2009 HUMMER H3 maintenance

Before You Go Off-Roading

Have all necessary maintenance
and service work done.
Make sure there is enough fuel,
that uid levels are where they
should be, and that the spare tire
is fully inated.
Be sure to read all the
information about
four-wheel-drive vehicles in this
manual.
Make sure all underbody shields,
if the vehicle has them, are
properly attached.
Know the local laws that apply to
off-roading where you will be
driving or check with law
enforcement people in the area.
Be sure to get the necessary
permission if you will be on
private land.
Loading Your Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving
{CAUTION
Cargo on the load oor 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.
Unsecured cargo on the load
oor can be tossed about
when driving over rough
terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck by
ying objects. Secure the
cargo properly.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
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.
There are some important things to
remember about how to load
your vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on
the oor, forward of the rear axle.
Put heavier items as far forward
as you can.
Be sure the load is properly
secured, so things are not tossed
around.
4-14 Driving Your Vehicle

Driving in Water
{CAUTION
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and
you could lose traction and roll
the vehicle over. Do not drive
through rushing water.
Heavy rain can mean ash ooding,
and ood waters demand extreme
caution.Find out how deep the water is
before driving through it. Do not
try it if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe — you probably will not get
through. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts. The
vehicle is capable of depths up to
20 inches (50 cm). Know how to
judge whether the water is deeper
than this before proceeding into it.
If the water is not too deep, drive
slowly through it. At faster speeds,
water splashes on the ignition
system and the vehicle can stall.
Stalling can also occur if you get the
tailpipe under water. If the tailpipe
is under water, you will never
be able to start the engine. When
going through water, remember that
when the brakes get wet, it might
take longer to stop. SeeDriving
in Rain and on Wet Roads on
page 4-29.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that
has collected on the underbody,
chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand,
have the brake linings cleaned and
checked. These substances can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the engine and oil coolers
for mud accumulation. Thoroughly
and carefully clean these devices to
allow proper cooling. Check the
body structure, steering, suspension,
wheels, tires, and exhaust system
for damage and check the fuel lines
and cooling system for any
leakage.
The vehicle requires more frequent
service due to off-road use.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
for additional information.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-27

Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual’s Maintenance Schedule
or Index for more information.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission uid, engine oil,
axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good
idea to inspect these before and
during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Light-Duty Trailer Wiring Package
If the vehicle does not have a
trailer towing package, the chassis
harness will contain the following
blunt cut circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
White: Ground
Brown: Tail Lamps
To add a trailer towing wiring
package, have it installed by your
dealer/retailer or a qualied
service center. Also, seeAdd-On
Electrical Equipment on page 5-91
for more information.Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring
Package
If the vehicle has a trailer towing
package, the rear bumper harness
will have a seven-pin universal
heavy-duty trailer connector
attached to a bracket on the hitch
platform.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-51

Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement...................5-44
Tires
Tires.................................5-44
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......5-45
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................5-48
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .5-51
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................5-52
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................5-54
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................5-57
When It Is Time for
New Tires.......................5-58
Buying New Tires.............5-59
Different Size Tires and
Wheels............................5-61
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading...........................5-62
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance...........................5-63
Wheel Replacement..........5-64
Tire Chains.......................5-65
If a Tire Goes Flat............5-66
Changing a Flat Tire.........5-66
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools (H3)................5-68
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools (H3T)..............5-69
Removing the Flat Tire
and Installing the
Spare Tire
.......................5-72
Secondary Latch
System (H3T)..................5-76
Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools (H3).........5-78
Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools (H3T).......5-80
Spare Tire........................5-82
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning................5-83
Fabric/Carpet....................5-84
Leather.............................5-85
Instrument Panel, Vinyl,
and Other Plastic
Surfaces
..........................5-85
Care of Safety Belts.........5-85
Weatherstrips....................5-86
Washing Your Vehicle.......5-86
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/
Lenses............................5-86
Finish Care.......................5-86
Windshield, Backglass,
and Wiper Blades............5-87
Aluminum or
Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim
.........................5-88
Tires.................................5-89
Sheet Metal Damage........5-89
Finish Damage..................5-89
Underbody Maintenance. . . .5-89
Chemical Paint Spotting. . . .5-90
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)..................5-90
Service Parts
Identication Label...........5-90
5-2 Service and Appearance Care

GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. Your GM
dealer/retailer can accessorize the
vehicle using genuine GM
Accessories. When you go to your
GM dealer/retailer and ask for GM
Accessories, you will know that
GM-trained and supported service
technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-58.
California Proposition 65
Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects
or other reproductive harm.Engine exhaust, many parts and
systems (including some inside the
vehicle), many uids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained
in remote keyless transmitters, may
contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{CAUTION
You can be injured and the
vehicle could be damaged if you
try to do service work on a vehicle
without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient
knowledge, experience, the
proper replacement parts, and
tools before attempting any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper
nuts, bolts, and other
fasteners. English and metric
fasteners can be easily
confused. If the wrong
fasteners are used, parts can
later break or fall off. You
could be hurt.
5-4 Service and Appearance Care

If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service manual.
It tells you much more about how to
service the vehicle than this manual
can. To order the proper service
manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-15.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, seeServicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-58.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date
of any service work performed. See
Maintenance Record on page 6-16.
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle
Things added to the outside of the
vehicle can affect the airow
around it. This can cause wind
noise and can affect fuel economy
and windshield washer performance.
Check with your dealer/retailer
before adding equipment to
the outside of the vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is
an important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle.
To help keep the engine clean
and maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend the
use of gasoline advertised as
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or
higher. If the octane rating is less
than 87, you might notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive,
commonly referred to as spark
knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
and you hear heavy knocking, the
engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should
meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in Canada.
Some gasolines contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. SeeAdditives on
page 5-6for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certied to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications.
See the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California
emissions standards, the vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on
fuels meeting federal specications,
but emission control system
performance might be affected.
Service and Appearance Care 5-5

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/lter is
located in the engine compartment
on the passenger side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-10for more
information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the
MaintenanceIIintervals and replace
it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval.SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information. If you
are driving in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine
oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/lter:
1. Unfasten the clips that hold the
cover on and remove the cover.
2. Lift out the engine air
cleaner/lter.
3. Inspect or replace the air lter.
SeeMaintenance Replacement
Parts on page 6-14to
determine which lter to use.
4. Reinstall the engine air
cleaner/lter cover. Fasten the
clips to hold the cover in place.
{CAUTION
Operating the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off can cause you
or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air;
it helps to stop ames if the
engine backres. If it is not there
and the engine backres, you
could be burned. Do not drive
with it off, and be careful
working on the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter
is off, a backre can cause a
damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place when
you are driving. 3.7 L shown (5.3 L similar)
Service and Appearance Care 5-17

Checking the Fluid Level
To prepare the vehicle:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place.
Keep the engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied,
place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake
pedal, move the shift lever
through each gear range,
pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for
three minutes or more.
Then, without shutting off the
engine:
1. Flip the handle up and then pull
out the dipstick and wipe it with
a clean rag or paper towel.The automatic transmission
dipstick handle with this symbol
on it is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger
side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-10for more
information on location.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait
three seconds, and pull it back
out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick,
and read the lower level.
The uid level must be in
the COLD area, below thecross-hatched area, for a
cold check or in the HOT or
cross-hatched area for a
hot check. Be sure to keep the
dipstick pointed down to get
an accurate reading.
4. If the uid level is in the
acceptable range, push
the dipstick back in all the way;
then ip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine what kind
of transmission uid to use.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12.
Add uid only after checking the
transmission uid while it is hot.
A cold check is used only as
a reference. If the uid level is low,
add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level up to the
HOT area for a hot check.
Service and Appearance Care 5-19