2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Owners Manual - Vehicle Security

Vehicle Security

This vehicle has theft-deterrent features; however, they do not make the vehicle impossible to steal.

The indicator light, on the instrument panel near the windshield, indicates the status of the system.

Off : Alarm system is disarmed.

On Solid : Vehicle is secured during the delay to arm the system.

Fast Flash : Vehicle is unsecured. A door or the hood is open.

Slow Flash : Alarm system is armed.

Turn off the vehicle.

Lock the vehicle in one of two ways:

Use the RKE transmitter.

With a door open, press Q on the interior of the door.

After 30 seconds, the alarm system will arm and the indicator light will begin to slowly flash. Pressing Q on the RKE transmitter a second time will bypass the 30-second delay and immediately

arm the alarm system.

The vehicle alarm system will not arm if the doors are locked with the key.

If the driver door is opened without first unlocking with the RKE transmitter, the horn will chirp and the lights will flash to indicate pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not started,

or the door is not unlocked by pressing K on the RKE transmitter during the 10-second pre-alarm, the alarm will be activated.

The alarm will also be activated if a passenger door or the hood is opened without first disarming the system. When the alarm is activated, the turn signals flash and the horn sounds for about 30 seconds. The alarm system will then re-arm to monitor for the next unauthorized event.

To disarm the alarm system or turn off the alarm if it has been activated:

Press K on the RKE transmitter.

Start the vehicle.

To avoid setting off the alarm by mistake:

Lock the vehicle after all occupants have exited.

Always unlock a door with the RKE transmitter.

Unlocking the driver door with the key will not disarm the system or turn off the alarm.

If K is pressed on the RKE transmitter and the horn chirps three times, an alarm occurred previously while the alarm system was armed.

If the alarm has been activated, a message will appear on the DIC.

If equipped, the steering column lock is a theft-deterrent device. This feature locks the steering column when the vehicle is turned off and the driver door is opened, or when

the driver door is opened and then the vehicle is turned off. The steering column unlocks when the vehicle is turned on.

The Driver Information Center (DIC) may display one of these messages:

A message to service the steering column lock indicates that an issue has been detected with the column lock feature and the vehicle should be serviced.

A message that the steering column is locked indicates that the engine is running, but the steering column is still locked. It is normal for the column to be locked during a remote start, but the column should unlock after the brake pedal is pressed and the vehicle is started. No message will display during a remote start.

A message that the steering wheel must be turned and the vehicle must be started again indicates that the column lock mechanism is bound, the column locking device was unable to unlock the steering column, and the vehicle did not start.

If this happens, immediately turn the steering wheel from side to side to unbind the column lock. If this does not unlock the steering column, turn the vehicle off and open the driver door to

reset the system. Then turn the vehicle on and immediately turn the steering wheel side to side for about 15 seconds. In some cases, it may take significant force to unbind the column.

To keep the steering column from binding, straighten the front wheels before turning off the vehicle.

See Radio Frequency Statement 0 433.

This vehicle has a passive theft-deterrent system.

The system does not have to be manually armed or disarmed.

The vehicle is automatically immobilized when the vehicle is turned off.

The system is automatically disarmed when the ignition is turned from off to on.

The security light, in the instrument cluster, comes on if there is a problem with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.

The system has one or more RKE transmitters matched to an immobilizer control unit in your vehicle. Only a correctly matched RKE transmitter will start the vehicle. If the transmitter is ever damaged, you may not be able to start your vehicle.

When trying to start the vehicle, the security light may come on briefly when the ignition is turned on. If the engine does not start and the security light stays on, there is a problem with the system. Turn the ignition off and try again.

If the vehicle will not change ignition modes (ACC/ACCESSORY, on, off), and the RKE transmitter appears to be undamaged, try another transmitter. Or, you may try placing the transmitter in the transmitter pocket located in the center console. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation (Key Access) 0 10 or

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation (Keyless Access) 0 13.

If the ignition mode will not change with the other transmitter or with the transmitter in the transmitter pocket, your vehicle needs service. If the ignition does

change modes, the first transmitter may be faulty. See your dealer who can service the theft-deterrent system and have a new RKE transmitter programmed to the vehicle.

It is possible for the immobilizer system to learn new or replacement RKE transmitters. Up to eight transmitters can be programmed for the vehicle. To program additional transmitters, see "Programming Transmitters to the Vehicle" under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation (Key Access) 0 10 or

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation (Keyless Access) 0 13

Do not leave the transmitter or device that disarms or deactivates the vehicle theft system in the vehicle.

When equipped with a key, if the engine still does not start, and the key appears to be undamaged, try another ignition key.

It may be necessary to check the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers 0 351. If the engine still does not start with the other key, the vehicle needs service. If the vehicle does start, the first key may be faulty. See your dealer. It is possible for the immobilizer system to learn new or replacement keys. Up to eight keys can be programmed for the vehicle. To program

additional keys, see Keys (Key Access) 0 7 or Keys (Keyless Access) 0 9. Do not leave the key or device that disarms or deactivates the vehicle theft system in the vehicle.

See your dealer to get a new key blank cut exactly as the ignition key that operates the system.