ECU GMC SONOMA 2003 Owner's Guide

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-9
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-11
Lockout Protection........................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-11
Third Door...................................................2-12
Tailgate.......................................................2-12
Windows........................................................2-14
Manual Windows..........................................2-15
Power Windows............................................2-15
Swing-Out Windows......................................2-16
Sliding Rear Window.....................................2-16
Sun Visors...................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-17
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-17
Passlock
®....................................................2-19Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-20
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-20
Ignition Positions..........................................2-20
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-22
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-24
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-25
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-28
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-29
Parking Brake..............................................2-32
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-33
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-35
Parking Your Vehicle.....................................2-36
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-36
Engine Exhaust............................................2-37
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-38
Mirrors...........................................................2-39
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-39
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-39
Outside Manual Mirror...................................2-39
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-40
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-40
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-41
Section 2Features and Controls
2-1
2003 - Sonoma OM

Rear Door Security Locks
If you have the Crew Cab®model, your vehicle may be
equipped with rear door security locks. With this
feature, you can lock the rear doors so they can’tbe
opened from the inside by passengers.
The security lock lever is
located on the inside edge
of each rear door.
To use the security locks, do the following:
1. Open one of the rear doors.
2. Slide the lever up to the lock symbol to engage
the lock.
3. Close the door.
4. Repeat these steps on the opposite rear door.If you want to open the rear door when the security lock
is on, unlock the door and open the door from the
outside. To return the rear doors to normal use,
disengage the locks by sliding the lever to the unlock
symbol.
Lockout Protection
This feature protects you from locking your key in the
vehicle when the key is in the ignition and a door
is open.
If the power door lock switch is pressed when a door is
open and the key is in the ignition, all of the doors
will lock and then the driver’s door will unlock.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
2-11
2003 - Sonoma OM

Third Door
Your vehicle may be equipped with a third door for
convenience in loading and unloading cargo.
To open the third door,first open the driver’s front door.
Then, use the handle located on the front edge of the
door panel to open it.
You must close the third door before you can close the
driver’s door.
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.
2-12
2003 - Sonoma OM

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.
2-13
2003 - Sonoma OM

Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Content
Theft-Deterrent alarm system.
With this system, the
SECURITY light willflash
as you open the door
if your ignition is off.This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent
system. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or
the remote keyless entry transmitter. The
SECURITY light should come on and stay on.
3. Close all doors. The SECURITY light should go off
after approximately 30 seconds. The alarm is not
armed until the SECURITY light goes off.
If a door is opened without the key or the remote keyless
entry transmitter, the alarm will go off. Your vehicle’s
headlamps willflash and the horn will sound for
110 seconds, then will turn off to save the battery power.
2-17
2003 - Sonoma OM

Remember, the theft-deterrent system won’t activate if
you lock the doors with a key or use the manual
door lock. It activates only if you use a power door lock
switch with the door open, or with the remote keyless
entry transmitter. You should also remember that
you can start your vehicle with the correct ignition key if
the alarm has been set off.
Here’s how to avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
•If you don’t want to activate the theft-deterrent
system, the vehicle should be locked with the door
keyafterthe doors are closed.
•Always unlock a door with a key, or use the remote
keyless entry transmitter. Unlocking a door any
other way will set off the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, unlock any door
with the key. You can also turn off the alarm by pressing
UNLOCK on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
The alarm won’t stop if you try to unlock a door any
other way.
Testing the Alarm
The alarm can be tested by following these steps:
1. From inside the vehicle, lower the driver’s window
and open the driver’s door.
2. Activate the system by locking the doors with the
power door lock switch while the door is open, or
with the remote keyless entry transmitter.
3. Get out of the vehicle, close the door and wait for
the SECURITY light to go out.
4. Then reach in through the window, unlock the door
with the manual door lock and open the door. This
should set off the alarm.
If the alarm does not sound when it should but the
vehicle’s headlampsflash, check to see if the horn
works. The horn fuse may be blown. To replace
the fuse, seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-89.
If the alarm does not sound or the vehicle’s headlamps
do notflash, the vehicle should be serviced by an
authorized service center.
2-18
2003 - Sonoma OM

Passlock®
Your vehicle is equipped with the
Passlock®theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
®is a passive theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is
turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the
ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.
During normal operation, the SECURITY light will
go off approximatelyfive seconds after the key is turned
to RUN.
If the engine stalls and the SECURITY lightflashes,
wait about 10 minutes until the light stopsflashing before
trying to restart the engine. Remember to release the
key from START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start after three tries, the vehicle
needs service.If the engine is running and the SECURITY message
comes on, you will be able to restart the engine if
you turn the engine off. However, your
Passlock
®system is not working properly and must be
serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected
by Passlock
®at this time. You may also want to check
the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-89.
See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the GM Roadside Assistance
Center. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.
2-19
2003 - Sonoma OM

Assist Handles
An assist handle above each passenger door can be
used when getting out of your vehicle.
Garment Hooks
Vehicle Location
Crew Cab
®On the headliner in front
of the assist handles
Regular CabOn the trim panels in the
rear of the vehicle
Extended CabOn the headliner on the
driver’s and the trim panel
on the passenger’s side in
the rear of the vehicle
Luggage Carrier
{CAUTION:
If you try to carry something on top of your
vehicle that is longer or wider than the luggage
carrier—like paneling, plywood, a mattress
and so forth—the wind can catch it as you
drive along. This can cause you to lose
control. What you are carrying could be
violently torn off, and this could cause you or
other drivers to have a collision, and of course
damage your vehicle. You may be able to carry
something like this inside. But, never carry
something longer or wider than the luggage
carrier on top of your vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with a luggage carrier, it may
have side rails and crossrails attached to the roof to
secure cargo. The adjustable tie downs, at both ends of
the crossrails, should be used to secure loads to the
luggage carrier. Use GM accessory racks that are
compatible with your luggage carrier for transporting
sports equipment. These are available through
your dealer.
2-50
2003 - Sonoma OM

You can adjust the crossrails to handle loads of various
sizes. Just loosen the slider knobs at each end of
the crossrail and move them to where you want them.
Make sure both sides of the crossrails are even,
then tighten the slider knobs.
Be sure the cargo is properly loaded. Follow these
guidelines:
•Carrying small, heavy loads on the roof is not
recommended.
•Secure the load using the tie downs at both ends of
the crossrails. When loading cargo directly on the
roof panel, use the crossrails to keep the load from
shifting.
•If you need to carry long items, move the crossrails
as far apart as possible. Tie the load to the tie
downs provided. Also tie the load to the bumpers.
Do not tie the load so tightly that the crossrails
or side rails are damaged.Notice:Loading cargo that weighs more than
100 lbs. (45 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage
your vehicle. When you carry large things, never let
them hang over the rear or the sides of your vehicle.
Load your cargo so that it rests on the slats and does
not scratch or damage the vehicle. Put the cargo
against the side rails and fasten it securely to the
luggage carrier. Put the main weight as far forward
as you can.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-46.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving,
check now and then to make sure the luggage
carrier and cargo are still securely fastened.
2-51
2003 - Sonoma OM

Bed Rails
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has bed rails, they are there for
appearance only. If you try to tie down a load
with them, or to secure things in your truck,
not only can it damage the bed rails, but the
load can loosen. This could cause injury to
you or others. Secure loads by using the cargo
tie-down loops, inside the truck bed area.
Sunroof
If your vehicle has a
sunroof, the switch is
located between the
sun visors.
The sunroof switch will only work when the ignition is on
or when the ignition is off and retained accessory
power is active. See“Retained Accessory Power”under
Ignition Positions on page 2-20for more information.
2-52
2003 - Sonoma OM