brakes GMC SIERRA DENALI 2004 Owner's Guide

What to Add
When you do need brake ¯uid, use only DOT-3 brake
¯uid. Use new brake ¯uid from a sealed container
only. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-13.
Always clean the brake ¯uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of ¯uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake
¯uid.
Notice:
·Using the wrong ¯uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system
parts so badly that they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in the wrong kind of
¯uid.
·If you spill brake ¯uid on your vehicle's painted
surfaces, the paint ®nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake ¯uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. See
Appearance
Care on page 5-96.
5-38

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal ®rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are ®rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque speci®cations.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
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.
5-39

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 Ð for example, when your brake linings
wear down and you need new ones put in Ð be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you do
not, 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 Ð for the worse. The braking
performance you have come to expect can change
in many other ways if someone puts in the wrong
replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelcožbattery. When it is time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. We recommend an ACDelco
ž
battery. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for 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.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (-) cable from the
battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
are not careful. See
Jump Starting on
page 5-41
for tips on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your
vehicle for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see
Theft-Deterrent
Feature on page 3-85.
5-40

(A) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter ªLTº as
the ®rst two characters in the tire size means a light
truck tire engineered to standards set by the U. S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is ª75,º as shown in item ªCº of
the illustration, it would mean that the tire's sidewall is
75% as high as it is wide.(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The
letter ªRº means radial ply construction; the letter ªDº
means diagonal or bias ply construction; and the
letter ªBº means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a tire.
The load index can range from 1 to 279. Speed ratings
range from ªAº to ªZº. The light truck tire size example
above shows dual or single tire con®gurations.Tire Terminology and De®nitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire's height to
its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials. Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
5-64

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on 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.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Don't use tire chains. There's not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle
without the proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes, suspension or
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause you to lose control 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 ®nd traction
devices that will ®t, install them on the
rear tires.
5-74

*1Ð Gasoline Engine and Diesel Engine.
*2Ð Gasoline Engine; ECMRPV Ð Diesel Engine.
*3Ð Gasoline Engine; FUEL HT Ð Diesel Engine.
*4Ð Gasoline Engine; ECM I Ð Diesel Engine.
*5Ð IGN/EDU
Fuses Usage
GLOW PLUGDiesel Glow Plugs and Intake
Air Heater
CUST FEED Gasoline Accessory Power
STUD #1Auxiliary Power (Single
Battery and Diesels Only)/
Dual Battery (TP2) Do not
install fuse.
MBECMid Bussed Electrical Center
Power Feed, Front Seats,
Right Doors
BLOWER Front Climate Control Fan
LBECLeft Bussed Electrical
Center, Door Modules,
Door Locks, Auxiliary Power
Outlet Ð Rear Cargo Area
and Instrument Panel
Fuses Usage
STUD 2Accessory Power/Trailer
Wiring Brake Feed
ABS Anti-Lock Brakes
VSES/ECAS Vehicle Stability
IGN A Ignition Power
IGN B Ignition Power
LBEC 1Left Bussed Electrical Center,
Left Doors, Truck Body
Controller, Flasher Module
TRL PARK Parking Lamps Trailer Wiring
RR PARKRight Rear Parking and
Sidemarker Lamps
LR PARKLeft Rear Parking and
Sidemarker Lamps
PARK LP Parking Lamps Relay
STARTER Starter Relay
INTPARK Interior Lamps
STOP LP Stoplamps
5-111

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you'll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-GMC-8782 (1-800-462-8782),
or write:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
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 speci®cations for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
7-11

Audio System(s).............................................3-64
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-85
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-87
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-88
Care of Your CDs........................................3-88
CD Changer...............................................3-82
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-88
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-88
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-79
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-65
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-80
Setting the Time..........................................3-64
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-85
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-86
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-88
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation..................2-32
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-13
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-18
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Backing Up....................................................4-66
Battery..........................................................5-40
BATTERY NOT CHARGING.............................3-58
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-5
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-18Battery Warning Light......................................3-35
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-38
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-18
Brake
Parking......................................................2-25
System Warning Light..................................3-37
Brake Adjustment............................................5-39
Brake Fluid....................................................5-36
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-39
Brake Wear...................................................5-39
Brakes..........................................................5-36
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
BUCKLE PASSENGER....................................3-58
BUCKLE SEATBELT.......................................3-58
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-49
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) and
Cargo Lamp............................................5-54
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime
Running Lamps........................................5-50
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-49
Headlamps.................................................5-49
Pickup Box Identi®cation and Fender
Marker Lamps.........................................5-55
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-57
Roof Marker Lamps.....................................5-52
Taillamps....................................................5-56
Buying New Tires...........................................5-70
2

Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-16
Passlock
ž...................................................2-17
TIGHTEN FUEL CAP......................................3-62
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-60
Tire Size.......................................................5-63
Tire Terminology and De®nitions........................5-64
Tires.............................................................5-59
Buying New Tires........................................5-70
Chains.......................................................5-74
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-76
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-75
In¯ation - Tire Pressure................................5-67
Inspection and Rotation................................5-68
Spare Tire..................................................5-95
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-71
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-72
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-73
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-69
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-21
Tonneau Cover...............................................2-43
Top Strap......................................................1-40
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-42
Torque Lock...................................................2-28
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires..................4-63
Tow/Haul Mode...............................................2-24
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-44Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-48
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-58
Your Vehicle...............................................4-48
Traction
Manual Selectable Ride................................. 4-9
TRACTION ACTIVE........................................3-63
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-57
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-64
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-69
Transfer Case................................................5-46
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-18
Temperature Gage.......................................3-39
TRANSMISSION HOT.....................................3-63
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-22
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Traveling to Remote Areas...............................4-20
Trip Information Button....................................3-47
Trip Odometer................................................3-29
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-55
Turn and Lane Change Signals.......................... 3-6
TURN SIGNAL ON.........................................3-63
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-66
Two-Tiered Loading.........................................4-54
14