2009 HUMMER H3 ignition

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/OFF 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/ACCESSORY.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see
the front of your vehicle during the
day. 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
P (Park), if the vehicle has
an automatic transmission.
The light sensor determines it is
daytime.When the DRL are on, no other
lamps are 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.
The regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
To turn off the DRL, seeExterior
Lamps on page 3-11.
Vehicles rst sold in Canada cannot
turn off DRL unless certain
conditions are met. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-11.
Instrument Panel 3-13

Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside,
the automatic headlamp system
will turn on after the transmission
has been shifted from P (Park) to
D (Drive). The headlamps, taillamps,
sidemarker, parking lamps, roof
marker lamps, and the instrument
panel lights turn on at normal
brightness. The radio lights will
become dimmer when the
headlights are off compared to
when the headlights are on.
The vehicle has a light sensor
located on the top of the instrument
panel. Do not cover the sensor,
or the system will be on whenever
the ignition is on.
The system can turn on the
headlamps when driving in a parking
garage, through a tunnel or when
there is overcast weather. 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
detects a change in lighting lasting
longer than the delay.
If the vehicle is started in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp
system will come on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage,
it will take about one minute for
the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light
outside. During that delay, the
instrument panel cluster may not be
as bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness
control is in the full bright position.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 3-15.
Off-Road Lamps
The off-road lamps, if the vehicle
has them, provide auxiliary lighting
when the vehicle is used off
road. These lamps are not intended
to be used in place of existing
vehicle lighting. The lamps are not
to be used on any public street
or highway and are to be covered
when not in use. Check your
state and local laws before installing
or using any auxiliary lighting. In
some states it may be necessary to
remove the roof lamps when
operating the vehicle on the
highway.
3-14 Instrument Panel

The off-road lamps button is located
on the instrument panel below
the climate controls.
To use the lamps, remove the
covers from the lamps and press
the button to turn them on or off. An
indicator light turns on when the
lamps are on.
Notice:Turning on the off-road
lamps before removing the
lamp covers could damage the
off-road lamps and the covers.
Always remove the covers before
turning on the off-road lamps. The off-road lamps remain on even
after the ignition is turned off.
The off-road lamp button must be
pressed to turn them off.
Fog Lamps
The vehicle has fog lamps that
provide better visibility in foggy or
misty conditions.
The fog lamp button is located in
the exterior lamps control.
#(Fog Lamps):
The headlamps
or parking lamps must be on for
the fog lamps to work. Press
#to turn the fog lamps on or off. An
indicator light turns on when the fog
lamps are on.
Never use the fog lamps in the dark
without turning on the headlamps.
When the high-beam headlamps are
turned on, the fog lamps turn off
automatically. When the high-beam
headlamps are turned off, the
fog lamps come on again.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be
on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel
Brightness
This feature controls the brightness
of the instrument panel lights.
The instrument panel brightness
thumbwheel is located next to
the exterior lamp control.
D(Instrument Panel Brightness):
Turn the thumbwheel up or down
to brighten or dim the instrument
panel lights and the radio display.
Instrument Panel 3-15

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

Electric Power
Management
The vehicle has Electric Power
Management (EPM) that estimates
the battery’s temperature and
state of charge. It then adjusts the
voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge
is low, the voltage is raised
slightly to quickly bring the charge
back up. When the state of charge is
high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If
the vehicle has a voltmeter gage or
a voltage display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), you may
see the voltage move up or
down. This is normal. If there is a
problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged
at idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fastenough at idle to produce all the
power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical
needs. It can increase engine
idle speed to generate more power,
whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY
VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY.
If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce
the electrical loads as much as
possible. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-37.
Battery Run-Down
Protection
This feature shuts off the dome
lamp if it is left on for more
than 20 minutes when the ignition is
in LOCK/OFF. This helps to
prevent the battery from being
drained.
Instrument Panel 3-17

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog or
frost from the rear window when the
key is in the ignition and turned
to ON/RUN.
=(Rear Defogger):Press to turn
the rear window defogger on or
off. After the button is rst pressed
the rear window defogger stays
on for about 15 minutes. If turned on
again, the defogger only runs for
about seven and one-half minutes.
Notice:Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the air outlets located in the
center and on the side of the
instrument panel to direct the
airow.
This vehicle has air outlets that
allow you to adjust the direction and
amount of airow inside the
vehicle. Move the louvers up or
down to change the direction of the
airow. Use the thumbwheel
under the outlets to change the
direction of the airow from left
to right.Operation TipsUse the recirculation mode for
maximum air conditioning
performance.
Clear away any ice, snow or
leaves from the air inlets at
the base of the windshield that
may block the ow of air into the
vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood
deectors may adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the
front seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
Instrument Panel 3-21

If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if
there are no lights at all, there may
be a problem with the lights or
the passenger sensing system. See
your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have
the vehicle serviced right away.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 3-25for more information,
including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
This light comes on briey when the
ignition key is turned, but the
engine is not running, as a check to
show it is working.
It should go out once the engine
starts. If it stays on, or comes
on while driving, there could be a
problem with the charging system. A
charging system message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) may
also appear. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-37
for more information. This light could
indicate that there are problems
with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem.
Have it checked right away. If the
vehicle must be driven a short
distance with the light on, turn off all
the accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
Up-Shift Light
The vehicle may have an up-shift
light.
When this light comes on, shift to
the next higher gear if weather,
road, and traffic conditions allow.
SeeManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-22for more information.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake
system is divided into two parts. If
one part is not working, the
other part can still work and stop
the vehicle. For good braking
though, both parts need to be
working well.
Instrument Panel 3-27

If the warning light comes on, there
could be a brake problem. Have
the brake system inspected
right away.
This light comes on briey when the
ignition key is turned to ON/RUN.
If it does not, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a
problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light comes on
when the parking brake is set. See
Parking Brake on page 2-28for
more information. The light stays on
if the parking brake does not
release fully. If it stays on after the
parking brake is fully released, it
means there is a brake problem.If the light comes on while driving,
pull off the road and stop. The brake
pedal might be harder to push, or
it might go closer to the oor. It can
take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-40.
{CAUTION
The brake system might not be
working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning
light on can lead to a crash. If the
light is still on after the vehicle
has been pulled off the road and
carefully stopped, have the
vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light comes
on briey when the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer. If
the system is working normally
the indicator light will then go off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn
the ignition off. If the light comes on
while driving, stop as soon as it
is safely possible and turn the
ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS
light stays on, or comes on again
while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, the vehicle
still has brakes, but not antilock
brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, the
vehicle does not have antilock United States
Canada
3-28 Instrument Panel