2001 GMC SONOMA manual transmission

Table of Contents
Windows
Keys and Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry (If Equipped)
Tailgate
Automatic Transmission (If Equipped)
Manual Transmission Operation (If Equipped)
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
Parking Brake
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Windshield Wipers
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
Exterior and Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Accessory Power Outlets
OnStar
® System (If Equipped)
Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages Seats and Seat Controls
Safety BeltsAir Bag Systems
Restraint Systems for Children
Section
1
Section
2
Seats and Restraint Systems
Features and Controls
ii

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything
is working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-5 Keys
2
-7 Door Locks
2
-10 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-14 Tailgate
2
-15 Theft
2
-16 Content Theft-Deterrent (If Equipped)
2
-18 Passlock

2-18 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-19 Ignition Positions
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-23 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-24 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-27 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-29 Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
2
-32 Parking Brake
2
-33 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)2
-35 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-36 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-37 Engine Exhaust
2
-37 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-38 Locking Rear Axle
2
-38 Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
2
-39 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-45 Exterior Lamps
2
-48 Interior Lamps
2
-50 Mirrors
2
-53 Storage Compartments
2
-61 Accessory Power Outlets (If Equipped)
2
-65 Instrument Panel - Your Information System
2
-66 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-69 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-19
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to
five different positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things
like the radio and the windshield wipers and power
windows (if equipped) when the engine is off. Push in
the key and turn it toward you. Your steering wheel will
remain locked, just as it was before you inserted the key.
NOTICE:
Don't operate accessories in the ACCESSORY
position for long periods of time. Prolonged
operation of accessories in the ACCESSORY
position could drain your battery and prevent
you from starting your vehicle.
LOCK (B): This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transmission. It's a theft
-deterrent feature.
You will only be able to remove your key when the
ignition is turned to LOCK.
CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don't press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.

2-20
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine
but still turn the steering wheel. Use OFF if you must
have your vehicle in motion while the engine is off
(for example, if your vehicle is being towed).
RUN (D): This is the position for driving.
START (E): This position starts your engine.
Key Release Button
The key cannot be removed
from the ignition of manual
transmission vehicles
unless the key release
button is used.
To remove the key on manual transmission vehicles,
turn the key to OFF. Then turn the key to LOCK while
pressing the key release button down at the same time.
Pull the key straight out.
On automatic transmission vehicles, turn the key to
LOCK and pull it straight out.

2-21 Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow certain features
on your vehicle to continue to work up to 20 minutes
after the ignition key is turned to OFF.
Your radio and power windows will work when the
ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY. Once the key
is turned from RUN to OFF, these features will continue
to work for up to 20 minutes or until a door is opened.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the
parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the
floor and start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if
the clutch pedal is not all the way down
-- that's a
safety feature.
Starting Your ªVORTECº 2200 L4 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.

2-27
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2). You can use
it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift
lever is put in FIRST (1) while the vehicle is moving
forward, the transmission won't shift into FIRST (1)
until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can't turn, don't try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very deep
sand or mud or were up against a solid object.
You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes or shift into
PARK (P) to hold your vehicle in position
on a hill.
Manual Transmission Operation
5-Speed
This is your shift pattern.
Here's how to operate your transmission:
FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you slowly press down on the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you're going less
than 20 mph (30 km/h). If you've come to a complete
stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the
clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).

2-28
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up
on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
THIRD, FOURTH AND FIFTH (3, 4 and 5): Shift
into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same
way you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the
clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press
the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops,
press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and
shift to NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL: Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press the clutch pedal.
After the vehicle stops, shift into REVERSE (R).
For vehicles equipped with the VORTEC 4300 V6
engine, you must wait six seconds before shifting into
REVERSE (R). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transmission.
Use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake, for
parking your vehicle.
Shift Light
If you have a manual
transmission, you have
a SHIFT light.
This light will show you when to shift to the next higher
gear for best fuel economy.

2-29
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road and traffic conditions let
you. For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and
shift when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go
on and off if you quickly change the position of the
accelerator. Ignore the SHIFT light when you downshift.
Shift Speeds
CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could
lose control of your vehicle. You could injure
yourself or others. Don't shift down more than
one gear at a time when you downshift.
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive and is equipped
with a manual transmission, disregard the SHIFT light
when the transfer case is in 4LO.
Four-Wheel Drive (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send
your engine's driving power to all four wheels for extra
traction. To get the most satisfaction out of four
-wheel
drive, you must be familiar with its operation. Read the
part that follows before using four
-wheel drive. You
should use two
-wheel drive (2HI) for most normal
driving conditions.
NOTICE:
Driving in the 4HI or 4LO positions for a long
time on dry or wet pavement could shorten the
life of your vehicle's drivetrain.