traction control GMC SIERRA 2020 Owner's Manual

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
4 Introduction
Q:Keep Fuse Block Covers
Properly Installed
|: Lane Change Alert
@:Lane Departure Warning
A:Lane Keep Assist
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
X:Park Assist
~:Pedestrian Ahead Indicator
O:Power
7: Rear Cross Traffic Alert
I:Registered Technician
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Seat Belt Reminders
I: Side Blind Zone Alert
h:Stop/Start
7: Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
a: Under Pressure
V:Vehicle Ahead Indicator

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
6 Introduction
1. Tow/Haul Mode (On SomeModels). See Driver Mode
Control 0238
Automatic Transfer Case
Control (If Equipped).
See Four-Wheel Drive 0227
Driver Mode Control 0238 (If
Equipped).
2. Air Vents 0182.
3. Head-Up Display (HUD) 0152
(If Equipped).
4. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn
and Lane-Change Signals
0 170.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
0 120.
5. Instrument Cluster 0127.
6. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission 0221.
Range Selection Mode. See
Manual Mode 0224.
7. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System 0168.
8. Infotainment 0176.
9. Climate Control Systems 0177
(If Equipped). Dual Automatic Climate Control
System
0179 (If Equipped).
10. Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats 061 (If Equipped).
11.
XPark Assist Switch (If
Equipped). See Assistance
Systems for Parking or Backing
0 257.
gTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0235.
|Hazard Warning Flashers
0 169.
ALane Keep Assist (LKA)
(1500 Series) 0278 (If
Equipped).
@Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) (2500/3500 Series)
0 276 (If Equipped).
5Hill Descent Control Switch
(If Equipped). See Hill Descent
Control (HDC) 0237.
jPower Assist Steps 036 (If
Equipped).
5Power Release Tailgate
(If Equipped). See Tailgate
0 28.
DC/AC Switch. See Power
Outlets 0122.
hAuto Stop Disable Switch
(If Equipped). See Stop/Start
System 0213.
LExpress Window Down
Button (If Equipped). See
Power Windows 049.
Tow/Haul Mode 0226 (On
Some Models).
12. Power Outlet (Alternating Current) (If Equipped). See
Power Outlets 0122.
13. Power Outlets 0122.
14. USB Port. See the infotainment manual.
15. Wireless Charging 0124 (If
Equipped).

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
118 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 119
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 120
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 120
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 120
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 136
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 136
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 138
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 138
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Four-Wheel-Drive Light . . . . . . . 142
Tow/Haul Mode Light . . . . . . . . . 142
Hill Descent Control Light . . . . 142
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light (2500/3500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light (1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 143
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 143
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Traction Control System (TCS)/ Electronic Stability Control
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Driver Mode Control Light . . . . 145
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Engine Oil Pressure Light
(Uplevel Cluster) . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 146
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 147
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 147
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 147
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 147
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Midlevel and Uplevel) . . . . . . 149
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . 152
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 156
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 156
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 157

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Instruments and Controls 143
SeeLane Departure Warning (LDW)
(2500/3500 Series) 0276.
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Light (1500 Series)
After the vehicle is started, this light
turns off and stays off if LKA has not
been turned on or is unavailable.
If available, this light is white if LKA
is turned on, but not ready to assist.
This light is green if LKA is turned
on and is ready to assist.
LKA may assist by gently turning
the steering wheel if the vehicle
approaches a detected lane
marking. The LKA light is amber
when assisting.
This light flashes amber as a Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) alert, to
indicate that the lane marking has
been crossed. LKA will not assist or alert if the turn
signal is active in the direction of
lane departure, or if LKA detects
that you are accelerating, braking,
or actively steering.
See
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) (1500
Series) 0278.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0268.
Pedestrian Ahead
Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display amber when a nearby
pedestrian is detected in front of the
vehicle.
See Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System (1500 Series) 0272.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
144 Instruments and Controls
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the TCS/ESC button.
This light and the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) OFF light come on
when ESC is turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0235.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/Electronic Stability
Control Light
If equipped, the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) or TCS indicator/
warning light comes on briefly when
the engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS, and potentially the ESC
system have been disabled.
If the indicator/warning light is on
and flashing, the TCS and/or the
ESC system is actively working.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0235.
Trailer Sway Control Light
(Uplevel Cluster)
This light will flash when Trailer
Sway Control is active. See Trailer
Sway Control (TSC) 0308.
Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the ESC
system is turned off. If ESC is off,
the Traction Control System (TCS)
is also off.
If the ESC and TCS are off, the
system does not assist in controlling
the vehicle. Turn on the TCS and
the ESC systems and the warning
light turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0235.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Driving and Operating 185
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 196
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 197
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 199
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 208
Ignition Positions (KeylessAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 Ignition Positions (Key
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 219
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 221
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . 232
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 233 Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 235
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 237
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 238
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . 242
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Adaptive Cruise Control (1500 Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 256
Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 257
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System (1500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Driving and Operating 187
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
. Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
. Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
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.
Refer to the infotainment manual for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the seat belt. See Seat Belts065.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Driving and Operating 191
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt. .
Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Driving
Four-wheel-drive vehicles can be
used for off-road driving. Vehicles
without four-wheel drive and
vehicles not equipped with All
Terrain (AT) or On-Off Road (OOR)
tires must not be driven off-road
except on a level, solid surface. For
contact information about the
original equipment tires, see the
warranty manual.
One of the best ways for successful
off-road driving is to control the
speed.
{Warning
When driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction
can easily throw you out of
position. This could cause you to
lose control and crash. You and
your passengers should always
wear seat belts.
Before Driving Off-Road
. Have all necessary maintenance
and service work completed.
. Fuel the vehicle, fill fluid levels,
and check inflation pressure in
all tires, including the spare,
if equipped.
. Read all the information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this
manual.
. Remove any underbody air
deflector, if equipped. Re-attach
the air deflector after off-road
driving.
. Know the local laws that apply to
off-road driving.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Driving and Operating 193
Warning (Continued)
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
cannot be seen, get out of the
vehicle and walk the hill before
driving further.
When driving on hills:
. Use a low gear and keep a firm
grip on the steering wheel.
. Maintain a slow speed.
. When possible, drive straight up
or down the hill.
. Slow down when approaching
the top of the hill.
. Use headlamps even during the
day to make the vehicle more
visible.
{Warning
Driving to the top of a hill at high
speed can cause a crash. There
could be a drop-off, embankment,
cliff, or even another vehicle. You
could be seriously injured or
killed. As you near the top of a
hill, slow down and stay alert.
. Never go downhill forward or
backward with either the
transmission or transfer case in
N (Neutral). The brakes could
overheat and you could lose
control.
{Warning
If the vehicle has the two-speed
automatic transfer case, shifting
the transfer case to N (Neutral)
can cause your vehicle to roll
even if the transmission is in
P (Park). This is because the
N (Neutral) position on the
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
transfer case overrides the
transmission. You or someone
else could be injured. If leaving
the vehicle, set the parking brake
and shift the transmission to
P (Park). Shift the transfer case to
any position but N (Neutral).
. When driving down a hill, keep
the vehicle headed straight
down. Use a low gear because
the engine will work with the
brakes to slow the vehicle and
help keep the vehicle under
control.
{Warning
Heavy braking when going down
a hill can cause your brakes to
overheat and fade. This could
cause loss of control and you or
others could be injured or killed.
Apply the brakes lightly when
(Continued)

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Driving and Operating 195
.Hidden obstacles can make the
steepness of the incline more
severe. If a rock is driven across
with the uphill wheels, or if the
downhill wheels drop into a rut
or depression, the vehicle can tilt
even more.
. If an incline must be driven
across, and the vehicle starts to
slide, turn downhill. This should
help straighten out the vehicle
and prevent the side slipping.
{Warning
Getting out of the vehicle on the
downhill side when stopped
across an incline is dangerous.
If the vehicle rolls over, you could
be crushed or killed. Always get
out on the uphill side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of the
rollover path.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow,
or Ice
Use a low gear when driving in mud
—the deeper the mud, the lower
the gear. Keep the vehicle moving
to avoid getting stuck.
Traction changes when driving on
sand. On loose sand, such as on
beaches or sand dunes, the tires
tend to sink into the sand. This
affects steering, accelerating, and
braking. Drive at a reduced speed
and avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers.
Traction is reduced on hard packed
snow and ice and it is easy to lose
control. Reduce vehicle speed when
driving on hard packed snow
and ice.
{Warning
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds,
or rivers can be dangerous. Ice
conditions vary greatly and the
vehicle could fall through the ice;
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
you and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
Driving in Water
{Warning
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires.
Traction could be lost, and the
vehicle could roll over. Do not
drive through rushing water.