brake GMC SONOMA 2003 User Guide

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. You mayfind it difficult to pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P). This is called“torque lock”To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s seat.
Tofind out how, seeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-33.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply the regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-25.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever–push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then move
the shift lever into the gear you want. You must press
the shift lever button on the shift lever.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehiclefixed as soon as possible.
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Parking Your Vehicle
If you have a manual transmission, before you get out
of your vehicle, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R),
andfirmly apply the parking brake. Once the shift
lever has been placed into REVERSE (R) with the clutch
pedal pressed in, you can turn the ignition key to
OFF, remove the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-51.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.
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Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust.”
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan is at the highest setting. One place this
can happen is a garage. Exhaust—with
CO—can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See“Winter Driving”in the Index.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brakefirmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when
you’re on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-33.
If you’re pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-51.
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Use this memory function to save your seat cushion and
seatback settings by using the following procedure:
1. Adjust the driver’s seat to a safe and comfortable
driving position.
2. Press the SET button and then press and hold
button 1 (for Driver 1) for three seconds. A chime
will sound to let you know that the position has been
stored.
A second seating can be programmed by repeating
the procedure with a second driver and pressing
button 2 for three seconds.
When your vehicle is in PARK (P) for an automatic
transmission or the parking brake is engaged for
a manual transmission, press and release the numbered
memory button you just stored. The seat will move to
the set position. You will hear one chime.
Pressing the UNLOCK button of a keyless entry
transmitter will adjust the seat to the corresponding
stored memory position. You will hear one chime.Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to readjust the seat. The
transmitter need not be reprogrammed unless it needs
to correspond to the other numbered memory button.
If there is a third driver, use the seat adjuster switch to
adjust the seat.
Pressing any of the seat adjuster switches, the SET
button or pressing the desired memory button twice will
cause the seat to stop moving.
If you press the numbered button to adjust the seat and
start the vehicle while the seat is still adjusting,
adjustment will pause while the ignition is in START.
Adjustment will resume after the ignition is in RUN.
Setting the seat memory function for a particular driver
will also personalize the radio station presets that have
been selected. Each time the driver sets this function, the
respective radio station presets will also be retained.
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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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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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Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you’re
not using cruise, you might hit a button and go
into cruise when you don’t want to. You could
be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press in the SET button located at the end of the
lever and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts
off cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it.
Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can move the cruise control switch briey from
ON to R/A (Resume/Accelerate).
You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.If you hold the switch at R/A, the vehicle will keep going
faster until you release the switch or apply the brake.
You could be startled and even lose control. So unless
you want to go faster, don’t hold the switch at R/A.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the SET button at the end of the lever,
then release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You’ll now cruise at the higher speed.
Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want,
and then release the switch. To increase your speed
in very small amounts, briey move the switch to
R/A. Each time you do this, your vehicle will
go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control

Press the SET button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the SET
button briey. Each time you do this, you’ll go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
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Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may want to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
driversnd this to be too much trouble and don’t use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal or push the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transmission.
If you have an automatic transmission and you
apply your brakes, the cruise control will shut off.
Move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
The control on the driver’s side of the instrument panel
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has three positions:
9(Off):Turn the exterior lamps control all the way
counterclockwise to turn off the lamps and put the
system in automatic headlamp mode.
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;(Parking Lamps):Turning the exterior lamps
control to this position turns on the parking lamps
together with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
O(Headlamps):Turning the exterior lamps control to
this position turns on the headlamps, together with
the previously listed lamps and lights.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the
instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the
top of the instrument panel under the radio speaker grill.
Be sure it is not covered or the system will be on
whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on your headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so
that driving under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
automatic headlamp system will only be affected when
the light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting
longer than the delay.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, set the parking brake while the ignition is off.
Then start your vehicle. The automatic headlamp
system will stay off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.
You may be able to turn off your automatic headlamp
system. See“Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)”later
in this section for more information.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
you leave the garage, it will take approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
your instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure your instrument panel brightness
control is in the full bright position. See“Instrument
Panel Brightness Control”underInterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
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