2003 Chevrolet Suburban Owner's Manual

2003 Chevrolet Suburban owners manual
Year:
2003
Make:
Chevrolet
Model:
Suburban
Rating:
(8)

Online manual

Size:
25.52 MB

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
2
Seats and Restraint Systems
8
Front Seats
10
Manual Seats
10
Power Seats
11
Power Lumbar
11
Heated Seats
12
Reclining Seatbacks
12
Head Restraints
14
Rear Seats
15
Rear Seat Operation
15
60/40 Split Bench Seat
15
50/50 Split Bench Seat
17
Bench Seat
21
Bucket Seats
26
Safety Belts
29
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone
29
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts
33
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
34
Driver Position
35
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
42
Right Front Passenger Position
43
Center Passenger Position
43
Rear Seat Passengers
45
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults
48
Safety Belt Extender
50
Child Restraints
51
Older Children
51
Infants and Young Children
53
Child Restraint Systems
56
Where to Put the Restraint
59
Top Strap
60
Top Strap Anchor Location
61
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)
63
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System
66
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position
66
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position
68
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position
70
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position
71
Air Bag Systems
75
Where Are the Air Bags?
77
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?
79
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?
81
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
81
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?
81
Passenger Sensing System
83
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
86
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
86
Restraint System Check
87
Checking Your Restraint Systems
87
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash
88
Features and Controls
90
Keys
92
Remote Keyless Entry System
93
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation
94
Doors and Locks
97
Door Locks
97
Power Door Locks
98
Delayed Locking
99
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
99
Rear Door Security Locks
101
Lockout Protection
101
Liftgate
102
Windows
104
Manual Windows
105
Power Windows
105
Sun Visors
106
Theft-Deterrent Systems
107
Content Theft-Deterrent
107
Passlock
109
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
110
New Vehicle Break-In
110
Ignition Positions
110
Starting Your Engine
111
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal
112
Engine Coolant Heater
113
Automatic Transmission Operation
114
Four-Wheel Drive
117
All-Wheel Drive with Stabilitrak
121
Parking Brake
124
Shifting Into Park (P)
125
Shifting Out of Park (P)
127
Parking Over Things That Burn
128
Engine Exhaust
129
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked
129
Mirrors
131
Manual Rearview Mirror
131
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar, Compass and Temperature Display
131
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass and Temperature Display
134
Outside Manual Mirrors
137
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors
137
Outside Power Mirrors
137
Outside Power Camper-Type Mirror
138
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors
138
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror
138
Outside Curb View Assist Mirrors
139
Outside Convex Mirror
139
Outside Heated Mirrors
139
OnStar System
140
HomeLink Transmitter
142
Programming the HomeLink Transmitter
143
Storage Areas
146
Glove Box
146
Cupholder(s)
146
Front Storage Area
146
Center Console Storage Area
146
Luggage Carrier
146
Rear Storage Area
148
Convenience Net
148
Cargo Cover
148
Sunroof
149
Vehicle Personalization
150
Memory Seat
150
Instrument Panel
152
Instrument Panel Overview
155
Hazard Warning Flashers
156
Other Warning Devices
157
Horn
157
Tilt Wheel
157
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
158
Exterior Lamps
164
Interior Lamps
168
Accessory Power Outlets
169
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
170
Climate Controls
171
Climate Control System
171
Dual Climate Control System
172
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
175
Rear Air Conditioning System
181
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System
182
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System and Electronic Climate Controls
184
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
186
Instrument Panel Cluster
187
Speedometer and Odometer
188
Tachometer
188
Safety Belt Reminder Light
188
Air Bag Readiness Light
189
Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator
189
Battery Warning Light
191
Voltmeter Gage
191
Brake System Warning Light
192
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
193
Traction Off Light
194
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
195
Transmission Temperature Gage
195
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
197
Oil Pressure Gage
200
Cruise Control Light
200
Four-Wheel-Drive Light
201
Tow/Haul Mode Light
201
Fuel Gage
202
Low Fuel Warning Light
202
Driver Information Center (DIC)
203
DIC Operation and Displays
203
DIC Warnings and Messages
213
Audio System(s)
221
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS)
221
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS)
222
AM-FM Radio
222
Radio with CD
225
Radio with Cassette and CD
236
Radio with Six-Disc CD
250
Rear Seat Entertainment System
264
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
273
Theft-Deterrent Feature
275
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
275
DVD Distortion
276
Understanding Radio Reception
276
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
277
Care of Your CDs and DVDs
278
Care of Your CD and DVD Player
278
Cleaning the Video Screen
278
Fixed Mast Antenna
279
XM Satellite Radio Antenna System
279
DAB Radio Antenna System
279
Chime Level Adjustment
279
Driving Your Vehicle
280
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
281
Defensive Driving
281
Drunken Driving
282
Control of a Vehicle
285
Braking
285
Traction Assist System (TAS)
288
Locking Rear Axle
290
Stabilitrak System
290
Steering
293
QUADRASTEER
295
Off-Road Recovery
298
Passing
298
Loss of Control
300
Off-Road Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
301
Driving at Night
315
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
317
City Driving
320
Freeway Driving
321
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
322
Highway Hypnosis
323
Hill and Mountain Roads
323
Winter Driving
325
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
329
Towing
332
Towing Your Vehicle
332
Recreational Vehicle Towing
332
Loading Your Vehicle
335
Level Control
336
Autoride
337
Trailer Recommendations
338
Towing a Trailer
338
Service and Appearance Care
354
Service
356
Doing Your Own Service Work
357
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle
357
Fuel
358
Gasoline Octane
358
Gasoline Specifications
359
California Fuel
359
Additives
359
Fuel E-85 (85% Ethanol)
360
Fuels in Foreign Countries
361
Filling Your Tank
362
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
364
Checking Things Under the Hood
365
Hood Release
365
Engine Compartment Overview
367
Engine Oil
370
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
375
Automatic Transmission Fluid
378
Engine Coolant
380
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
383
Engine Overheating
383
Cooling System
386
Engine Fan Noise
391
Power Steering Fluid
391
Windshield Washer Fluid
392
Brakes
393
Battery
397
Jump Starting
398
All-Wheel Drive
403
Rear Axle
404
Four-Wheel Drive
405
Front Axle
406
Bulb Replacement
407
Halogen Bulbs
407
Headlamps
407
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Daytime Running Lamps
408
Side Identification Marker Lamps
409
Roof Marker Lamps
409
Taillamps
411
Replacement Bulbs
412
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
413
Tires
414
Inflation -- Tire Pressure
415
Tire Inspection and Rotation
415
When It Is Time for New Tires
417
Buying New Tires
417
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
418
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
419
Wheel Replacement
420
Tire Chains
421
If a Tire Goes Flat
422
Changing a Flat Tire
423
Spare Tire
440
Appearance Care
441
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
441
Care of Safety Belts
444
Weatherstrips
444
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
444
Sheet Metal Damage
446
Finish Damage
446
Underbody Maintenance
446
Chemical Paint Spotting
447
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
447
Vehicle Identification
449
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
449
Service Parts Identification Label
449
Electrical System
450
Add-On Electrical Equipment
450
Windshield Wiper Fuses
450
Power Windows and Other Power Options
450
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
450
Capacities and Specifications
459
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
462
Maintenance Schedule
464
Maintenance Schedule
465
Introduction
465
Your Vehicle and the Environment
465
Maintenance Requirements
465
How This Section is Organized
466
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
467
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
467
Scheduled Maintenance
468
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
473
At Each Fuel Fill
473
At Least Once a Month
473
At Least Twice a Year
473
At Least Once a Year
474
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
477
Steering and Suspension Inspection
477
Exhaust System Inspection
477
Fuel System Inspection
477
Engine Cooling System Inspection
477
Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-Wheel Drive) Inspection
478
Brake System Inspection
478
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
479
Part E: Maintenance Record
481
Customer Assistance Information
484
Customer Assistance Information
485
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
485
Online Owner Center
487
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users
487
Customer Assistance Offices
487
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities
488
Roadside Assistance Program
489
Courtesy Transportation
491
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government
493
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government
494
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
494
Service Publications Ordering Information
494
Supplement
496
Index
498

2003 Chevrolet Suburban Overview

Introduction

The 2003 Chevrolet Suburban stands as a pillar of the full-size SUV segment, embodying a formidable blend of spaciousness, rugged performance, and technological advancements. Recognized for its durability and family-oriented features, this model is designed to cater to both the adventurous spirit and the practical needs of everyday life, making it a versatile choice for those who crave the roominess of a truck combined with the comfort of a passenger vehicle.

Powertrains

The 2003 Suburban is equipped with two robust powertrain options that ensure reliable performance under varying driving conditions. The standard engine is a 5.3-liter V8, producing 295 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, delivering impressive capability for towing and hauling duties. For those seeking an enhanced performance, the available 6.0-liter V8 engine elevates power to 335 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque, making it well-suited for heavier loads and off-road escapades. Both engines are paired with a smooth-shifting four-speed automatic transmission, with options available for all-wheel drive, enhancing traction on slippery surfaces.

Trims

The 2003 Chevrolet Suburban comes in several trims, including the base LS, the mid-level LT, and the luxurious LTZ. Each trim offers a diverse range of features to cater to varying preferences and budgets. The LS trim prioritizes essential comforts, while the LT adds upscale touches such as leather upholstery and a premium audio system. The top-tier LTZ enhances luxury further with features like heated front seats and advanced entertainment technology, making every journey a pleasurable experience.

Features

This model is known for its practicality and convenience, featuring a spacious cabin with seating for up to nine passengers. Standard features include dual-zone climate control, a CD player, and ample storage compartments. The Suburban also boasts a remarkable cargo capacity, with foldable rear seats that expand the cargo area for transporting larger items. Additionally, safety features such as anti-lock brakes and multiple airbags ensure peace of mind on the road.

Owner's Manual

The 2003 Chevrolet Suburban's owner's manual is a vital resource for maximizing the enjoyment and maintenance of your vehicle. It provides detailed guidelines on everything from routine maintenance schedules to troubleshooting common issues. For owners looking to optimize fuel efficiency or enhance performance, the manual includes helpful tips and specifications as well. Additionally, it offers insights into safety features and electronics, ensuring drivers can make the most of the Suburban’s capabilities.

User manual download

The Chevrolet Suburban owner manual for the 2003 model year is to be found in PDF downloadable format on this page. The owner manual for the model year 2003 is free and in English, but the repair manuals are usually not easy to get and may cost more.

Posted by, John Mana author bio image
A passionate guy about car models, makes, and manuals.

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