towing GMC SONOMA 2003 Service Manual

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
❑For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and
repack the front wheel bearings (or at each
brake relining, whichever occursrst).
❑Change automatic transmissionuid andlter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change theuid andlter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km).
❑Replace fuellter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote†.)
❑Replace engine air cleanerlter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
6-24
2003 - Sonoma OM

GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
qualied applicants, can
reimburse you up to
$1,000 toward aftermarket
driver or passenger
adaptive equipment you
may require for your
vehicle (hand controls,
wheelchair/scooter
lifts, etc.).
This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The program is available
for a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. See your dealer for more details or call
the GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1-800-323-9935.
Text telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program.
Call 1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details.
All TTY users call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance Program
GMC’s Roadside Assistance Provides stranded owners
with over-the-phone roadside repairs, location of the
nearest GMC dealer or the following special services:
Flat Tire Change:Installation of spare tire will be
covered at no charge (customer is responsible for repair
or replacement of tire).
Fuel Delivery:Delivery of enough fuel for the customer
to get to the nearest service station (up to $5.00)
will be covered.
Jump Start:No-start situations which require a battery
jump start will be covered at no charge.
Lock Out:Replacement keys or locksmith service will be
covered at no charge if you are unable to gain entry
into your vehicle. Delivery of the replacement key will be
covered within 10 miles (16 km).
Emergency Towing Service:Towing to the nearest
GMC dealer for warranty related disablements will be
covered.
Trip Routing:Custom-made, computerized highlighted
maps using the most direct or scenic route are
provided free of charge. Maps include points of interest
and a list of GMC dealers along the route. Also
included is a list of hotels along the route that are
discounted through affiliation with“Quest International.”
7-5
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

Locks
Door ........................................................... 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-11
Lockout Protection.......................................2-11
Power Door .................................................. 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-11
Long Trip/Highway Definition.............................. 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Intervals............................... 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance........6-18
Loss of Control...............................................4-12
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-35
Luggage Carrier..............................................2-50
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-4
Power Controls............................................. 1-5
M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-96
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-26
At Least Four Times a Year..........................6-27
At Least Once a Month................................6-26
At Least Once a Year..................................6-28
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-26Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Brake System Inspection..............................6-32
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-31
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-31
Fuel System Inspection................................6-31
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-18
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-26
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-31
PartD-Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-33
PartE-Maintenance Record........................6-35
Selecting the Right Schedule
.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
............. 6-7
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
...................6-31
Throttle System Inspection
............................6-32
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(Four-Wheel Drive) Inspection
....................6-32
Using Your
................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
.....................4-60
Making Turns
.................................................4-58
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Rear Axle......................................................5-47
Locking........................................................ 4-7
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-11
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-9
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions.............1-26
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..........1-25, 1-26
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-39
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-39
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-6
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-42
Regular Cab and Extended Cab Models.............1-60
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-71
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-68
Removing Wheel Covers..................................5-70
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-55
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-42
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..............................................1-64
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government................................... 7-9
General Motors............................................. 7-9
United States Government
.............................. 7-8
Restraint System Check
...................................6-26
Checking Your Restraint Systems
...................1-64
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
..........................................1-64Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-64
Replacing Parts...........................................1-64
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-22
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-23
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-5
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out...................4-40
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-38
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-23
Safety Belts
Care of ......................................................5-82
Center Passenger Position............................1-23
Driver Position............................................1-16
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-15
Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts.............................................1-15
Rear Seat Passengers.........................1-25, 1-26
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-23
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-29
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-22
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-10
Safety Chains.................................................4-56
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scanning the Terrain.......................................4-16
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-43
Torque Lock...................................................2-35
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-55
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-42
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-51
Your Vehicle...............................................4-42
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-50
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-57
Transfer Case................................................5-48
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(Four-Wheel Drive) Inspection.......................6-32
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-20
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-23
Up-Shift Light..............................................3-27
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-25
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-28
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-10
Transportation Options...................................... 7-7
Traveling to Remote Areas...............................4-15
Trip Odometer................................................3-23
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-48
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-58
Two-Piece Composite Headlamp System............5-51
Two-Tiered Loading.........................................4-48U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-30
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
............................5-63
United States
................................................... 7-4
Up-Shift Light
.........................................2-29, 3-27
Used Replacement Wheels
..............................5-66
Using Cleaner on Fabric
..................................5-80
Using RDS
....................................3-42, 3-50, 3-59
Using Song List Mode
.....................................3-65
Using the Recovery Hooks
...............................4-41
V
Vehicle
Control
........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings
........................................... iv
Loading
......................................................4-46
Parking Your
...............................................2-36
Symbols
......................................................... iv
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
.............................................5-87
Service Parts Identification Label
...................5-88
Vehicle Personalization
Memory Seat
..............................................2-54
Vehicle Storage
..............................................5-42
Ventilation Adjustment
......................................3-19
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2003 - Sonoma OM