light GMC SONOMA 2004 Owner's Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-8
Child Restraints
.......................................1-27
Air Bag System
.......................................1-46
Restraint System Check
............................1-53
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-16
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
Storage Areas
.........................................2-33
Sunroof
..................................................2-42
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-18
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-21
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-35Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-45
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Rear Axle
...............................................5-46
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-46
Front Axle
...............................................5-47
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-54
Tires
......................................................5-57
Appearance Care
.....................................5-86
Vehicle Identification
.................................5-94
Electrical System
......................................5-94
Capacities and Specifications
...................5-101
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index................................................................ 1
2004 GMC Sonoma Owner ManualM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find 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 help figuring out a specific name of a
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
iv

Your vehicle has a light
that comes on as a
reminder to buckle up. See
Safety Belt Reminder
Light on page 3-24.
In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law
says to wear safety belts. Here’s why:They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash, you don’t know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up, a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the
facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter... a lot!Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s just a seat
on wheels.
1-9

Driver Position
This part describes the driver’s restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it
properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see
how, see “Seats” in the Index.3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt
across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt
go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt isn’t long enough, seeSafety Belt
Extender on page 1-26.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
1-14

Rear Seat Passengers
It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle
up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the
rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those
who are wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted can be
thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike
others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder
belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt
across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt
go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.
1-23

CAUTION: (Continued)
They aren’t designed to inate at all in rollover,
rear or low-speed frontal crashes, or in many
side crashes. And, for some unrestrained
occupants, air bags may provide less protection
in frontal crashes than more forceful air bags
have provided in the past. Everyone in
your vehicle should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there’s an air bag for
that person.
{CAUTION:
Air bags inate with great force, faster than the
blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an
inating 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 inates 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. 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,
seeOlder Children on page 1-27andInfants
and Young Children on page 1-29.
There is a air bag
readiness light on the
instrument panel, 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 3-25.
1-47

Adding Equipment to Your Air
Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:If I add a push bumper or a bicycle rack to the
front of my vehicle, will it keep the air bags
from working properly?
A:As long as the push bumper or bicycle rack is
attached to your vehicle so that the vehicle’s
basic structure isn’t changed, it’s not likely to keep
the air bags from working properly in a crash.
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front of the
vehicle that could keep the air bags from
working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, front end sheet metal or
height, they may keep the air bag system
from working properly. Also, the air bag system
may not work properly if you relocate any of the air
bag sensors. If you have any questions about
this, you should contact Customer Assistance
before you modify your vehicle. The phone
numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance
are in Step Two of theCustomer Satisfaction
Procedure on page 7-2.
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
1-53

Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
If your vehicle has this feature, you can lock and
unlock your doors from about 3 feet (1 m) up to 30 feet
(9 m away using the remote keyless entry transmitter
supplied with your vehicle.
UNLOCK:Press UNLOCK
to unlock the driver’s door.
The parking lamps will
flash and the interior lights
will go on.
If you press UNLOCK again within three seconds, the
remaining doors will unlock.LOCK:Press LOCK to lock all the doors. Press LOCK
again within three seconds and the horn will chirp.L(Panic Alarm):Press this button to make the horn
sound and the headlamps and taillamps flash for up
to 30 seconds. This can be turned off by pressing
the panic button again, waiting for 30 seconds, or
starting the vehicle.
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can
be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring
any remaining transmitters with you when you go to
your dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.
2-5

Tailgate
You can open the tailgate by pulling up on the handle
while pulling the tailgate down.
When you put the tailgate back up, be sure it latches
securely.
Follow these steps if you want to remove the tailgate:
1. Raise the tailgate slightly.
2. Remove both retaining
cables. To remove
each cable, turn it so
the end faces the front.
Then, push forward
so the larger part of the
hole is over the bolt.
Pull the end over
the bolt.3. With the tailgate halfway down, pull the tailgate
toward you at the left side and then move the
tailgate to the left to release the right side.
Reverse the procedure to reinstall the tailgate. Make
sure it is secure.
2-11

Power Windows
If you have power windows, the controls are located on
the armrests on each of the side doors. The switches
operate the windows when the ignition is in RUN,
ACCESSORY or when Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is active. See “Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)” underIgnition Positions on page 2-17.
The driver’s door has a switch for the passengers
windows as well.
Press the side of the switch with the down arrow to
lower a window. Press the side of the switch with the up
arrow to raise the window.
Express Down Window
The driver’s window has an express-down feature that
allows you to lower it without holding the window switch.
Press the down arrow on the switch marked AUTO
located on the driver’s door briefly to activate the
express-down feature. Lightly tap the switch to open the
window slightly. The express-down feature can be
interrupted at any time by pressing the up arrow on the
switch.
Window Lockout
Four-door vehicles have a lockout feature to prevent
passengers from operating the power windows. It
is located on the driver’s door armrest. Press LOCK to
activate this feature. Press NORM and the windows
will return to normal operation.
The driver will still be able to activate all the windows
when LOCK is active.
2-13