engine GMC SIERRA 2021 Service Manual

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Infotainment System 191
.Set Number of Audio Favorites: Touch to
select how many favorites pages can be
viewed from the audio application. The
Auto setting will automatically adjust this
number based on the number of favorites
you have saved. Touch Auto, 5, 10, 15, 20,
25, 30, 35, or 40.
.RDS: This allows the Radio Data System
(RDS) to be turned on or off.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
.HD Radio: This allows HD Radio reception
to be turned on or off.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
.Explicit Content Filter: This setting allows
access to explicit content SiriusXM
channels.
Touch Off or On.
.Manage Phones: Select to connect to a
different phone source, disconnect a
phone, or delete a phone.
.Reset Music Index: This allows the music
index to be reset if you are having
difficulty accessing all of the media
content on your device.
Touch Yes or No.Climate
Touch and the following may display:
.Auto Fan Speed: This setting specifies the
amount of airflow when the climate
control fan setting is Auto Fan.
Touch Low, Medium, or High.
.Air Quality Sensor: This setting switches
the system into Recirculation Mode based
on the quality of the outside air.
Touch Off, Low Sensitivity, or High
Sensitivity.
.Auto Cooled Seats: This setting
automatically turns on and regulates the
ventilated seats when the cabin
temperature is warm.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
.Auto Heated Seats: This setting
automatically turns on and regulates the
heated seats when the cabin temperature
is cool. The auto heated seats can be
turned off by using the heated seat
controls on the center stack.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
.Auto Defog: This setting automatically
turns the front defogger on when the
vehicle engine is started. Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
.Auto Rear Defog: This setting
automatically turns the rear window
defogger on when the vehicle engine is
started.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to disable or enable.
Navigation
Touch and the following may display:
.Set Up My Places
.Map Preferences
.Route Preferences
.Navigation Voice Control
.Traffic Preferences
.Alert Preferences
.Manage History
.Predictive Navigation
.About
See Using the Navigation System 0163.
Phone
Touch and the following may display:
.My Number: Displays the cell phone
number of the Bluetooth connected
device.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Infotainment System 193
limit the use of others. The Report Card will
record vehicle data about driving behavior
that can be viewed later. When the vehicle
is started with a registered key, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) displays a message
that Teen Driver is active.
To access:1. Touch Settings on the Home Page, then touch Vehicle, and then Teen Driver.
2. Create a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by choosing a four-digit PIN.
Re-enter the PIN to confirm. To change
the PIN, touch Change PIN.
The PIN is required to:
.Register or unregister keys.
.Change Teen Driver settings.
.Change or clear the Teen Driver PIN.
.Access or delete Report Card data.
Register keys to activate Teen Driver and
assign restrictions to the key:
Any vehicle key can be registered, up to a
maximum of eight keys. Label the key to
tell it apart from the other keys. For a pushbutton start system:
1. Start the engine.
2. For automatic transmissions, the vehicle must be in P (Park). For manual
transmissions, the vehicle must be
stopped with the parking brake set.
3. From the Settings menu, touch Vehicle and then Teen Driver.
4. Enter the PIN.
5. Place the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter key you wish to register in
the transmitter pocket. The key does not
need to be the one that started the
vehicle. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Key Access) 010 or
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation (Keyless Access) 013 for
transmitter pocket location.
6. From the Teen Driver menu, touch Setup Keys.
.If the transmitter key has not
previously been registered, the option
to add the key displays. Touch Setup
and a confirmation message displays.
Teen Driver restrictions will be
applied whenever this key is used to
operate the vehicle.
.If the transmitter key has already
been registered, the option to
remove the key displays. If Remove is
touched, the transmitter key is no
longer registered. A confirmation
message displays, and Teen Driver
restrictions will not be applied if this
transmitter key is used to operate
the vehicle.
In vehicles with a pushbutton start system,
if a Teen Driver and a non-Teen Driver key
are both present at start up, the vehicle will
recognize the non-Teen Driver key to start
the vehicle. The Teen Driver settings will not
be active.
For a keyed ignition system: 1. Start the engine.
2. For automatic transmissions, the vehicle must be in P (Park). For manual
transmissions, the vehicle must be
stopped with the parking brake set.
3. From the Settings menu, touch Vehicle and then Teen Driver.
4. Enter the PIN.
5. Touch Setup Keys. The system displays instructions for registering or
unregistering a key. A confirmation
message displays.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
196 Infotainment System
performance standards. Apple is not
responsible for the operation of this device
or its compliance with safety and regulatory
standards. Please note that the use of this
accessory with iPod or iPhone may affect
wireless performance. iPhone, iPod, iPod
classic, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, and iPod
touch are trademarks of Apple Inc.,
registered in the U.S. and other countries.
If you decide to continue service after your
trial, your selected subscription plan will
automatically renew thereafter. You will be
charged at then-current rates. Fees and taxes
apply. Please see the SiriusXM Customer
Agreement at siriusxm.com for complete
terms and how to cancel, which includes
calling SiriusXM at 1-866-635-2349. All fees
and programming are subject to change.
Fees and Taxes: Subscription fee, taxes, one
time activation fee, and other fees may
apply. Subscription fee is consumer only. All
fees and programming subject to change.
Subscriptions subject to CustomerAgreement available at www.siriusxm.com.
SiriusXM service is only available in the
48 contiguous United States and Canada.
In Canada: Some deterioration of service
may occur in extreme northern latitudes.
This is beyond the control of SiriusXM
Satellite Radio.
Explicit Language Notice: Channels with
frequent explicit language are indicated with
an
“XL” preceding the channel name.
Channel blocking is available for SiriusXM
Satellite Radio receivers by notifying
SiriusXM:
.USA Customers —See www.siriusxm.com
or call 1-888-601–6296.
.Canada Customers —See
www.siriusxm.ca or call 1-877-438-9677.
It is prohibited to copy, decompile,
disassemble, reverse engineer, hack,
manipulate, or otherwise make available any
technology or software incorporated in
receivers compatible with the SiriusXM
Satellite Radio System or that support the
SiriusXM website, the Online Service or any
of its content. Furthermore, the AMBER voice
compression software included in this
product is protected by intellectual property rights including patent rights, copyrights,
and trade secrets of Digital Voice
Systems, Inc.
General Requirements:
1. A License Agreement from SiriusXM is required for any product that
incorporates SiriusXM Technology and/or
for use of any of the SiriusXM marks to
be manufactured, distributed,
or marketed in the SiriusXM
Service Area.
2. For products to be distributed, marketed, and/or sold in Canada, a separate
agreement is required with Canadian
Satellite Radio Inc. (operating as SiriusXM
Canada).
TouchSense Technology and TouchSense
System 1000 Series Licensed from
Immersion Corporation. TouchSense System
1000 protected under one or more of the

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Infotainment System 199
(“VC-1 VIDEO”) AND/OR (ii) DECODE VC-1
VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED BY A
CONSUMER ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND
NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND/OR WAS
OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER
LICENSED TO PROVIDE VC-1 VIDEO. NO
LICENSE IS GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED
FOR ANY OTHER USE. ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED
FROM MPEG LA, LLC. SEE
HTTP://WWW.MPEGLA.COM.
MPEG4–Visual
USE OF THIS PRODUCT IN ANY MANNER
THAT COMPLIES WITH THE MPEG-4 VISUAL
STANDARD IS PROHIBITED, EXCEPT FOR USE
BY A CONSUMER ENGAGING IN PERSONAL
AND NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES.
MP3
MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology
licensed from Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson.
WMV/WMA
This product includes technology owned by
Microsoft Corporation and under a license
from Microsoft Licensing, GP. Use or
distribution of such technology outside of
this product is prohibited without a license
from Microsoft Corporation and/or Microsoft
Licensing, GP as applicable.Map End User License Agreement
END USER TERMS
The Map Data SD card (“Data”) is provided
for your personal, internal use only and not
for resale. It is protected by copyright, and
is subject to the following terms (this“End
User License Agreement”) and conditions
which are agreed to by you, on the one
hand, and HERE North America, LLC (“HERE”)
and its licensors (including their licensors
and suppliers) on the other hand.
The Data for areas of Canada includes
information taken with permission from
Canadian authorities, including: © Her
Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, ©
Queen's Printer for Ontario, © Canada Post
Corporation, GeoBase
®.
HERE holds a nonexclusive license from the
United States Postal Service
®to publish and
sell ZIP+4®information.
© United States Postal Service 2013. Prices
are not established, controlled, or approved
by the United States Postal Service. The
following trademarks and registrations are
owned by the USPS: United States Postal
Service, USPS, and ZIP+4. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Personal Use Only: You agree to use this
Data for the solely personal, noncommercial
purposes for which you were licensed, and
not for service bureau, timesharing or other
similar purposes. Except as otherwise set
forth herein, you agree not to otherwise
reproduce, copy, modify, decompile,
disassemble or reverse engineer any portion
of this Data, and may not transfer or
distribute it in any form, for any purpose,
except to the extent permitted by
mandatory laws. You may transfer the Data
and all accompanying materials on a
permanent basis if you retain no copies and
the recipient agrees to the terms of this End
User License Agreement. Multi-disc sets may
only be transferred or sold as a complete
set as provided to you and not as a subset
thereof.
Restrictions
Except where you have been specifically
licensed to do so by HERE and without
limiting the preceding paragraph, you may
not (a) use this Data with any products,
systems, or applications installed or
otherwise connected to or in communication
with vehicles capable of vehicle navigation,
positioning, dispatch, real time route

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
202 Infotainment System
The product you have purchased ("Product")
contains Software (Runtime Configuration
No. 505962; "Software") which is distributed
by or on behalf of the Product manufacturer
"Manufacturer") under license from Software
Systems Co. ("QSSC"). You may only use the
Software in the Product and in compliance
with the license terms below.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this
License, QSSC hereby grants you a limited,
non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use
the Software in the Product for the purpose
intended by the Manufacturer. If permitted
by the Manufacturer, or by applicable law,
you may make one backup copy of the
Software as part of the Product software.
QSSC and its licensors reserve all license+C31
rights not expressly granted herein, and
retain all right, title and interest in and to
all copies of the Software, including all
intellectual property rights therein. Unless
required by applicable law you may not
reproduce, distribute or transfer,
or de-compile, disassemble or otherwise
attempt to unbundle, reverse engineer,
modify or create derivative works of, the
Software. You agree: (1) not to remove,
cover or alter any proprietary notices, labels
or marks in or on the Software, and to
ensure that all copies bear any noticecontained on the original; and (2) not to
export the Product or the Software in
contravention of applicable export
control laws.
EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT OTHERWISE
REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, QSSC AND
ITS LICENSORS PROVIDE THE SOFTWARE ON
AN "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR
CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTIES OR
CONDITIONS OF TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT,
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ANY WARRANTIES OR
OTHER PROVISIONS OFFERED BY THE
MANUFACTURER OR ITS DISTRIBUTOR(S)
THAT DIFFER FROM THIS LICENSE ARE
OFFERED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR ITS
DISTRIBUTOR(S) ALONE AND NOT BY QSSC,
ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR LICENSORS. YOU
ASSUME ANY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR
USE OF THE SOFTWARE UNDER THIS LICENSE.
EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT OTHERWISE
REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW (SUCH AS IN
THE CASE OF DELIBERATE OR GROSSLY
NEGLIGENT ACTS), IN NO EVENT SHALL QSSC,
ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR LICENSORS BE
LIABLE TO YOU UNDER ANY LEGAL THEORY,
WHETHER IN TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE),
CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE, FOR DAMAGES,
INCLUDING ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
OF ANY CHARACTER ARISING AS A RESULT OF
THIS LICENSE OR OUT OF THE USE OR
INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT (INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR LOSS
OF GOODWILL, WORK STOPPAGE, PRODUCT
FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, OR ANY AND ALL
OTHER COMMERCIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES),
EVEN IF QSSC, ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR
LICENSORS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
WMA
This product is protected by certain
intellectual property rights of Microsoft. Use
or distribution of such technology outside of
this product is prohibited without a license
from Microsoft.
For more information on the Software,
including any open source software license
terms (and available source code) as well as
copyright attributions applicable to the
Runtime Configuration indicated above,
please contact the Manufacturer or contact
QSSC at 175 Terence Matthews Crescent,
Kanata, Ontario, Canada K2M 1W8
([email protected]).

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Climate Controls 205
Air Delivery Mode Controls :Pressz,Y,
or
[to change the direction of the
airflow. Any combination of the three
controls can be selected. An indicator light
comes on in the selected mode button.
To change the current mode, select one or
more of the following. An indicator light will
illuminate:
z: Air is directed to the windshield,
outboard a/c outlets, and side window
outlets.
Y: Air is directed to the a/c outlets.
[:Air is directed to the floor outlets,
with some air directed to the windshield,
outboard a/c outlets, and side window
outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the windshield
and the fan runs at a higher speed if not
already above a medium fan speed. This
mode overrides the previous mode selected
and clears fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. When the control is pressed
again, the system returns to the previous
mode setting and fan speed. For best results, clear all snow and ice from
the windshield before defrosting.
@:
Press to turn on recirculation. An
indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated
to quickly cool the inside of the vehicle.
It can also be used to help reduce outside
air and odors that enter the vehicle.
Avoid using recirculation for long periods of
time in cold or damp conditions. Using
recirculation in cold or damp conditions can
result in window fogging.
A/C : Press to turn the air conditioning on
or off. An indicator light comes on to show
that the air conditioning is enabled. If the
fan is turned off, the air conditioner will not
run. The A/C light will stay on even if the
outside temperatures are below freezing.
Rear Window Defogger
1REAR : If equipped, press to turn the
rear window defogger on or off. An indicator
light on the button comes on to show that
the rear window defogger is on.
The rear window defogger only works when
the engine is running. The defogger turns
off if the ignition is turned off or to
ACC/ACCESSORY.
If equipped with heated outside mirrors,
press
fto turn them on or off. See Heated
Mirrors 037.
Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp object to
clear the inside rear window can damage
the rear window defogger. Repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not clear the inside rear window with
sharp objects.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
208 Climate Controls
Changing the mode cancels the automatic
operation and the system goes into manual
mode. Press AUTO to return to automatic
operation.
To change the current mode, select one or
more of the following:
z:Air is directed to the windshield,
outboard a/c outlets, and side window
outlets.
Y: Air is directed to the a/c outlets.
[:Air is directed to the floor outlets,
with some air directed to the windshield,
outboard a/c outlets, and side window
outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the windshield
and the fan runs at a higher speed if not
already above a medium fan speed. This
mode overrides the previous mode selected
and clears fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. When the control is pressed
again, the system returns to the previous
mode setting and fan speed.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from
the windshield before defrosting.
@: Press to turn on recirculation. An
indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated
to quickly cool the inside of the vehicle.
It can also be used to help reduce outside
air and odors that enter the vehicle.
Avoid using recirculation for long periods of
time in cold or damp conditions. Using
recirculation in cold or damp conditions can
result in window fogging.
A/C : Press to turn the air conditioning on
or off. An indicator light comes on to show
that the air conditioning is enabled. If the
fan is turned off, the air conditioner will not
run. The A/C light will stay on even if the
outside temperatures are below freezing.
Rear Window Defogger
1REAR : If equipped, press to turn the
rear window defogger on or off. An indicator
light on the button comes on to show that
the rear window defogger is on.
The rear window defogger only works when
the engine is running. The defogger turns
off if the ignition is turned off or to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
If equipped with heated outside mirrors,
press
fto turn them on or off. See Heated
Mirrors 037.
Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp object to
clear the inside rear window can damage
the rear window defogger. Repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not clear the inside rear window with
sharp objects.
Remote Start Climate Control Operation :
If equipped with remote start, the climate
control system may run when the vehicle is
started remotely. If equipped with heated or
ventilated seats or a heated steering wheel,
these features may come on during a
remote start. See Remote Vehicle Start 020,
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats 052, and
Heated Steering Wheel 0100.
Sensors

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Driving and Operating 211
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 212
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Truck-Camper Loading Information . . . . 226
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Ignition Positions (Key Access) . . . . . . . . 229
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . 230
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 236
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . 237
Active Fuel Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 238
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Drive Systems
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 246
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Limited-Slip Differential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Adaptive Cruise Control (Camera) . . . . . . 256
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . 274
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . 277
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . 280
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Recommended Fuel (Except 6.2L V8 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Recommended Fuel (6.2L V8 Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Filling the Tank (Pickup Model) . . . . . . . . 285
Filling the Tank (Chassis Cab Model) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
212 Driving and Operating
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 288
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . 288
Driving Characteristics andTowing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Trailering App . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab . . . . . 320
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.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.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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Driving and Operating 213
.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 section 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 Belts 054.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with impaired
driving is a global tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and then
driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol or drugs. You can have a
serious —or even fatal —collision if you
drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or ride with a driver
who has been drinking or is impaired by
drugs. Find alternate transportation
home; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will remain sober.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating are
important factors in helping to control a
vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time. Deciding to push the brake
pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is about
three-quarters of a second. In that time, a
vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels
20 m (66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include:
.Keep enough distance between you and
the vehicle in front of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops or a brake fault
occurs, the brakes may lose power assist.
More effort will be required to stop the
vehicle. It may take longer to stop.