator. The turn signal
lamps flash and the horn sounds
three times.
Press and hold
7for more than
three seconds to activate the panic
alarm. The turn signal lamps flash
and the horn sounds repeatedly for
30 seconds. The alarm turns off
when the ignition is turned on or
7
is pressed again. The ignition must
be off for the panic alarm to work.
Keyless Access Operation
The Keyless Access system allows
for doors and the tailgate to be
accessed without pressing the RKE
transmitter button. The RKE
transmitter must be within 1 m (3 ft)
of the tailgate or door being opened.
If the vehicle has this feature, there
will be a button on the outside door
handles.
Keyless Access can be
programmed to unlock all doors on
the first lock/unlock press from the driver door. Keyless Unlocking can
also be turned off. See
Vehicle
Personalization 0157.
If equipped with memory seats, RKE
transmitters 1 and 2 are linked to
seating positions of memory 1 or 2.
See Memory Seats 059.
Keyless Unlocking/Locking from
the Driver Door
When the doors are locked and the
RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft)
of the door handle, pressing the
lock/unlock button on the driver door
handle will unlock the driver door.
If the lock/unlock button is pressed
again within five seconds, all
passenger doors and the tailgate
will unlock.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
18 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Driver Side Shown, PassengerSide Similar
Pressing the lock/unlock button will
cause all doors to lock if any of the
following occur:
. It has been more than
five seconds since the first lock/
unlock button press.
. Two lock/unlock button presses
were used to unlock all doors.
. Any vehicle door has been
opened and all doors are now
closed. Keyless Unlocking/Locking from
the Passenger Doors
When the doors are locked and the
RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft)
of the door handle, pressing the
lock/unlock button on a passenger
door handle will unlock all doors.
Pressing the lock/unlock button will
cause all doors to lock if any of the
following occur:
.
The lock/unlock button was used
to unlock all doors.
. Any vehicle door has been
opened and all doors are now
closed.
Disable/Enable Keyless Unlocking
of Exterior Door Handles and
Tailgate
If equipped, keyless unlocking of the
exterior door handles and tailgate
can be disabled and enabled.
Disabling Keyless Unlocking:
With the vehicle off, press and hold
QandKon the RKE transmitter at
the same time for approximately
three seconds. The turn signal
lamps will flash four times quickly to indicate access is disabled. Using
any exterior handle to unlock the
doors or open the tailgate will cause
the turn signal lamps to flash four
times quickly, indicating access is
disabled. If disabled, disarm the
alarm system before starting the
vehicle.
Enabling Keyless Unlocking:
With the vehicle off, press and hold
QandKon the RKE transmitter at
the same time for approximately
three seconds. The turn signal
lamps will flash twice quickly to
indicate access is enabled.
Passive Locking
This feature will lock the vehicle
several seconds after all doors are
closed, if the vehicle is off and at
least one RKE transmitter has been
removed from the interior, or none
remain in the interior.
If other electronic devices interfere
with the RKE transmitter signal, the
vehicle may not detect the RKE
transmitter inside the vehicle.
If passive locking is enabled, the
doors may lock with the RKE

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 19
transmitter inside the vehicle. Do
not leave the RKE transmitter in an
unattended vehicle.
To customize the doors to
automatically lock when exiting the
vehicle, see“Remote Lock, Unlock,
Start” under Vehicle Personalization
0 157.
Temporary Disable of Passive
Locking
Temporarily disable passive locking
by pressing and holding
Kon the
interior door switch with a door open
for at least four seconds, or until
three chimes are heard. Passive
locking will then remain disabled
until
Qon the interior door is
pressed, or until the vehicle is
turned on.
Remote Left in Vehicle Alert
When the vehicle is turned off and
an RKE transmitter is left in the
vehicle, the horn will chirp three
times after all doors are closed. To
turn on or off see Vehicle
Personalization 0157. Remote No Longer in Vehicle Alert
If the vehicle is on with a door open
and then all doors are closed, the
vehicle will check for RKE
transmitters inside. If an RKE
transmitter is not detected, the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will
display NO REMOTE DETECTED
and the horn will chirp three times.
This occurs only once each time the
vehicle is driven. To turn on or off
see
Vehicle Personalization 0157.
Key Access
To access a vehicle with a dead
transmitter battery, see Door Locks
0 25.Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to the vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
The vehicle can be reprogrammed
so that lost or stolen transmitters no longer work. Each vehicle can have
up to eight transmitters matched
to it.
Programming with Recognized
Transmitters
A new transmitter can be
programmed to the vehicle when
there are two recognized
transmitters.
To program, the vehicle must be off
and all transmitters, both currently
recognized and new, must be
with you.
1. Remove the key from a recognized transmitter.
2. Place the two recognized transmitters in the cupholder or
on the passenger seat.
3. Insert the vehicle key into the key lock cylinder on the driver
door handle. Then turn the key
counterclockwise, to the unlock
position, five times within
10 seconds.
The DIC displays READY FOR
REMOTE#3, 4, 5 ETC.