2009 HUMMER H3 automatic transmission

The instrument panel lights, cluster,
and radio display do not dim to
complete darkness. Turn the
thumbwheel all the way up to turn
the dome lamps on.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamps are located in the
front area of the vehicle. There
is also a dome lamp in the cargo
area of the H3 model only.
Turn the thumbwheel, located next
to the exterior lamps control, all
the way up to turn the dome
and footwell lamps on. In this
position, the lamps remain on
whether a door is opened or closed.
The dome lamp in the cargo area
automatically turns off when:
The shift lever is shifted out of
P (Park) (automatic
transmissions).
The parking brake is released
(manual transmissions).
Dome Lamp Override
E
(Dome Lamp Override):You
can use the dome override
button, located below the exterior
lamps control, to set the dome
and footwell lamps to come
on automatically when a door is
opened, or to remain off. To turn the
lamps off, press the
Ebutton in.
With the button in this position,
the dome lamps will remain off when
the doors are open. To return the
lamps to automatic operation, press
Eagain and return it to the out
position. With the button in this
position, the dome lamps will come
on when a door is opened.
Exit Lighting
The interior lamps will come on
when the key is removed from the
ignition. The lamps will not come on
if the dome override button is
pressed in.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located in
the overhead console.
Press the button located next to
each lamp to turn them on or off.
These lamps will not come on
with the dome lamps.
3-16 Instrument Panel

Instrument Panel Cluster
The instrument panel cluster is designed to indicate at a glance how the vehicle is running. It tells how fast the
vehicle is going, about how much fuel is being used, and many other things needed to drive safely and economically.United States 3.7L L5 Automatic Transmission version shown, 5.3L V8, Canada and Manual Transmission similar
Instrument Panel 3-23

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 P (Park)
and unlocks all of the doors when
the vehicle is shifted into P (Park).
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 P (Park) and
unlocks the driver’s door when
the vehicle is shifted into P (Park).
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 P (Park).
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 (RKE)
Feedback
This feature allows you to program
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
feedback to a preferred setting.
To set your choice for this feature:
1. With the engine off, turn the
key to LOCK/OFF. Do not
remove the key from the ignition.
2. Press and hold the lock and
unlock buttons on the RKE
transmitter at the same time.Hold both buttons until the DIC
display shows the current
RKE feedback mode.
3. To view the next available mode,
press and hold the reset stem
until the mode appears. Release
the reset stem and press and
hold again to view the next mode.
4. Once the desired mode is shown
on the DIC display, briey press
the reset stem to set your choice.
The DIC display then clears.
The following are the available
modes:
RFA 1 (default):This mode ashes
the parking lamps when you
press the lock or unlock buttons on
the RKE transmitter.
RFA 2:This mode ashes the
parking lamps and sounds the horn
when you press the lock button
on the RKE transmitter. This mode
also ashes the parking lamps
when you press the unlock button
on the RKE transmitter.
3-36 Instrument Panel

automatically disabled. See
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive on
page 2-24for more information. It is
recommended to leave the system
on for normal driving conditions,
but it may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle is stuck
in sand, mud, ice, or snow, and it is
necessary to “rock” the vehicle to
attempt to free it. SeeIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow on page 4-33.
To turn the system off, press and
hold the TCS/StabiliTrak button until
the traction off light comes on.
This light comes on steady when
TCS has been turned off. This light
ashes when StabiliTrak is active.To Turn off TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the TCS/StabiliTrak
button until the STAB SYS OFF
message displays on the DIC. Press
and release the TCS/StabiliTrak
button again to turn StabiliTrak
back on. See “Traction Control
System (TCS)”, following, for more
information on turning TCS off
and on.
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The 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, TCS reduces
engine power. The system may
be heard or felt while it is working.
This is normal and does not
mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.TCS can operate on dry roads
under some conditions. When this
happens, the system may be
heard working or a reduction in
acceleration may be noticed. This is
normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the 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 cruise control is being used when
TCS begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control automatically
disengages. The cruise control
can be re-engaged when road
conditions allow. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-9for more information.
TRACTION FAULT appears on
the Driver information Center (DIC)
when a TCS or antilock brake
system problem has been detected
and the vehicle needs service.
When this message is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-7

Do not continue if the vehicle
shudders or exhibits suspension
hopping. This can cause
damage to the driveline or
suspension components.
Improper driving technique is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
{CAUTION
Turning or driving across steep
hills can be dangerous. You could
lose traction, slide sideways, and
possibly roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. When
driving up hills, always try to go
straight up.
Try to drive straight up the hill if
at all possible. If the path twists
and turns, you might want to
nd another route.
Ease up on the speed as you
approach the top of the hill.
Attach a ag to the vehicle to be
more visible to approaching
traffic on trails or hills.
Sound the horn as you approach
the top of the hill to let opposing
traffic know you are there.
Use headlamps even during the
day to make the vehicle more
visible to oncoming traffic.
{CAUTION
Driving to the top (crest) of a hill
at full speed can cause an
accident. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff, or
even another vehicle. You could
be seriously injured or killed. As
you near the top of a hill, slow
down and stay alert.If the vehicle stalls, or is about to
stall, and you cannot make it up
the hill:
Push the brake pedal to stop the
vehicle and keep it from rolling
backwards and apply the parking
brake.
If the engine is still running, shift
the transmission to R (Reverse),
release the parking brake,
and slowly back down the hill in
R (Reverse).
If the engine has stopped
running, you need to restart
it. With the brake pedal
pressed, apply the parking
brake. If the vehicle has an
automatic transmission, shift the
transmission to P (Park).
Restart the engine. Then, shift to
R (Reverse), release the
parking brake, and slowly back
down the hill as straight as
possible in R (Reverse).
4-22 Driving Your Vehicle

While backing down the hill, put
your left hand on the steering
wheel at the 12 o’clock position
so you can tell if the wheels
are straight and can maneuver
as you back down. It is best
to back down the hill with
the wheels straight rather than
in the left or right direction.
Turning the wheel too far to the
left or right will increase the
possibility of a rollover.
Things not to do if the vehicle stalls,
or is about to stall, when going
up a hill:
Never attempt to prevent a stall
by shifting into N (Neutral) to
rev-up the engine and regain
forward momentum. This will
not work. The vehicle can
roll backward very quickly and
could go out of control.
Never try to turn around if about
to stall when going up a hill. If
the hill is steep enough to
stall the vehicle, it is steep
enough to cause it to roll over. If
you cannot make it up the hill,
back straight down the hill.
If, after stalling, you try to back
down the hill and decide you just
cannot do it, set the parking brake.
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, shift to P (Park). Turn
off the engine. Leave the vehicle
and go get some help. Exit on
the uphill side and stay clear of the
path the vehicle would take if it
rolled downhill. Do not shift
the transfer case to Neutral when
you leave the vehicle. Leave it
in some gear.{CAUTION
Shifting the transfer case to
Neutral can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in
P (Park). This is because the
Neutral position on the transfer
case overrides the transmission.
You or someone else could be
injured. If you are going to leave
your vehicle, set the parking
brake and shift the transmission
to P (Park). But do not shift the
transfer case to Neutral.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-23

Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you
downhill, consider:
How steep is the downhill? Will I
be able to maintain vehicle
control?
What is the surface like?
Smooth? Rough? Slippery?
Hard-packed dirt? Gravel?
Are there hidden surface
obstacles? Ruts? Logs?
Boulders?
What is at the bottom of the hill?
Is there a hidden creek bank or
even a river bottom with large
rocks?
If you decide you can go down a hill
safely, try to keep the vehicle
headed straight down. Use a low
gear so engine drag can help
the brakes so they do not have to
do all the work. Descend slowly,
keeping the vehicle under control at
all times.
{CAUTION
Heavy braking when going down
a hill can cause your brakes to
overheat and fade. This could
cause loss of control and a
serious accident. Apply the brakes
lightly when descending a hill and
use a low gear to keep vehicle
speed under control.
Things not to do when driving down
a hill:
When driving downhill, avoid
turns that take you across
the incline of the hill. A hill that
is not too steep to drive down
might be too steep to drive
across. The vehicle could
roll over.
Never go downhill with the
transmission in N (Neutral), called
free-wheeling. The brakes will
have to do all the work and could
overheat and fade.Vehicles are much more likely to
stall when going uphill, but if it
happens when going downhill:
1. Stop the vehicle by applying the
regular brakes and apply the
parking brake.
2. With an automatic transmission,
shift to P (Park). While still
braking, restart the engine.
3. Shift back to a low gear, release
the parking brake, and drive
straight down.
4. If the engine will not start, get
out and get help.
4-24 Driving Your Vehicle

Use the following procedure to tow
the vehicle:
1. Put the transmission in P (Park)
for an automatic transmission or
in 1 (First) for a manual
transmission.
2. Turn the engine off, but leave the
ignition in ACC/ACCESSORY.
3. Firmly set the parking brake.
4. Securely attach the vehicle being
towed to the tow vehicle.
{CAUTION
Shifting a full-time
four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into N (Neutral)
can cause the vehicle to roll
even if the automatic transmission
is in P (Park) or the manual
transmission is in any gear. You
or others could be injured. Make
sure the parking brake is rmly
set before the transfer case is
shifted to N (Neutral).5. Shift the transfer case to
N (Neutral). SeeFull-Time
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-24
for the proper procedure to
select the N (Neutral) position for
the vehicle.
6. Release the parking brake only
after the vehicle being towed is
rmly attached to the tow vehicle.
7. Make sure the ignition is in
ACC/ACCESSORY.
When towing the vehicle for
extended periods of time, start the
vehicle as often as possible to
prevent battery drain. This should
only be done when the tow
vehicle is parked.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of
NEUTRAL” underFull-Time
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-24.
Dolly Towing
Notice:Dolly towing the vehicle
will damage drivetrain
components. Do not dolly tow the
vehicle.
The vehicle cannot be dolly towed.
If the vehicle must be towed
behind another vehicle, use the
dinghy towing procedure explained
previously.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-41