instrument cluster GMC SIERRA 2003 Owner's Manual
Page 56 of 408
Never put a rear facing child restraint in the right front
passenger seat unless the air bag is off. Here’s why:
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s air bag inflates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child restraint
would be very close to the inflating air bag. Be
sure to turn off the air bag before using a
rear-facing child restraint in the right front seat
position. If a forward-facing child restraint is
suitable for your child, always move the
passenger seat as far back as it will go.
Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure a
forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat.
{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on when you have
turned off the air bag, it means that something
may be wrong with the air bag system. The
right front passenger’s air bag could inflate
even though the switch is off. If this ever
happens, have the vehicle serviced promptly.
Until you have the vehicle serviced, don’t let
anyone whom the national government has
identified as a member of a passenger air bag
risk group sit in the right front passenger’s
position (for example, don’t secure a
rear-facing child restraint in your vehicle).
See″Air Bag Off Switch″in the Index.
In addition to the AIR BAG OFF switch, your vehicle
may have the passenger sensing system. See
Passenger Sensing System on page 1-66and
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator on page 3-31for
more on this, including important safety information.
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off
the right front passenger’s frontal air bag when a
rear facing child restraint is in the right front seat.
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{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on when you have
turned off the air bag, it means that something
may be wrong with the air bag system. The
right front passenger’s air bag could inflate
even though the switch is off. If this ever
happens, have the vehicle serviced promptly.
Until you have the vehicle serviced, don’t let
anyone whom the national government has
identified as a member of a passenger air bag
risk group sit in the right front passenger’s
position (for example, don’t secure a
rear-facing child restraint in your vehicle).
See″Air Bag Off Switch″in the Index.
2. Put the restraint on the seat.
3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
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{CAUTION:
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an
inflating air bag, as you would be if you were
leaning forward, it could seriously injure you.
Safety belts help keep you in position before
and during a crash. Always wear your safety
belt, even with air bags. The driver should sit
as far back as possible while still maintaining
control of the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Anyone who is up against, or very close to,
any air bag when it inflates can be seriously
injured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulder
belts offer the best protection for adults, but
not for young children and infants.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its
air bag system is designed for them. Young
children and infants need the protection that a
child restraint system can provide. Always
secure children properly in your vehicle.
To read how, see the parts of this manual
called “Older Children” and “Infants and
Young Children.”
There is an air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster,
which shows the air
bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. SeeAir Bag Readiness Light on page 3-27
for more information.
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Page 75 of 408
{CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be wrong with the
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
air bag system. If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the frontal air bag. See “Air Bag Readiness
Light” in the Index for more on this, including
important safety information.
Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates.
You may want to consider not using seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has the passenger
sensing system.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s seat
or between the passenger’s seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
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Page 97 of 408
Automatic Transmission Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission
that features an electronic shift position indicator
located within the instrument panel cluster. This display
is powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being
moved out of PARK (P). SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-91.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your wheels. It’s the
best position to use when you start your engine because
your vehicle can’t move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brakefirmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). See“Shifting Into Park (P)”in the
Index. If you’re pulling a trailer, see“Towing a
Trailer”in the Index.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your transmission.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission,
seeIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-44.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
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On cold days, approximately 32°F(0°C) or colder, your
transmission is designed to shift differently until the
engine reaches normal operating temperature. This is
intended to improve heater performance.
Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle may be equipped with a tow/haul mode.
The switch is located on the end of the column shift
lever. You can use this feature to assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load.When tow/haul is activated
the tow/haul symbol will
illuminate on the
instrument panel cluster.
SeeTow/Haul Modeunder
Towing a Trailer on
page 4-53for more
information.
All-Wheel Drive
With this feature, engine power is sent to all four wheels
all the time.
This is like four-wheel drive, but there is no separate
lever or switch to engage or disengage the front axle.
It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
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Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn .............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-11
Interior Lamps..............................................3-15
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-16
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-17
Climate Controls............................................3-18
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-18
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-24
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-25
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-26
Tachometer.................................................3-26
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-27
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-27
Air Bag Off Light..........................................3-28
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator.................3-31
Battery Warning Light....................................3-33
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-33
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-34
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-36Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-37
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-40
Cruise Control Light......................................3-40
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-41
Fuel Gage...................................................3-41
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-41
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-42
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-42
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-51
Audio System(s).............................................3-56
Setting the Time...........................................3-57
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-57
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-70
Rear Seat Audio (RSA).................................3-71
CD Changer................................................3-73
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-75
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-76
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-76
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-77
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-78
Care of Your CD Player................................3-78
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-78
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System
(United States Only)..................................3-78
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Dome Lamp Override Button
B. Exterior Lamp Control
C. Air Outlets
D. Storage Compartment
E. Multifunction Lever
F. Instrument Panel Cluster
G. Shift Lever
H. Tow/Haul Selector Switch (If Equipped)
I. Audio System
J. Comfort Control SystemK. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
L. Hood Release
M. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
N. Center Instrument Panel Fuse Block
O. Tilt Lever
P. Parking Brake Release
Q. Compact Disc Changer (If Equipped)
R. Ashtray
S. Accessory Power Outlet
T. Air Bag Off Switch and 4–Wheel Steer Button
U. Glovebox
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Turn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn isfinished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster willflash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts toflash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
when you release it.
If you move the lever all the way up or down, and the
arrowflashes at twice the normal rate, a signal bulb may
be burned out and other drivers may not see your
turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal
a turn, check for burned-out bulbs or a blown fuse
SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-91.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at eachflash of the
turn signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal
lever to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low to high beam, push
the lever toward the instrument panel. To return the
low-beam headlamps, pull the multifunction lever toward
you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on.
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Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the
instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a headlamp off delay,
which will keep the headlamps on for a short time after
the ignition is turned off. For more information see
DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-42.
Your vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of the
instrument panel in the defroster grille. Be sure it is
not covered, or the system will be on whenever
the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on your headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so
that driving under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
automatic headlamp system will only be affected when
the light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting
longer than the delay.If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
you leave the garage, it will take approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is bright enough outside. During that
delay, your instrument panel cluster may not be as
bright as usual. Make sure your instrument panel
brightness control is in the full bright position. See
“Instrument Panel Brightness Control”underInterior
Lamps on page 3-15.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, turn the control to the off position.
You may be able to turn off your automatic headlamp
system. See Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) later in this
section for more information.
Your headlamps will also stay on after you exit the
vehicle. You can program this feature using the Driver
Information Center. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-42
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps if you need them.
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