CHEVROLET COLORADO 2004 1.G Owners Manual

Loading Your Vehicle
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 200 lbs
(91kg)x5=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
CAvailable Cargo
Weight =0 lbs (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle’s tire and loading information label
for specic information about your vehicle’s capacity
weight and seating positions. The combined weight of
the driver, passengers, and cargo should never
exceed your vehicle’s capacity weight.
Certication/Tire Label
The Certication/Tire label is attached to the bottom
section of the center pillar, on the driver’s side of
the vehicle. Vehicles without a center pillar, extended
cab models, will have the Certication/Tire label
attached to the edge of the driver’s side, third door,
below the door latch post. The label shows the size of
your original tires and the ination pressures needed
to obtain the gross weight capacity of your vehicle. This
is called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, cargo and trailer tongue weight, if
pulling a trailer. Example 3
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The Certication/Tire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). To nd out the actual loads
on your front and rear axles, you need to go to a
weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can
help you with this. Be sure to spread out your load
equally on both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the GAWR
for either the front or rear axle.
If you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
Similar appearing vehicles may have different GVWRs
and payloads. Please note your vehicle’s
Certication/Tire label or consult your dealer for
additional details.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle–like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else–they will go as fast as
the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
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{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
There’s also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See“Loading Your Vehicle
for Off-Road Driving”underOff-Road Driving with Your
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle on page 4-14.
Payload
This is the maximum load capacity that your vehicle can
carry. Be sure to include the weight of the occupants
as part of your load. If you added any accessories
or equipment after your vehicle left the factory,
remember to subtract the weight of these things from
the payload. Your dealer can help you with this.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the front or rear axle.
Two-Tiered Loading
By positioning four 2” X 6” wooden planks across the
width of the pickup box, you can create an upper
load platform. The planks must be inserted in the pickup
box depressions. The length of the planks must allow
for at least a 3/4 inch (2 cm) bearing surface on
each end of the plank.
When using this upper load platform, be sure the load is
securely tied down to prevent it from shifting. The
load’s center of gravity should be positioned in a zone
over the rear axle.
Any load that extends beyond the vehicle’s taillamp
area must be properly marked according to local laws
and regulations.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the rear axle.
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Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need to put
a limit on how many people you carry inside your
vehicle. Be sure to weigh your vehicle before you buy
and install the new equipment.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the rear axle.
Truck-Camper Loading Information
Your vehicle was not designed to carry a
slide-in camper.
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch load from the CWR for
your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with your trailer
attached, so that you won’t go over the GVWR or
the GAWR.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out the
weight of your load the right way, and if you choose the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-57
later in this section.
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab
General Motors is aware that some vehicle owners may
consider having the pickup box removed and a
commercial or recreational body installed. However, we
recommend that conversions of this type not be done
to pickups. Owners should be aware that, as
manufactured, there are differences between a chassis
cab and a pickup with the box removed which may
affect vehicle safety. For specic information on
this pickup, contact GM Customer Assistance. See
Customer Assistance Offices on page 7-4.
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Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment and
drive properly, you can lose control when you
pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work well — or even
at all. You and your passengers could be
seriously injured. Pull a trailer only if you have
followed all the steps in this section. Ask your
dealer for advice and information about towing
a trailer with your vehicle.
Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage
your vehicle and result in costly repairs that would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the instructions in this section and check with your
dealer for more information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is for your
vehicle, you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
If yours was built with trailering options, as many are,
it’s ready for heavier trailers. But trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, acceleration, braking, durability
and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of
these are important for your safety and that of your
passengers. So please read this section carefully before
you pull a trailer.
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If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst
500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is driven.
Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps
your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in
at the heavier loads.
You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3)
or, if necessary, a lower gear selection if the
transmission shifts too often (e.g., under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions). If you have a manual
transmission and you are towing a trailer, it’s
better not to use the highest gear.Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
The following chart shows how much your trailer can
weigh, based upon your vehicle model and options.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle
must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
The weight of the trailer tongue also affects trailering
capacity. See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue” next.
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Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
2WD Regular Cab
Automatic Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.73 3,500 lbs. (1 587 kg) 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.42 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs. (3 856 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs. (3 855 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.42 2,000 lbs. (907 kg) 5,500 lbs. (2 495 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.73 2,500 lbs. (1 133 kg) 6,000 lbs. (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.42 3,500 lbs. (1 587 kg) 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.73 3,900 lbs. (1 769 kg) 7,500 lbs. (3 402 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
2WD Extended Cab
Automatic Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.73 3,200 lbs. (1 451 kg) 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.42 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs. (3 856 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs. (4 082 kg)
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Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
Manual Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.42 1,700 lbs. (771 kg) 5,500 lbs. (2 495 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.73 2,200 lbs. (997 kg) 6,000 lbs. (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.42 3,200 lbs. (1 451 kg) 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.73 3,600 lbs. (1 633 kg) 7,500 lbs. (3 402 kg)
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
2WD Crew Cab
Automatic Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.73 3,100 lbs. (1 406 kg) 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.42 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs. (3 856 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs. (4 082 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.42 1,600 lbs. (725 kg) 5,500 lbs. (2 495 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.73 2,100 lbs. (952 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
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Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4WD Regular Cab
Automatic Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.73 3,100 lbs. (1 406 kg) 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
2.8 L Engine4.10 3,100 lbs. (1 406 kg) 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.42 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs. (3 856 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs. (4 082 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine4.10 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs. (4 082 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.73 2,100 lbs. (952 kg) 6,000 lbs. (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8 L Engine4.10 2,100 lbs. (952 kg) 6,000 lbs. (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.42 3,100 lbs. (1 406 kg) 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.73 3,600 lbs. (1 632 kg) 7,500 lbs. (3 402 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5 L Engine4.10 3,500 lbs. (1 587 kg) 7,500 lbs. (3 402 kg)
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Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR**
4WD Extended Cab
Automatic Transmission,
2.8 L Engine3.73 2,900 lbs. (1 315 kg) 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
2.8 L Engine4.10 2,900 lbs. (1 315 kg) 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.42 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 8,500 lbs. (3 856 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.73 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs. (4 082 kg)
Automatic Transmission,
3.5 L Engine4.10 4,000 lbs. (1 814 kg) 9,000 lbs. (4 082 kg)
Manual Transmission,
2.8 L Engine4.10 1,900 lbs. (861 kg) 6,000 lbs (2 722 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.42 2,900 lbs. (1 315 kg) 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5 L Engine3.73 3,400 lbs. (1 542 kg) 7,500 lbs. (3 402 kg)
Manual Transmission,
3.5 L Engine4.10 3,300 lbs. (1 496 kg) 7,500 lbs. (3 402 kg)
4-62