tow GMC SIERRA DENALI 2003 User Guide

DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off-road
driving. You may want to shift the transmission to
THIRD
(3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
THIRD
(3): This position is also used for normal driving,
however it offers more power and lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D).
SECOND
(2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND
(2) on
hills. It can help control your speed as you go down
steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to
use your brakes occasionally.
If you manually select SECOND
(2), the transmission
will drive in second gear. You may use this feature
for reducing the speed of the rear wheels when you are
trying to start your vehicle from a stop on slippery
road surfaces. FIRST
(1): This position
gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND
(2). You
can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle
is moving forward, the transmission won’t shift into first
gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice: If your rear wheels won’t turn, don’t try to
drive. This might happen
if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold your
vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal.
This could overheat and damage the transmission.
Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P) to hold
your vehicle in position on a hill.
On cold days, approximately
32°F (OOC) or colder, your
transmission is designed to shift differently until the
engine reaches normal operating temperature. This is
intended to improve heater performance.
2-20

Tow/HauI Mode
Your vehicle may be equipped with a tow/haul mode.
The switch is located on the end of the column shift
lever. You can use this feature to assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load.
I
00
When tow/haul is activated
the tow/haul symbol will
illuminate
on the
instrument panel cluster.
See
Tow/Haul Mode under
Towing a Trailer on
page 4-51 for more
information.
All-Wheel Drive
With this feature, engine power is sent to all four wheels
all the time.
This is like four-wheel drive, but there is
no separate
lever or switch to engage or disengage the front axle. It
is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for
road conditions.
2-2 1

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
A chime will activate and the warning light will flash
when the parking brake is applied and the vehicle
is moving at least
3 mph (5 km/h) for at least three
seconds.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go
off.
Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can
cause your rear brakes
to overheat. You may have
to replace them, and you could also damage
other parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-51.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the bottom edge
of the lever, located
above the parking brake pedal, with the parking
brake symbol, to release the parking brake.
2-22

Shifting Into Park (P)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully
in PARK (P) with
the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t
move, even when you’re
on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow.
With four-wheel
drive, if your transfer case
is in NEUTRAL,
your vehicle will be free to roll, even if your
shift lever is in PARK (P).
So, be sure the
transfer case is
in a drive gear - not in
NEUTRAL. If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer’’
in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
set
the parking brake.
/ 1
I.
Pull the shift lever toward you.
2-23

Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is
in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully
in
PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running,
it could overheat and even catch fire.
You or others could be injured. Don’t leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK
(P) and the
parking brake
is firmly set before you leave it. After you
move the shift lever into PARK
(P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see
if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK
(P) without first pulling it
toward you.
If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
2-24

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have
to, here are some things to know.
Idling the engine with the climate control
system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust.’’
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan is at the highest setting. One place
this
can happen is a garage. Exhaust - with
CO
- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard. See
“Winter Driving’’ in the Index.
It can be d,,,gersus to b-. dt of your vehicle
if the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To
be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when
you’re on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-23.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer on
page 4-5 1.
2-27

Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration if one of the
following occurs:
After approximately five seconds, the display does
not show a compass heading
(N for North, for
example), there may be a strong magnetic field
interfering with the compass. Such interference may
be caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder or a similar magnetic item.
The compass does not display the correct heading
and the compass zone variance is set correctly.
In order to calibrate, CAL must be displayed in the
mirror compass windows.
If CAL is not displayed, push
the
on/off button for approximately 12 seconds or
until CAL is displayed.
The compass can be calibrated in one of two ways:
Drive the vehicle in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less
until the display reads a direction, or
@ drive the vehicle on your everyday routine and after
several turns the compass will become calibrated
and will display a direction.
Passenger Air Bag Indicator
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passenger air bag
indicator, on the mirror glass, just above the buttons.
If your vehicle has this feature, the mirror will display the
word
ON, or an air bag symbol in Canada, when the
passenger air bag is engaged. For more information,
see
Passenger Sensing System on page 1-68.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
2-30

Outside Power Mirrors
If your vehicle is equipped
with outside power mirrors,
the controls are located
on the driver’s door
armrest.
Move the selector switch located above the control pad
to the left or right to choose the mirror you want to
adjust, then press the dots located on the four-way
control pad to adjust the mirror.
The mirrors include ground illumination lamps (puddle
lamps) in the base of the mirror. For more information on
these lamps, see
Puddle Lamps under Exterior Lamps
on page 3-1
1.
The mirrors also include a memory function which works
in conjunction with the memory seats. See “Memory
Seats” in the Index for more information.
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors
If your vehicle is equipped with outside power foldaway
mirrors the mirrors can be folded in toward the body
of the vehicle.
To fold
in the mirrors, move the upper selector switch,
located above the mirror control, to the middle position.
Press the right side of the mirror control to fold the
mirrors toward the body
of the vehicle. The mirror glass
on one or both sides of the vehicle may automatically
adjust before the mirror folds inward. When the
mirror glass or mirror starts moving, you can release the
mirror control.
To return the mirrors and the mirror glass to their
normal position press the left side of the mirror control.
If the mirrors are manually folded, use the power
mirror control to return it to it’s original position.
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror
The driver’s outside mirror will adjust for the glare of any
headlamps behind you. This feature is controlled by
the on and
off settings on the electrochromic mirror. See
“Electrochromic Mirror Operation” under
Automatic
Dimming Rearview Mirror with Onstat? Compass and
Temperature Display on page
2-28.
2-3 1

Storage Areas
Glow Box
To open your glove box, pull the lever upward and pull
the door downward.
Cupholder(s)
Your vehicle may be equipped with cupholders for the
front and rear seat passengers, located in the center
console and on the rear of the center console storage
area.
To use the front cupholders press down on
the raised area
of the access door. Close the door by
pushing it all the way down until it locks back into place.
To access the rear cupholders, pull down on the door
located on the back of the console.
Center Console Storage Area
Your vehicle may be equipped with a console
compartment between the bucket seats.
To open it press the button on the side and swing the
console lid open.
Tonneau Cover
1. To remove, unsnap the
cover. Roll it up and
stow it using the buckle
and the strap located
at the front
of the box.
I \ I
2-39

Section 3 Instrument Panel
I~s~Pu~~~IP Panel OWWV~~W ............................... 3.2
Hazard Warning Flashers
................................ 3.3
Other Warning Devices ................................... 3.4
Horn
............................................................. 3.4
Tilt Wheel
..................................................... 3.4
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
......................... 3.5
Exterior Lamps
............................................. 3.11
Interior Lamps
.............................................. 3.15
Accessory Power Outlets
............................... 3.16
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
........................ 3.17
Climate Controls
............................................ 3.18
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
........... 3.18
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
............. 3.24
Instrument Panel Cluster
................................ 3.25
Speedometer and Odometer
........................... 3.26
Tachometer
................................................ -3-26
Safety Belt Reminder Light
............................. 3.26
Air Bag Readiness Light
................................ 3-27
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator
................. 3.30
Battery Warning Light
.................................... 3.33
Brake System Warning Light
.......................... 3.34
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
............. 3.35
Air
Bag
Off Light .......................................... 3-28
Voltmeter Gage
............................................ 3-33
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
..... ..... 3.36 Transmission Temperature
Gage
..................... 3.36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
............................. 3.38
Oil Pressure Gage
........................................ 3-40
Cruise Control Light
...................................... 3.41
Tow/Haul Mode Light
.................................... 3-41
Fuel Gage
................................................... 3.42
Driver Information Center (DIC)
....................... 3.43
DIC Operation and Displays
........................... 3.43
DIC Warnings and Messages
......................... 3.53
Audio System(s)
............................................. 3.61
Setting the Time
...................... .......... 3.6 1
Radio with Cassette and CD ..... .............. 3.62
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
............................. 3.76
CD Changer
................................................ 3-78
Theft-Deterrent Feature
................................. -3-81
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
....................... 3.81
Understanding Radio Reception
...................... 3-82
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
................ -3-83
Care of Your CDs
......................................... 3.84
Care of Your CD Player
................................ 3.84
Fixed Mast Antenna
...................................... 3.84
XMTM Satellite Radio Antenna System
............. 3.84
DAB Radio Antenna System
........................... 3.84
Low Fuel Warning Light
................................. 3-42