height GMC SONOMA 2000 Owner's Manual

1-30 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
the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
See ªCustomer Satisfaction Procedureº in the Index.)
Center Passenger Position
Lap Belt
If your vehicle has a bench seat, someone can sit in the
center position.

1-39
A forward-facing child restraint (C-E) positions a
child upright to face forward in the vehicle. These
forward
-facing restraints are designed to help
protect children who are from 20 to 40 lbs.
(9 to 18 kg) and about 26 to 40 inches
(66 to 102 cm) in height, or up to around four years
of age. One type, a convertible restraint, is
designed to be used either as a rear
-facing infant
seat or a forward
-facing child seat.
A booster seat (F) is designed for children who
are about 40 to 60 lbs., or even up to 80 lbs.
(18 to 27 kg, or even up to 36 kg), and about
four to eight years of age. A booster seat is
designed to improve the fit of the vehicle's safety
belt system. Booster seats with shields use lap
-only
belts; however, booster seats without shields use
lap
-shoulder belts. Booster seats can also help a
child to see out the window.

4-42
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.

Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
Try to spread the weight evenly.

Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.

Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.

When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
There's also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See ªLoading Your Vehicle for
Off
-Road Drivingº in the Index.
Payload
The payload capacity is shown on the Certification/Tire
label. This is the maximum load capacity that your
vehicle can carry. If you are using ethanol fuel the
maximum payload should not exceed 1000 lbs (454 kg).
Be sure to include the weight of the occupants as part of
your load. If you added any accessories or equipment
after your vehicle left the factory, remember to subtract
the weight of these things from the payload. Your dealer
can help you with this.
2-Tiered Loading
By positioning four 2, x 6, wooden planks across the
width of the pickup box, you can create an upper load
platform. The planks must be inserted in the pickup box
depressions. The length of the planks must allow for at
least a 3/4 inch (2 cm) bearing surface on each end of
the plank.
When using this upper load platform, be sure the load is
securely tied down to prevent it from shifting. The
load's center of gravity should be positioned in a zone
over the rear axle. The zone is located in the area
between the front of each wheel well and the rear of
each wheel well. The center of gravity height must not
extend above the top of the pickup box flareboard.

6-35
CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won't work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM specifications.If you have rear drum brakes, they don't have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or
changing. When you have the front brake pads replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7 of this
manual under Part C ªPeriodic Maintenance
Inspections.º
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
If you don't have four
-wheel drive and your brake pedal
goes down farther than normal, your rear drum brakes
may need adjustment. Adjust them by backing up and
firmly applying the brakes a few times.

6-52
CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use the
correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index for
more information.Used Replacement Wheels
CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can't know how it's been used or
how far it's been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has P235/75R15, P235/70R15,
P235/55R16 or 31x10.50R15LT/C size tires, don't
use tire chains. They can damage your vehicle
because there's not enough clearance.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
NOTICE: (Continued)

6-70 Vehicle Dimensions*
Wheelbase
Reg Cab Short Box 108.3 inches (275.1 cm). . . . . .
Reg Cab Long Box 117.9 inches (299.5 cm). . . . . .
Extended Cab 122.9 inches (312.2 cm). . . . . . . . . .
Length
Reg Cab Short Box 189.0 inches (480.1 cm). . . . . .
Reg Cab Long Box 204.9 inches (520.4 cm). . . . . .
Extended Cab 203.6 inches (517.1 cm). . . . . . . . . .
Height
2WD Reg Cab 62.1 inches (157.7 cm). . . . . . . . . . .
2WD Ext Cab 62.2 inches (158.0 cm). . . . . . . . . . .
4WD Reg Cab Short Box 63.8 inches (162.1 cm). .
4WD Reg Cab Long Box 65.4 inches (166.1 cm). .
4WD Extended Cab 63.8 inches (162.1 cm). . . . . .
Width 67.9 inches (172.5 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Front Tread
2WD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.0 Wheel Offset 54.5 inches (138.4 cm). . . . . . . . .
-6.4 Wheel Offset 55.0 inches (139.6 cm). . . . . . . .
4WD
15
-inch Tires 57.3 inches (145.4 cm). . . . . . . . . . . .
31 x 10.5 Tires 61.2 inches (155.4 cm). . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Tread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2WD 54.7 inches (138.8 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4WD
15
-inch Tires 55.1 inches (139.9 cm). . . . . . . . . . . .
31 x 10.5 Tires 59.1 inches (150.0 cm). . . . . . . . . . .
*Figures reflect base equipment only.