Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on page 6-4.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.If the level is below the bottom of thefiller plug hole,
you may need to add some lubricant.
When the differential is cold, add enough lubricant to
raise the level to 1/2 inch (12 mm) below thefiller
plug hole.
When the differential is at operating temperature
(warm), add enough lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of thefiller plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-33.
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2003 - Sonoma OM
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Automatic Transmission
Drain and Refill5.0 quarts 4.7 L
Differential Fluid
Rear Axle
Front Axle4.0 pints
2.6 pints1.9 L
1.2 L
Air Conditioning Capacity
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a1.8 lbs 0.79 kg
All capacities are approximate. After refill, the levelmustbe checked.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure tofill to the appropriate level or as recommended in
this manual. SeePart E: Maintenance Record on page 6-35
Capacities and Speci cations
Type VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap Firing Order
2200
L4HAutomatic
Manual0.040 inches
(1.01 mm)1-3-4-2
4300
V6XAutomatic
Manual0.060 inches
(1.52 mm)1-6-5-4-3-2
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2003 - Sonoma OM
Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-26
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-31.
Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.#Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, parking brake cable guides, propshaft splines,
universal joints, constant velocity joint and brake
pedal springs.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-32.
**Drive axle service. See Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-33 for proper lubricant to use:
•Check uid level and add uid as needed. If driving in
dusty areas or when towing a trailer, drain uid and
re ll every 15,000 miles (25 000 km).
•If your vehicle has a locking differential, drain uid
and re ll at rst engine oil change.
•More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty or off-road use.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
❑Change engine oil andfilter (or every 3 months,
whichever occursfirst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occursfirst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axlefluid level and addfluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.(See footnote **.)
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2003 - Sonoma OM
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-26
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-31.
Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
#Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints, steering
linkage, parking brake cable guides, propshaft splines,
universal joints, constant velocity joint and brake
pedal springs.+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-32.
**Drive axle service. See Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-33 for proper lubricant to use:
❑Check uid level and add uid as needed.
❑If your vehicle has a locking differential, drain uid and
re ll at rst engine oil change.
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).(See footnote #.)
❑Check rear/front axle uid level and add uid 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