warning GMC SONOMA 2003 Owner's Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-9
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-30
Air Bag System
.......................................1-54
Restraint System Check
............................1-64
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-20
Mirrors
....................................................2-39
Storage Areas
.........................................2-41
Sunroof
..................................................2-52
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-54
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-17
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-20
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-36
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-42Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
................. 5-8
Rear Axle
...............................................5-47
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-48
Front Axle
...............................................5-49
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-56
Tires
......................................................5-58
Appearance Care
.....................................5-79
Vehicle Identification
.................................5-87
Electrical System
......................................5-88
Capacities and Specifications
.....................5-94
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-96
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
Index................................................................ 1
2003 GMC Sonoma Owner ManualM
2003 - Sonoma Owner Manual

Safety Warnings and Symbols
You willfind a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about
things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the
warning.
{CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you
or others could be hurt.You will alsofind a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means“Don’t,”
“Don’t do this”or“Don’t
let this happen.”
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you willfind these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the
notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle,
are shown along with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specific component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need helpfiguring out a specificnameofa
component, gage or indicator, reference the following
topics:
•Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
•Features and Controls in Section 2
•Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
•Climate Controls in Section 3
•Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3
•Audio System(s) in Section 3
•Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Parking Brake
The parking brake is located near the bottom of the
instrument panel on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. If the ignition is on, the
brake system warning light will come on.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
cause your rear brakes to overheat. You may have
to replace them, and you could also damage
other parts of your vehicle.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the BRAKE RELEASE lever fully.
It is located on the bottom off the instrument panel on
the driver’s side of the vehicle.If you are towing a trailer and you must park on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-51. That section
shows what to dofirst to keep the trailer from moving.
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If the outside temperature is 37°F(3°C) or lower when
you turn on the ignition, the word ICE will appear
on the display. This is a warning to the driver that road
conditions may be icy, and that appropriate precautions
should be taken.
The compass is self-calibrating, so it does not need to
be manually set. However, when your vehicle is new, the
compass may function erratically. If it does, CAL
(Calibration) will appear on the display. To correct the
calibration, drive in a complete 360°circle three
times and the compass will function normally.
Variance is the different between magnetic north and
geographic north. In some areas, the difference between
the two can be great enough to cause false compass
readings. If this happens, follow these instructions to set
the variance for your particular location:
1. Find your location on the zone map. Record your
zone number.
2. Press and hold both the ON/OFF and the US/MET
buttons. The display will go off.
3. Afterfive seconds, VAR CAL (Variance Calibration)
will appear on the display. When it does, release
both buttons.
4. Press US/MET until your zone number appears on
the display.
5. Press ON/OFF to enter your zone number. Your
variance is now set.
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Sunglasses Storage Compartment
The overhead console has a sunglasses storage
compartment.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
If your vehicle is equipped with a Driver Information
Center (DIC), this system displays the outside air
temperature, compass direction and trip information in
the overhead console.
US/MET (United States/Metric):The US/MET (United
States/metric) button allows you to switch the display
between the English and metric system.
MODE:The MODE button can be used to toggle
between three modes of operation: OFF, COMP/TEMP
and TRIP.
COMP/TEMP/TRIP (Compass/Temperature):The
display provides the outside temperature and one
of eight compass readings to indicate the direction the
vehicle is facing.
Before you turn on the ignition and move the vehicle,
the temperature indicated will be the last outside
temperature recorded with the ignition on. If the outside
temperature is 37°F(3°C) or lower, the display will
toggle between the ICE and the current temperature
every eight seconds. This is a warning to the drive that
road conditions may be icy, and that appropriate
precautions should be taken.
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Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-3
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn .............................................................3-4
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-10
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-15
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-16
Climate Controls............................................3-17
Climate Control System.................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-19
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-20
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-21
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-23
Trip Odometer..............................................3-23
Tachometer.................................................3-23
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-23
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-24
Air Bag Off Light..........................................3-24
Charging System Light..................................3-26
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-26
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-27
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-27Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-28
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-29
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-29
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-32
Security Light...............................................3-33
Service Four-Wheel Drive Warning Light..........3-34
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-34
Fuel Gage...................................................3-35
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-35
Audio System(s).............................................3-36
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-36
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-37
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-37
Radio with CD..............................................3-40
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-47
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-56
Theft-Deterrent Feature (Non-RDS Radios).......3-67
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios).............3-67
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-67
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-68
Care of Your CDs
.........................................3-69
Care of Your CD Player
................................3-69
Fixed Mast Antenna
......................................3-69
Section 3 Instrument Panel
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2003 - Sonoma OM

The main components of your vehicle’s instrument
panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets
B. Instrument Panel Cluster
C. Electronic Transfer Case Switch (If Equipped)
D. Lamp Controls
E. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped)
F. Brake Release
G. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
H. Horn
I. Passenger Air Bag Off Switch (If Equipped)
J. Ashtray
K. Climate Controls
L. Accessory Power Outlets (If Equipped)
M. Heated Outside Rearview Mirror Button (If Equipped)
N. Audio System
O. Glove BoxHazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
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The hazard warning
asher button is located
on the top of the steering
column.
Your hazard warningashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn’t in.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lampsash on and off. Press the button again to
turn theashers off.
Whenthe hazard warningashers are on, your turn
signals won’t work. Theashers will stop if you step on
the brake.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the horn symbol on the
steering wheel pad.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel before
you drive. If you have the tilt steering wheel, you can
raise it to the highest level to allow more room for the
driver to enter and exit the vehicle.
The tilt lever is located
on the driver’s side of the
steering column, under
the turn signal lever.
To tilt, hold the steering wheel and pull the tilt lever
toward you. Move the wheel to a comfortable level, then
release the tilt lever to lock the wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
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Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block theow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly–and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
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