2004 HUMMER H2 power steering

Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock
the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the air
bags inate (if battery power is available). You can lock
the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by
using the door lock and interior lamp controls.
In many crashes severe enough to inate the air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
Air bags are designed to inate only once. After
they inate, you’ll need some new parts for your
air bag system. If you don’t get them, the air
bag system won’t be there to help protect you in
another crash. A new system will include air
bag modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to
replace other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information
about the air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness of the system, when
the system commands air bag ination and
driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
The module also records speed, engine rpm, brake
and throttle data.
Let only qualied technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that an air
bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s air bag, the bag
may not work properly. You may have to replace the
air bag module in the steering wheel or both the
air bag module and the instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
1-67

Tow/Haul Mode
Your vehicle is equipped
with a tow/haul mode. The
button is located on the
instrument panel to
the right of the steering
wheel.
You can use this feature to assist when towing or
hauling a heavy load. See “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-75for more information.
All-Wheel Drive
All-wheel drive sends your engine’s driving power to all
four wheels for extra traction. To get the most
satisfaction out of all-wheel drive, you must be familiar
with its operation.
Notice:Driving on pavement in 4HI Lock or
4LO Lock for extended periods may cause
premature wear on your vehicle’s powertrain and
tires. Do not drive in 4HI Lock or 4LO Lock on
pavement for extended periods.
Transfer Case Buttons
The transfer case buttons
are located to the right of
the instrument panel
cluster. Use these switches
to shift into and out of the
different all-wheel drive
modes.
You can choose between four modes:
G(4HI):This setting is used for driving in most
street and highway situations. You can also use this
setting for light or variable off-road conditions.
H(4HI Lock):Use this mode when you need extra
traction in most off-road situations such as sand,
mud, snow or level, rocky trails.
2-25

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.............................................3-13
Interior Lamps..............................................3-16
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-18
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-18
Climate Controls............................................3-19
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-25
Climate Controls Personalization.....................3-25
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-26
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-27
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-28
Tachometer.................................................3-28
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-28
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-28
Air Bag Off Light..........................................3-30
Charging System Light..................................3-32
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-32
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-33
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-34
Traction Off Light..........................................3-35Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-35
Transmission Temperature Gage.....................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-38
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-41
Security Light...............................................3-42
Cruise Control Light......................................3-42
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-42
Fuel Gage...................................................3-43
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-43
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-44
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-44
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-56
Audio System(s).............................................3-62
Setting the Time...........................................3-62
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-63
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-74
Navigation/Radio System...............................3-86
Rear Seat Audio (RSA).................................3-87
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-88
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-89
Radio Reception...........................................3-90
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-90
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.........................3-92
Care of Your CD and DVD Player...................3-92
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-92
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-92
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-25.
B. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-13.
C. OnStar
®and Radio Steering Wheel Buttons (If
Equipped). SeeOnStar®System on page 2-40and
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-89.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-27.
E. Locking Rear Axle and All-wheel Drive Buttons. See
Locking Rear Axle on page 4-11andAll-Wheel
Drive on page 2-25.
F. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-62.
G. Air Bag Switch. SeeAir Bag Off Switch on
page 1-68.
H. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-45.
I. Rear Wiper/Washer Control. See “Rear Window
Washer/Wiper” underTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-6.
J. Dome Override Button. SeeInterior Lamps on
page 3-16.
K. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.L. Tilt Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-5.
M. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-44.
N. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-29.
O. Traction Control Button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9.
P. Tow/Haul Selector Button. See “Tow/Haul Mode”
underAutomatic Transmission Operation on
page 2-22.
Q. Ride Height Selector Button (If Equipped). See
Selectable Extended Rear Ride Height on page 4-73.
R. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAshtrays and
Cigarette Lighter on page 3-18.
S. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-22.
T. Accessory Power Outlets (If Equipped). See
Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-18.
U. OnStar Buttons. SeeOnStar
®System on page 2-40.
V. Rear Window Defogger Button. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underAutomatic Climate Control
System on page 3-19.
W. Comfort Control System. SeeAutomatic Climate
Control System on page 3-19.
3-3

Driver Information Center (DIC)
The DIC display is located on the instrument panel
cluster above the steering column. The DIC can display
information such as the trip odometer, fuel economy
and personalization features.
A (Trip Information):Press this button to scroll
through the odometer, personal trip odometer, business
trip odometer, hourmeter, annual log and the timer.
B (Fuel Information):Press this button to scroll
through the current range, average fuel economy, instant
fuel economy and engine oil life.C (Personalization):Press this button to change
personal settings of various features for your vehicle.
D (Select):Press this button to reset certain functions
and turn off or acknowledge messages on the DIC.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay the DIC will display the current driver (1 or 2)
and the information that was last displayed before the
engine was turned off.
If a problem is detected, a warning message will appear
on the display. Pressing any of the four buttons will
acknowledge (clear) most current warnings or service
messages. Some warnings that cannot be
acknowledged (cleared) are: ENGINE OVERHEATED,
OIL PRESSURE LOW, REDUCED ENGINE POWER,
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE. These warnings must
be dealt with immediately and therefore cannot
be cleared until the problem has been corrected.
The DIC has different modes which can be accessed by
pressing the four buttons on the DIC. These buttons are
trip information, fuel information, personalization and
select. The button functions are detailed in the following.
3-44

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to do
their work where the tires meet the road. Adding
the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-12

Approaching a Hill
When you approach a hill, you need to decide if it is
one of those hills that is just too steep to climb, descend
or cross. Steepness can be hard to judge. On a very
small hill, for example, there may be a smooth, constant
incline with only a small change in elevation where
you can easily see all the way to the top. On a large hill,
the incline may get steeper as you near the top, but
you may not see this because the crest of the hill
is hidden by bushes, grass or shrubs.
Here are some other things to consider as you approach
a hill.
Is there a constant incline, or does the hill get
sharply steeper in places?
Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the
surface cause tire slipping?
Is there a straight path up or down the hill so you
will not have to make turning maneuvers?
Are there obstructions on the hill that can block
your path (boulders, trees, logs or ruts)?
What is beyond the hill? Is there a cliff, an
embankment, a drop-off, a fence? Get out and walk
the hill if you do not know. It is the smart way to
nd out.
Is the hill simply too rough? Steep hills often have
ruts, gullies, troughs and exposed rocks because
they are more susceptible to the effects of erosion.
Driving Uphill
Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you
need to take some special steps.
Use transmission and transfer case low gear and
get a rm grip on the steering wheel.
Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain
your speed. Do not use more power than you
need, because you do not want your wheels to start
spinning or sliding.
Let the traction system work to control any wheel
slippage. TC2 is designed to allow moderate
wheel spin with some capability to dig in and power
up the hill.
4-32

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-14
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-30Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-35
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-37
Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-48
Rear Axle.......................................................5-50
Front Axle......................................................5-51
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-52
Headlamps..................................................5-52
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-53
Sidemarker Lamps........................................5-54
Daytime Running Lamps................................5-54
Roof Marker Lamps......................................5-55
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-57
Taillamps.....................................................5-57
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-58
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-59
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1