2003 GMC SONOMA jump start

If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake
normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-lock Brake System
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on. This is normal.
If there’s a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-28.Let’s say the road is wet and you’re driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here’s what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.
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Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-5
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-8
Checking Things Under
the Hood......................................................5-8
Hood Release................................................5-9
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-10
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid
.........................5-20
Manual Transmission Fluid
.............................5-23
Hydraulic Clutch
...........................................5-24Engine Coolant.............................................5-25
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-28
Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-36
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-37
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Rear Axle.......................................................5-47
Four-Wheel Drive............................................5-48
Front Axle......................................................5-49
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-50
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-50
Headlamps..................................................5-50
One-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps................5-52
Two-Piece Front Turn Signal Lamps................5-53
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-54
Taillamps.....................................................5-55
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality GM brake parts.
When you replace parts of your braking system—for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
need new ones put in—be sure you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change—for the
worse. The braking performance you’ve come to expect
can change in many other ways if someone puts in the
wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco®battery. When it’s time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco
®
battery. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, remove the black, negative (−) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See“Jump Starting”next for
tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your
vehicle for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, seeTheft-Deterrent
Feature (Non-RDS Radios) on page 3-67or
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios) on page 3-67.
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Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Be sure to follow the steps below to do it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some
or all of these things can hurt you.
Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
won’t work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12–volt
battery with a negative ground system.Notice:If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both vehicles can be
damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brakefirmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in PARK (P) or a manual transmission
in NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake. If
you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure
the transfer case is not in NEUTRAL (N).
Notice:If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or in the accessory power outlets. Turn off
the radio and all lamps that aren’t needed. This will
avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it
could save your radio!
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10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for awhile.
11. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.
Notice:Damage to your vehicle may result from
electrical shorting if jumper cables are removed
incorrectly. To prevent electrical shorting, take care
that the cables don’t touch each other or any
other metal. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles,
do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (-) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (-) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
other vehicle.
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GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
qualied applicants, can
reimburse you up to
$1,000 toward aftermarket
driver or passenger
adaptive equipment you
may require for your
vehicle (hand controls,
wheelchair/scooter
lifts, etc.).
This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The program is available
for a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. See your dealer for more details or call
the GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1-800-323-9935.
Text telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program.
Call 1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details.
All TTY users call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance Program
GMC’s Roadside Assistance Provides stranded owners
with over-the-phone roadside repairs, location of the
nearest GMC dealer or the following special services:
Flat Tire Change:Installation of spare tire will be
covered at no charge (customer is responsible for repair
or replacement of tire).
Fuel Delivery:Delivery of enough fuel for the customer
to get to the nearest service station (up to $5.00)
will be covered.
Jump Start:No-start situations which require a battery
jump start will be covered at no charge.
Lock Out:Replacement keys or locksmith service will be
covered at no charge if you are unable to gain entry
into your vehicle. Delivery of the replacement key will be
covered within 10 miles (16 km).
Emergency Towing Service:Towing to the nearest
GMC dealer for warranty related disablements will be
covered.
Trip Routing:Custom-made, computerized highlighted
maps using the most direct or scenic route are
provided free of charge. Maps include points of interest
and a list of GMC dealers along the route. Also
included is a list of hotels along the route that are
discounted through affiliation with“Quest International.”
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Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-37
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-30
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-30
Driving Uphill..................................................4-19
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-57
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-88
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-89
Headlamps.................................................5-88
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-88
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-88
Electronic Transfer Case..................................2-30
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-32
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-42
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-29
Compartment Overview................................5-10
Coolant......................................................5-25
Coolant Heater............................................2-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-29
Cooling System Inspection............................6-31
Exhaust.....................................................2-37
Fan Noise..................................................5-36Engine (cont.)
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-28
Starting......................................................2-22
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-91
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-26
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-26
Entry Lighting.................................................3-14
Environmental Concerns..................................4-15
Exit Lighting...................................................3-14
Express Down Window....................................2-15
Extended Cab (Jump Seat)..............................1-48
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-29
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-10
F
Fabric/Carpet.................................................5-79
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a PTY Station.....................3-43, 3-50, 3-60
Finding a Station....................3-38, 3-40, 3-48, 3-57
Finish Care....................................................5-83
Finish Damage...............................................5-85
Five-Speed....................................................2-28
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-69
Flash-To-Pass Feature....................................... 3-6
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-14
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-89
Interior Lamps................................................3-14
Interior Plastic Components..............................5-81
J
Jump Seat.....................................................1-10
Jump Starting.................................................5-43
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-28
Key Release Button........................................2-21
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-10
Interior.......................................................3-14
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-12
Lap Belt................................................1-23, 1-25
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-16LATCH System
Child Restraints
...........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System
........................................1-46
Latches, Seatback
............................................ 1-8
Leather
.........................................................5-81
Leaving Your Vehicle
.......................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
. . . 2-34
Light
Air Bag Off
.................................................3-24
Air Bag Readiness
.......................................3-24
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
...................3-28
Brake System Warning
.................................3-27
Charging System
.........................................3-26
Check Gages Warning
.................................3-34
Low Fuel Warning
.......................................3-35
Malfunction Indicator
....................................3-29
Safety Belt Reminder
...................................3-23
Security
.....................................................3-33
Service Four-Wheel-Drive Warning Light
.........3-34
Up-Shift
.....................................................3-27
Loading Your Vehicle
.......................................4-46
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
..........4-14
Locking Rear Axle
............................................ 4-7
Lockout Protection
..........................................2-11
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2003 - Sonoma OM