transmission GMC SIERRA DENALI 2017 User Guide

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Instruments and Controls 157Speed Signs : Shows sign
information, which comes from a
roadway database in the onboard
navigation.
Following Distance : Used to
select the alert timing for the
Forward Collision Alert (FCA). See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0 308 .
Blank Page : Shows no
information.
Transmission Fluid Temperature
Gauge : Shows the temperature of
the automatic transmission fluid in
either degrees Celsius (°C) or
degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Off Road : Displays vehicle pitch
and roll information, road wheel
angle, and four-wheel drive (4WD)
status. Vehicle Messages Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing
V or the trip odometer
reset stem on the base cluster.
The messages that require
immediate action cannot be cleared
until that action is performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously and clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
The following are the possible
messages and some information
about them.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement. Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages BATTERY LOW START
VEHICLE When the vehicle ’ s battery is
severely discharged, this message
will display and four chimes will
sound. Start the vehicle
immediately. If the vehicle is not
started and the battery continues to
discharge, the climate controls,
heated seats, and audio systems
will shut off and the vehicle may
require a jump start. These systems
will function again after the vehicle
is started.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE This message displays when the
battery voltage drops below
expected levels and features are
disabled. Turn off all unnecessary
accessory features.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Instruments and Controls 159obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
HOOD OPEN This message displays and a chime
may sound if the hood is not fully
closed. Stop and turn off the
vehicle, check the hood for
obstructions, and close the hood
again. Check to see if the message
still appears on the DIC.
Engine Cooling System
Messages A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH
ENGINE TEMP This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
See Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge 0 138 . To avoid added strain
on a hot engine, the air conditioning
compressor automatically turns off.
When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor turns back
on. You can continue to drive your
vehicle. If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATING IDLE
ENGINE This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge 0 138 .
When towing, use Tow/Haul mode
to prevent damage to the engine or
transmission. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 288 .
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE This message displays and a chime
may sound if the engine cooling
system reaches unsafe
temperatures for operation. Stop
and turn off the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so to avoid severe
damage. This message clears when
the engine has cooled to a safe
operating temperature. Engine Oil Messages CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When you change the engine oil, be
sure to reset the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message. See Engine
Oil Life System 0 367 for
information on how to reset the
message.
See Engine Oil 0 364 and
Maintenance Schedule 0 455 .
ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL On some vehicles, this message
displays when the engine oil level
may be too low. Check the oil level
before filling to the recommended
level. If the oil is not low and this
message remains on, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
See Engine Oil 0 364 .
ENGINE OIL HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine oil becomes hotter than the
normal operating temperature. Stop

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
164 Instruments and Controls SERVICE POWER STEERING
(2500/3500 Series) This message displays when there
is a problem with the power steering
assist system. If this message
displays the vehicle can be driven
but should be repaired as soon as
possible. See your dealer. See
Steering 0 255 .
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 0 150 . Several conditions may
cause this message to appear. See
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 411 . If the warning comes on and
stays on, there may be a problem
with the TPMS. See your dealer. TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE If equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the system
is relearning the tire positions on
your vehicle. The tire positions must
be relearned after rotating the tires
or after replacing a tire or sensor.
See Tire Inspection 0 414 , Tire
Rotation 0 415 , Tire Pressure
Monitor System 0 410 , and Tire
Pressure 0 408 .
TIRE PRESSURE LOW ADD
AIR TO TIRE If equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the
vehicle's tires is low. This message
also displays with a vehicle picture
to indicate the location of the low
tire. The low tire pressure warning
light will also come on. See Tire
Pressure Light 0 150 . You can
receive more than one tire pressure
message at a time. If a tire pressure
message appears on the DIC, stop
as soon as you can. Have the tire
pressures checked and set to those shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Tires 0 400 ,
Vehicle Load Limits 0 265 , and Tire
Pressure 0 408 . The DIC also
shows the tire pressure values.
See Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level Cluster) 0 152 or Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel
and Denali Cluster) 0 154 .
Transmission Messages 4WD OFF If equipped with four-wheel drive,
this message displays when the
four-wheel-drive system is
temporarily disabled due to an
overheated condition. The vehicle
will run in two-wheel drive when this
message is present. Once the
four-wheel-drive system cools down,
the message turns off and the
four-wheel-drive system returns to
normal operation.
4WD SHIFT IN PROGRESS
This message will display while the
four-wheel-drive system is shifting.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Instruments and Controls 165FOR 4WD LOW SHIFT TO
NEUTRAL If a four-wheel drive shift into 4
n is
requested, and the vehicle speed is
correct, but the transmission is not
in N (Neutral), this message will
display until the transmission is
shifted to N (Neutral).
FOR 4WD LOW SLOW TO XXX If a four-wheel drive shift into 4
n is
requested, but the vehicle speed is
too high, this message will display
until the correct vehicle speed is
reached.
GRADE BRAKING ACTIVE This message displays when grade
braking has been activated while
driving on downhill grades. This
message will only appear the first
time the feature is activated in an
ignition cycle. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 288 , Automatic Transmission
0 283 , and Cruise Control 0 302 . GRADE BRAKING OFF This message displays when grade
braking has been disabled with the
Tow/Haul Mode button on the end of
the shift lever. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 288 , Automatic Transmission
0 283 , and Cruise Control 0 302 .
GRADE BRAKING ON This message displays when grade
braking has been enabled with the
Tow/Haul Mode button on the end of
the shift lever. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 288 , Automatic Transmission
0 283 , and Cruise Control 0 302 .
SERVICE 4WD If the vehicle has four-wheel drive,
this message may display if a
problem occurs with the
four-wheel-drive system. If this
message appears, stop as soon as
possible and turn off the vehicle.
Make sure the key is in the LOCK/
OFF position for at least
one minute, then restart the vehicle
and check for the message on the
DIC display. If the message is still
displayed or appears again when you begin driving, the
four-wheel-drive system needs
service. See your dealer.
SHIFT DENIED This message displays when the
shift lever is in L (Manual Mode) and
a transmission range has been
selected that is unavailable at the
current vehicle speed.
TO EXIT 4WD LOW SHIFT TO
NEUTRAL If a four-wheel drive shift out of 4
n is
requested, and the vehicle speed is
correct, but the transmission is not
in N (Neutral), this message will
display until the transmission is
shifted to N (Neutral).
TO EXIT 4WD LOW SLOW
TO XXX
If a four-wheel drive shift out of 4
n is
requested, but the vehicle speed is
too high, this message will display
until the correct vehicle speed is
reached.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
166 Instruments and Controls TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE This message displays and a chime
may sound if the transmission fluid
in the vehicle gets hot. Driving with
the transmission fluid temperature
high can cause damage to the
vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it
idle to allow the transmission to
cool. This message clears and the
chime stops when the fluid
temperature reaches a safe level.
When towing, use Tow/Haul Mode
to prevent damage to the engine or
transmission. See Tow/Haul Mode
0 288 .
VEHICLE IN 4WD LOW This message will display if the
vehicle is driven in 4
n for about
10 minutes above 72 km/h (45 mph). Vehicle Reminder
Messages CHECK TRAILER WIRING On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message may display and a
chime may sound when one of the
following conditions exists:
.
A trailer with electric brakes
becomes disconnected from the
vehicle.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is stopped, this
message clears itself after a
short time.
‐ If the disconnect occurs while
the vehicle is moving, this
message stays on until the
ignition is turned off.
.
There is a short in the wiring to
the electric trailer brakes.
When this message displays, power
is no longer available to the trailer
brakes. As soon as it is safe to do so,
carefully pull the vehicle over to the
side of the road and turn the ignition
off. Check the wiring connection to
the trailer and turn the ignition back
on. This message clears if the trailer
is reconnected. This message also
clears if you acknowledge it. If this
message still displays, either the
vehicle or the trailer needs service.
See your dealer.
See “ Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System ” under Towing
Equipment 0 340 .
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE This message displays when ice
conditions are possible.
TRAILER CONNECTED On vehicles with the Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system,
this message displays briefly when
a trailer with electric or electric over
hydraulic brakes is first connected
to the vehicle.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Instruments and Controls 175Make sure the hand-held transmitter
has a new battery for quick and
accurate transmission of the
radio-frequency signal.
Programming the Universal
Remote System For questions or help programming
the Universal Remote system, call
1-800-355-3515 or see
www.homelink.com.
Programming involves
time-sensitive actions, and may time
out causing the procedure to be
repeated.
To program up to three devices:
1. Hold the end of the hand-held
transmitter about 3 to 8 cm (1
to 3 in) away from the
Universal Remote system
buttons with the indicator light
in view. The hand-held
transmitter was supplied by the
manufacturer of the garage
door opener receiver.
2. At the same time, press and
hold both the hand-held
transmitter button and one of
the three Universal Remote system buttons to be used to
operate the garage door. Do
not release either button until
the indicator light goes from a
slow to a rapid flashing light.
Then release both buttons.
Some garage door openers
may require substitution of
Step 2 with the procedure
under “ Radio Signals for
Canada and Some Gate
Operators ” later in this section.
3. Press and hold the newly
programmed Universal Remote
system button for five seconds
while watching the indicator
light and garage door
activation.
.
If the indicator light stays on
continuously or the garage
door moves when the
button is pressed, then
programming is complete.
There is no need to
complete Steps 4 – 6.
.
If the indicator light does
not come on or the garage
door does not move, a
second button press may be required. For a second
time, press and hold the
newly programmed button
for five seconds. If the light
stays on or the garage door
moves, programming is
complete.
.
If the indicator light blinks
rapidly for two seconds,
then changes to a solid light
and the garage door does
not move, continue with
programming Steps 4 – 6.
Learn or Smart Button
4. After completing Steps 1 – 3,
locate the Learn or Smart
button inside the garage on the
garage door opener receiver.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
176 Instruments and Controls The name and color of the
button may vary by
manufacturer.
5. Press and release the Learn or
Smart button. Step 6 must be
completed within 30 seconds of
pressing this button.
6. Inside the vehicle, press and
hold the newly programmed
Universal Remote system
button for two seconds and
then release it. If the garage
door does not move or the
lamp on the garage door
opener receiver does not flash,
press and hold the same
button a second time for
two seconds, then release it.
Again, if the door does not
move or the garage door lamp
does not flash, press and hold
the same button a third time for
two seconds, then release it.
The Universal Remote system
should now activate the
garage door.
Repeat the process for
programming the two remaining
buttons. Radio Signals for Canada and
Some Gate Operators For questions or programming help,
call 1-800-355-3515 or see
www.homelink.com.
Canadian radio-frequency laws and
some U.S. gate operators require
transmitter signals to time out or quit
after several seconds of
transmission. This may not be long
enough for the Universal Remote
system to pick up the signal during
programming.
If the programming did not work,
replace Step 2 under “ Programming
the Universal Remote System ” with
the following:
Press and hold the Universal
Remote system button while
pressing and releasing the
hand-held transmitter button every
two seconds until the signal has
been successfully accepted by the
Universal Remote system. The
Universal Remote system indicator
light will flash slowly at first and then
rapidly. Proceed with Step 3 under
“ Programming the Universal Remote
System ” to complete. Universal Remote System
Operation Using the Universal Remote
System Press and hold the appropriate
Universal Remote system button for
at least one-half second. The
indicator light will come on while the
signal is being transmitted.
Erasing Universal Remote
System Buttons Erase all programmed buttons when
vehicle ownership is terminated.
To erase:
1. Press and hold the two outside
buttons until the indicator light
begins to flash. This should
take about 10 seconds.
2. Release both buttons.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Lighting 181When the high-beam headlamps are
on, this indicator light on the
instrument cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass This feature lets you use the
high-beam headlamps to signal a
driver in front of you that you want
to pass. It works even if the
headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever
toward you, then release it.
If the headlamps are in the
automatic position or on low beam,
the high-beam headlamps will turn
on. Depending on the type of
headlamp, they will either turn off
after a short duration or stay on as
long as you hold the lever toward
you. The high-beam indicator on the
instrument cluster will come on.
Release the lever to return to
normal operation. Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) DRL can make it easier for others to
see the front of the vehicle during
the day. Fully functional DRL are
required on all vehicles first sold in
Canada.
The DRL system comes on when
the following conditions are met:
.
The ignition is on.
.
The exterior lamp control is
in AUTO.
.
The transmission is not in
P (Park).
.
The light sensor determines it is
daytime.
When the DRL system is on, only
the DRL are on. The taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, instrument panel
lights, and other lamps will not
be on.
When it begins to get dark, the
automatic headlamp system
switches from DRL to the
headlamps. To turn off the DRL, turn the exterior
lamp control to
O and then release.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, off
will only work when the vehicle is
parked.
Automatic Headlamp
System When the exterior lamp control is
set to AUTO and it is dark enough
outside, the headlamps come on
automatically.
There is a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel. Do not cover the
sensor, otherwise the headlamps
will come on when they are not
needed.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
252 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating Driving Information Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Off-Road Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 261
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 262
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 264
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Truck-Camper Loading
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Starting and Operating New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 273
Adjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 278
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 281
Engine Exhaust Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Automatic Transmission Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 283
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Drive Systems Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Brakes Antilock Brake
System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 298
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299 Hill Descent Control (HDC) . . . 301
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Cruise Control Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Driver Assistance Systems Driver Assistance Systems . . . 305
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 306
Assistance Systems for
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) (2500/3500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) (1500
Series) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Fuel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
California Fuel
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 316
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-9955992) - 2017 - crc - 4/18/17
Driving and Operating 259
{ WarningDriving to the top of a hill at high
speed can cause an accident.
There could be a drop-off,
embankment, cliff, or even
another vehicle. You could be
seriously injured or killed. As you
near the top of a hill, slow down
and stay alert.
.
Never go downhill forward or
backward with either the
transmission or transfer case in
N (Neutral). The brakes could
overheat and you could lose
control.
{ Warning
If the vehicle has the two ‐ speed
automatic transfer case, shifting
the transfer case to N (Neutral)
can cause your vehicle to roll
even if the transmission is in
P (Park). This is because the
N (Neutral) position on the
(Continued) Warning (Continued) transfer case overrides the
transmission. You or someone
else could be injured. If leaving
the vehicle, set the parking brake
and shift the transmission to
P (Park). Shift the transfer case to
any position but N (Neutral).
.
When driving down a hill, keep
the vehicle headed straight
down. Use a low gear because
the engine will work with the
brakes to slow the vehicle and
help keep the vehicle under
control.
{ Warning
Heavy braking when going down
a hill can cause your brakes to
overheat and fade. This could
cause loss of control and you or
others could be injured or killed.
Apply the brakes lightly when
(Continued) Warning (Continued) descending a hill and use a low
gear to keep vehicle speed under
control.
If the vehicle stalls on a hill:
1. Apply the brakes to stop the
vehicle, and then apply the
parking brake.
2. Shift into P (Park) and then
restart the engine.
.
If driving uphill when the
vehicle stalls, shift to
R (Reverse), release the
parking brake, and back
straight down.
.
Never try to turn the vehicle
around. If the hill is steep
enough to stall the vehicle,
it is steep enough to cause
it to roll over.
.
If you cannot make it up the
hill, back straight down
the hill.