2002 GMC SONOMA instrument panel

4-43
When towing your vehicle, turn the ignition to OFF. To
prevent your battery from draining while towing,
remove the RDO BATT and CLSTR fuses from the
instrument panel fuse block. Be sure to replace the fuse
when you reach your destination. See ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index.
Be sure to use the proper towing equipment designed for
recreational vehicle towing. Follow the instructions for
the towing equipment.
CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in Park (P), for an
automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is in
gear, for a manual transmission. You or others
could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is
firmly set before you shift the transfer case to
NEUTRAL.
Dolly Towing
(Two-Wheel Drive Models Only)
Your vehicle should not be towed with all four wheels
on the ground. Your transmission has no provision for
internal lubrication while being towed. To properly tow
your vehicle, it should be placed on a platform trailer
with all four wheels off the ground. Towing with all four
wheels on the ground should be avoided.

4-58 Passing
You'll need more passing distance up ahead when
you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal
longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy
-duty turn signal flasher.
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you're about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.

5-8
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. See ªGagesº in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.

6-3
CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.

Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.

Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. ªEnglishº and ªmetricº
fasteners can be easily confused. If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or fall off. You could be hurt.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of
your vehicle.
Fuel (Gasoline)
The 8th digit of your vehicle identification number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that identifies
your engine. You will find the VIN at the top left of the
instrument panel. See ªVehicle Identification Numberº
in the Index.
If your vehicle has the 2200 L4 engine (VIN Code 5),
you may use either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol
fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E
-85); also see
ªFuel E
-85 (85% Ethanol)º following. If your
vehicle has the 4.3L V6 engine, use only regular
unleaded gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of
87 or higher. If the octane is less than 87, you may
get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it is bad
enough, it can damage your engine. A little pinging
noise when you accelerate or drive uphill is considered
normal. This does not indicate a problem exists or that
a higher
-octane fuel is necessary.

6-5
Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark
plugs and the performance of the emission control
system may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
GM dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly if
they comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don't use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage wouldn't be covered under your
warranty.
Fuel E-85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of your vehicle identification number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that identifies
your engine. You will find the VIN at the top left of the
instrument panel. See ªVehicle Identification Numberº
in the Index.
If your vehicle has the 2200 L4 engine (VIN Code 5),
you may use either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol
fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E
-85); also see
ªFuel (Gasoline)º listed previously. If your vehicle has
the 4.3L V6 engine use only regular unleaded gasoline.
Only vehicles with the 2200 L4 engine (VIN Code 5)
may use 85% ethanol fuel (E
-85).
Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E
-85) pump available. The U. S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(http://afdcmap.nrel.gov/nrel/) that can help you find E
-85
fuel. Those stations that do have E
-85 should have a label
indicating ethanol content. Do not use the fuel if the
ethanol content is greater than 85%. Your vehicle may not
operate properly if the ethanol content is greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E
-85 should meet
ASTM Specification D 5798.

6-10 Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the handle
located inside
the vehicle on
the lower left
side of the
instrument panel.
2. Lift the hood.
3. Release the hood prop from its retainer and put the
hood prop into the slot in the hood

6-58 Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.

Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.

Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if
you don't get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and
a vinyl/leather cleaner. See your dealer for this
product.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let the
leather dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry.

For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your
dealer for this product.

Never use oils, varnishes, solvent
-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.

Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
immediately. If dirt is allowed to work into the
finish, it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components
Use only a mild soap and water solution on a soft cloth
or sponge. Commercial cleaners may affect the surface
finish.
Cleaning Wood Panels
Use a clean cloth moistened in warm, soapy water (use
mild dish washing soap). Dry the wood immediately
with a clean cloth.

6-65
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver's side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help you identify your engine,
specifications and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You'll find this label on the inside of the glove box.
It's very helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this
label is:

your VIN,

the model designation,

paint information and

a list of all production options and special
equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.