suspension HUMMER H3 2009 Owners Manual

High Mobility Characteristics
The H3 has a 8.8 inch (22.3 cm)
running ground clearance (A),
a 9.2 inch (23.4 cm) axle to ground
clearance (B), and a low center
of gravity.
The H3T has a 9.5 inch (24.1 cm)
running ground clearance (A),
and 8.7 inch (22.1 cm) axle to
ground clearance (B), and a low
center of gravity.
The H3 has an approximate
approach angle (A) of 37.4 degrees
and a departure angle (B) of
34.7 degrees, depending on
suspension packages.The H3T has an approximate
approach angle (A) of 37.1 degrees
and a departure angle (B) of
31 degrees, depending on
suspension packages.
Design specications required
a minimum gradeability of 60%
(31 degrees) slope, with the vehicle
fully loaded, on high friction
surfaces with maximum vehicle
speed not to exceed 6 mph
(9.7 km/h). The vehicle is expected
to traverse this grade only for
short durations. Never stop and idle
the vehicle or park it on this grade.
4-16 Driving Your Vehicle

Do not continue if the vehicle
shudders or exhibits suspension
hopping. This can cause
damage to the driveline or
suspension components.
Improper driving technique is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
{CAUTION
Turning or driving across steep
hills can be dangerous. You could
lose traction, slide sideways, and
possibly roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. When
driving up hills, always try to go
straight up.
Try to drive straight up the hill if
at all possible. If the path twists
and turns, you might want to
nd another route.
Ease up on the speed as you
approach the top of the hill.
Attach a ag to the vehicle to be
more visible to approaching
traffic on trails or hills.
Sound the horn as you approach
the top of the hill to let opposing
traffic know you are there.
Use headlamps even during the
day to make the vehicle more
visible to oncoming traffic.
{CAUTION
Driving to the top (crest) of a hill
at full speed can cause an
accident. There could be a
drop-off, embankment, cliff, or
even another vehicle. You could
be seriously injured or killed. As
you near the top of a hill, slow
down and stay alert.If the vehicle stalls, or is about to
stall, and you cannot make it up
the hill:
Push the brake pedal to stop the
vehicle and keep it from rolling
backwards and apply the parking
brake.
If the engine is still running, shift
the transmission to R (Reverse),
release the parking brake,
and slowly back down the hill in
R (Reverse).
If the engine has stopped
running, you need to restart
it. With the brake pedal
pressed, apply the parking
brake. If the vehicle has an
automatic transmission, shift the
transmission to P (Park).
Restart the engine. Then, shift to
R (Reverse), release the
parking brake, and slowly back
down the hill as straight as
possible in R (Reverse).
4-22 Driving Your Vehicle

Driving in Water
{CAUTION
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and
you could lose traction and roll
the vehicle over. Do not drive
through rushing water.
Heavy rain can mean ash ooding,
and ood waters demand extreme
caution.Find out how deep the water is
before driving through it. Do not
try it if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe — you probably will not get
through. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts. The
vehicle is capable of depths up to
20 inches (50 cm). Know how to
judge whether the water is deeper
than this before proceeding into it.
If the water is not too deep, drive
slowly through it. At faster speeds,
water splashes on the ignition
system and the vehicle can stall.
Stalling can also occur if you get the
tailpipe under water. If the tailpipe
is under water, you will never
be able to start the engine. When
going through water, remember that
when the brakes get wet, it might
take longer to stop. SeeDriving
in Rain and on Wet Roads on
page 4-29.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that
has collected on the underbody,
chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand,
have the brake linings cleaned and
checked. These substances can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the engine and oil coolers
for mud accumulation. Thoroughly
and carefully clean these devices to
allow proper cooling. Check the
body structure, steering, suspension,
wheels, tires, and exhaust system
for damage and check the fuel lines
and cooling system for any
leakage.
The vehicle requires more frequent
service due to off-road use.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
for additional information.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-27

The combined weight of the
driver, passengers, cargo
and any accessories or
equipment added to the vehicle
after it left the factory should
never exceed the vehicle’s
capacity weight.
Certication/Tire Label
A vehicle specic
Certication/Tire label is
attached to the bottom section
of the center pillar (B-pillar),
on the driver’s side of the
vehicle. The label shows the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, alloccupants, fuel, cargo and trailer
tongue weight, if pulling a
trailer.
The Certication/Tire label also
tells the maximum weights
for the front and rear axles,
called Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). To nd out the
actual loads on the front and
rear axles, go to a weigh station
and weigh the vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer can help with this.
Be sure to spread out the
load equally on both sides of the
centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for the
vehicle, or the GAWR for
either the front or rear axle.
If the load is heavy, it should be
spread out.
Similar appearing vehicles may
have different GVWRs and
capacity weights. Please note
the vehicle’s Certication/Tire
label or consult your
dealer/retailer for additional
details.{CAUTION
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or
rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). If you do, parts on
the 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 the vehicle.
Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change the
weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load the
vehicle the right way.
Label Example
4-38 Driving Your Vehicle

Tire Chains
{CAUTION
If your vehicle has LT285/75R16
or P265/65R18 size tires, do not
use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle because there is not
enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle parts.
The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose
control of your vehicle and you or
others may be injured in a crash.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer’s instructions.
To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust,
or remove the device if it is
contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your vehicle’s wheels.
If you do nd traction devices
that will t, install them on the
rear tires.Notice:If your vehicle has a
tire size other than LT285/75R16
or P265/65R18 use tire chains
only where legal and only when
you must. Use chains that are
the proper size for your tires.
Install them on the tires of
the rear axle. Do not use chains
on the tires of the front axle.
Tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and
follow the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. If you can hear
the chains contacting your
vehicle, stop and retighten them.
If the contact continues, slow
down until it stops. Driving
too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage
your vehicle.
Service and Appearance Care 5-65

Scheduled Maintenance
ServiceMaintenanceIMaintenance II
Change engine oil and lter. See Engine Oil on page 5-13. Reset oil life system.
See Engine Oil Life System on page 5-15 .An Emission Control Service. ••
Lubricate chassis components. See footnote #. ••
Visually check for any leaks or damage. See footnote (j). ••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17 . •
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-57 and “Tire Wear Inspection” in At Least Once a Month
on page 6-9. ••
Inspect brake system. See footnote (a). ••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed. ••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section. ••
Inspect suspension and steering components. See footnote (b). •
Inspect engine cooling system. See footnote (c). •
Inspect wiper blades. See footnote (d). •
Inspect restraint system components. See footnote (e). •
Lubricate body components. See footnote (f). •
Check transmission uid level and add uid as needed. •
Maintenance Schedule 6-5

Additional Required Services (cont’d)
Service and Miles (Kilometers)25,000
(40 000) 50,000
(80 000) 75,000
(120 000) 100,000
(160 000) 125,000
(200 000) 150,000
(240 000)
Engine cooling system service (or every
ve years, whichever occurs rst).
An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (i). •
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (k). •
Maintenance Footnotes
#
Lubricate the front suspension,
steering linkage, and parking brake
cable guides. Control arm ball
joints require lubrication but should
not be lubricated unless their
temperature is 10°F (-12°C) or
higher, or they could be damaged.
(a) Visually inspect brake lines
and hoses for proper hook-up,
binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Inspect disc brake pads for wear
and rotors for surface condition.
Inspect other brake parts, including
calipers, parking brake, etc. (b)
Visually inspect front and rear
suspension and steering system
for damaged, loose, or missing
parts, signs of wear or lack
of lubrication. Inspect power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up,
binding, leaks, cracks, chafing,
etc. Visually check constant velocity
joints, rubber boots and axle
seals for leaks. Rotate and inspect
U-joints, retainers, and bolts on
rear drive shaft for seizing or
loosening. (c)
Visually inspect hoses and have
them replaced if they are cracked,
swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, fittings, and clamps;
replace with genuine parts as
needed. To help ensure proper
operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure
cap and cleaning the outside of
the radiator and air conditioning
condenser is recommended at least
once a year.
Maintenance Schedule 6-7

Reporting Safety Defects
to General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or
Transport Canada) in a situation like
this, please notify General Motors.
Call 1-866-HUMMER6 (486-6376),
or write:
HUMMER Customer Assistance
Center
P.O. Box 33177
Detroit, MI 48232-5177
In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777
(English) or 1-800-263-7854
(French), or write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on engines,
transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional
technical service information needed
to knowledgeably service General
Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin
contains instructions to assist in the
diagnosis and service of your
vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written
specically for owners and intended
to provide basic operational
information about the vehicle. The
owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all
models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio,
Owner Manual, and Warranty
Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner
Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model Order
Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and
Manuals are available for current
and past model GM vehicles.
To request an order form, specify
year and model name of the vehicle.
Customer Assistance Information 7-15