Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-9
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-30
Air Bag System
.......................................1-54
Restraint System Check
............................1-64
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-17
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-20
Mirrors
....................................................2-39
Storage Areas
.........................................2-41
Sunroof
..................................................2-52
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-54
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-17
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-20
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-36
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-42Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
................. 5-8
Rear Axle
...............................................5-47
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-48
Front Axle
...............................................5-49
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-56
Tires
......................................................5-58
Appearance Care
.....................................5-79
Vehicle Identification
.................................5-87
Electrical System
......................................5-88
Capacities and Specifications
.....................5-94
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-96
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
Index................................................................ 1
2003 GMC Sonoma Owner ManualM
2003 - Sonoma Owner Manual
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
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-9
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-11
Lockout Protection........................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-11
Third Door...................................................2-12
Tailgate.......................................................2-12
Windows........................................................2-14
Manual Windows..........................................2-15
Power Windows............................................2-15
Swing-Out Windows......................................2-16
Sliding Rear Window.....................................2-16
Sun Visors...................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-17
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-17
Passlock
®....................................................2-19Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-20
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-20
Ignition Positions..........................................2-20
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-22
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-24
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-25
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-28
Four-Wheel Drive..........................................2-29
Parking Brake..............................................2-32
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-33
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-35
Parking Your Vehicle.....................................2-36
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-36
Engine Exhaust............................................2-37
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked. . . .2-38
Mirrors...........................................................2-39
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-39
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-39
Outside Manual Mirror...................................2-39
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-40
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-40
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-41
Section 2Features and Controls
2-1
2003 - Sonoma OM
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Pull the tab under the mirror toward you to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you after dark. Push
the tab away from you for normal daytime operation.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
If your vehicle has this feature, the mirror automatically
changes to reduce glare from headlamps behind
you. A photocell on the back of the mirror senses when
it is becoming dark outside. Another photocell built
into the mirror surface senses when headlamps
are behind you.
At night, when the glare is too high, the mirror will
gradually darken to reduce glare. This change may take a
few seconds. The mirror will return to its clear daytime
state when the vehicle is put into REVERSE (R) or when
the glare is reduced.
AUTO:This button is located at the base of the mirror.
Use it to turn on the automatic feature. The button
has an indicator light to show it is on.
OFF:Press this button to turn the automatic feature off.
Time Delay
The automatic mirror has a time delay feature which
prevents unnecessary switching from the night back to
the day position. This delay prevents rapid changing
of the mirror as you drive under lights and through traffic.
Cleaning the Photocells
Use a cotton swab and glass cleaner to clean the
photocells and mirror face when necessary.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Outside Manual Mirror
Adjust your outside mirrors so you can see a little of the
side of your vehicle and the area beside and behind
your vehicle from a comfortable driving position.
You can also fold the mirrors in before entering a car
wash. Pull the mirrors in toward the vehicle. Push
the mirrors back out whenfinished.
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2003 - Sonoma OM
Outside Power Mirrors
If your vehicle has this
feature, the controls are
located on the driver’s door
armrest.
Move the selector switch to the left or right to choose
the driver’s or passenger’s mirror, then use the
arrows located on the four-way control pad to move the
mirror in the direction you want the mirror to go.
Put the selector switch back in the center position when
finished adjusting the mirror so that you don’t
accidentally bump into the control pad and get the
mirror out of adjustment.
Outside Convex Mirror
A convex mirror’s surface is curved so you can see
more from the driver’s seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
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2003 - Sonoma OM
Outside Heated Mirrors
Your vehicle may be equipped with heated outside
rearview mirrors.
The heated mirror button is
located to the lower right
of the mode knob on
the climate control system.
The button has an
indicator light to indicate if
the heated mirror feature
is on or off.When the heated mirror feature is turned on, the
defogger will warm the mirrors to help clear them of
snow or condensation. The heated mirror feature
will turn off automatically when the mirror is clear.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open your glove box, lift the lever on the front of the
glove box and lower the door. The glove box should
not be open while you are driving.
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2003 - Sonoma OM
The main components of your vehicle’s instrument
panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets
B. Instrument Panel Cluster
C. Electronic Transfer Case Switch (If Equipped)
D. Lamp Controls
E. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped)
F. Brake Release
G. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
H. Horn
I. Passenger Air Bag Off Switch (If Equipped)
J. Ashtray
K. Climate Controls
L. Accessory Power Outlets (If Equipped)
M. Heated Outside Rearview Mirror Button (If Equipped)
N. Audio System
O. Glove BoxHazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
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2003 - Sonoma OM
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
It is located on the driver’s side of your instrument panel
next to the exterior lamps control.
Turn the thumbwheel up to make your instrument panel
lights brighter or down to dim them. Turn the
thumbwheel all the way up to turn on the interior lamps.
Entry Lighting
Your vehicle is equipped with an entry lighting feature.
When any door is opened, the dome lamps will
come on if the DOME OVERRIDE button is in the out
position. If your vehicle is equipped with remote keyless
entry and all the doors are closed, or the front door
handles are lifted and released, the lamps will stay on
for a short period of time and will turn off automatically.
If you use your remote keyless entry transmitter to
unlock the vehicle, the interior lights will come on for a
short time whether or not the DOME OVERRIDE
button is in the out position.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition to help you
see while exiting the vehicle. These lights will stay on
for a short period of time and then will go out, if the
DOME OVERRIDE button is in the out position.
Front Map Lamps
If your vehicle is a Crew Cab®and has front map
lamps, they are located in the overhead console. For all
other vehicles that have this feature, they are located
on the inside rearview mirror. The front map lights
that are located on the inside rearview mirror will
automatically come on for approximately 40 seconds
when the doors are unlocked with the remote keyless
entry transmitter (if equipped) or until the ignition key is
turned to RUN or ACCESSORY. The lamps will also
stay on for approximately 40 seconds after you exit the
vehicle, unless you lock the doors with the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
You can also turn the lamps on and off by pressing the
switch near each lamp.
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2003 - Sonoma OM
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For
one thing, following too closely reduces your area
of vision, especially if you’re following a larger
vehicle. Also, you won’t have adequate space if the
vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep
back a reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t
get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
“running start”that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your
pass, you need only slow down and drop back again
and wait for another opportunity.
If other vehicles are lined up to pass a slow vehicle,
wait your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying
to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next
vehicle.
Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not ashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy for the following
driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease a
little to the right.
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2003 - Sonoma OM