warning light GMC SIERRA CLASSIC 2007 User Guide

This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push or may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the
light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 423.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
With the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), this light
will come on when you
start your engine and
may stay on for several
seconds.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. A chime
will sound when the light stays on. If the regular
brake system warning light is not on, you still have
brakes, but you do not have ABS. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on you do
not have ABS and there is a problem with your
regular brakes. In addition to both lights, you
will also hear a chime sound on the rst
occurrence of a problem and each time the
vehicle is shut off and then restarted. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 254.
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The ABS warning light should come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Off Light
If your vehicle has the
Traction Assist System,
this light should
come on briey when
you turn the ignition
to RUN.
If the light does not come on then, the system
may require service. Have it xed so it will be there
to warn you if the system is turned off.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, there may be a problem with your Traction
Assist System and your vehicle may need
service. When this light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard your
vehicle is working. During a majority of the
operation, the gage will read 210°F (100°C) or
less. If you are pulling a load or going up hills, it is
normal for the temperature to uctuate and
approach the 250°F (122°C) mark. If the gage
reaches the 260°F (125°C) mark, it indicates that
the cooling system is working beyond its
capacity.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 505.
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256

Tow/Haul Mode Light
This light comes on
when the Tow/Haul
mode has been
activated.
For more information, seeTow/Haul Mode on
page 147.
Cargo Lamp Light
This light comes on
when the cargo lamp is
in use. For more
information seeCargo
Lamp on page 228.
Fuel Gage
When the ignition is on, the fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel you have left in your tank.
The gage will rst indicate empty before you
are out of fuel, and you should get more fuel as
soon as possible.
When the fuel tank is low the FUEL LEVEL LOW
message will appear. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 270for more information.
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264

Here are some situations you may experience with
your fuel gage. None of these indicate a problem
with the fuel gage.
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than
the fuel gage indicated. For example, the
gage may have indicated the tank was half full,
but it actually took a little more or less than
half the tank’s capacity to ll the tank.
The gage goes back to empty when you turn
off the ignition.
If you have a diesel engine, see “Fuel Gage” in
the Diesel Engine Supplement.
Low Fuel Warning Light
The light next to the fuel gage will come on briey
when you are starting the engine.
This light comes on when the fuel tank is low on
fuel. To turn it off, add fuel to the fuel tank.
SeeFuel on page 470.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) display is
located on the instrument panel cluster, below the
speedometer. If your vehicle has DIC buttons,
they are located on the steering wheel. The DIC
can display information such as the trip odometer,
fuel economy, customization features, and
warning/status messages.
If your vehicle does not have DIC steering wheel
buttons, you will not have all of the features
listed. Scroll through the odometer, trip odometer,
engine hours, and selected range if your vehicle
has an Allison Transmission
®by pressing the
trip odometer reset stem located on the instrument
panel cluster. Turn off, or acknowledge, DIC
messages by pressing the trip odometer reset
stem. SeeSpeedometer and Odometer on
page 246for information on features for vehicles
without DIC buttons.
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DIC Warnings and Messages
Warning messages are displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) to notify the driver
that the status of the vehicle has changed and
that some action may be needed by the driver to
correct the condition. If there is more than one
message that needs to be displayed, they
will appear one after another. Some messages
may not require immediate action, but you should
press any of the four DIC buttons on the
steering wheel to acknowledge that you received
the messages and to clear them from the
display. If your vehicle does not have DIC buttons
on the steering wheel, press the trip odometer
reset stem, located on the instrument panel
cluster, to acknowledge messages and clear them
from the display.Some messages cannot be cleared from the
display because they are more urgent. These
messages require action before they can be
removed from the DIC display. You should take
any messages that appear on the display seriously
and remember that clearing the messages will
only make the messages disappear, not correct
the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can
be displayed and some information about them.
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
On some vehicles, if the battery is not charging
during operation, this message will appear on the
DIC. Driving with this problem could drain the
battery. Have the electrical system checked
by your dealer as soon as possible. Pressing any
of the four DIC buttons will acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display. If your
vehicle does not have the four DIC buttons,
pressing the trip odometer reset stem will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. SeeBattery Warning Light on
page 253andVoltmeter Gage on page 253.
270

CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message is displayed when the engine oil
needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be sure to reset
the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message. See
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine) on
page 489,Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 486, andScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine) on page 617for more information.
CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE
On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the
generator and battery charging system, this
message will appear on the DIC, a chime will
sound, and the battery warning light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on. Driving with
this problem could drain the battery. Turn off all
unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Have
the electrical system checked by your dealer
immediately. SeeBattery Warning Light on
page 253andVoltmeter Gage on page 253for
more information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
If your vehicle has an oil level sensor, and the oil
level in the vehicle is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. Check the oil level and correct
it as necessary. You may need to let the vehicle
cool or warm up and cycle the ignition to be
sure this message will clear. Once the problem is
corrected, pressing any of the four DIC buttons
will acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the
four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset
stem will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline
Engine) on page 486for additional information.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
If the washer uid level is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. SeeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 516. Adding washer uid to the
windshield washer reservoir will clear the
message. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons
will acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the
four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset
stem will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display.
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FUEL LEVEL LOW
If the fuel level is low, this message will appear on
the DIC and you will hear a chime. Refuel as
soon as possible. Pressing any of the four DIC
buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it
from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not
have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip
odometer reset stem will acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display. See
Low Fuel Warning Light on page 265,Fuel
Gage on page 264, andFuel on page 470.
KEYFOB X BATTERY LOW
If a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
battery is low, this message will appear on the
DIC. The battery needs to be replaced in the
transmitter. See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 117. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons
will acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the
four DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset
stem will acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR (Crew Cab)
If the driver’s side rear door is not fully closed, this
message will appear on the display and you will
hear a chime. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check
the door for obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message still appears
on the DIC. Pressing any of the four DIC
buttons will acknowledge the message and clear it
from the DIC display. If your vehicle does not
have the four DIC buttons, pressing the trip
odometer reset stem will acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display.
LOW COOLANT LEVEL
Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty. See “Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode” in the Index for information
on driving to a safe place in an emergency.
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SERVICE BRAKE BOOSTER
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the SERVICE BRAKE
BOOSTER message is displayed.
If the brake system warning light is also
on, you should have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 254.
If the brake system warning light is not
on, you still have brakes, but the
supplemental brake assist system on
vehicles with rear disc brakes may not
operate properly. In the event of a vacuum
loss, you may not have vacuum power
assist for braking. The brake pedal will be
harder to push and it will take longer to
stop. If you continue to drive with this
message displayed it can lead to a crash.
Have the brake system serviced as soon
as possible.If your vehicle has vacuum assist power brakes,
this message will be displayed on the DIC
when there is a problem with the Supplemental
Brake Assist system. If the message is displayed
immediately after starting the vehicle or the
message appears while driving, the Supplemental
Brake Assist system needs service. See your
dealer. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 254for additional information.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
If there is a problem with the brake system, this
message will be displayed on the DIC. If this
message appears, stop as soon as possible and
turn off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and
check for the message on the DIC display. If the
message is still displayed or appears again
when you begin driving, the brake system needs
service. See your dealer.
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SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM
On some vehicles, if there is a problem with the
battery charging system, this message will appear
on the DIC. Under certain conditions, the battery
warning light may also turn on in the instrument
panel cluster. SeeBattery Warning Light on
page 253. The battery will not be charging at an
optimal rate and the vehicle will lose the ability
to enter the fuel economy mode. The vehicle
is safe to drive, however you should have
the electrical system checked by your dealer.
Pressing any of the four DIC buttons will
acknowledge the message and clear it from the
DIC display. If your vehicle does not have the four
DIC buttons, pressing the trip odometer reset
stem will acknowledge the message and clear it
from the DIC display.
TIGHTEN FUEL CAP
If the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly,
this message may appear along with the check
engine light on the instrument panel. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 258. Fully
reinstall the fuel cap. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 474. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn the
light and message off.
TRACTION ACTIVE
When the traction control system had detected
that any of the vehicle’s wheels are slipping,
the traction control system will activate and this
message will appear on the DIC. For more
information, seeTraction Assist System (TAS) on
page 363.
279

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your
vehicle go where you want it to go. They are
the brakes, the steering, and the accelerator.
All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Assist System (TAS) on page 363.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 468.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 254.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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