key GMC SONOMA 2001 Owner's Guide

2-21 Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow certain features
on your vehicle to continue to work up to 20 minutes
after the ignition key is turned to OFF.
Your radio and power windows will work when the
ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY. Once the key
is turned from RUN to OFF, these features will continue
to work for up to 20 minutes or until a door is opened.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the
parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the
floor and start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if
the clutch pedal is not all the way down
-- that's a
safety feature.
Starting Your ªVORTECº 2200 L4 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.

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2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
Starting Your ªVORTECº 4300 V6 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, hold your key in
START for not more than 10 seconds. Then, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down for five more
seconds, unless it starts sooner.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), wait 15 seconds and start over.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and the
accelerator pedal.

2-24
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission has a shift lever on the
steering column.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
It features an electronic shift position indicator within
the instrument cluster. This display must be powered
anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved out of
PARK (P). This means that if your key is in OFF, but
not locked, there will be a small current drain on your
battery which could discharge your battery over a period
of time. If you need to leave your key in the ignition in
OFF for an extended period, it is recommended that you
disconnect the battery cable from the battery to prevent
discharging your battery.

2-25
PARK (P): This position locks your rear 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 brake firmly 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. 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 ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as
you maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into the gear you wish. See ªShifting Out of
PARK (P)º 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, see
ªStuck In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.

2-34

Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the key, your vehicle
is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission Only)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).

2-35 Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then, move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the vehicle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the system fixed as soon as you can.

2-36
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R), and firmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition key to OFF, remove the key and release
the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is pulling
a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.

2-46
To idle an automatic transmission vehicle with the DRL
off, put the transmission in PARK (P). To idle a manual
transmission vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake. The DRL will stay off until you shift out of
PARK (P) or release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
You may be able to turn off your Automatic Headlamp
System. See ªDaytime Running Lamps (DRL)º later in
this section for more information.
Lamps On Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on and your ignition is
in OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY. To turn the chime off,
turn the headlamp knob all the way counterclockwise to
the automatic position or turn the instrument panel dimmer
down to the fully dimmed position. In the automatic mode,
the headlamps turn off once the ignition key is in OFF.
Daytime Running Lamps (If Equipped)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime running lights are required on
all vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come on at
reduced brightness when the following conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp knob is in automatic headlamp mode,

the light sensor detects daytime light,

an automatic transmission is not in PARK (P), and

the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be on.
The instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular headlamps.
The DRL system on some vehicles may turn off
temporarily while the turn signals are activated.
To idle an automatic transmission vehicle with the DRL
off, put the transmission in PARK (P) or set the parking
brake. To idle a manual transmission vehicle with the DRL
off, set the parking brake. The DRL will stay off until you
shift out of PARK (P) or release the parking brake.

2-48
Interior Lamps
Brightness Control
Turn the thumbwheel next to the headlamp knob up to
make your instrument panel lights brighter. Turn the
thumbwheel all the way up to turn on the interior lamps.
Illuminated Entry
Your vehicle is equipped with an illuminated
entry feature.
When any door is opened, the dome lamps will come
on if the DOME OVERRIDE button is in the ªoutº
position. If your vehicle is equipped with Remote
Keyless Entry and all the doors are closed, or the front
door handles are lifted and released, the lamps will
stay on for a short period of time and will turn off
automatically. If you use your keyless entry transmitter
to unlock the vehicle, the interior lights will come on for
a short time whether or not the DOME OVERRIDE
button is in the ªoutº position.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition to help you see
while exiting the vehicle. These lights will stay on for a
short period of time and then will go out, if the DOME
OVERRIDE button is in the ªoutº position.
Front Map Lamps (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has front map lamps, they are located
on the inside rearview mirror. They will automatically
come on for approximately 40 seconds when the doors
are unlocked with the keyless entry transmitter
(if equipped) or until the ignition key is turned to RUN
or ACCESSORY. The lamps will also stay on for
approximately 40 seconds after you exit the vehicle, unless
you lock the doors with the keyless entry transmitter.
You can also turn the lamps on and off by pressing the
switch near each lamp.

2-49 Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when you open any door.
You can also turn the dome lamps on by turning the
thumbwheel, located next to the parking/headlamps
knob, all the way up to the second notch. In this
position, the dome lamps will remain on whether a door
is opened or closed.
You can use the DOME OVERRIDE button, located
below the parking/headlamp knob, to set the dome
lamps to come on automatically when any door is
opened, or to remain off. To turn the lamps off, press the
button into the ªinº position. With the button in this
position, the dome lamps will remain off when any door
is opened. To return the lamps to automatic operation,
press the button again and return it to the ªoutº position.
With the button in this position, the dome lamps will
come on when you open any door. This will override the
illuminated entry feature, unless you use your keyless
entry transmitter (if equipped) to unlock the vehicle.
Battery Rundown Protection
This feature shuts off the dome, courtesy, vanity,
reading, glove box, cargo and underhood lamps if they
are left on for more than 20 minutes when the ignition is
off. This will keep your battery from running down.
If the battery rundown protection shuts off the interior
lamps, it may be necessary to do one of the following to
return it to normal operation:

Shut off all lamps and close all doors, or

turn the ignition key to RUN.