
Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-8
Child Restraints
.......................................1-27
Air Bag System
.......................................1-46
Restraint System Check
............................1-53
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-16
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
Storage Areas
.........................................2-33
Sunroof
..................................................2-42
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-18
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-21
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-35Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-45
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Rear Axle
...............................................5-46
Four-Wheel Drive
.....................................5-46
Front Axle
...............................................5-47
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-54
Tires
......................................................5-57
Appearance Care
.....................................5-86
Vehicle Identification
.................................5-94
Electrical System
......................................5-94
Capacities and Specifications
...................5-101
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index................................................................ 1
2004 GMC Sonoma Owner ManualM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the
notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in
different words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle,
are shown along with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specific component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator, reference the following
topics:
•Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
•Features and Controls in Section 2
•Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
•Climate Controls in Section 3
•Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3
•Audio System(s) in Section 3
•Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-29.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-38.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-26.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-55.
2-30

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.
Overhead Console
If your vehicle has this feature, the overhead console
includes reading lamps, a compartment for a garage
door opener, a temperature and compass display and a
storage compartment for sunglasses.
2-33

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-5
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-6
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-11
Interior Lamps..............................................3-15
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-16
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-17
Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-21
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-22
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-24
Trip Odometer..............................................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-24
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-24
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-25
Charging System Light..................................3-26
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-26
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-27
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-28
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-28Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-29
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-32
Security Light...............................................3-33
Service Four-Wheel Drive Warning Light..........3-33
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-34
Fuel Gage...................................................3-34
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-35
Audio System(s).............................................3-35
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-35
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-36
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-36
Radio with CD..............................................3-39
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-49
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-59
Theft-Deterrent Feature (Non-RDS Radios).......3-73
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios).............3-73
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-74
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-74
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-75
Care of Your CD Player................................3-76
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-76
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System
(48 Contiguous US States).........................3-76
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your vehicle’s instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-20for
more information.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-22for more information.
C. Electronic Transfer Case Switch. See “Transfer
Case” underFour-Wheel Drive on page 5-46
for more information.
D. Lamp Controls. SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-11
for more information.
E. Fog Lamp Button. See “Fog Lamps” underExterior
Lamps on page 3-11for more information.
F. Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on page 2-25for
more information.
G. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6for more
information.H. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-5for more information.
I. Ashtray. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-17for more information.
J. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-18for more information.
K. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlets on page 3-16for more information.
L. Heated Outside Rearview Mirror Button (If
Equipped). SeeOutside Heated Mirrors on
page 2-32for more information.
M. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-35
for more information.
N. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-33for more
information.
3-3

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
Mode Knob:Turn the right knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to direct the airflow inside of your
vehicle.
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets, with a little air directed toward the
floor vents.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, then directs most of the
remaining air to the floor outlets. A little air is also
directed toward the windshield and the side window
outlets. Cooler air is directed to the upper outlets and
warmer air to the floor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
floor outlets with a little air directed to the windshield and
the side window outlets.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Turn the mode knob to OFF to turn off the fan.
The mode knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see “Defogging”
later in this section.
Temperature Knob:Turn the center knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to raise or lower the temperature
on the inside of your vehicle.
When it’s cold outside 0°F (−18°C) or lower, use the
engine coolant heater, if equipped, to provide warmer air
faster to your vehicle. An engine coolant heater warms
the coolant that the engine uses to provide heat to
warm the inside of your vehicle. For more information,
seeEngine Coolant Heater on page 2-19.
3-18

A/C (Air Conditioning):Turn the knob to the A/C
position to turn the air-conditioning system on or
off. When the system is on, this setting cools and
dehumidifies the air entering your vehicle and directs it
through the floor outlets as well as the instrument
panel outlets.
MAX A/C (Maximum Air Conditioning):This mode
recirculates much of the air inside your vehicle so
it cools quickly. It directs most of the air through the
instrument panel outlets and a small amount through the
floor outlets.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select A/C.
2. Select the coolest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of the windows is a result of high
humidity (moisture) condensing on the cool window
glass. This can be minimized if the climate control
system is used properly. There are two modes to clear
fog or frost from your windshield and side windows.
Use the defog mode to clear the windows of fog
or moisture and warm the passengers. Use the defrost
mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. For best results, clear all snow and ice
from the windshield before defrosting.
-(Defog):This mode can be used on cool, humid
days to keep the windshield and side windows clear.
1(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield and the side window outlets, with only a
little air directed to the floor outlets. When you select this
mode, the system runs the air-conditioning compressor
unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
3-19