steering GMC SIERRA DENALI 2015 Owner's Manual

Black plate (27,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Instruments and Controls 5-27
Cruise Control Light
For vehicles with cruise control, the
cruise control light is white when the
cruise control is on and ready, and
turns green when the cruise control
is set and active.
The light turns off when the cruise
control is turned off. See Cruise
Control on page 9-52 . Door Ajar Light
This light comes on when a door is
open or not securely latched. Before
driving, check that all doors are
properly closed.
Information Displays Driver Information
Center (DIC) The DIC displays are shown in the
center of the instrument cluster in
the Info App. See Instrument Cluster
on page 5-9 . The displays show the
status of many vehicle systems. The
controls for the DIC are on the right
steering wheel control.
w or
x : Press to move up or
down in a list.

Black plate (38,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
5-38 Instruments and Controls If this happens, remove the object
from the seat or buckle the
safety belt.
If the driver or front outboard
passenger unbuckles their safety
belt while driving, the safety belt
reminder chime and light(s) will
come on. See Safety Belt
Reminders on page 5-15 .
SHIFTER UNLOCKED. BRAKE
TO SHIFT This message displays when the
Safety Belt Assurance System times
out and allows the vehicle to be
shifted out of P (Park) after
30 seconds following brake apply.
See “ Safety Belts ” and “ Child
Restraints ” in the Index for
information about the importance of
proper restraint use.
This system may not function
properly if the airbag readiness light
is on. See Airbag Readiness Light
on page 5-16 . Security Messages SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM This message displays when there
is a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. The vehicle may or may not
restart, so you may want to take the
vehicle to your dealer before turning
off the engine. See Immobilizer
Operation on page 2-13 .
Steering System
Messages STEERING ASSIST IS
REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE This message may display if a
problem occurs with the electric
power steering system. If this
message appears, steering effort
may be slightly higher than normal.
The vehicle is still safe to drive. Use
caution while in reduced assist
mode. If this message is persistent or appears repeatedly, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
See Steering on page 9-4 .
SERVICE POWER STEERING This message displays when there
is a problem with electric power
steering. Take the vehicle to your
dealer for service. See Steering on
page 9-4 .
Tire Messages SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
SYSTEM If equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays if a part on the
system is not working properly. The
tire pressure light also flashes and
then remains on during the same
ignition cycle. See Tire Pressure
Light on page 5-25 . Several
conditions may cause this message
to appear. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 10-62 .

Black plate (43,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Instruments and Controls 5-43Personalization Menus
The following list of menu items may
be available: .
Time and Date .
Language (Language) .
Valet Mode .
Teen Driver .
Radio .
Vehicle .
Bluetooth .
Voice .
Display .
Rear Camera .
Return to Factory Settings .
Software Information
Detailed information for each menu
follows.
Time and Date
Manually set the time and date. See
Clock on page 5-4 . Language (Language) Select Language, then select from
the available language(s).
The selected language will display
on the system, and voice
recognition will reflect the selected
language.
Valet Mode (If Equipped) This will lock the infotainment
system and steering wheel controls.
It may also limit top speed, power,
and access to vehicle storage
locations (if equipped).
To enable valet mode:
1. Enter a four-digit code on the
keypad.
2. Press Enter to go to the
confirmation screen.
3. Re-enter the four-digit code.
Press LOCK or UNLOCK to lock or
unlock the system. Press Back to go
back to the previous menu. Teen Driver (If Equipped) Press and the following may
display: .
View Report Card .
Manage Settings .
Change PIN .
Key Registration .
Clear All Teen Keys/PIN
View Report Card
This allows the driver ’ s driving
habits to be viewed. See “ Teen
Driver ” in “ Settings ” in the
infotainment manual.
Manage Settings
Press and the following may
display: .
Audio Volume Limit .
Teen Driver Speed Limiter .
Teen Driver Speed Warning

Black plate (1,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Lighting 6-1
Lighting Exterior Lighting Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Automatic Headlamp
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 6-4
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Auxiliary
Roof-Mounted Lamp . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Interior Lighting Instrument Panel Illumination
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Cargo Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Lighting Features Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Battery Load Management . . . . 6-8
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . 6-9
Exterior Lighting Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
O (Off): Turns off the automatic
headlamps and Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL). Turn the headlamp
control to the off position again to
turn the automatic headlamps or
DRL back on.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, off
will only work when the vehicle is in
P (Park).

Black plate (5,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Lighting 6-5one second will cause the turn
signals to flash until the lever is
released.
The lever returns to its starting
position whenever it is released.
If after signaling a turn or a lane
change the arrows flash rapidly or
do not come on, a signal bulb could
be burned out.
Replace any burned out bulbs. If a
bulb is not burned out, check the
fuse. See Fuses on page 10-41 .
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more
than 1.2 km (0.75 mi), a chime
sounds at each flash of the turn
signal. The message TURN
SIGNAL ON will also appear in the
Driver Information Center (DIC). To
turn the chime and message off,
move the turn signal lever to the off
position. Fog Lamps
The fog lamp control is on the
center of the exterior lamp control,
to the left of the steering column.
The ignition must be on for the fog
lamps to come on.
# (Fog Lamps): Press to turn the
fog lamps on or off. A light will come
on in the instrument cluster.
When the fog lamps are turned on,
the parking lamps automatically
turn on. When the headlamps are changed
to high beam, the fog lamps also go
off. When the high-beam headlamps
are turned off, the fog lamps will
come on again.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be on with
the fog lamps.
Auxiliary
Roof-Mounted Lamp If equipped, this button includes
wiring provisions for a dealer or a
qualified service center to install an
auxiliary roof lamp.
This button is on the overhead
console.

Black plate (6,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
6-6 Lighting When the wiring is connected to an
auxiliary roof-mounted lamp,
pressing the bottom of the button
will activate the lamp and illuminate
an indicator light at the bottom of
this button. Pressing the top of the
button will turn off the roof-mounted
lamp and indicator.
The emergency roof lamp circuit is
fused at 30 amps, so the total
current draw of the attached lamps
should be less than this value. The
attachment points for the roof lamp
circuits are two blunt cut wires
above the overhead console: a dark
green with blue stripe switched
power wire and a black ground wire.
For information on roof-mounted
emergency lamp installation, see
www.gmupfitter.com or contact your
dealer.
If the vehicle has this button, the
vehicle may have the snow plow
prep package. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment on page 9-88 .Interior Lighting Instrument Panel
Illumination Control
This feature controls the brightness
of the steering wheel and instrument
panel lights. The instrument panel
illumination control is next to the
exterior lamp control.
D (Instrument Panel
Illumination): Move the
thumbwheel up or down to brighten
or dim the lights. Cargo Lamp
The cargo lamp provides more light
in the cargo area or on the sides of
the vehicle, if needed. The lights
inside the pickup box and/or on the
outside rearview mirrors also turn
on, if equipped.
Press the switch down to turn the
cargo lamp on or off. An indicator
light will turn on when the lamp is
turned on, if equipped. The shift
lever must be in the P (Park)
position to operate the cargo lamp.
The lights on the outside rearview

Black plate (1,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating Driving Information Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 9-11
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-11
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-14
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Truck-Camper Loading
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Starting and Operating New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-23
Adjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-26 Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Active Fuel Management ®
. . . 9-32
Engine Exhaust Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Automatic Transmission Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-33
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Drive Systems Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Brakes Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-48 Ride Control Systems Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Hill Descent
Control (HDC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Cruise Control Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Driver Assistance Systems Driver Assistance
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Assistance Systems for
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Fuel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-63
California Fuel
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-64
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-64

Black plate (3,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Driving and Operating 9-3
{ WarningTaking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the infotainment section for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving Defensive driving means “ always
expect the unexpected. ” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the safety belt. See Safety Belts on
page 3-10 ..
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready. .
Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you. .
Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{ WarningDrinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious — or even
fatal — collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink. Control of a Vehicle Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include: .
Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you. .
Avoid needless heavy braking. .
Keep pace with traffic.

Black plate (4,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
9-4 Driving and Operating If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering Electric Power Steering (1500
Series) If the vehicle has electric power
steering, it does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort. See your dealer if
there is a problem. If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel, and is
held in that position for an extended
period of time, power steering assist
may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages under Steering System
Messages on page 5-38 .
Hydraulic Power Steering
(2500/3500 Series) If the vehicle has hydraulic power
steering, it may require
maintenance. See Power Steering
Fluid (1500 Series) on page 10-24
or Power Steering Fluid (2500/3500
Series) on page 10-24 . If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or a
system malfunctions, the vehicle
can be steered but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
{ CautionIf the steering wheel is turned
until it reaches the end of its
travel, and is held in that position
for more than 15 seconds,
damage may occur to the power
steering system and there may be
loss of power steering assist.
Curve Tips .
Take curves at a reasonable
speed. .
Reduce speed before entering a
curve. .
Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.

Black plate (5,1)GMC 2015i Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-8431500) - 2015 - crc - 6/20/14
Driving and Operating 9-5.
Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies .
There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking. .
Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand. .
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking. Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and
then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about
one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge. 3. Turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control Skidding There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems: .
Braking Skid — wheels are not
rolling. .
Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. .
Acceleration Skid — too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.