2009 HUMMER H3 transmission

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 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

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

the vehicle’s fuel economy might
not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Notice:Modications made to
the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
the vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can
affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light
to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead
to costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. This
could also result in a failure to
pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition
has been detected. A misre
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the
vehicle. Find a safe place to park
the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and
see your dealer/retailer for service
as soon as possible.Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has been
detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction
might be corrected by:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 5-7. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn
the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven
through a deep puddle of
water, the vehicle’s electrical
system might be wet. The
condition is usually corrected
when the electrical system dries
out. A few driving trips should
turn the light off.
Instrument Panel 3-31

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

The vehicle should be able to
traverse a 40% (22 degrees) side
slope at 6 mph (9.7 km/h) while fully
loaded on high friction surfaces.The vehicle can climb a
16 inch (40.6 cm) vertical step.
Step climbing is best done by
approaching the step at an angle
rather than straight on.
Brake and Accelerator
Operation Techniques for
Off-Road Driving
For logs, walls, rocks, severe
ditches, hills, sand, etc.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete
stop. Do not rev the engine.
2. Select the proper transmission
and transfer case gear
range; usually 1 (First) gear,
Four-Wheel-Low Lock for such
obstacles.3. If wheel spin is experienced,
maintain steady throttle, with
your foot off the brake pedal, to
allow the Traction Control
System (TCS) to control the
wheel spin. TCS might not
operate if the brakes are applied.
4. If wheel spin cannot be controlled
by the TCS system, fully press
the brake pedal with your left foot
so all wheel spin is stopped.
5. Back away from the obstacle
so that a new approach can
be tried.
6. As the rst wheel crosses the
obstacle, be prepared to
alternate the brake and
accelerator pedal to maintain
control and avoid tire drop-off
from obstacles. Repeat this
process for the other wheels.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-17