2006 HUMMER H3 automatic transmission

To enable automatic lighting, do any of the following:
Turn the headlamp control from AUTO to off
and release the control. It will return back to
the AUTO position by itself.
Turn the headlamp control from the parking lamp
position to AUTO.
Turn the headlamp control from the headlamp
position to AUTO.
To disable automatic lighting, do any of the following:
Turn the headlamp control from AUTO to off
and release the control. It will return back to
the AUTO position by itself.
Turn the headlamp control from AUTO to the
parking lamp position.
Turn the headlamp control from AUTO to the
headlamp position.
SeeAutomatic Headlamp System on page 3-16for
more information.
Vehicles rst sold in Canada with an automatic
transmission cannot turn off automatic headlamps
unless the gear position is in PARK (P) and the
headlamp switch is turned to the Off position. Vehicles
rst sold in Canada with a manual transmission can
turn off the automatic headlamps with the headlamp
control; however, the parking lamps will remain on.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the knob to this position to
turn on the parking lamps, together with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
2(Headlamps):Turn the knob to this position to turn
on the headlamps, together with the previously listed
lamps and lights.
You can switch your headlamps from low to high beam
by pushing the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
the instrument panel.
Headlamps on Reminder
A headlamp reminder chime will sound if the following
conditions are met:
The driver door is open.
Parking lamps or headlamps are manually
turned on.
The key is either not in the ignition switch, or it is in
the LOCK position of the ignition switch.
The headlamp reminder cannot be turned off if the
conditions listed above are met.
In the automatic mode, the headlamps turn off once the
ignition is in ACC.
3-15

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. DRL
can be helpful in many different driving conditions, but
they can be especially helpful in the short periods after
dawn and before sunset. Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO.
The transmission is not in PARK (P) if you have an
automatic transmission.
The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, only the DRLs will be on. The
other lamps will not be on. The instrument panel will not
be lit up either. For vehicles rst sold in Canada, if
parking lamps are manually turned on, DRL will stay on.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
To turn off the DRL, seeExterior Lamps on page 3-14.
Vehicles rst sold in Canada cannot turn off DRL
unless certain conditions are met. SeeExterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps, roof marker
lamps and the instrument panel lights. The radio
lights will become more dim when the headlights are off
compared to when the headlights are on.
Your vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of the
instrument panel. Be sure it is not covered, or the
system will be on whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on your headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) and the automatic headlamp system so that driving
under bridges or bright overhead street lights does not
affect the system. The DRL and automatic headlamp
system will only be affected when the light sensor sees a
change in lighting lasting longer than the delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once you
leave the garage, it will take approximately one minute for
the automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if it is
light outside. During that delay, your instrument panel
cluster may not be as bright as usual. Make sure your
instrument panel brightness control is in the full bright
position. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-18.
3-16

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on briey when you
start your engine to show it
is working. Then it will
turn off. This is normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but
you don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock
brakes and there’s a problem with your regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-32.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briey when you turn the ignition key to ON. If
the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Off Light
If you have the traction
control system, this light
will come on when
the traction control system
has been turned off.
This light will come on briey when the ignition is turned
to ON, if it does not the system may require service.
For more information on the traction off light, see
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.
StabiliTrak®Not Ready Light
If you have the StabiliTrak®
system, this light will come
on when the StabiliTrak®
system has been
turned off.
This light will come on briey when the ignition is turned
to ON, if it does not the system may require service.
For more information, seeStabiliTrak
®System
(Automatic Transmission) on page 4-11.
3-33

The following are the available modes:
Lock 1 (default):On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, this mode locks all of the doors when the
vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P) and unlocks all of
the doors when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
On vehicles with a manual transmission, this mode locks
all of the doors when the vehicle speed is greater
than 15 mph (24 km/h) and unlocks all of the doors
when the key is removed from the ignition.
Lock 2:On vehicles with an automatic transmission,
this mode locks all of the doors when the vehicle
is shifted out of PARK (P) and unlocks the driver’s door
when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
On vehicles with a manual transmission, this mode
locks all of the doors when the vehicle speed is greater
than 15 mph (24 km/h) and unlocks the driver’s door
when the key is removed from the ignition.
Lock 3:On vehicles with an automatic transmission,
this mode locks all of the doors when the vehicle
is shifted out of PARK (P). The doors will not
automatically unlock.
On vehicles with a manual transmission, this mode
locks all of the doors when the vehicle speed is
greater than 15 mph (24 km/h). The doors will not
automatically unlock.Remote Keyless Entry Feedback
This feature allows you to program your remote keyless
entry feedback to a preferred setting.
To set your choice for this feature, perform the
following steps:
1. With the engine off, turn the key to LOCK. Do not
remove the key from the ignition.
2. Press and hold the lock and unlock buttons on the
remote keyless entry transmitter at the same time.
Hold both buttons until the DIC display shows
the current remote keyless entry feedback mode.
3. To view the next available mode, press and hold
the reset stem for approximately two seconds.
Release the reset stem and press and hold again to
view each mode.
4. Once the desired mode is shown on the DIC
display, briey press the reset stem to set your
choice. The DIC display will then clear.
3-43

SERV (Service) 4WD
(Four-Wheel Drive)
This message will be displayed when there is a problem
with the transfer case control system. Check the
transfer case on your vehicle and have it serviced by
your GM dealer. SeeAll-Wheel Drive on page 2-22
for more information about the transfer case. Press and
release the reset stem to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the display.
SERVICE STAB (Stability)
SYS (System)
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message will be
displayed if there is a problem with the StabiliTrak®
system. You should have your vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer. SeeStabiliTrak®System (Automatic
Transmission) on page 4-11for more information.
SERV (Service) TPM
(Tire Pressure Monitor)
This message will be displayed if any of the tire monitor
sensors have malfunctioned, if the tire monitor sensors
have not been programmed, or if the recommended
tire pressures are not programmed. See your GM dealer
for service. Press and release the reset stem to
acknowledge the message and clear it from the display.
This message will appear at each ignition cycle until
the system is serviced. See your GM dealer.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-61for
more information.
SERV (Service) VEH (Vehicle)
This message will be displayed if your vehicle needs
service. You should have your vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.
STAB (Stability) SYS (System) OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message will be
displayed when the StabiliTrak®system is turned
off. SeeStabiliTrak®System (Automatic Transmission)
on page 4-11for more information.
3-47

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-10
StabiliTrak
®System
(Automatic Transmission)............................4-11
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-14
Passing.......................................................4-14
Loss of Control.............................................4-16
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-17
Driving at Night............................................4-36Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-37
City Driving..................................................4-40
Freeway Driving...........................................4-41
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-42
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-43
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-43
Winter Driving..............................................4-45
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-50
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-50
Recovery Loops...........................................4-51
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-52
Towing..........................................................4-57
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-57
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-57
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-59
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-70
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that any of the wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system applies the
brakes to limit wheel spin and also reduces engine
power. You may feel or hear the system working, but
this is normal.
The Traction Control System may operate on dry roads
under some conditions. When this happens, you may
notice a reduction in acceleration or a pumping sound.
This is normal and doesn’t mean there’s a problem with
your vehicle. Examples of these conditions include hard
acceleration in a turn, an abrupt upshift or downshift of
the transmission or driving on rough roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See
Cruise Control on page 3-11.
If your vehicle has a Driver information Center (DIC), a
TRACTION FAILED message will appear when a
Traction Control System or Anti-Lock Brake System
problem has been detected and the vehicle needs
service. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-44
for more information.When this message is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off if you ever need to.
To turn the system off,
press and release the TCS
button located on the
instrument panel.
This light will come on
steady when the traction
control system has
been turned off. This
light ashes when TCS
is active.
4-9

If you press the TC button once, the traction control
system will turn off and a TRAC OFF message
will appear on the DIC. Press the TC button again to
turn the system back on. The TRAC OFF message will
then go off. The traction control system will reset
itself at each ignition cycle. If your vehicle also has
StabiliTrak
®, seeStabiliTrak®System (Automatic
Transmission) on page 4-11for more information.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3for more information.
Locking Rear Axle
Your vehicle may have this feature. The locking rear
axle can give your vehicle additional traction from the rear
wheels when traveling in off-road situations such as mud,
snow, sand, steep hills and uneven terrain.
The button used to turn
this feature on or off is
located to the right of the
transfer case buttons
on the center of the
instrument panel.To lock the rear axle, do the following:
1. Place the transfer case in the 4LO Lock mode. This
is the only mode which will allow the rear axle to
lock. SeeAll-Wheel Drive on page 2-22for
more information regarding the transfer case and
4LO Lock mode.
2. Press the button with the vehicle stopped or moving
less than 2 mph (3 km/h).
You must wait for the light in the button to stop ashing
and remain illuminated before the rear axle is locked.
Notice:If you try to lock the rear axle while
your vehicle is stuck and the tires are spinning, you
could damage your vehicle’s drivetrain. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Always lock the rear axle before attempting
situations and/or navigating terrain which could
possibly cause the vehicle to become stuck.
The locking rear axle will be disengaged when the
wheel speed is greater than 20 mph (32 km/h), if the
vehicle’s battery is low and/or the transfer case is shifted
out of 4LO Lock mode.
Notice:If you lock the rear axle while driving on
pavement, you could damage your vehicle’s
drivetrain. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not use the locking rear axle on
pavement. If you need four-wheel drive when
traveling on pavement, use only 4HI.
4-10