2009 HUMMER H3 light

PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation
(Canada Only)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed
when the key is removed from
the ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the key is turned
to ON/RUN.
You do not have to manually arm or
disarm the system.
The security light comes on if there
is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent system.
The key uses a transponder that
matches an immobilizer control unit
in the vehicle. Only the correct
key starts the vehicle. If the key is
ever damaged, the vehicle may
not start.When trying to start the vehicle,
if the engine does not start and
the security light comes on,
there may be a problem with the
theft-deterrent system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged,
try another ignition key. Check
the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-91. If the engine
still does not start with the other
key, the vehicle needs service.
If the vehicle does start, the rst
key may be faulty. See your
dealer/retailer who can service the
theft-deterrent system and have
a new key made.
It is possible for the theft-deterrent
system decoder to learn the
transponder value of a new or
replacement key. Up to 10 keys can
be programmed for the vehicle.
The following procedure is for
programming additional keys only.Canadian Owners:If the keys
are lost or damaged, only a
dealer/retailer can service the
theft-deterrent system to have new
ones made. Two current driver’s
keys are required to program
additional keys.
To program a new key:
1. Verify that the new key has
PK3+ stamped on it.
2. Insert the current driver’s key in
the ignition and start the engine.
If the engine does not start see
your dealer/retailer for service.
3. After the engine has started,
turn the key to LOCK/OFF,
and remove the key.
4. Insert the second current driver’s
key in the ignition and start the
engine within ten seconds of
removing the previous key. If the
engine does not start see your
dealer/retailer for service.
2-14 Features and Controls

5. After the engine has started, turn
the key to LOCK/OFF, and
remove the key. Insert the key to
be programmed and turn it to
ON/RUN within ten seconds of
removing the previous key.
The security light turns off once
the key has been programmed.
6. Repeat the Steps 1 through 5
if additional keys are to be
programmed.
If the security light comes on and
stays on while driving, the engine
will restart if you turn it off. However,
the theft-deterrent system is not
working properly and must be
serviced by your dealer/retailer.
The vehicle is not protected by the
theft-deterrent system at this time.
In an emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Service
on page 7-6.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.Starting and
Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does
not need an elaborate break-in.
But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these
guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph
(88 km/h) or less for the
rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for
the rst 200 miles (322 km)
or so. During this time the
new brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get
new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-42for the
trailer towing capabilities of the
vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine
speed and load can be gradually
increased.
Features and Controls 2-15

Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different
positions.
To shift out of P (Park), turn the
ignition to ON/RUN and apply
the regular brake pedal.Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key,
make sure it is all the way in, and
turn it only with your hand. If the
key cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer/retailer.
(A) LOCK/OFF:This position
locks the ignition. It also locks
the transmission on automatic
transmission vehicles. It locks
the steering wheel on manual
transmission vehicles. The key can
only be removed in LOCK/OFF.
On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in P (Park) to turn the ignition
switch to LOCK/OFF.
The steering can bind with the
wheels turned off center. If this
happens, move the steering wheel
from right to left while turningthe key to ACC/ACCESSORY.
If this doesn’t work, then the vehicle
needs service.
(B) ACC/ACCESSORY:This is the
position in which you can operate
the electrical accessories or items
plugged into the accessory power
outlets. On automatic transmission
vehicles, this position unlocks
the ignition. On manual transmission
vehicles, it unlocks the ignition
and steering wheel. Use this position
if the vehicle must be pushed or
towed.
(C) ON/RUN:This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument panel cluster warning
and indicator lights. The switch stays
in this position when the engine is
running. The transmission is
also unlocked in this position on
automatic transmission vehicles.
2-16 Features and Controls

R (Reverse):To back up, stop the
vehicle. Press the clutch pedal
and shift into R (Reverse). Slowly let
up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal. If it is hard
to shift, let the shift lever return
to Neutral and release the clutch
pedal. Then press the clutch again
and shift into R (Reverse). Do not
attempt to shift into the fth gear
position prior to shifting into
R (Reverse). The transmission has
a lock out feature which prevents
a 5 (Fifth) gear to R (Reverse)
gear shift.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
Use R (Reverse), along with the
parking brake, for parking the
vehicle.Up-Shift Light
This light will show you when to
shift to the next higher gear for best
fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can
shift to the next higher gear if
weather, road and traffic conditions
permit. For the best fuel economy,
accelerate slowly and shift when the
light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal
for the light to go on and off if
you quickly change the position of
the accelerator. Ignore the shift light
when you downshift.
Disregard the shift light when the
transfer case is in four-wheel low.
For more information, seeUp-Shift
Light on page 3-27.
Shift Speeds
{CAUTION
If you skip a gear when you
downshift, you could lose control
of the vehicle. You could injure
yourself or others. Do not shift
down more than one gear at a
time when you downshift.
Hill Start Assist
H3 and H3T vehicles have a Hill
Start Assist feature, which may be
useful when stopped on a grade.
SeeBraking on page 4-3for
more information.
Features and Controls 2-23

Full-Time Four-Wheel
Drive
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive sends
engine power to all four wheels
for extra traction. To get the most
out of Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive,
you must be familiar with its
operation.
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.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 transfer
case to Neutral only when towing
the vehicle. SeeRecreational
Vehicle Towing on page 4-40or
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-40
for more information.
Notice:Driving on pavement in
Four-Wheel High Lock or Four
Wheel Low Lock for extended
periods may cause premature
wear on the vehicle 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 setting when you need
extra traction in most off-road
situations such as sand, mud, snow
or level, rocky trails.Notice:Operating the 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 the vehicle
in Four-Wheel-Low Lock above
30 mph (48 km/h) for extended
periods.
4
nQ(Four-Wheel-Low Lock):
This setting delivers extra torque to
all four wheels and is used for
extreme off-road conditions.
If the vehicle has locking axles,
they can be locked for additional
traction in extreme off-road
situations. SeeLocking Rear Axle
on page 4-8andLocking Front Axle
on page 4-9.
Indicator lights in the buttons show
which setting the transfer case
is in. The indicator lights will come
on briey when the ignition is in
ON/RUN. The If the lights do
not come on, take the vehicle to
your dealer/retailer for service.
2-24 Features and Controls

An indicator light will ash while
shifting the transfer case. If the
transfer case cannot make a
requested shift, it will return to the
last chosen setting.
If the SERV 4WD message on the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
stays on, take the vehicle to
your dealer/retailer for service.
See Service 4WD message under
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-37.
Shifting between Four-Wheel
High and Four-Wheel-High Lock
With the vehicle traveling less
than 75 mph (120 km/h), press and
release the Four-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel-High Lock button.
It may be necessary to drive
backwards while turning for a
distance of 25 feet (7.5 m) to get
the lock feature to disengage.Shifting into Four-Wheel Low Lock
Notice:Shifting the transmission
into gear before the indicator
light stops ashing could cause
damage to the transfer case.
Always wait until the indicator
light stops ashing before putting
the transmission back in gear.
To shift into Four-Wheel-Low Lock,
the ignition must be in ON/RUN
and the vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h)
with the transmission in N (Neutral).
The preferred method for shifting
into Four-Wheel Low is to have
the vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph
(1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and release
the Four-Wheel-Low Lock button.
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, the clutch pedal must
be pressed to the oor while you
press the Four-Wheel-Low Lock
button, or the shift will not be
completed. You must wait for theFour-Wheel-Low Lock indicator
light to stop ashing and remain lit
before shifting the transmission
into gear.
It is normal for the vehicle to have
engagement noise and bump
when shifting between Four-Wheel
Low and Four-Wheel High ranges
or from Neutral.
If the Four-Wheel-Low Lock button
is pressed when the vehicle is
in gear and/or moving too fast, the
Four-Wheel-Low Lock indicator
light will ash for 15 seconds and
not complete the shift.
Features and Controls 2-25

Shifting Out of
Four-Wheel-Low Lock
Notice:Shifting the transmission
into gear before the indicator
light stops ashing could cause
damage to the transfer case.
Always wait until the indicator
light stops ashing before putting
the transmission back in gear.
To shift out of Four-Wheel-Low Lock,
the vehicle must be stopped or
moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h)
with the transmission in N (Neutral)
and the ignition in ON/RUN.
The preferred method for shifting out
of Four-Wheel-Low Lock is to have
the vehicle moving 1 to 2 mph
(1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Press and
release the Four-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel-High Lock button.If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, the clutch pedal must
be pressed to the oor while you
press the Four-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel-High Lock button, or the
shift will not be completed. You must
wait for the Four-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel-High Lock indicator light
to stop ashing and remain lit before
shifting the transmission into gear.
It is normal for the vehicle to have
engagement noise and bump
when shifting between Four-Wheel
Low and Four-Wheel High ranges
or from Neutral.
If the Four-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel-High Lock button is
pressed when the vehicle is in
gear and/or moving too fast,
the Four-Wheel High or
Four-Wheel-High Lock indicator
light will ash for 15 seconds but
will not complete the shift.Shifting Into Neutral
To shift the transfer case to Neutral:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle.
3. Put the transmission in
N (Neutral). If the vehicle has a
manual transmission, press and
hold the clutch pedal down while
you perform Steps 5 through 9.
4. Shift the transfer case to
Four-Wheel High.
{CAUTION
Shifting an all-wheel-drive
vehicle’s transfer case into
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 you shift
the transfer case to Neutral.
2-26 Features and Controls

5. Simultaneously press and hold
the Four-Wheel High and
Four-Wheel-Low Lock buttons for
10 seconds. The Neutral light
will come on when the transfer
case shift to Neutral is complete.
6. Press and hold the regular brake
pedal and shift the transmission
to R (Reverse), then shift the
transmission to D (Drive) for an
automatic transmission, or
1 (First) for vehicles have a
manual transmission and then let
out the clutch. This is to ensure
the transfer case is in Neutral.
If not, repeat this procedure
starting at Step 3.
7. Turn the engine off.
8. Place the transmission shift lever
in P (Park) for an automatic
transmission, or 1 (First) for
vehicles that have a manual
transmission.
9. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.Shifting Out of Neutral
To shift out of Neutral:
1. Set the parking brake and apply
the regular brake pedal.
2. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral) for an automatic
transmission, or press the clutch
pedal for vehicles that have a
manual transmission. Then turn
the ignition to ON/RUN but
do not start the engine.
3. Press the button for the desired
transfer case shift position
(Four-Wheel High,
Four-Wheel-High Lock or
Four-Wheel-Low Lock).
After the transfer case has
shifted out of Neutral the light
will go out.
4. Release the parking brake.Notice:Shifting the transmission
into gear before the indicator
light stops ashing could cause
damage to the transfer case.
Always wait until the indicator
light stops ashing before putting
the transmission back in gear.
5. You may start the engine and
shift the transmission to the
desired position.
Features and Controls 2-27