heating GMC SIERRA DENALI 2018 Owners Manual

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
20 In Brief
Climate Controls These systems control the heating, cooling, and ventilation.
For an eAssist vehicle, see the Silverado/Sierra eAssist supplement.
Climate Control System (with Heater Only)
1. Fan Control
2. Air Recirculation
3. Air Delivery Mode Control 4. Defrost
5. TEMP (Temperature Control)

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
130 Instruments and Controls
o or
p : Press to go to the
previous or next menu option.
w or
x : Press to go to the next or
previous selection.
V : Press to select a highlighted
menu option.
The favorite and volume switches
are on the back of the steering
wheel.
1. Favorite: When on a radio
source, press to select the next
or previous favorite. When on a
media source, press to select
the next or previous track. 2. Volume: Press to increase or
decrease the volume.
Heated Steering Wheel
( (Heated Steering Wheel, If
Equipped) : Press to turn it on or
off. A light next to the button
displays when the feature is
turned on.
The steering wheel takes about
three minutes to start heating. Horn To sound the horn, press
a on the
steering wheel.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper control is on
the turn signal lever.
The windshield wipers are controlled
by turning the band with
z on it.
1 : Fast wipes.
w : Slow wipes.
3 INT : Turn the band up for more
frequent wipes or down for less
frequent wipes.
OFF : Turns the windshield
wipers off.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Instruments and Controls 145
Transmission
Temperature Gauge
Metric Standard Theme English Standard Theme
This gauge appears when the
vehicle is in Tow/Haul Mode and
shows the transmission fluid
temperature. If the gauge is reading
in the red area and/or a message
appears in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the vehicle must be
stopped and the cause checked.
One possible cause is a low fluid
level in the transmission. CautionDo not drive the vehicle while the
transmission fluid is overheating,
or the transmission can be
damaged. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be
covered by the warranty.
Voltmeter Gauge
Standard Theme
When the ignition is on, this gauge
indicates the battery voltage.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Instruments and Controls 155This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off.
If StabiliTrak and TCS are off, the
system does not assist in controlling
the vehicle. Turn on the TCS and
the StabiliTrak systems, and the
warning light turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 282 .
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off. If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak
system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may display. Check the
DIC messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning
and whether the vehicle requires
service.
If the light is on and flashing, the
TCS and/or the StabiliTrak system
is actively working.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 282 .
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light goes off.
CautionThe engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving
with this light on can damage the
engine and it may not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. See
Engine Overheating 0 363 .
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating 0 363 .

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
224 Climate Controls
Climate Controls Climate Control Systems Climate Control Systems (with
Heater Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Climate Control Systems (with
Air Conditioning) . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Dual Automatic Climate
Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Air Vents Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Maintenance Passenger Compartment Air
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 Climate Control Systems Climate Control Systems (with Heater Only) With this system, the heating and ventilation can be controlled.
1. Fan Control
2. Air Recirculation
3. Air Delivery Mode Controls
4. Defrost
5. TEMP (Temperature Control) TEMP : Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the temperature inside the
vehicle.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
226 Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems (with Air Conditioning) With this system the heating, cooling, and ventilation can be controlled.
1. Fan Control
2. A/C (Air Conditioning)
3. Air Delivery Mode Controls
4. Defrost
5. TEMP (Temperature Control) 6.
K (Rear Window Defogger, If
Equipped)
f (Outside Heated Mirror, If
Equipped)
8 (Outside Air, If Equipped)
7.
@ Air Recirculation TEMP : Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the temperature inside the
vehicle.
9 : Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Turn the
knob all the way counterclockwise
to turn the fan off.
Air Delivery Mode Controls :
Press
Y ,
\ ,
[ , or
- to change
the direction of the airflow. An
indicator light comes on in the
selected mode button.
Y : Air is directed to the instrument
panel outlets.
\ : Air is divided between the
instrument panel and floor outlets.
[ : Air is directed to the floor
outlets, with some air directed to the
windshield and side window outlets.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
228 Climate Controls
Dual Automatic Climate Control System With this system the heating, cooling, and ventilation in the vehicle can be
controlled.
For an eAssist vehicle, see the Silverado/Sierra eAssist supplement.
1. Driver Temperature Control
2. A/C (Air Conditioning)
3. Air Delivery Mode Controls
4. Fan Control
5. Defrost
6. Passenger Temperature
Control 7. SYNC (Synchronized
Temperature)
8. Rear Window Defogger
9. Power Button
10. Air Recirculation
11. AUTO (Automatic Operation) Automatic Operation
The system automatically controls
the fan speed, air delivery, air
conditioning, and recirculation in
order to heat or cool the vehicle to
the desired temperature.
When the indicator light is on, the
system is in full automatic operation.
If the air delivery mode or fan
setting is manually adjusted, the
auto indicator turns off and displays
will show the selected settings.
To place the system in
automatic mode:
1. Press AUTO.
2. Set the driver and passenger
temperature.
To find your comfort setting,
start with 22 °C (72 °F) and
allow the system time to
stabilize. Then adjust the
temperature as needed for best
comfort.
To improve fuel efficiency and to
cool the vehicle faster, recirculation
may be automatically selected in
warm weather.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Driving and Operating 245
Hill and Mountain Roads Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.
Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.
Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.
Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{ WarningUsing the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope. { WarningCoasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering assist. Always
have the engine running and the
vehicle in gear.
.
Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
.
Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
.
Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action. Winter Driving Driving on Snow or Ice Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.
Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
.
Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0 282 .
.
The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0 280 .

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
Driving and Operating 261To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater 1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The cord is
secured to the driver side
fender with a clip, next to the
engine compartment fuse
block. Carefully remove the
wire tie that bundles the
electrical plug. Do not cut the
electrical cord.
Check the heater cord for
damage. If it is damaged, do
not use it. See your dealer for
a replacement. Inspect the
cord for damage yearly.
3. Plug the cord into a normal,
grounded 110-volt AC outlet. { WarningImproper use of the heater cord
or an extension cord can damage
the cord and may result in
overheating and fire.
.
Plug the cord into a
three-prong electrical utility
receptacle that is protected
by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded
outlet could cause an
electric shock.
.
Use a weatherproof,
heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated
extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the
recommended extension
cord in good operating
condition, or using a
damaged heater or
extension cord, could make
(Continued) Warning (Continued) it overheat and cause a fire,
property damage, electric
shock, and injury.
.
Do not operate the vehicle
with the heater cord
permanently attached to the
vehicle. Possible heater
cord and thermostat
damage could occur.
.
While in use, do not let the
heater cord touch vehicle
parts or sharp edges. Never
close the hood on the
heater cord.
.
Before starting the vehicle,
unplug the cord, reattach
the cover to the plug, and
securely fasten the cord.
Keep the cord away from
any moving parts.
4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-11349177) - 2018 - CRC - 10/17/17
284 Driving and Operating CautionDo not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g . The traction off light
idisplays in the instrument cluster.
The appropriate message will
display in the DIC. To turn TCS on
again, press and release
g . The
traction off light
i displayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
gis pressed, the system will not turn
off until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold
g until the traction
off light
i and the StabiliTrak OFF
light
g come on and stay on in the
instrument cluster, then release. The
appropriate message will display in
the DIC. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release
g . The
traction off light
i and the
StabiliTrak OFF light
g in the
instrument cluster turn off.
StabiliTrak will automatically turn on
if the vehicle exceeds 56 km/h
(35 mph). Traction control will
remain off.
The vehicle has a Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) feature and a Hill
Start Assist (HSA) feature.
See Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
0 334 or Hill Start Assist (HSA)
0 282 .
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 343 .
Hill Descent
Control (HDC) If equipped, Hill Descent Control
(HDC) sets and maintains vehicle
speed while driving down steep grades in a forward or reverse gear.
The HDC switch is on the center
stack, below the climate controls.
Press
5 to enable or disable HDC.
Vehicle speed must be below
50 km/h (31 mph).
When enabled, the HDC light
displays on the instrument cluster.
A blinking HDC light indicates the
system is actively applying the
brakes to maintain vehicle speed.
HDC can maintain vehicle speeds
between 1 and 30 km/h (1 and
19 mph) on grades greater than or
equal to 10%.
If HDC is to be used for more than
three minutes or on grades steeper
than 25%, the transfer case should
be put into Four-Wheel Drive Low
(4
n ) to reduce the possibility of
brake overheating.