weight CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 2003 1.G Owner's Manual

Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/haul is a feature that assists when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load. The purpose of the
tow/haul mode is to:
·Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts when pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load.
·Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as when
the vehicle is unloaded.
·Improve control of vehicle speed while requiring
less throttle pedal activity when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load.
Press the button at the end of the shift lever to turn the
tow/haul feature on or off. When tow/haul is on, the
tow/haul light on the instrument panel will illuminate.
Tow/haul turns off automatically each time the vehicle is
started.Tow/haul is designed to be most effective when the
vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75% of
the vehicle's Gross Combination Weight Rating
(GCWR). See ªWeight of the Trailerº later in this section.
Tow/haul is most useful under the following driving
conditions:
·When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load through rolling terrain.
·When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load in stop and go traffic.
·When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load in busy parking lots where improved low
speed control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in tow/haul when lightly loaded or
with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no bene®t to the selection of tow/haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel economy. Tow/haul
is recommended only when pulling a heavy trailer or a
large or heavy load.
4-60

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.
Use one of the following charts to determine how
much your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle
model and options.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming the
driver and one passenger are in the tow vehicle and it
has all the required trailering equipment. The weightof additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo
in the tow vehicle must be subtracted from the
maximum trailer weight.
Above the 5,000 lbs. (2 268 kg) trailer rating, the
handling/trailering suspension is required on C-1500
models and the handling/trailering or off-road suspension
is required on K-1500 models.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed to be used
with a ®fth-wheel hitch device. Using such a
device could result in damage to the vehicle. These
damages would not be covered by your vehicle's
warranty.
Vehicle Axle Ratio *Maximum Trailer
Weight**GCWR
C-1500 (2WD)
5300 V83.73 7,200 lbs. (3 266 kg) 13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
4.10 8,200 lbs. (3 719 kg) 14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
K-1500 (4WD)
5300 V83.73 7,000 lbs. (3 175 kg) 13,000 lbs. (5 897 kg)
4.10 7,900 lbs. (3 583 kg) 14,000 lbs. (6 350 kg)
*Tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of trailer weight, up to 1,000 lb. (454 kg) maximum.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle
and trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not
be exceeded.
4-61

Vehicle Axle Ratio *Maximum Trailer
Weight**GCWR
C-2500 (2WD)
8100 V83.73 10,200 lbs. (4 627 kg) 17,000 lbs. (7 711 kg)
4.10 12,000 lbs. (5 443 kg) 19,000 lbs. (8 618 kg)
K-2500 (4WD)
8100 V83.73 9,900 lbs. (4 491 kg) 17,000 lbs. (7 711 kg)
4.10 11,900 lbs. (5 398 kg) 19,000 lbs. (8 618 kg)
*Tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of trailer weight, up to 1,500 lb. (544 kg) maximum
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle
and trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not
be exceeded.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at the address listed in
your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information
Booklet.
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight
to measure because it affects the total or gross weight
of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you
may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in
the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you must add
the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will be
carrying that weight, too. See
Loading Your Vehicle
on page 4-51for more information about your vehicle's
maximum load capacity.
4-62

If you're using a weight-carrying or a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent
to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B).
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight
for your vehicle.
After you've loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights
are proper. If they aren't, you may be able to get them
right simply by moving some items around in the
trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
Be sure your vehicle's tires are in¯ated to the upper limit
for cold tires. You'll ®nd these numbers on the
Certi®cation label at the rear edge of the driver's door or
see
Tires on page 5-61. Then be sure you don't go
over the GVW and rear axle limits for your vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer tongue.
If you use a weight distributing hitch, make sure you
don't go over the rear axle limit before you apply
the weight distributing spring bars.
Hitches
It's important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why you'll need the right hitch. Here
are some rules to follow:
·If you'll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than 5,000 lbs. (2 268 kg), be sure to
use a properly mounted, weight-distributing
hitch and sway control of the proper size. This
equipment is very important for proper vehicle
loading and good handling when you're driving.
4-63

·Will you have to make any holes in the body of
your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the hitch. If you don't seal them,
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust
can get into your vehicle. See²Carbon Monoxide²in
the Index. Dirt and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from
contacting the road if it becomes separated from
the hitch. Always leave just enough slack so you can
turn with your rig. Never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 2,000 lbs. (900 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes ± and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes so you'll be able to install,
adjust and maintain them properly.Your trailer brake system can tap into the vehicle's
hydraulic brake system only if:
·The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi (20 650
kPa) of pressure.
·The trailer's brake system will use less than 0.02
cubic inch (0.3 cc) of ¯uid from your vehicle's
master cylinder. Otherwise, both braking systems
won't work well. You could even lose your brakes.
·Your vehicle is not equipped with Stabilitrakž.
If everything checks out this far, make the brake tap at
the port on the master cylinder that sends the ¯uid
to the rear brakes. But don't use copper tubing for this.
If you do, it will bend and ®nally break off. Use steel
brake tubing.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
4-64

Tires (cont.)
Inspection and Rotation................................5-62
Spare Tire..................................................5-87
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-67
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-64
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-30
Tonneau Cover...............................................2-77
Top Drain Grates ± Removal and Cleaning.........2-73
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-43
Top Strap......................................................1-42
Top-Box Storage.............................................2-77
Torque Lock...................................................2-42
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires..................4-63
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-45
Tow/Haul Mode...............................................2-33
Towing..........................................................4-48
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-48
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-58
Your Vehicle...............................................4-48
TRACTION ACTIVE........................................3-63
Traction Control Operation................................4-13
Traction.........................................................4-10
Assist System (TAS)....................................4-10
Off Light.....................................................3-38
Stabilitrak
žSystem......................................4-12
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-64
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-68
Trailer...........................................................4-58Recommendations.......................................4-58
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE.............................3-61
Transfer Case and Front Axle (Four-Wheel Drive)
Inspection...................................................6-16
Transfer Case................................................5-50
TRANSMISSION HOT.....................................3-61
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-31
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11
Transmission..................................................5-22
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-22
Temperature Gage.......................................3-40
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Traveling to Remote Areas...............................4-21
Trip Information Button....................................3-47
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-57
Turn and Lane Change Signals.......................... 3-8
TURN SIGNAL ON.........................................3-60
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-65
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-14
Underhood Fuse Block...................................5-101
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-102
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-65
United States ± Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-68
15

Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-89
Using HomeLinkž...........................................2-58
Using Song List Mode.....................................3-88
Using the Recovery Hooks...............................4-47
V
Vehicle Identi®cation........................................5-96
Number (VIN).............................................5-96
Service Parts Identi®cation Label...................5-96
Vehicle Personalization....................................2-85
Memory Seat..............................................2-85
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-42
Vehicle............................................................ 4-6
Control........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-51
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicles with Gray Body-Side Cladding.....5-52, 5-55
Vehicles with Gray Body-Side Cladding..............5-58
Vehicles with no Body±Side Cladding........5-54, 5-56
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-28
Video Screen.................................................3-93
Visors...........................................................2-24
Voltmeter Gage..............................................3-36
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-30
Warnings.......................................................3-57
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-57
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-91
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-12
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-62
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-61
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-17
What to Add..................................................5-40
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-19
What to Use..........................5-25, 5-37, 5-38, 5-49
Wheels..........................................................5-67
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-67
Replacement...............................................5-67
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-16
When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life
System).....................................................5-18
When to Check and Change............................5-22
When to Check Lubricant.................................5-49
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-37
16