2003 GMC Sonoma Owner's Manual - Page 99

Automatic Transmission Operation APPLY BRAKE TO SHIFT FROM PARK PARK (P): This position locks your rear wheels. It's the best position to use when you start your engine because vour vehicle can't mnve easilv. n It is -mgerous to get t of your vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. L Your automatic transmission has a shift lever on the steering column. There are several different positions for your shift lever. It features an electronic shift position indicator within the instrument cluster. This display must be powered anytime the shift lever is capable of being moved out of PARK (P). This means that if your key is in OFF, but not locked, there will be a small current drain on your battery which could discharge your battery over a period of time. If you need to leave your key in the ignition in OFF for an extended period, it is recommended that you disconnect the battery cable from the battery to prevent discharging your battery. Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is running unless you haveto. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure your vehicle won'tmove, even when you're on fairly level ground, always set your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See "Shifting Into Park (P)" in the Index. If you're pulling a trailer, see "Towing a Trailer" in the Index. 2-24