steering GMC SONOMA 2003 Owner's Guide

Remote Oil Filter (Four-Wheel Drive)
The access door for the
remote oilfilter is in the
steering linkage shield
assembly located under
the radiator support.
Turn the screw to unlock
or lock the door. Make
sure if you open the door,
it is securely closed
when you arefinished.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don’t let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it
to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask your dealer, a
service station or a local recycling center for help.
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So you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is
normal and should not be mistaken as the transmission
slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan will slow down
when additional cooling is not required and the clutch
disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering reservoir is located near the front of
the engine compartment on the driver’s side of the
vehicle.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steeringfluid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. Afluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-10for reservoir location.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at thefluid level on the dipstick.
For the 2200 L4 engine, thefluid level should be at
the C mark. For the VORTEC™4300 V6 engine, the
level should be between the ADD and FULL marks.
If necessary, add only enoughfluid to bring the level
up to the proper range.
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CAUTION: (Continued)
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels.
If you dond traction devices that willt,
install them on the rear tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P235/75R15, P235/70R15, P235/55R16 or
31x10.50R15LT/C, use tire chains only where legal
and only when you must. Use only SAE Class″S″
type chains that are the proper size for your tires.
Install them on the drive axle tires (four-wheel-drive
vehicles can use chains on both axles) and tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with
chains on will damage your vehicle.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to“blowout”while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a“blowout”, here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, theflat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheelfirmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop—well off the road if possible.
If a tire goesflat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change aflat tire safely.
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Fuse Usage
A Not Used
B Not Used
1 Not Used
2 Cigarette Lighter, Data Link
Connector
3 Cruise Control Module and Switch,
Body Control Module, Heated SeatsFuse Usage
4 Gages, Body Control Module,
Instrument Panel Cluster
5 Parking Lamps, Power Window
Switch, Body Control Module,
Ashtray Lamp
6 Steering Wheel Radio Controls
7 Headlamps Switch, Body Control
Module, Headlamp Relay
8 Courtesy Lamps, Battery Run-Down
Protection
9 Heating, Ventilation, Air Cooling
Control Head (Manual)
10 Turn Signal
11 Cluster, Engine Control Module
12 Interior Lights
13 Auxiliary Power
14 Power Locks Motor
15 4WD Switch, Engine Controls
(VCM, PCM, Transmission)
16 Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
17 Front Wiper
18 Steering Wheel Radio Controls
19 Radio, Battery
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Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
How This Section is Organized.........................6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services...........6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-4
Selecting the Right Schedule...........................6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance..............6-7
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance......6-18
Part B: Owner Checks and Services................6-26
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-26
At Least Once a Month.................................6-26
At Least Twice a Year...................................6-26At Least Four Times a Year...........................6-27
At Least Once a Year...................................6-28
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections.........6-31
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection............................6-31
Exhaust System Inspection............................6-31
Fuel System Inspection..................................6-31
Engine Cooling System Inspection...................6-31
Throttle System Inspection.............................6-32
Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-Wheel
Drive) Inspection.......................................6-32
Brake System Inspection................................6-32
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants. . . .6-33
Part E: Maintenance Record...........................6-35
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-26
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-31.
Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.#Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, parking brake cable guides, propshaft splines,
universal joints, constant velocity joint and brake
pedal springs.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-32.
**Drive axle service. See Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-33 for proper lubricant to use:
•Check uid level and add uid as needed. If driving in
dusty areas or when towing a trailer, drain uid and
rell every 15,000 miles (25 000 km).
•If your vehicle has a locking differential, drain uid
and rell at rst engine oil change.
•More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty or off-road use.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andfilter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursfirst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursfirst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
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Long Trip/Highway Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-26
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-31.
Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
#Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, parking brake cable guides, propshaft splines,
universal joints, constant velocity joint and brake
pedal springs.+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-32.
**Drive axle service. See Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-33 for proper lubricant to use:
❑Checkuid level and adduid as needed.
❑If your vehicle has a locking differential, drainuid and
rell atrst engine oil change.
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall).You should let your dealer’s
service department do these jobs. Make sure any
necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. SeeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-9.
Steering, Suspension and Front
Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chang, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in theoor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust
on page 2-37.
Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
ttings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended
at least once a year.
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Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number or specication may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certied for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-25.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11
®Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brakeuid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optilkeen
®Washer Solvent or
equivalent.
Hydraulic
Clutch SystemHydraulic Clutch Fluid (GM Part No.
U.S. 12345347, in Canada
10953517, or equivalent DOT-3
brakeuid).
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Manual
Transmission
with V6 EngineSynchromesh Transmission Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345349, in
Canada 10953465, or equivalent).
Manual
Transmission
with L4 EngineFriction Modied Synchromesh
Transmission Fluid (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377916, in Canada
10953509).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
®
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Front Wheel
BearingsWheel bearing lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
GC or GC-LB (GM Part No. U.S.
1051344, in Canada 993037, or
equivalent).
Front and Rear
Axle (Standard
Differential)SAE 80W-90 Axle Lubricant (GM
Part No. U.S. 1052271, in Canada
10950849, or equivalent).
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2003 - Sonoma OM

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if itnds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada)
in a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-GMC-8782 (1-800-462-8782),
or write:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
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2003 - Sonoma OM