GMC 2010 GMC Sierra User manual

2010 GMC Sierra Owner Manual M
In Brief ............................................ 1-1
Instrument Panel ................................. 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-31
Seats and Restraint System ...................... 2-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Front Seats ....................................... 2-4
Rear Seats ...................................... 2-14
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-39
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-73
Restraint System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-93
Features and Controls ............................ 3-1
Keys ............................................. 3-3
Doors and Locks ................................. 3-9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Object Detection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-60
Universal Home Remote System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-69
Storage Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-75
Sunroof ......................................... 3-80

2010 GMC Sierra Owner Manual M
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 4-29
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-51
Audio System(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-84
Driving Your Vehicle .............................. 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Service and Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Service ........................................... 6-4
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Checking Things Under the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-48
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-50
Front Axle ....................................... 6-52
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-53
Headlamp Aiming ............................... 6-54
Bulb Replacement .............................. 6-57
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 6-63
Tires ............................................ 6-64
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-110
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-117
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-126
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Customer Assistance Information ............... 8-1
Customer Assistance and Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18
Index .................................... i-1

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, GMC, the
GMC Truck Emblem, and the name SIERRA are
registered trademarks of General Motors.
This manual describes features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or due to changes
subsequent to the printing of this owner manual. Please
refer to the purchase documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of the features found
on your vehicle. For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General Motors of Canada
Limited”for GMC Division wherever it appears in
this manual.
If the vehicle has the DURAMAX
®
Diesel engine, refer
to the DURAMAX
®
Diesel supplement for additional and
specific information on this engine.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.
Canadian Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this manual can be obtained
from your dealer/retailer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français
auprès du concessionnaire ou à l'adresse suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue française
www.helminc.com
Index
To quickly locate information about the vehicle, use the
index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list
of what is in the manual and the page number where it
can be found.
iii
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 25854759 A First Printing ©2009 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

Safety Warnings and Symbols
Warning messages found on vehicle labels and in this
manual describe hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Danger indicates a hazard with a high level of risk
which will result in serious injury or death.
Warning or Caution indicates a hazard that could result
in injury or death.
{WARNING:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
Notice: This means there is something that could
result in property or vehicle damage. This would
not be covered by the vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash
through it is a safety
symbol which means
“Do Not,” “Do not do this,”
or “Do not let this
happen.”
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information relating
to a specific component, control, message, gage,
or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
*:This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
iv

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
0:Adjustable Pedals
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar
®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_:Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
v

2NOTES
vi

Section 1 In Brief
Instrument Panel ................................... 1-2
Instrument Panel (Base/Uplevel Version) . . . . . . . . 1-2
Instrument Panel (Premium Version) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Initial Drive Information ........................... 1-6
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Windows ........................................ 1-8
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Safety Belt ..................................... 1-13
Sensing System for Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Mirror Adjustment .............................. 1-15
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Throttle and Brake Pedal Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Transmission .................................. 1-21
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Vehicle Features .................................. 1-24
Radio(s) ....................................... 1-24
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Bluetooth
®
..................................... 1-26
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-27
Cruise Control ................................. 1-28
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-29
Universal Remote System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
Sunroof ........................................ 1-30
Performance and Maintenance .................. 1-31
StabiliTrak
®
.................................... 1-31
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-32
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-33
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-34
OnStar
®
....................................... 1-34
1-1

Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel (Base/Uplevel Version)
1-2

A. Outlet Adjustment on page 4‑29.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 4‑4.
C. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 4‑51.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers on page 4‑3.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster on page 4‑30.
F. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transmission Operation
on page 3‑28 . Tow/Haul Selector Button
(If Equipped). See Tow/Haul Mode
on page 3‑34 .
Range Selection Mode (Allison Transmission and
Hydra-Matic
®
6‐Speed Button (If Equipped). See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 3‑28.
G. Audio System(s) on page 4‑84.
H. Instrument Panel Storage on page 3‑76.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
See Towing a Trailer on page 5‑50.
J. Exterior Lamps on page 4‑10.
K. Hood Release on page 6‑15.
L. Parking Brake on page 3‑50.
M. Dome Lamp Override
on page 4‑15 .Dome Lamps
on page 4‑14 .Fog Lamps on page 4‑13
(If Equipped).
N. Cruise Control on page 4‑7.
O. Tilt Wheel on page 4‑3.
P. Horn on page 4‑3.
Q. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 4‑145
(If Equipped).
R. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped).
See Four-Wheel Drive on page 3‑36.
S. Ashtray (If Equipped). See Ashtray(s) and
Cigarette Lighter on page 4‑18.
T. StabiliTrak
®
System on page 5‑6 (If Equipped).
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
on
page 3‑60
(If Equipped). Pedal Adjust Button
(If Equipped). See Adjustable Throttle and Brake
Pedal
on page 3‑26 . Heated Windshield Washer
Fluid Button (If Equipped). Windshield Washer
on
page 4‑6
.
U. Accessory Power Outlet(s) on page 4‑17.
V. Climate Control System (With Heater Only)
on
page 4‑18
or Climate Control System (With Air
Conditioning)
on page 4‑20 and Dual Automatic
Climate Control System on page 4‑22.
W. Power Take Off (PTO) Control (If Equipped).
See Power Take Off (PTO) in the Duramax Diesel
Supplement Index.
X. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped).
See Airbag Off Switch on page 2‑82.
Y. Glove Box on page 3‑75.
1-3

Instrument Panel (Premium Version)
1-4

A. Outlet Adjustment on page 4‑29.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 4‑4.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster on page 4‑30.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers
on page 4‑3 .
E. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transmission Operation
on page 3‑28 .
F. Tow/Haul Mode
on page 3‑34 (If Equipped).
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 4‑51.
H. Audio System(s) on page 4‑84.
I. Exterior Lamps on page 4‑10.
J. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped).
See Towing a Trailer on page 5‑50.
K. Dome Lamp Override
on page 4‑15 .Dome Lamps
on page 4‑14 .
L. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped).
See Four-Wheel Drive on page 3‑36.
M. Hood Release on page 6‑15.
N. Parking Brake on page 3‑50.
O. Cruise Control on page 4‑7.
P. Tilt Wheel on page 4‑3.
Q. Horn on page 4‑3.
R. Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 4‑145.
S. Climate Control System (With Heater Only)
on
page 4‑18
or Climate Control System (With Air
Conditioning)
on page 4‑20 or Dual Automatic
Climate Control System
on page 4‑22
(If Equipped).
T. Accessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 4‑17 .
Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). See Ashtray(s) and
Cigarette Lighter
on page 4‑18 .
U. StabiliTrak
®
System on page 5‑6 (If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button (If Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal
on page 3‑26 .Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA)
on page 3‑60
(If Equipped). Heated Windshield Washer Fluid
Button (If Equipped). See Windshield Washer
on
page 4‑6
.
V. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped).
See Airbag Off Switch on page 2‑82.
W. Glove Box on page 3‑75.
1-5

Initial Drive Information
This section provides a brief overview about some of
the important features that may or may not be on your
specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer to each of the
features which can be found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
The RKE transmitter is used to remotely lock and
unlock the doors from up to 60 m (195 feet) away from
the vehicle.
Press Kto unlock the
driver door. Press K
again within
three seconds to unlock
all remaining doors.
Press Qto lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can be personalized.
Press Land release to locate the vehicle.
Press Land hold for more than two seconds to sound
the panic alarm.
Press Lagain to cancel the panic alarm.
See Keys
on page 3‑3 and Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on page 3‑4.
1-6

Remote Vehicle Start
With this feature the engine can be started from outside
of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press Q.
3. Immediately after completing Step 2, press and
hold /until the turn signal lamps flash.
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn
on and remain on as long as the engine is running.
The doors will be locked and the climate control system
may come on.
The engine will continue to run for 10 minutes. Repeat
the steps for a 10-minute time extension. Remote start
can be extended only once.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press
and hold /until the parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Turn the ignition on and then back off.
See Remote Vehicle Start on page 3‑7.
Door Locks
There are several ways to lock and unlock the vehicle.
From outside, use the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter or the key in the driver door. From inside,
use the power door locks or the manual door locks.
To lock or unlock the door with the manual locks, push
down or pull up on the manual lock knob.
Power Door Locks
If available, these switches are located on the
front doors.
K:Press to unlock the doors.
Q:Remove the key from the ignition and press to
lock the doors.
For more information, see:
.Programmable Automatic Door Locks
on
page 3‑10
.
.Rear Door Security Locks on page 3‑10.
1-7

Windows
Turn the hand crank on each door to manually raise or
lower the manual windows.
Power Windows
Crew Cab Shown
If available, the power
window switches are
located on each of the
side doors in the front and
rear, if equipped.
The driver door has a switch for the passenger window
and rear windows as well.
Press the switch to lower the window. Pull the switch up
to raise it.
For more information, see:
.Windows on page 3‑14.
.Power Windows on page 3‑15.
Power Sliding Rear Window
On vehicles with a power
sliding rear window, the
switch is located in the
overhead console.
The power sliding rear window cannot be operated
manually. Push or pull the switch to open or close
the window.
1-8

Seat Adjustment
Front Seats
Manual Seats
If the vehicle has a manual seat, it can be moved
forward or rearward.
1. Lift the bar to unlock
the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the
desired position and
release the bar.
Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat
is locked in place.
See Manual Seats on page 2‑4.
Power Seats
If equipped, the power seat controls are located on the
outboard side of the front seats.
Move the seat forward or rearward by sliding the control
forward or rearward.
Raise or lower the front or rear part of the cushion by
moving the front or rear part of the control up or down.
Raise or lower the entire seat by moving the entire
control up or down.
See Power Seats on page 2‑5.
1-9

Manual Lumbar
If equipped, this control is
located on the outboard
side of the seat.
Increase or decrease lumbar support by turning the
knob forward or rearward.
Power Lumbar
If equipped, this control is located on the outboard side
of the seat.
1-10

On vehicles with two-way lumbar, press and hold
the top of the control to increase lumbar support.
To decrease, press and hold the bottom of the control.
On vehicles with four-way lumbar, press and hold
the front of the control to increase lumbar support.
To decrease, press and hold the rear of the control.
To raise the height of the support, press and hold the
top of the control. To lower, press and hold the bottom
of the control.
See Power Lumbar on page 2‑7.
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
If equipped, this control is located on the outboard side
of the seat.
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the recline lever.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, then
release the lever to lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is
locked.
See Reclining Seatbacks on page 2‑10.
1-11

Power Reclining Seatbacks
If available, this control is located on the outboard side
of the seat.
To recline the seatback, tilt the top of the control
rearward.
To bring the seatback forward, tilt the top of the control
forward.
See Reclining Seatbacks on page 2‑10.
Memory Features
This vehicle may have the memory package.
The controls for this
feature are located on the
driver door, and are used
to program and recall
memory settings for the
driver seat, outside
mirrors, and the
adjustable throttle and
brake pedal feature.
For more information, see Memory Seat, Mirrors, and
Pedals on page 2‑8.
1-12

Heated Seats
On vehicles with heated front seats, the controls are
located on the driver and passenger doors.
I:Press to heat the seatback only.
J:Press to heat the seat and seatback.
The light on the button will come on to indicate that the
feature is working. Press the button to cycle through the
temperature settings of high, medium, and low and to
turn the heat to the seat off. Indicator lights will show
the level of heat selected: three for high, two for
medium, and one for low.
See Heated Seats on page 2‑8.
Head Restraint Adjustment
Do not drive until the head restraints for all occupants
are installed and adjusted properly.
For more information see Head Restraints
on
page 2‑3
.
Safety Belt
Refer to the following sections for important information
on how to use safety belts properly.
.Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone on page 2‑16.
.How to Wear Safety Belts Properly on page 2‑21.
.Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 2‑30.
.Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
on page 2‑50 .
1-13

Sensing System for Passenger
Airbag
The passenger sensing system, if equipped, turns off
the right front passenger frontal airbag under certain
conditions. The driver airbags, seat‐mounted side
impact airbags and roof‐rail airbags are not affected
by this.
If the vehicle has one of the indicators pictured in the
following illustrations, then the vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the right front passenger position
unless there is an airbag off switch located in the
glove box.
If there is an airbag off switch, the vehicle does not
have a passenger sensing system. See Airbag Off
Switch
on page 2‑82 for more information.
The passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on
the overhead console when the vehicle is started.
United States Canada
See Passenger Sensing System
on page 2‑85 for
important information.
1-14