keyless GMC SIERRA 2021 Owner's Guide

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
236 Driving and Operating
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on to off,
the following features (if equipped) will
continue to function for up to 10 minutes,
or until the driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the ignition is
in RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:
.Infotainment System
.Power Windows (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any door
is opened)
.Sunroof (during RAP this functionality will
be lost when any door is opened)
.Auxiliary Power Outlet
.Audio System
.OnStar System
Shifting Into Park
{Warning
It can be dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set.
The vehicle can roll. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
To be sure the vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. With
four-wheel drive, if the transfer case is in
N (Neutral), the vehicle will be free to
roll, even if the shift lever is in P (Park).
Be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear. If towing a trailer, seeDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips 0288.
1. Hold the brake pedal down, then set the parking brake. See Electric Parking Brake
0 247.
2. Move the shift lever into the P (Park) position by pulling the shift lever toward
you and moving it up as far as it will go.
3. Be sure the transfer case (if equipped) is in a drive gear –not in N (Neutral).
4. Turn the ignition off. For Key Access, push the ignition key in, towards the
steering column and then turn the
ignition off.
5. For Key Access, remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave the vehicle
with the ignition key in your hand, the
vehicle is in P (Park). For Keyless Access, take the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter with you.Leaving the Vehicle with the Engine
Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle
with the engine running. The vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive and the
transfer case is in N (Neutral), the vehicle
will be free to roll, even if the shift lever
is in P (Park). So be sure the transfer case
is in a drive gear
–not in N (Neutral).
And, if you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, it could overheat and
even catch fire. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the
engine running, be sure the vehicle is in
P (Park) and the parking brake is firmly set
before you leave it. After moving the shift
lever into P (Park), hold the regular brake

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Driving and Operating 245
Caution
Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has
stopped flashing could damage the
transfer case.
If the transmission is not shifted into
N (Neutral) or the vehicle has not slowed to
5 km/h (3 mph) within 20 seconds, the
transfer case will remain in its original state.
This will be indicated in the instrument
cluster.
With the vehicle moving less than 5 km/h
(3 mph), and the transmission in N (Neutral),
attempt the shift again.
Shifting Into N (Neutral)
To shift into N (Neutral): 1. Start the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
3. Shift the transfer case to 2
m.
4. Apply the parking brake and/or brake pedal.
5. Press 2
mfive times in 10 seconds until
the N (Neutral) graphic starts flashing in
the instrument cluster. When the shift is
complete, the graphic stops flashing. If the parking brake and/or brake pedal
is not applied within 20 seconds, the
transfer case will remain in the original
state.
6. If the transmission is not shifted into N (Neutral) or the vehicle has not slowed
to 5 km/h (3 mph) within 20 seconds,
the transfer case will remain in its
original state. This will be indicated in
the instrument cluster.
Shifting Out of N (Neutral)
To shift out of N (Neutral): 1. Turn the ignition on with the engine off. See Ignition Positions (Keyless Access)
0 230 or
Ignition Positions (Key Access) 0229.
2. Set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0247.
3. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
4. Shift the transfer case to 2
m. Transfer
case shifts out of N (Neutral) can only be
made into 2
m. When the shift to 2mis
complete, the graphic in the instrument
cluster will stop flashing. If the transfer
case cannot complete a shift, the graphic
will return to the previously selected
setting. Single Speed Transfer Case
If equipped, the transfer case controls are
used to shift into and out of four-wheel
drive.
To shift the transfer case, press the desired
button. The graphic in the instrument
cluster will flash while a shift is in progress.
The graphic displayed will change to indicate
the setting requested.
When the shift is complete the graphic will
stop flashing. The DIC message turns off
once the shift is complete. If the transfer
case cannot complete a shift request, it will
go back to its last chosen setting.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Vehicle Care 337
Check to see if coolant is visible in the
coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the
coolant surge tank is boiling, wait until it
cools down. The coolant level should be at
or above the indicated mark. If it is not,
there may be a leak in the cooling system.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is
not at or above the indicated mark, see the
following sections on how to add coolant to
the coolant surge tank following.
Automatic Coolant Service Fill
Instructions (L3B Engine)
This feature assists in filling and removing
air from the cooling system after service of
components or when coolant is added after
being too low.
To activate the fill and air removal process:1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap; slowly
counterclockwise about one full turn. If a
hiss is heard, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some
pressure left. 2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture to the indicated mark.
4. Connect the vehicle to a battery charger.
5. Set the ignition to service mode, see Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) 0230
or
Ignition Positions (Key Access) 0229.
6. Turn off the air conditioning.
7. Set the parking brake.
8. At the same time, press the accelerator and the brake for automatic vehicles for
two seconds, then release.
9. Listen for pump activation and movement of the control valves while
watching the level of the coolant in the
surge tank. Add fluid as the level drops
below the indicated mark on the surge
tank. Allow 15 minutes for the fill and air
removal process to complete.
10. Reinstall the surge tank cap.
If the tank empties, turn the ignition off,
allow the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to
go to sleep, about two minutes, refill to the
indicated mark, and repeat Steps 5–9.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank for Gasoline Engines
Except L3B
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see
“Cooling System” in the Duramax diesel
supplement for the proper coolant fill
procedure.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can
burn you. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
396 Vehicle Care
Dinghy Towing (Vehicles with a
Two-Speed Transfer Case)
Only dinghy tow four-wheel-drive vehicles
with a two-speed transfer case that have an
N (Neutral) and a 4
n(Four-Wheel Drive
Low) setting.
{Warning
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's
transfer case into N (Neutral) can allow
the vehicle to move even if the
transmission is in P (Park). You or others
could be injured. Set the parking brake
and use wheel blocks before shifting the
transfer case to N (Neutral). To dinghy tow:
1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle, facing forward and on a
level surface.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
3. Apply the parking brake and start the engine.
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting into N (Neutral)” under
Four-Wheel Drive 0242.
5. With the engine running, release the parking brake and verify that the
transfer case is in N (Neutral) by shifting
the transmission to D (Drive) and then to
R (Reverse). There should be no
movement while shifting the
transmission.
6. Shift the transmission to D (Drive).
7. If equipped with an ignition key, turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If equipped with Keyless Access, turn the
engine off. Disregard the Shift to P (Park)
DIC message. See Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access) 0230 or
Ignition Positions (Key Access) 0229.
{Warning
To avoid death, serious injury,
or property damage, before dinghy
towing the vehicle, always disconnect and
secure the negative battery cable and
cover the negative battery post and cable
with a non-conductive material. If the
battery is left connected or the battery
cable contacts the post, the Electric
Parking Brake may activate during
towing, which could cause a crash.
8. Disconnect the negative (–) battery cable. See “Negative Battery Cable
Disconnection” inBattery - North
America 0343.
9. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
Caution
If the steering column is locked, vehicle
damage may occur.
10. Move the steering wheel to make sure the steering column is unlocked.
11. If the vehicle has an ignition key, keep it in the towed vehicle in ACC/ACCESSORY
to prevent the steering column from
locking. If the vehicle is equipped with

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Vehicle Care 397
Keyless Access, keep the RKE transmitter
outside of the vehicle and manually lock
the doors. Access the vehicle by using
the key in the door lock. SeeDoor Locks
0 21.
Disconnecting the Towed Vehicle
Before disconnecting from the tow vehicle: 1. Park on a level surface. Secure the vehicle with wheel blocks.
2. Re-connect the negative (–) battery. See Battery - North America 0343.
3. Turn on the ignition with the engine off. For vehicles with a key, turn the ignition
to ON/RUN with the engine off. If the
vehicle is equipped with Keyless Access,
with your foot off the brake pedal, press
and hold ENGINE START/STOP for
five seconds until the green light comes
on in the button. See Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access) 0230 or
Ignition Positions (Key Access) 0229.
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0247.
5. Disconnect from the tow vehicle.
6. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral). 7. Shift the transfer case to 2m(Two-Wheel
Drive High). When the shift to 2
m
(Two-Wheel Drive High) is complete, the
light in the instrument cluster will stop
flashing and stay lit. See
Four-Wheel-Drive Light 0118.
8. Start the engine. Check that the vehicle is in 2
m(Two-Wheel Drive High) by
starting the engine and shifting the
transmission to D (Drive) and then to
R (Reverse). There should be movement
of the vehicle while shifting.
9. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn off the ignition.
10. Release the parking brake and remove the wheel blocks.
11. Reset any lost presets. The outside temperature display will
default to 0 °C (32 °F) but will reset with
normal usage.
Dolly Towing

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Cana-
da/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Index 453
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
HD Radio Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Head-up Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . 141
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 350
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Heated Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . .52
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204, 206
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Hill Descent Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . .55
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204, 206
I
If the System Needs Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229, 230
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . 347
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Indicator
Pedestrian Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . .72
Information Publication Ordering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 148
J
Jack Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . 391
K
Keyless Entry Remote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 13
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 9
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Lamps Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . 144
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Exterior Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . 147
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Malfunction Indicator (CheckEngine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
Lane Keep Assist Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
LATCH System Replacing Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 88
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Cana-
da/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
456 Index
PowerDoor Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Power Assist Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
Problems with Route Guidance . . . . . . . . . . .174
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322, 343, 391, Back Cover
Publication Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 435
R
Radio HD Radio Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Radio Data System (RDS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158 Radios
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Rear Camera Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Rear Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Rear Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Recognition Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283, 284
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . 418
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .431
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . 10, 13
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Replacement
Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 437
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . 236
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Ride Control Systems Enhanced Traction System (ETS) . . . . . . . 254
Roads
Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . .431
Roof Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 427
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . 238