2023 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 HD Lightning Instruction Guide

The 2023 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 HD Lightning is a huge step forward in the history of heavy-duty trucks. It combines the tough, workhorse capabilities of the Sierra Denali 3500 HD with the Lightning’s electrifying power and economy. This amazing combination of strength and environmental friendliness is made possible by a cutting-edge all-electric powertrain that provides amazing performance, with up to 1,000 horsepower and an amazing 11,500 lb-ft of torque, towing heavy loads with ease while releasing no emissions. The flexible design of the Sierra Denali 3500 HD Lightning includes four-wheel steering, CrabWalk mode for easier maneuverability, and Extract mode to raise the suspension for off-road activities. It can go about 350 miles on a single charge and offers fast-charging technology so that it can be fully charged quickly. This revolutionary electric truck changes what heavy-duty vehicles can do and sets a new standard for environmentally friendly, high-performance transportation. It also shows GMC’s dedication to innovation and sustainability in the auto business.

Exterior Lighting

Exterior Lamp Controls

The exterior lamp control is on the turn signal lever.
Turn the control to the following positions:
Turns off the exterior lamps and deactivate AUTO mode. The knob returns to the AUTO position after it is released. Turn to again to reactivate AUTO mode.

For vehicles first sold in Canada, the headlamps will automatically reactivate when the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).

AUTO: Automatically turns the exterior lamps on and off, depending on outside lighting.
Turns on all lamps, except the headlamps.

Turns on the headlamps, parking lamps, and instrument panel lights.

IntellBeam System

• This system turns the high-beam headlamps on and off according to surrounding traffic conditions.
• The system turns the high-beam headlamps on when it is dark enough and there is no other traffic present.
• This light appears in the instrument cluster when the IntellBeam system is enabled.

Turning On and Enabling IntellBeam 

To enable the Bintelli Beam system, press the button on the end of the turn signal lever when the exterior lamp control is in the AUTO or position.

Driving with IntelliBeam

• The system only activates the high beams when driving over 40 km/h (25 mph). The blue high-beam on light appears on the instrument cluster when the high beams are on.
• There is a sensor near the top center of the windshield that automatically controls the system. Keep this area of the windshield clear of debris to allow for best system performance.
• The high-beam headlamps remain on, under automatic control, until one of the following situations occurs:
• The system detects an approaching vehicle’s headlamps.
• The system detects a preceding vehicle’s taillamps.
• The outside light is bright enough that high-beam headlamps are not required.
• The vehicle speed drops below 20 km/h (12 mph).
• The IntellBeam system is disabled by the button on the turn signal lever. If this happens, press the button on the end of the turn signal lever when the exterior lamp control is in the AUTO or position. The instrument cluster light will come on to indicate the IntellBeam system is reactivated.
• The high beams may not turn off automatically if the system cannot detect another vehicle’s lamps because of any of the following:
• The other vehicle’s lamps are missing, damaged, obstructed from view, or otherwise undetected.
• The other vehicle’s lamps are covered with dirt, snow, and/or road spray.
• The other vehicle’s lamps cannot be detected due to dense exhaust, smoke, fog, snow, road spray, mist, or other airborne obstructions.
• The windshield is dirty, cracked, or obstructed by something that blocks the view of the light sensor.
• The vehicle is loaded such that the front end points upward, causing the light sensor to aim high and not detect headlamps and taillamps.
• The vehicle is being driven on winding or hilly roads.
• The automatic high-beam headlamps may need to be disabled if any of the above conditions exist.

Exterior Lamps Off Reminder

A warning chime sounds if the driver’s door is opened while the vehicle is off and the exterior lamps are on.

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Push the turn signal lever away from you and release, to turn the high beams on. To return to low beams, push the lever again or pull it toward you and release.

This indicator light turns on in the instrument cluster when the high-beam headlamps are on.

Flash-to-Pass
To flash the high beams, pull the turn signal lever toward you, and release.

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)

DRL can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. Fully functional DRL are required on all vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL come on when all of the following conditions are met:

• The vehicle is on.
• The exterior lamp control is in AUTO.
• The light sensor determines it is daytime.

The taillamps, instrument panel lights, and other lamps will not turn on when this feature is activated.
The DRL turn off when the headlamps are turned to O or the vehicle is off. For vehicles first sold in Canada, the DRL can only be turned off 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.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when driving through a parking garage or tunnel.
If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic headlamp system comes on immediately. If it is light outside when the vehicle leaves the garage, there is a slight delay before the automatic headlamp system changes to the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL). During that delay, the instrument cluster may not be as bright as usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness control is in the full bright position. See Instrument Panel Illumination Control.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps will turn off or may change to DRL.
The automatic headlamp system turns off when the exterior lamp control is turned to   or the vehicle is off.

Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are activated in daylight with the vehicle on, and the exterior lamp control is in AUTO, the headlamps, parking lamps, and other exterior lamps come on. The transition time for the lamps coming on varies based on wiper speed. When the wipers are not operating, these lamps turn off. Move the exterior lamp control to or; to disable this feature.

Hazard Warning Flashers

Press this button to make the front and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off. This warns others that you are having trouble. Press again to turn the flashers off. The turn signals do not work while the hazard warning flashers are on.

The hazard warning flashers turn on automatically if the airbags deploy.

Turn and change signals

• Move the lever all the way up or down to signal a turn.
• An arrow on the instrument cluster will flash in the direction of the turn or lane change.
• Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change is complete.
• If the lever is moved momentarily to the lane change position, the arrow will flash three times. It will flash six times if Tow/ Haul Mode is active.
• The lever returns to its starting position when it is released.
• If after signaling a turn or lane change, the arrow flashes rapidly or does not come on, a signal LED may be burned out.
• If a LED is not burned out, check the fuse. See Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) or Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) See your dealer for service.

Exterior Cargo Lamps

The cargo lamps provide more light in the cargo area or on the sides of the vehicle if needed. The lamps inside the pickup box,] in the tailgate handle, for the hitch, and/or the cargo mirror lamps also turn on, if equipped.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), R (Reverse), or N (Neutral), the cargo lamp switch causes the lights to cycle through the following states for each button press.

Initial Press:

• Cargo Bed Lights – On
• Cargo Mirror Lights – On
• Cargo Switch Indicator (if equipped) – On

Next Press: (if within 5 seconds of the previous button press):

• Cargo Bed Lights – On
• Cargo Mirror Lights – Off
• Cargo Switch Indicator (if equipped) – On

Next Press:

• Cargo Bed Lights – Off
• Cargo Mirror Lights – Off
• Cargo Switch Indicator (if equipped) – Off

Become familiar with and follow all state and local laws that apply to cargo lamp operation.

Interior Lighting

Instrument Panel Illumination Control

This feature adjusts the brightness of all illuminated controls.
Move the thumbwheel up or down to brighten or dim the lights.
The thumbwheel is functional at night, or when the headlamps or parking lamps are on.

Dome Lamps
The dome lamps and dome lamp controls are in the overhead console.

To operate, press the following buttons:

Press to turn the lamps off, even when any door is opened on the remote key is pressed, or when the vehicle is turned off.
When the button is returned to the middle position, the lamps turn on automatically when any door is opened  on the remote key is pressed, or when the
the vehicle is turned off.
Press to turn the dome lamps on manually.

Reading Lamps

There are reading lamps on the overhead console and over the rear seats. These lamps come on when any doors are opened.

Front Reading Lamps

The front reading lamps are in the overhead console.
Press m or n to turn the front reading lamps on or off.

Rear Reading Lamps

The rear reading lamps are above and behind the rear seats.
Press the lamp lens to turn the rear reading lamps on or off.

Lighting Features

Entry Lighting

• The interior lamps turn on when pressing K on the remote key or opening any doors, M and the dome lamp control is in the door position.
• Some exterior lamps also turn on when pressing K on the remote key or opening any doors. Low-Beam lamps will only turron briefly at night, or in areas with limited lighting.
• All lamps will gradually fade out after about 30 seconds.
• Entry lighting can be disabled manually by closing all doors, pressing on the remote key, or starting the vehicle.
• This feature can be changed. On the infotainment home page, select the Settings icon Vehicle Vehicle Locator Lights.

Exit Lighting

• Some exterior lamps and interior lamps turn on when the driver door is opened after the vehicle is turned off.
• The exterior and interior lamps remain on for a set amount of time, then automatically turn off.
• The interior lights turn on when the vehicle is turned off.
• The exterior lamps turn off immediately by turning the exterior lamp control off.
• This feature can be changed. On the infotainment home screen, select the Settings icon Vehicle Exit Lighting.

Battery Load Management

The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that estimates the battery temperature and state of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best performance] and extended life of the 12–volt battery When the battery state of charge is low, the voltage is raised slightly to quickly increase the charge. When the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging. As this adjustment occurs, you may see the voltage move up or down on the voltmeter gauge or voltage display on the Driver Information Center (DIC), if equipped. This is normal. Ifa
the problem occurs, an alert will be displayed.
If the electrical loads are very high, the battery can be discharged when the vehicle is stationary. A high electrical load occurs when several features are on, such as: headlamps, high beams, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high speed, heated seats, motor cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads plugged into the accessory
power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the battery by balancing the electrical system output and the vehicle’s electrical needs.
In some cases, it can temporarily reduce the power demands of some accessories.
These actions occur in steps or levels without being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the driver. If so, a DIC battery voltage and charging message are displayed. It is recommended that the driver] reduce the electrical loads as much as possible. See Driver Information Center (DIC).

Battery Power Protection

This feature helps prevent the battery from being drained if the interior courtesy lamps or reading lamps are accidentally left on.
If any of these lamps are left on, they automatically turn off after 10 minutes when the vehicle is turned off. The lamps will not come back on again until one of the following occurs.

• The vehicle is started.
• The doors are closed and then re-opened.

Exterior Lighting Battery Saver

The exterior lamps turn off about 10 minutes after the vehicle is turned off, if the parking lamps or headlamps have been manually left on. This protects against draining the battery. To restart the 10-minute timer, turn the exterior lamp control to the position and then back to the or position.
To keep the lamps on for more than 10 minutes, the vehicle must be on.

FAQs