brakes GMC SIERRA DENALI 2003 Owner's Guide

Brake Pedal Travel Battery
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together
if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts.
When you replace parts of your braking system -for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
need new ones put in
- be sure you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change
- for the
worse. The braking performance you’ve come to expect
can change in many other ways
if someone puts in the
wrong replacement brake parts. Your new
vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco@ battery. When it’s time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco@
battery. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page
5-12 for battery location.
Warning: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
5-42

Used Replacement Wheels
-
Putting a used wheel your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used
or how far
it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash.
If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new
GM original
equipment wheel.
I I
Tire Chains
Don’t use lire chains. There’s not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount sf clearance can cause damage to the brakes, suspension or
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the
CAUTION: (Continued) tire chains could cause
, -u to lose cc..-rol
of
your vehicle and you or others may be injured in
a crash. Use another type of traction device only
if its manufacturer recommends it for use on
your vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device
if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices
that will
fit, install them on the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air
goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out
slowly. But
if you should ever have a “blowout”, here are
a few tips about what to expect and what
to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot
off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
5-68

Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(1 66 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at
150,000 miles
(240
000 km) and 200,000 miles (332 000 km) should
be repeated at the same intervals after 150,000 miles
(240
000 km) and 200,000 miles (332 000 km) for the life
of this vehicle.
See
Part B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-10
and Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page
6- 14.
Footnotes
t The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle
's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page
6-15.
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication
Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the GM
Oil Life SystemTM (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Reset the system.
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message will
come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within
the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that,
it
you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life
system may not indicate that an
oil change is necessary
for over a year. However, your engine
oil and filter
must be changed at least once a year and at this time
the system must be reset. It
is also important to
check your oil regularly and keep
it at the proper level.
6-5

Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection
Every 12 months, or at engine oil change intervals,
check front axle and transfer case and add lubricant
when necessary.
A fluid loss could indicate a problem.
Check and have it repaired,
if needed. Check vent
hose at transfer case for kinks and proper installation.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc; Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. You may need to
have your brakes inspected more often if your driving
habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
6-1 5

Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specifications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$50.00
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1 -800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specifically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes
a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00
7-1 0

Audio Systems (cont.)
XMTM Satellite Radio Antenna System ............ 3-84
Automatic Headlamp System
............................ 3-1 2
Operation ................................................... 2-1 8
System Check
......................................... 6-12
Automatic
Transmission
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-21
Automatic Transmission Check
.......................... 6-1 1
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
B
Backing Up .................................................... 4-57
Battery
.......................................................... 5-42
Battery Replacement
......................................... 2-5
Battery Run-Down Protection ............................ 3-1 6
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
............................. 3-54
Battery Warning Light
...................................... 3-33
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
......................... 4-35
Body Lubrication Service
.................................. 6-1 1
Brake Parking
...................................................... 2-22
System Inspection
....................................... 6-1 5
System Warning Light .................................. 3-34
Brake Adjustment
............................................ 5-42
Brake Fluid
.................................................... 5-39
Brake Pedal Travel
......................................... 5-42
Brake Wear
.................................... ....... 5-41
Brakes
.......................................................... 5-39
Braking ........................................................... 4-6 Braking
in Emergencies
..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle
..................................... 2-15
Bulb Replacement
........................................... 5-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp
............................................ 5-56
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps
........................................ 5-53
Halogen Bulbs
............................................ 5-52
Headlamps
................................................. 5-52
Pickup Box Identification and Fender
Marker Lamps
......................................... 5-58
Replacement Bulbs
...................................... 5-59
Roof Marker Lamps
..................................... 5-54
Buying New Tires
........................................... 5-64
Taillamps
.................................................... 5-58
C
California Fuel .................................................. 5-6
Canada
........................................................... 7-4
Canadian Owners
................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specifications
.......................... 5-1 04
Car Washes for QUADRASTEERTM Equipped Vehicles
..................................................... 4-13
Carbon Monoxide
..................... 4-38, 4-51, 2-8, 2-26
Care of
Safety Belts
................................ ..... 5-88
Care
of Your
Cassette Tape Player
................................... 3-83
2

Taillamps ....................................................... 5-58
Temperature and Compass Display
.................... 2-28
Testing the Alarm
............................................ 2-14
Theft.Deterrent. Radio
..................................... 3-81
Theft-Deterrent Systems
................................... 2-1 3
Content Theft-Deterrent
................................ 2-1 3
Passlock@
................................................... 2-1 4
Tilt Wheel
........................................................ 3-4
Tire Inflation Check
......................................... 6-10
Tires
..................................................... 5.61. 5-90
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-64
Chains
....................................................... 5-68
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-69
If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-68
Inflation
- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-62
Inspection and Rotation
................................ 5-62
Spare Tire
.................................................. 5-85
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
......................... 5-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
................. 5-67
Wheel Replacement
..................................... 5-67
When It
Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-64
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater .................... 2-18
Tonneau Cover
............................................ 2-39
Top of the Instrument Panel
.......... ........ 5-87
Top Strap
...................................................... 1-40
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................... 1-41
Torque Lock
................................................... 2-25
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
.................. 4-55 Tow/Haul
Mode
............................................... 2-21
Tow/Haul Mode Light
....................................... 3-41
Towing Recreational Vehicle
..................................... 4-45
Towing a Trailer
.......................................... 4-51
Your Vehicle
............................................... 4-45
TRACTION ACTIVE
.................................... 3-58
Trailer Recommendations
....................................... 4-50
Trailer Brakes
................................................. 4-56
Trailer Wiring Harness
..................................... 4-60
Transfer Case
................................................ 5-49
Transmission Fluid, Automatic
.......................... ......... 5-21
Temperature Gage
....................................... 3-36
TRANSMISSION HOT
..................................... 3-59
Transmission Operation, Automatic
.................... 2-18
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual
............................................ 7-10
Transportation Options
...................................... 7-7
Trip Information Button
....................... ..... 3-44
Trip Odometer
................................................ 3-26
Truck-Camper Loading Information
.................... 4-48
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.......................... 3-5
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever ........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-57
Two-Tiered Loading
......................................... 4-47
TURN
SIGNAL ON
......................................... 3-56
14