HUMMER H3 2009 Owners Manual

Instrument Panel Cluster
The instrument panel cluster is designed to indicate at a glance how the vehicle is running. It tells how fast the
vehicle is going, about how much fuel is being used, and many other things needed to drive safely and economically.United States 3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission version shown, 5.3L V8, Canada and Manual Transmission similar
Instrument Panel 3-23

Speedometer and
Odometer
The speedometer shows the speed
in both miles per hour (mph) and
kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven, in
either miles (used in the United
States) or kilometers (used in
Canada).
The odometer mileage can be
checked without the vehicle running
by pressing the trip information
stem. See “Odometer” underDIC
Operation and Displays on
page 3-34for more information.
If the cluster is replaced the
new one will automatically detect
and update the vehicle’s
accumulated mileage.
Trip Odometer
The vehicle has a trip odometer that
indicates how far the vehicle has
been driven since the trip odometer
was last set to zero.
See “Trip Odometer” underDIC
Operation and Displays on
page 3-34for more information.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the
engine speed in revolutions per
minute (rpm).
Notice:If the engine is operated
while the tachometer is in the
shaded warning area, the vehicle
could be damaged, and the
damages would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do
not operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded
warning area.
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder
Light
When the engine is started, a chime
sounds for several seconds to
remind the driver to fasten their
safety belt, unless it is already
buckled.
The safety belt light comes on and
stays on for several seconds,
then ashes for several more.
This chime and light are repeated if
the driver safety belt remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in
motion. If the driver safety belt is
already buckled, neither the
chime nor the light comes on.
3-24 Instrument Panel

Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
Several seconds after the engine is
started, a chime sounds for several
seconds to remind the front
passenger to buckle their safety belt.
This only occurs if the passenger
airbag is enabled. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-54for
more information. The passenger
safety belt light, located on the
instrument panel, comes on and
stays on for several seconds and
then ashes for several more.
This chime and light are repeated if
the passenger remains unbuckled
and the vehicle is in motion.If the passenger safety belt is
buckled before the engine is started,
neither the chime nor the light
comes on.
The front passenger safety belt
warning light and chime may turn on
if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device. To turn off the
warning light and or chime, remove
the object from the seat or buckle
the safety belt
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on
the instrument panel cluster,
which shows the airbag symbol. The
system checks the airbag’s
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light indicates if there is an
electrical problem. The system
check includes the airbag sensor,the pretensioners, the airbag
modules, the wiring and the crash
sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System on
page 1-46.
This light comes on when the
vehicle is started, and ashes for a
few seconds. The light goes out
when the system is ready.
Instrument Panel 3-25

If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, the airbag
system may not work properly. Have
the vehicle serviced right away.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inate in a
crash, or they could even inate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
The airbag readiness light should
ash for a few seconds when
the engine is started. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed
immediately. If there is a problem
with the airbag system, an
airbag Driver Information Center(DIC) message may also come on.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-37for more information.
Passenger Airbag
Status Indicator
The vehicle has the passenger
sensing system. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-54
for important safety information. The
instrument panel has a passenger
airbag status indicator.When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, for several seconds
as a system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status
indicator will light either ON or OFF,
or either the on or off symbol to
let you know the status of the right
front passenger frontal airbag
and seat-mounted side impact
airbag (if equipped).
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the right front
passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if
equipped) are enabled (may
inate).
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the airbag status indicator,
it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right
front passenger frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if
equipped). United States
Canada
3-26 Instrument Panel

If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if
there are no lights at all, there may
be a problem with the lights or
the passenger sensing system. See
your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 3-25for more information,
including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
This light comes on briey when the
ignition key is turned, but the
engine is not running, as a check to
show it is working.
It should go out once the engine
starts. If it stays on, or comes
on while driving, there could be a
problem with the charging system. A
charging system message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) may
also appear. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-37
for more information. This light could
indicate that there are problems
with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. If the
vehicle must be driven a short
distance with the light on, turn off all
the accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
Up-Shift Light
The vehicle may have an up-shift
light.
When this light comes on, shift to
the next higher gear if weather,
road, and traffic conditions allow.
SeeManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-22for more information.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts. If
one part is not working, the
other part can still work and stop
the vehicle. For good braking
though, both parts need to be
working well.
Instrument Panel 3-27

If the warning light comes on, there
could be a brake problem. Have
the brake system inspected
right away.
This light comes on briey when the
ignition key is turned to ON/RUN.
If it does not, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light comes on
when the parking brake is set. See
Parking Brake on page 2-28for
more information. The light stays on
if the parking brake does not
release fully. If it stays on after the
parking brake is fully released, it
means there is a brake problem.If the light comes on while driving,
pull off the road and stop. The brake
pedal might be harder to push, or
it might go closer to the oor. It can
take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-40.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning
light on can lead to a crash. If the
light is still on after the vehicle
has been pulled off the road and
carefully stopped, have the
vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light comes
on briey when the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer. If
the system is working normally
the indicator light will then go off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn
the ignition off. If the light comes on
while driving, stop as soon as it
is safely possible and turn the
ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS
light stays on, or comes on again
while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, the vehicle
still has brakes, but not antilock
brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, the
vehicle does not have antilock United States
Canada
3-28 Instrument Panel

brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-27.
For vehicles with a Driver
Information Center (DIC), seeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-37for all brake related DIC
messages.
StabiliTrak®/Traction
Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
The StabiliTrak system or the
Traction Control System (TCS)
indicator/warning light comes
on briey while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer. If
the system is working normally
the indicator light will then go off.The indicator/warning light ashes
while the StabiliTrak or TCS system
is working to control the vehicle
on a low traction surface.
If the TCS warning light comes on
and stays on while driving, the
vehicle needs service.
The light comes on when the TCS
and the StabiliTrak system is
turned off. If the TCS is off, wheel
spin is not limited. If the StabiliTrak
system is off, the system does
not assist in controlling the vehicle.
Turn on the TCS and the
StabiliTrak system and the warning
light turns off.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-6andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-7for more
information
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage pointer is in the shaded
area of the gage, the engine is
too hot. It means that the engine
coolant has overheated. If the
vehicle has been operating under
normal driving conditions, pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27for more information.
United StatesCanada
Instrument Panel 3-29

Tire Pressure Light
The tire pressure light should come
on briey as the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
service by your dealer/retailer. It
provides information about tire
pressures and the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are signicantly
underinated.
A tire pressure message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC),
may accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-37for more information.
Stop and check the tires as soon as
it is safe to do so. If underinated,
inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 5-44for more
information.When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there may be a
problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System. The light ashes
for about a minute and stays
on steady for the remainder of the
ignition cycle. This sequence
will repeat with every ignition cycle.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 5-52for more information.
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It ensures
that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle,
helping to produce a cleaner
environment.This light comes on when the
ignition is on, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show it
is working. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
If the check engine light comes on
and stays on, while the engine
is running, this indicates that there
is an OBD II problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem
is apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage
to the vehicle. This system
assists the service technician in
correctly diagnosing any
malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, after a while, the emission
controls might not work as well,
3-30 Instrument Panel

the vehicle’s fuel economy might
not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Notice:Modications made to
the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
the vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can
affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light
to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead
to costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. This
could also result in a failure to
pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition
has been detected. A misre
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the
vehicle. Find a safe place to park
the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and
see your dealer/retailer for service
as soon as possible.Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has been
detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction
might be corrected by:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 5-7. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn
the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven
through a deep puddle of
water, the vehicle’s electrical
system might be wet. The
condition is usually corrected
when the electrical system dries
out. A few driving trips should
turn the light off.
Instrument Panel 3-31

Make sure to fuel the vehicle
with quality fuel. Poor fuel
quality causes the engine not to
run as efficiently as designed
and may cause: stalling
after start-up, stalling when the
vehicle is changed into gear,
misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on
acceleration. These conditions
might go away once the engine is
warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions
occurs, change the fuel brand
used. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to
turn the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on
page 5-5.
If none of the above have made the
light turn off, your dealer/retailer
can check the vehicle. The
dealer/retailer has the proper test
equipment and diagnostic tools to x
any mechanical or electrical
problems that might have
developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local
governments have or might begin
programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on the vehicle.
Failure to pass this inspection could
prevent getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things to know to
help the vehicle pass an inspection:
The vehicle will not pass this
inspection if the check engine
light is on with the engine
running, or if the key is in the
ON/RUN and the light is not on.
The vehicle will not pass
this inspection if the OBD II
(on-board diagnostic) system
determines that critical emission
control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by
the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if
the battery has recently been
replaced or if the battery has rundown. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take
several days of routine driving. If
this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the
inspection for lack of OBD II
system readiness, your
dealer/retailer can prepare the
vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches re.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
3-32 Instrument Panel