2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE manual transmission

Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Delayed Locking...........................................2-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-13
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Liftgate........................................................2-14
Windows........................................................2-16
Manual Windows..........................................2-16
Power Windows............................................2-16
Sun Visors...................................................2-18
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
Passlock
ž....................................................2-20Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-21
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-21
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-23
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal................2-24
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-24
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-26
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-29
All-Wheel Drive with Stabilitrak
ž......................2-34
Parking Brake..............................................2-38
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-39
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-42
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-42
Engine Exhaust............................................2-43
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-44
Mirrors...........................................................2-45
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-45
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
ž, Compass and Temperature
Display....................................................2-45
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Delayed Locking
When you lock the doors using the power lock switch or
the remote keyless entry transmitter with any door or
the liftgate open three chimes will signal that delayed
locking is being used.
Five seconds after the last door is closed, all the doors
will lock. All doors and liftgate can be re-opened for
up to ®ve seconds from the time the last door is closed.
You can lock the door immediately using the power
door lock switch or the optional remote keyless
entry transmitter a second time.
This feature will not lock the doors if the key is in the
ignition.
To enable or disable the delayed locking feature, do the
following:
1. Press and hold the power door lock switch on the
driver's door in the lock position.
2. Press the remote keyless entry transmitter unlock
button twice.
If the feature is disabled, the doors will lock immediately
when a power door lock switch or remote keyless
entry transmitter button is pressed.
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks
Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic
lock/unlock feature which enables you to program your
vehicle's power door locks. You can program this
feature through the Driver Information Center (DIC), or
by the following method.
Programmable Locking Feature
The following is the list of available programming options:
Mode 1:All doors lock when the transmission is shifted
into gear. This is the mode that is pre-programmed
in the factory for your vehicle for automatic transmission
vehicles.
Mode 2:All doors lock when the vehicle speed is
greater than 8 mph (13 km/h). This is the mode that is
pre-programmed in the factory for manual transmission
vehicles.
Mode 3:No automatic door locking.
2-10

The following instructions tell you how to change the
automatic door lock mode. Choose one of the three
programming options listed above before entering the
program mode. To enter the program mode, do the
following:
1. Begin with the ignition off. Then pull the turn
signal/multifunction lever toward you and hold
it there while you perform the next step.
2. Turn the key to RUN then back to LOCK twice.
Then, with the key in LOCK, release the turn
signal/multifunction lever. Once you do this, the
doors will lock and unlock, the horn will chirp twice,
and a 30-second timer will begin. You are now
ready to program the automatic door lock feature.
3. Press the door lock switch once. You will hear one,
two, or three chimes. The number of chimes tells
you which lock mode is currently selected. Continue
to press the door lock switch until the number of
chimes that you hear matches the number of
the mode that you want. If you take longer than 30
seconds, the locks will automatically lock and
unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that
you have left the program mode. If this occurs,
you can repeat the procedure beginning with Step 1
to re-enter the programming mode.You can exit the program mode any time by turning the
ignition to RUN (the doors will automatically lock and
unlock and the horn will chirp twice to indicate that you
are leaving the program mode). If the lock/unlock
switches are not pressed while in the programming mode,
the current automatic settings will not be modi®ed.
See your dealer for more information.
Programmable Unlocking Feature
The following is the list of available programming options:
Mode 1:Driver's door unlocks when the transmission is
shifted into PARK (P)(automatic transmission vehicles
only).
Mode 2:All doors unlock when the transmission is
shifted into PARK (P)(automatic transmission vehicles
only). This is the mode that is pre-programmed in
the factory for your vehicle.
Mode 3:All doors unlock when the key is removed
from the ignition This is the mode that is
pre-programmed in the factory for manual transmission
vehicles.
Mode 4:No automatic door unlock.
2-11

DRIVE (D) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills or for off-road
driving. You may want to shift the transmission to
THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal driving,
however it offers more power and lower fuel economy
than DRIVE (D).
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on
hills. It can help control your speed as you go down
steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to
use your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND (2) in a light duty
automatic transmission, the transmission will drive in
second gear. You may use this feature for reducing the
speed of the rear wheels when you are trying to start
your vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.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 ®rst
gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:If your wheels won'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.
On cold days, approximately 32ÉF (0ÉC) or colder, your
transmission is designed to shift differently until the
engine reaches normal operating temperature. This is
intended to improve heater performance.
2-28

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
·start your engine,
·shift into a gear, and
·release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission ¯uid (don't over®ll),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and brake
system. Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you ®nd them quickly. If you're trailering,
it's a good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle is equipped with the following wiring
harnesses for towing a trailer.
4-77

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
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and speci®cations 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).
7-11

Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-49
Hitches..........................................................4-72
HomeLink Transmitter, Programming..................2-58
HomeLink
žTransmitter....................................2-57
Hood............................................................5-12
Checking Things Under................................5-12
Release.....................................................5-12
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank . . 5-38
How to Add Fluid............................................5-29
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-56
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-44
How to Check........................................5-26, 5-68
How to Inspect...............................................5-24
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-29
Hydroplaning..................................................4-43
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-35
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-34
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-48
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-49
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-56If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-66
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-54
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-14
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-49
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-68
Inspection......................................................6-17
Brake System.............................................6-17
Engine Cooling System................................6-17
Exhaust System..........................................6-16
Fuel System...............................................6-16
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-16
Steering and Suspension..............................6-16
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(Four-Wheel Drive)...................................6-17
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-109
Instrument Panel.............................................3-37
Cluster.......................................................3-37
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-49
9

N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-21
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-121
O
Odometer......................................................3-38
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-20
OIL LIFE RESET............................................3-67
OIL PRESSURE LOW.....................................3-67
Oil ................................................................5-18
Engine.......................................................5-18
Pressure Gage............................................3-50
Older Children, Restraints................................1-47
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar
žPersonal Calling.................................2-56
OnStaržServices............................................2-55
OnStaržSteering Wheel Controls......................2-56
OnStaržSystem.............................................2-55
OnStaržVirtual Advisor....................................2-56
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off
Paved Roads..............................................4-23
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment...................................3-24, 3-30
Outside Power Camper-Type Mirror...................2-53Outside.........................................................2-53
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-53
Camper-Type Mirrors....................................2-52
Convex Mirror.............................................2-54
Curb View Assist Mirrors..............................2-54
Heated Mirrors............................................2-54
Manual Mirrors............................................2-51
Power Foldaway Mirrors...............................2-53
Power Mirrors.............................................2-52
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
(V8 Engines Only).......................................5-33
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-12
P
Panel Doors...................................................2-15
Park (P)........................................................2-42
Shifting Out of............................................2-42
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission Park
(P) Mechanism Check..................................6-15
Parking on Hills..............................................4-76
Parking.........................................................2-38
Brake........................................................2-38
Over Things That Burn.................................2-42
12