2003 GMC SONOMA Owner's Manual

75,000 Miles (125 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Inspect engine air cleanerlter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote†.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
❑Change automatic transmissionuid andlter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change theuid andlter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km).
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
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2003 - Sonoma OM

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
❑For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and
repack the front wheel bearings (or at each
brake relining, whichever occursrst).
❑Change automatic transmissionuid andlter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change theuid andlter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km).
❑Replace fuellter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote†.)
❑Replace engine air cleanerlter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Change engine oil andlter (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occursrst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axleuid level and adduid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
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2003 - Sonoma OM

100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transmissionuid, change
both theuid andlter. Manual transmission
uid doesn’t require change.
❑4.3L V6 Engine Only: Inspect Positive Crankcase
Ventilation (PCV) valve.An Emission Control
Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain,ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occursrst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-25for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specied to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever anyuids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuelll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-25for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washeruid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the properuid if necessary. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inated to the correct pressures.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire. SeeTires on
page 5-58for further details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every 50 hours of tape play. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-36for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts,
buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-82.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly ination check of
the spare tire determines that the spare is inated to
the correct tire ination pressure, make sure that
the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and then try
to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves, use the wheel
wrench to tighten the cable. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 5-68.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-33.
Manual Transmission Check
Check the transmissionuid level; add if needed.
SeeManual Transmission Fluid on page 5-23. Check
for leaks. Auid leak is the only reason foruid
loss. Have the system inspected and repaired if needed.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmissionuid level; add if needed.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-20.Auid
loss may indicate a problem. Check the system and
repair if needed.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check theuid level in the clutch reservoir. See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 5-24.
Auid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Four Times a Year
Tailgate Lubrication Service
Lubricate tailgate latch bolt, handle assembly pivot
points, and hinges with lubricant recommended
in Part D.
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At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specied in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door and fuel door hinges, latches
and locks, including the glove box and console
doors, the body hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring
anchor, release pawl and any moving seat hardware.
Lubricate the hood safety lever pivot and prop rod pivot.
Part D tells you what to use. More frequent lubrication
may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment.
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-32if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The starter should work only
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever
in NEUTRAL (N), push the clutch down halfway and
try to start the engine. The starter should work only
when the clutch is pushed down all the way to the
oor. If the starter works when the clutch isn’t pushed
all the way down, your vehicle needs service.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-32if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transmission, the key should turn
to LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
With a manual transmission, the key should turn to
LOCK only when you press the key release button.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in LOCK.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism
Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water toush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
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2003 - Sonoma OM