2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE brake

If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is ®rmly set before you leave it. After you
move the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without ®rst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may ®nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called²torque
lock.²To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver's seat. To ®nd out how, see
Shifting Into Park
(P) on page 2-39.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-41

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK when
the ignition is the LOCK position. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-26.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACCESSORY. (There is no shift
interlock in this key position.)
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear
you want.
5. Have the system ®xed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
2-42

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-43.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust Ð with CO Ð can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-51.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake ®rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
2-44

{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL will allow the vehicle to roll,
even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be
sure the transfer case is in a drive gear Ð not
in NEUTRAL. Always set your parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-39.
If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on
page 4-65.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Pull the tab under the mirror toward you to reduce glare
from headlamps behind you after dark. Push the tab
away from you for normal daytime operation.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
ž, Compass and
Temperature Display
Your vehicle may have this feature. When on, an
electrochromic mirror automatically dims to the proper
level to minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror also includes a duel display in the upper
right corner of the mirror face. The compass reading and
the outside temperature will both appear in the display
at the same time.
P(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
2-45

Vehicle Personalization
Memory Seat
If your vehicle has this
feature, then the controls
for the memory function
are located on the
driver's door.
These buttons are used to program and recall memory
settings for the driver's seat, throttle and brake
pedals, both the driver's and passenger's outside mirror,
and the radio station presets. The settings for these
features can be personalized for both driver 1 and driver
2. Driver 1 or driver 2 corresponds to the memory
buttons labeled 1and 2 on the driver's door.To store your memory seat, throttle and brake pedals,
mirrors and radio presets, do the following:
1. Adjust the driver's seat (including the seatback
recliner, lumbar, and side wing area), throttle
and brake pedals, both of the outside mirrors, and
the radio station presets to your preference.
2. Press and hold the 1 or 2 (for driver 1or 2) button
of the memory control for three seconds. A double
chime will sound to let you know that the position
has been stored.
To repeat the procedure for a second driver, follow the
preceding steps, but press the other numbered
memory control button.
Each time button 1 or 2 is pressed and released while
the vehicle is in PARK (P), a single chime will sound and
the memory position will be recalled.
If you use the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter to enter your vehicle, the preset driver's
seat, throttle and brake pedal, mirror positions and the
radio station presets will be recalled if programmed
to do so through the Driver Information Center (DIC).
The numbers on the back of the transmitters, 1 or 2,
correspond to the numbers on the memory controls.
2-66

The seat, throttle and brake pedals and mirror positions
can also be recalled when placing the key in the
ignition if programmed to do so through the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
To stop recall movement of the memory seat feature at
any time, press one of the memory buttons or power
seat controls.
Easy Exit Seat
The controls for this memory function are located on the
driver's door.
BThis button is used to program and recall the
desired driver's seat position when exiting/entering the
vehicle. The seat position, can be personalized for
both driver 1 and driver 2.
To store the seat exit position for driver 1 or 2, do the
following:
1. Select the desired driver number by pressing and
releasing the 1 or 2 button. The seat will move to
the stored memory position.
2. Adjust the seat to the desired exit position.3. Press and hold the exit button of the memory
control for three seconds. A double chime will sound
to let you know that the position has been stored
for the identi®ed driver (1 or 2).
To use the seat exit position, do one of the following:
·Press the exit button on the memory control.
·Or, if this feature is enabled (active) in the DIC,
then removing the key from the ignition will
cause the seat to move to the exit position.
2-67

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-17
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-19
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-20
Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-21
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-25
Rear Air Conditioning System.........................3-31
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System.......3-32
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System and
Electronic Climate Controls.........................3-34
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-36
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-37
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-38
Tachometer.................................................3-38Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-38
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-39
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator.................3-39
Battery Warning Light....................................3-41
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-42
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-42
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-44
Traction Off Light..........................................3-44
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-45
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-46
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-47
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-50
Cruise Control Light......................................3-51
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-51
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-52
Fuel Gage...................................................3-52
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-53
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-53
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-54
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-64
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

A. Dome Lamp Override Button. See ªDome Lampsº
underInterior Lamps on page 3-17.
B. Exterior Lamp Controls. See
Exterior Lamps on
page 3-14.
C. Air Outlets. See ªClimate Controlsº in Section 3.
D. Automatic Transfer Case/Stabilitrak
žMode Button
(AWD Vehicles)/Traction Assist System (TAS).
See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-29.
E. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See
Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. See
Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-37.
G. Gearshift Lever. See
Automatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-26.
H. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If Equipped). See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-26.
I. Audio System. See
Audio System(s) on page 3-72.
J. Comfort Control System. See
Climate Control
System on page 3-20.K. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. See
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-109.
L. Hood Release. See
Hood Release on page 5-12.
M. Steering Wheel Control Buttons (If Equipped).
See
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53.
N. Center Instrument Panel Utility Block. See
Fuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-109.
O. Tilt Wheel Lever. See
Tilt Wheel on page 3-7.
P. Parking Brake Release. See
Parking Brake on
page 2-38.
Q. Lighter and Accessory Power Outlets. See
Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-19.
R. Storage Area (If Equipped). See ªStorage Areasº in
Section 2.
S. Ashtray. See
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-20.
T. Glovebox. See
Glove Box on page 2-61.
3-5