warning GMC SONOMA 2003 Owner's Guide

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction–AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
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Temperature–A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are
not needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
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Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goesflat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warningflashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured. Find a level place to change your tire.
To help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brakermly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
PARK (P), or shift a manual transmission to
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
3. Turn off the engine.
Put the wheel blocks at the front and rear
of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire on
the other side of the vehicle, at the
opposite end.The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The jacking equipment you’ll need is stored inside the
plastic jack cover which is behind the front seats, either
on the center of the wall (extended cab) or on the
passenger’s side of the wall (regular cab).
The jacking equipment for the crew cab is located behind
the rear seatback on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
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Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst intoflames if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or windows
when you’re cleaning the inside.
Neveruse these to clean your vehicle:
•Gasoline
•Benzene
•Naphtha
•Carbon Tetrachloride
•Acetone
•Paint Thinner
•Turpentine
•Lacquer Thinner
•Nail Polish Remover
Theycan all be hazardous–some more than
others–and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
•Alcohol
•Laundry Soap
•Bleach
•Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and
loose dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather, plastic and painted
surfaces with a clean, damp cloth.
Fabric/Carpet
Your dealer has cleaners for the cleaning of fabric and
carpet. They will clean normal spots and stains very
well. You can get GM–approved cleaning products
from your dealer. SeeGM Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials on page 5-86.
Here are some cleaning tips:
•Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
•Clean up stains as soon as you can–before
they set.
•Carefully scrape off any excess stain.
•Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean
area often. A soft brush may be used if stains are
stubborn.
•If a ring forms on fabric after spot cleaning, clean
the entire area immediately or it will set.
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A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-15
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-63
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-38
Additional Program Information........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-5
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-88
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-48
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)....................3-39, 3-42, 3-49, 3-59
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-26
Air Bag
Off Light.....................................................3-24
Readiness Light..........................................3-24
Air Bag System..............................................1-54
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-63
Air Bag Off Switch.......................................1-60
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-58
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-63
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?....................1-58
What Will You See After an Air Bag
Inflates?..................................................1-58
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?...................1-57
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-56
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
All Overseas Locations...................................... 7-4Aluminum Wheels...........................................5-84
AM ...............................................................3-67
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-37
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-69
Anti-Lock Brake System.................................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-28
Appearance Care............................................5-79
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-82
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-85
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-79
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-82
Finish Damage............................................5-85
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..........5-86
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-85
Underbody Maintenance
...............................5-85
Weatherstrips
..............................................5-82
Approaching a Hill
..........................................4-18
Ashtrays
........................................................3-16
Assist Handles
...............................................2-50
Audio System(s)
.............................................3-36
AM-FM Radio
.............................................3-37
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
................3-68
Care of Your CD Player
...............................3-69
Care of Your CDs
........................................3-69
Fixed Mast Antenna
.....................................3-69
Radio with Cassette and CD
.........................3-47
Radio with CD
............................................3-40
Radio with Six-Disc CD
................................3-56
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Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-37
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-36
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-67
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-67
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-11
Automatic Transmission...................................2-22
Fluid..........................................................5-20
Operation...................................................2-25
Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-27
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-29
B
Backing Up....................................................4-58
Battery..........................................................5-42
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Rundown Protection.............................3-15
Bed Rails......................................................2-52
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-33
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-13
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-28
Brake
Parking......................................................2-32
System Inspection.......................................6-32Brake (cont.)
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Brake Adjustment............................................5-41
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-41
Brake Wear...................................................5-41
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-7
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-20
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-54
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Headlamps.................................................5-50
One-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps...............5-52
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Taillamps....................................................5-55
Two-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps...............5-53
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada........................................................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Capacities and Specifications............................5-94
Carbon Monoxide...................4-36, 4-51, 2-12, 2-37
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Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-82
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-68
Your CD Player...........................................3-69
Your CDs ...................................................3-69
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-54
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-26
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-54
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-23
Chains, Tires..................................................5-66
Charging System Light....................................3-26
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-29
Gages Warning Light
...................................3-34
Checking Brake Fluid
......................................5-40
Checking Coolant
............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil
........................................5-13
Checking the Fluid Level
..................................5-21
Checking Things Under the Hood
....................... 5-8
Checking Your Restraint Systems
......................1-64
Chemical Paint Spotting
...................................5-85
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems
...............................1-36
Infants and Young Children
...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
..........................1-44
Older Children
.............................................1-30Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Seat Position...........................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-49
Top Strap...................................................1-41
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Where to Put the Restraint...................1-39, 1-40
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-16
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-79
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-82
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-82
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-83
Cleaning the Mirror.........................................2-39
Cleaning the Photocells...................................2-39
Climate Control System...................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-19
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-24
Compact Disc Messages.................3-46, 3-56, 3-67
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-78
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-17
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
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Flat Tire........................................................5-67
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-68
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-20
Manual Transmission....................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-37
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
FM ...............................................................3-67
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-13
Following Distance..........................................4-57
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-29, 5-48
Front Axle......................................................5-49
Front Map Lamps...........................................3-14
Front Storage Area.........................................2-49
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-5
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-8
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage .........................................................3-35
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-35
System Inspection
.......................................6-31
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
...........................5-89
Windshield Wiper
.........................................5-88G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-29
Fuel..........................................................3-35
Oil Pressure...............................................3-32
Speedometer..............................................3-23
Tachometer.................................................3-23
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-26
Garment Hooks..............................................2-50
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Specifications............................................... 5-5
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving................4-16
Glass Surfaces...............................................5-81
Glove Box.....................................................2-41
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-3
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamps....................................................5-50
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-50
Electrical System.........................................5-88
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Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-14
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-89
Interior Lamps................................................3-14
Interior Plastic Components..............................5-81
J
Jump Seat.....................................................1-10
Jump Starting.................................................5-43
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-28
Key Release Button........................................2-21
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-10
Interior.......................................................3-14
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-12
Lap Belt................................................1-23, 1-25
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-16LATCH System
Child Restraints
...........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System
........................................1-46
Latches, Seatback
............................................ 1-8
Leather
.........................................................5-81
Leaving Your Vehicle
.......................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
. . . 2-34
Light
Air Bag Off
.................................................3-24
Air Bag Readiness
.......................................3-24
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
...................3-28
Brake System Warning
.................................3-27
Charging System
.........................................3-26
Check Gages Warning
.................................3-34
Low Fuel Warning
.......................................3-35
Malfunction Indicator
....................................3-29
Safety Belt Reminder
...................................3-23
Security
.....................................................3-33
Service Four-Wheel-Drive Warning Light
.........3-34
Up-Shift
.....................................................3-27
Loading Your Vehicle
.......................................4-46
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
..........4-14
Locking Rear Axle
............................................ 4-7
Lockout Protection
..........................................2-11
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Locks
Door ........................................................... 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-11
Lockout Protection.......................................2-11
Power Door .................................................. 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
Long Trip/Highway Definition.............................. 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Intervals............................... 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance........6-18
Loss of Control...............................................4-12
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-35
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-50
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-4
Power Controls............................................. 1-5
M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-96
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-26
At Least Four Times a Year..........................6-27
At Least Once a Month................................6-26
At Least Once a Year..................................6-28
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-26Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Brake System Inspection..............................6-32
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-31
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-31
Fuel System Inspection................................6-31
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-18
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-26
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-31
PartD-Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-33
PartE-Maintenance Record........................6-35
Selecting the Right Schedule
.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
............. 6-7
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
...................6-31
Throttle System Inspection
............................6-32
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(Four-Wheel Drive) Inspection
....................6-32
Using Your
................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
.....................4-60
Making Turns
.................................................4-58
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