GMC SONOMA 2003 Owner's Manual

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if itnds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada)
in a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-GMC-8782 (1-800-462-8782),
or write:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33172
Detroit, MI 48232-5172
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
7-9
2003 - Sonoma OM

Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair
service procedures, adjustments, and specications
for GM transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors
cars and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product
Service Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your
General Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual,
and Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P. O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-10
2003 - Sonoma OM

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-15
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-63
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-38
Additional Program Information........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-5
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-88
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-48
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)....................3-39, 3-42, 3-49, 3-59
After Off-Road Driving.....................................4-26
Air Bag
Off Light.....................................................3-24
Readiness Light..........................................3-24
Air Bag System..............................................1-54
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-63
Air Bag Off Switch.......................................1-60
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-58
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-63
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?....................1-58
What Will You See After an Air Bag
Inflates?..................................................1-58
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?...................1-57
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-56
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
All Overseas Locations...................................... 7-4Aluminum Wheels...........................................5-84
AM ...............................................................3-67
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-37
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-69
Anti-Lock Brake System.................................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-28
Appearance Care............................................5-79
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-82
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-85
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-79
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-82
Finish Damage............................................5-85
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..........5-86
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-85
Underbody Maintenance
...............................5-85
Weatherstrips
..............................................5-82
Approaching a Hill
..........................................4-18
Ashtrays
........................................................3-16
Assist Handles
...............................................2-50
Audio System(s)
.............................................3-36
AM-FM Radio
.............................................3-37
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
................3-68
Care of Your CD Player
...............................3-69
Care of Your CDs
........................................3-69
Fixed Mast Antenna
.....................................3-69
Radio with Cassette and CD
.........................3-47
Radio with CD
............................................3-40
Radio with Six-Disc CD
................................3-56
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-37
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-36
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-67
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-67
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-11
Automatic Transmission...................................2-22
Fluid..........................................................5-20
Operation...................................................2-25
Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-27
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-29
B
Backing Up....................................................4-58
Battery..........................................................5-42
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Rundown Protection.............................3-15
Bed Rails......................................................2-52
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-33
Before You Go Off-Roading..............................4-13
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-28
Brake
Parking......................................................2-32
System Inspection.......................................6-32Brake (cont.)
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Brake Adjustment............................................5-41
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-41
Brake Wear...................................................5-41
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-7
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-20
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-54
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Headlamps.................................................5-50
One-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps...............5-52
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Taillamps....................................................5-55
Two-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps...............5-53
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada........................................................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Capacities and Specifications............................5-94
Carbon Monoxide...................4-36, 4-51, 2-12, 2-37
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-82
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-68
Your CD Player...........................................3-69
Your CDs ...................................................3-69
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-54
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-26
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-54
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-23
Chains, Tires..................................................5-66
Charging System Light....................................3-26
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-29
Gages Warning Light
...................................3-34
Checking Brake Fluid
......................................5-40
Checking Coolant
............................................5-26
Checking Engine Oil
........................................5-13
Checking the Fluid Level
..................................5-21
Checking Things Under the Hood
....................... 5-8
Checking Your Restraint Systems
......................1-64
Chemical Paint Spotting
...................................5-85
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems
...............................1-36
Infants and Young Children
...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
..........................1-44
Older Children
.............................................1-30Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Seat Position...........................................1-49
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-49
Top Strap...................................................1-41
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Where to Put the Restraint...................1-39, 1-40
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-16
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-79
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-82
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-82
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-83
Cleaning the Mirror.........................................2-39
Cleaning the Photocells...................................2-39
Climate Control System...................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-19
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-24
Compact Disc Messages.................3-46, 3-56, 3-67
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-78
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-17
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-29
Heater, Engine............................................2-24
Cooling.........................................................3-18
Cooling System..............................................5-30
Crew Cab
®....................................................1-46
Cruise Control.................................................. 3-8
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-10
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-3
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors...... 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government.............................................. 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government.............................................. 7-8
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information......... 7-9
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-12
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-19Dinghy Towing................................................4-43
Directing the Airflow ........................................3-17
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-44
Dome Lamp ...................................................3-15
Door
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
Third Door..................................................2-12
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-16
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................2-46
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-27
City ...........................................................4-31
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-32
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-34
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-28
Winter........................................................4-36
Driving Across an Incline..................................4-22
Driving Downhill..............................................4-21
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice....................4-25
Driving in Water..............................................4-26
Driving On Grades
..........................................4-59
Driving on Off-Road Hills
.................................4-18
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-37
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-30
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-30
Driving Uphill..................................................4-19
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-57
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-88
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-89
Headlamps.................................................5-88
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-88
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-88
Electronic Transfer Case..................................2-30
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-32
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-42
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-29
Compartment Overview................................5-10
Coolant......................................................5-25
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-29
Cooling System Inspection............................6-31
Exhaust.....................................................2-37
Fan Noise..................................................5-36Engine (cont.)
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-28
Starting......................................................2-22
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-91
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-26
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-26
Entry Lighting.................................................3-14
Environmental Concerns..................................4-15
Exit Lighting...................................................3-14
Express Down Window....................................2-15
Extended Cab (Jump Seat)..............................1-48
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-29
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-10
F
Fabric/Carpet.................................................5-79
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a PTY Station.....................3-43, 3-50, 3-60
Finding a Station....................3-38, 3-40, 3-48, 3-57
Finish Care....................................................5-83
Finish Damage...............................................5-85
Five-Speed....................................................2-28
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-69
Flash-To-Pass Feature....................................... 3-6
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Flat Tire........................................................5-67
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-68
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-20
Manual Transmission....................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-37
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
FM ...............................................................3-67
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-13
Following Distance..........................................4-57
Four-Wheel Drive....................................2-29, 5-48
Front Axle......................................................5-49
Front Map Lamps...........................................3-14
Front Storage Area.........................................2-49
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-5
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-8
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage .........................................................3-35
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-35
System Inspection
.......................................6-31
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
...........................5-89
Windshield Wiper
.........................................5-88G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-29
Fuel..........................................................3-35
Oil Pressure...............................................3-32
Speedometer..............................................3-23
Tachometer.................................................3-23
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-26
Garment Hooks..............................................2-50
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Specifications............................................... 5-5
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving................4-16
Glass Surfaces...............................................5-81
Glove Box.....................................................2-41
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-3
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamps....................................................5-50
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-50
Electrical System.........................................5-88
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Headlamps (cont.)
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
One-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps...............5-52
Two-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps...............5-53
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Heating.........................................................3-18
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-34
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-34
Hitches..........................................................4-56
Hood
Checking Things Under.................................. 5-8
Release....................................................... 5-9
Horn ............................................................... 3-4
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-32
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-34
How to Add Fluid....................................5-22, 5-24
How to Check................................5-20, 5-23, 5-59
How to Check and Add Fluid
............................5-25
How to Check Lubricant
..........................5-47, 5-49
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
..................5-37
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
.......5-19
How to Use This Manual
...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
...................1-15
Hydraulic Clutch
.............................................5-24
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
........................6-27
Hydroplaning
..................................................4-30I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-29
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-28
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-30
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-31
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-40
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-52
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-38
Ignition Positions.............................................2-20
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-29
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-32
Inflation–Tire Pressure...................................5-58
Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-32
Engine Cooling System................................6-31
Exhaust System..........................................6-31
Fuel System...............................................6-31
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-31
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive
Axle Boot and Seal..................................6-31
Throttle System...........................................6-32
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(Four-Wheel Drive)...................................6-32
Installing a Garage Door Opener.......................2-43
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-21
Overview..................................................... 3-2
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-14
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-89
Interior Lamps................................................3-14
Interior Plastic Components..............................5-81
J
Jump Seat.....................................................1-10
Jump Starting.................................................5-43
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-28
Key Release Button........................................2-21
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-10
Interior.......................................................3-14
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-12
Lap Belt................................................1-23, 1-25
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-16LATCH System
Child Restraints
...........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System
........................................1-46
Latches, Seatback
............................................ 1-8
Leather
.........................................................5-81
Leaving Your Vehicle
.......................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
. . . 2-34
Light
Air Bag Off
.................................................3-24
Air Bag Readiness
.......................................3-24
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
...................3-28
Brake System Warning
.................................3-27
Charging System
.........................................3-26
Check Gages Warning
.................................3-34
Low Fuel Warning
.......................................3-35
Malfunction Indicator
....................................3-29
Safety Belt Reminder
...................................3-23
Security
.....................................................3-33
Service Four-Wheel-Drive Warning Light
.........3-34
Up-Shift
.....................................................3-27
Loading Your Vehicle
.......................................4-46
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
..........4-14
Locking Rear Axle
............................................ 4-7
Lockout Protection
..........................................2-11
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2003 - Sonoma OM