2003 GMC SONOMA roof

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

Storage Areas................................................2-41
Glove Box...................................................2-41
Overhead Console........................................2-42
Front Storage Area.......................................2-49
Assist Handles.............................................2-50
Garment Hooks............................................2-50Luggage Carrier...........................................2-50
Bed Rails
....................................................2-52
Sunroof
.........................................................2-52
Vehicle Personalization
...................................2-54
Memory Seat
...............................................2-54
Section 2Features and Controls
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow certain features of
your vehicle to continue to work for up to 20 minutes
after the ignition key is turned to OFF.
Your radio, power windows, sunroof and overhead
console will work when the ignition key is in RUN or
ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from RUN
to OFF, these features will continue to work for up to
20 minutes or until a door is opened.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). Your
engine won’t start in any other position–that’s a safety
feature. To restart when you’re already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in neutral and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to thefloor
and start the engine. Your vehicle won’t start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down–that’s a safety feature.
Starting Your VORTEC™2200 L4
Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about 15
seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn’t start, wait about 15 seconds and try
again to start the engine by turning the ignition
key to START. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
When your engine has run about 10 seconds to
warm up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Don’t
“race”your engine when it’s cold.
If the weather is below freezing (32°For0°C), let
the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Assist Handles
An assist handle above each passenger door can be
used when getting out of your vehicle.
Garment Hooks
Vehicle Location
Crew Cab
®On the headliner in front
of the assist handles
Regular CabOn the trim panels in the
rear of the vehicle
Extended CabOn the headliner on the
driver’s and the trim panel
on the passenger’s side in
the rear of the vehicle
Luggage Carrier
{CAUTION:
If you try to carry something on top of your
vehicle that is longer or wider than the luggage
carrier—like paneling, plywood, a mattress
and so forth—the wind can catch it as you
drive along. This can cause you to lose
control. What you are carrying could be
violently torn off, and this could cause you or
other drivers to have a collision, and of course
damage your vehicle. You may be able to carry
something like this inside. But, never carry
something longer or wider than the luggage
carrier on top of your vehicle.
If your vehicle is equipped with a luggage carrier, it may
have side rails and crossrails attached to the roof to
secure cargo. The adjustable tie downs, at both ends of
the crossrails, should be used to secure loads to the
luggage carrier. Use GM accessory racks that are
compatible with your luggage carrier for transporting
sports equipment. These are available through
your dealer.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

You can adjust the crossrails to handle loads of various
sizes. Just loosen the slider knobs at each end of
the crossrail and move them to where you want them.
Make sure both sides of the crossrails are even,
then tighten the slider knobs.
Be sure the cargo is properly loaded. Follow these
guidelines:
•Carrying small, heavy loads on the roof is not
recommended.
•Secure the load using the tie downs at both ends of
the crossrails. When loading cargo directly on the
roof panel, use the crossrails to keep the load from
shifting.
•If you need to carry long items, move the crossrails
as far apart as possible. Tie the load to the tie
downs provided. Also tie the load to the bumpers.
Do not tie the load so tightly that the crossrails
or side rails are damaged.Notice:Loading cargo that weighs more than
100 lbs. (45 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage
your vehicle. When you carry large things, never let
them hang over the rear or the sides of your vehicle.
Load your cargo so that it rests on the slats and does
not scratch or damage the vehicle. Put the cargo
against the side rails and fasten it securely to the
luggage carrier. Put the main weight as far forward
as you can.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-46.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving,
check now and then to make sure the luggage
carrier and cargo are still securely fastened.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Bed Rails
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has bed rails, they are there for
appearance only. If you try to tie down a load
with them, or to secure things in your truck,
not only can it damage the bed rails, but the
load can loosen. This could cause injury to
you or others. Secure loads by using the cargo
tie-down loops, inside the truck bed area.
Sunroof
If your vehicle has a
sunroof, the switch is
located between the
sun visors.
The sunroof switch will only work when the ignition is on
or when the ignition is off and retained accessory
power is active. See“Retained Accessory Power”under
Ignition Positions on page 2-20for more information.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

To operate the sunroof using the power switch do the
following:
1. When vent opening the sunroof press and hold the
side of the switch with the roof symbol on it until the
roof is vented.
2. Press and hold the side of the switch with the roof
symbol on it again to fully open the roof. The roof
will stop when it is fully opened.
Releasing the switch at any time will stop the roof
at that position.
3. To close the sunroof press the side of the switch
opposite of the roof symbol and hold it until the
glass panel is seated.
Manually Closing the Sunroof
If you are unable to operate the sunroof using the
switch, check the fusible link under the dashboard.To manually close the sunroof do the following:
1. Use aflat bladed tool to remove the cover.
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2003 - Sonoma OM

Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road
Driving
There are some important things to remember about
how to load your vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the loadoor and
forward of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far
forward as you can.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on
the off-road terrain doesn’t toss things around.
{CAUTION:
•Cargo on the load floor piled higher than
the seatbacks can be thrown forward
during a sudden stop.You or your
passengers could be injured.Keep cargo
below the top of the seatbacks.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
•
Unsecured cargo on the load floor can be
tossed about when driving over rough
terrain.You or your passengers can be
struck by flying objects.Secure the cargo
properly.
•Heavy loads on the roof raise the vehicle’s
center of gravity, making it more likely to
roll over.You can be seriously or fatally
injured if the vehicle rolls over.Put heavy
loads inside the cargo area, not on the
roof.Keep cargo in the cargo area as far
forward and low as possible.
You’llnd other important information in this manual.
SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-46,Luggage
Carrier on page 2-50andTires on page 5-58.
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2003 - Sonoma OM