coolant temperature GMC SIERRA DENALI 2003 Owners Manual

Section 2 Features and Controls
Keys ............................................................... 2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System
......................... 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation
........... 2-4
Doors and Locks
............................................. 2-6
Door Locks
.................................................... 2-6
Power Door Locks
.......................................... 2-7
Rear Doors
................................................... 2-8
Tailgate
........................................................ 2-8
Windows
........................................................ 2-10
Power Windows
............................................ 2-11
Swing-Out Windows
...................................... 2-11
Sun Visors
................................................... 2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
.................................. 2.13
Content Theft-Deterrent
................................. 2.13
Passlock@
.................................................... 2.14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
................ 2.15
New Vehicle Break-In
.................................... 2.15
Ignition Positions
.......................................... 2.15
Starting Your Engine
..................................... 2.16
Engine Coolant Heater
.................................. 2.17
Automatic Transmission Operation
................... 2.18
All-Wheel Drive
............................................ 2-21
Parking Brake
.............................................. 2-22
Shifting Into Park
(P) ..................................... 2-23 Shifting
Out
of Park (P) ................................. 2-25
Parking Over Things That Burn
....................... 2-26
Engine Exhaust
............................................ 2-26
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked
.... 2-27
Mirrors
........................................................... 2-28
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStap, Compass and Temperature
Display
.................................................... 2-28
Outside Power Mirrors
................................... 2-31
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors
..................... 2-31
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror
.................. 2-31
Outside Curb View Assist Mirrors
.................... 2-32
Outside Convex Mirror
................................... 2-32
Outside Heated Mirrors
.................................. 2-32
Onstar@ System
............................................. 2-33
HomeLink@ Transmitter
................................... 2-35
Programming the HomeLink Transmitter
........... 2-35
Storage Areas
................................................ 2-39
Glove Box
................................................... 2-39
Cupholder(s)
................................................ 2-39
Center Console Storage Area
......................... 2-39
Tonneau Cover
............................................ 2-39
Vehicle Personalization
................................... 2-42
Memory Seat
............................................... 2-42
2- 1

When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0°F or -18"C), do this:
Engine Coolant Heater
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for five or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice: Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer.
If you don't, your engine
might not perform properly. In
very cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater
can help. You'll get
easier starting and better
fuel economy during
engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater
should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours
prior to starting your
vehicle.
At temperatures above
32°F (OOC), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
2-1 7

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The
cord is located on the driver’s side of the engine
compartment, near the power steering fluid
reservoir. If you have a diesel engine, refer to
diesel supplement for location.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 11 0-volt AC outlet.
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a fire. You could
be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong
11 0-volt AC outlet. If the cord
won’t reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug ana
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
that features an electronic shift position indicator
located within the instrument panel cluster. This display
is powered anytime the shift lever
is capable of being
moved out
of PARK (P). See Fuses and Circuit Breakers
on page
5-95.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK
(P): This position locks your wheels. It’s the
best position to use when you start your engine because
your vehicle can’t move easily.
2-1 8

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

2. Set the driver’s and passenger’s temperature.
To find your comfort setting, start with a
74°F
(23°C) temperature setting and allow about
20 minutes for the system to regulate. Turn the
driver’s or passenger’s side temperature knob
to adjust the temperature setting as necessary. If
you choose the temperature setting of
60°F
(15°C) the system will remain at the maximum
cooling setting. If you choose the temperature
setting of
90°F (32°C) the system will remain at the
maximum heat setting. Choosing either maximum
setting will not cause the vehicle to heat or cool any
faster.
Be careful not
to cover the sensor located on the
top of the instrument panel near the windshield.
This sensor regulates air temperature based on sun
load, and also turns on your headlamps.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the
system will delay turning on the fan until warm air
is available. The length of delay depends on
the engine coolant temperature. Pressing the fan switch will override this delay and change the fan
to
a selected speed.
Manual Operation
To change the current setting, select one of the
following:
A 8f? v (Fan): This button allows you to manually
adjust the fan speed. Press the up arrow
to increase fan
speed and the down arrow
to decrease fan speed.
4d (Mode): Press this button to manually change the
direction of the airflow in your vehicle; keep pressing the
button until the desired mode appears on the display.
If you press the mode button
to select an air delivery
mode, the display will change
to show you the selected
air mode delivery. The display will then show the
current status of the system. When the system is turned
off, the display will go blank after displaying the
current status
of the system.
f;’ (Vent): This mode directs air to the instrument
panel vents.
+2 (Bi-Level): This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel vents, then directs the remaining air
to
the floor vents. A little air is directed toward the
windshield and the side window vents. Cooler air is
directed
to the upper vents and warmer air to the floor
vents.
3-20

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage Transmission Temperature Gage
I I
United States
Canada
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
(1 00°C) or less. If you are pulling a load
or going up hills, it is normal for the temperature to
fluctuate and approach the 250°F (122°C) mark.
If the
gage reaches the 260°F
(1 25°C) mark, it indicates
that the cooling system is working beyond its capacity.
See
Engine Overheating on page 5-27.
United States Canada
Your vehicle may be equipped with a transmission
temperature gage.
When your ignition is on, the gage shows the
temperature of the transmission fluid. The normal
operating range is from 100°F (38°C)
to about
265°F
(1 30°C).
At approximately 265°F (13O"C), the message center
will display
a TRANSMISSION HOT message and
the transmission will enter
a transmission protection
mode. When the transmission enters the protection
mode, you may notice a change in the transmission
shifting patterns. The transmission will return to normal
shifting patterns when the transmission fluid temperature
falls below 260°F
(1 27°C).
3-36

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, When
to Change
under Engine Oil on page 5-13.
OIL LIFE RESET
This message will appear on the display for about 10
seconds after resetting the change engine oil message.
LOW COOLANT LEVEL
If the engine coolant level is low, this message will
appear on the DIC. Adding coolant will clear the
message.
ENGINE COOLANT HOT
If the cooling system temperature gets hot, this message
will appear in the DIC. Stop the vehicle and let the
engine idle in PARK (P) to allow the coolant to reach a
safe temperature. This message will clear when the
coolant temperature drops to safe operating
temperature.
ENGINE OVERHEATED
If the engine cooling system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation, this message will appear in
the DIC and you will hear a chime. Stop and turn
off
3-54
the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message will clear when the
engine has cooled to a safe operating temperature.
OIL PRESSURE LOW
If low oil pressure levels occur, this message will be
displayed on the DIC and a chime will sound. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible and do not operate
it until the cause of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER
This message is displayed when the cooling system
temperature gets too hot and the engine further enters
the engine coolant protection mode.
See
Engine Overheating on page 5-27 for further
information.
BATTERY NOT CHARGING
if the battery is not charging during operation, this
message will appear on the DIC. Driving with this
problem could drain your battery. Have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible. Pressing the
select button will acknowledge this message and clear it
from the DIC display.

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade.
If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE
(5). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD
(3) or, if necessary, a lower gear
selection
if the transmission shifts too often (e.g.,
under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).
You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode
if the
transmission shifts too often. See “Tow/Haul Mode”
earlier in this section.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes.
If you turn your
engine
off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar
to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine
off. If you do get
the overheat warning, see
Engine Overheating on
page
5-27.
Parking on Hills
m
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill.
If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK
(P) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-58

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL@ engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240
000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL@ extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on
page
5-27.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F ( -37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Notice: When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result.
In addition, the engine
coolant
will require change sooner -- at 30,000 miles
(50,000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs first.
Damage caused by the use
of coolant other
than DEX-COOL@ is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
5-24

Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
The coolant surge tank
pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant
surge tank.
Nofice: Your pressure cap is a pressure-type cap
and must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss
and possible engine damage from overheating. See “Capacities and Specifications” for more
information.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel. See
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
on page 3-36. In addition, you will
find a LOW COOLANT, ENGINE OVERHEATED and a
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message in the DIC on
the instrument panel. See
Driver lnformation Center
(DIC)
on page 3-43.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a
loss in power and engine performance.
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven to
a
safe place in an emergency. Driving extended miles (km)
and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode
should be avoided.
Nofice: After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil
life system. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index.
5-27