2008 HUMMER H3 Recreational

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 Full-Time Four-Wheel
Drive modes.
You can choose between four modes:
4
m(Four-Wheel High):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.
N (NEUTRAL):Shift the vehicle’s transfer case to
NEUTRAL only when towing your vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-48orTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-48for more information.Notice:Driving on pavement in Four-Wheel
High Lock or Four Wheel Low Lock for extended
periods may cause premature wear on your vehicle’s
powertrain and tires. Do not drive in Four-Wheel
High Lock or Four-Wheel Low Lock on pavement for
extended periods.
4
mQ(Four-Wheel-High Lock):Use this mode
when you need extra traction in most off-road situations
such as sand, mud, snow or level, rocky trails.
Notice:Operating your vehicle in
Four-Wheel-Low Lock above 30 mph (48 km/h) for
any extended period of time could cause damage
to the transfer case. Do not operate your vehicle
in Four-Wheel-Low Lock above 30 mph (48 km/h) for
extended periods.
4
nQ(Four-Wheel-Low Lock):This mode delivers
extra torque to all four wheels and is used for extreme
off-road conditions. You might choose 4-Wheel-Low
Lock if you are driving in off-road situations, such as,
deep sand, mud, or snow and climbing or descending
steep hills.
If the vehicle has a locking rear axle, when in this mode
you can also choose to lock the rear axle for additional
traction in extreme off-road situations. SeeLocking Rear
Axle on page 4-6.
2-28

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-5
Locking Rear Axle..........................................4-6
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-7
Steering........................................................4-8
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-10
Passing.......................................................4-10
Loss of Control.............................................4-10
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-12
Assist Steps.................................................4-31Driving at Night............................................4-32
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-33
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-34
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-34
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-34
Winter Driving..............................................4-35
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow.....................................4-39
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-40
Recovery Loops...........................................4-40
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-42
Towing..........................................................4-48
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-48
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-48
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-50
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-62
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Environmental Concerns
Off-road driving can provide wholesome and satisfying
recreation. However, it also raises environmental
concerns. We recognize these concerns and urge every
off-roader to follow these basic rules for protecting the
environment:
Always use established trails, roads, and areas that
have been specially set aside for public off-road
recreational driving; obey all posted regulations.
Avoid any driving practice that could damage the
environment — shrubs, owers, trees, grasses — or
disturb wildlife. This includes wheel-spinning,
breaking down trees, or unnecessary driving
through streams or over soft ground.
Always carry a litter bag — make sure all refuse is
removed from any campsite before leaving.
Take extreme care with open res (where permitted),
camp stoves, and lanterns.
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other
combustible materials that could catch re from
the heat of the vehicle’s exhaust system.
Traveling to Remote Areas
It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when going
to a remote area. Know the terrain and plan your
route. You are much less likely to get bad surprises.
Get accurate maps of trails and terrain. Try to learn of
any blocked or closed roads.
It is also a good idea to travel with at least one other
vehicle. If something happens to one of them, the other
can help quickly.
Does your vehicle have a winch? If so, be sure to
read the winch instructions. In a remote area, a winch
can be handy if you get stuck. But you will want to
know how to use it properly.
High Mobility Characteristics
Your vehicle has a 10 inch (25.4 cm) running ground
clearance (A), a 9 inch (22.8 cm) axle to ground
clearance (B), and a low center of gravity.
4-14

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground
and two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer/retailer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be
towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip on
page 4-34.
4-48

Privacy..........................................................7-16
Event Data Recorders..................................7-17
Navigation System.......................................7-18
OnStar.......................................................7-18
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-18
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................. 2-8
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-29
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID), Privacy....7-18
Radios..........................................................3-48
Radio(s)........................................................3-49
Radios
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual...................................................3-61
Reception...................................................3-61
Setting the Time..........................................3-48
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-61
Reading Lamps..............................................3-20
Rear Axle......................................................5-45
Locking........................................................ 4-6
Rear Door Security Locks.................................. 2-9
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-59
Rear Vision Camera........................................2-44
Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper.........................3-11
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass and Temperature Display................2-41Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature Display.....2-38
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recovery Loops..............................................4-40
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-48
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System, Operation . . . 2-5
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-83
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-81
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-52
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-14
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-15
General Motors...........................................7-15
United States Government............................7-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-69
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-70
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-20
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-40
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-15
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-37
10

Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-48
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-50
Your Vehicle...............................................4-48
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-5
Off Light.....................................................3-34
StabiliTrak
®System....................................... 4-7
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-62
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-24
Up-Shift Light..............................................3-32
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-23
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-26
Trip Odometer................................................3-27
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-74
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-51
Operation...................................................2-52
Up-Shift Light.................................................3-32
Using this Manual............................................... iii
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-3
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-42
Parking Your...............................................2-35
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-16
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-100
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-101
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-24
Visors...........................................................2-13
13