weight CHEVROLET S10 1996 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle
is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave
it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pulling it toward you. If
you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out
of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat.
To find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever
out of
PARK (P)
before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill
to take some of the
pressure from the transmission,
so you can pull the shift
lever
out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock.
You have to fully apply your regular brake before you
can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition is in the
RUN position. See “Automatic Transmission Operation”
in the Index.
If
you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out
of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
2-28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Drunken Driving
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to
the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims
every year.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive
a
vehicle:
Judgment
0 Muscular Coordination
Vision
Attentiveness.
Police records show that almost half
of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are
the result of someone who was drinking
and driving. In recent years, some 18,000 annual motor
vehicle-related deaths have been associated with the
use
of alcohol, with more than 300,000 people injured.
Many adults
-- by some estimates, nearly half the adult
population
-- choose never to drink alcohol, so they
never drive after drinking. For persons under 2
1, it’s
against the law in every U.S. state
to drink alcohol.
There are good medical, psychological and
developmental reasons for these laws. The
obvious way
to solve this highway safety problem
is for people never
to drink alcohol and then drive. But
what if people do? How much
is “too much” if the
driver plans to drive? It’s a lot less than many might
think. Although it depends on each person and situation,
here is some general information
on the problem.
The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
of someone
who is drinking depends upon four things:
The amount of alcohol consumed
0 The drinker’s body weight
The amount of food that is consumed before and
during drinking
The length of time it has taken the drinker to
consume the alcohol.
According to the American Medical Association, a
180-lb. (82 kg) person who drinks three 12-ounce
(355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a
BAC of about
0.06 percent. The person would reach the
same BAC by drinking three 4-ounce (120 ml) glasses
of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1-1/2 ounces
(45 ml)
of a liquor like whiskey, gin or vodka.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if
the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces
or
90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person’s
BAC would be close to
0.12 percent. A person who
consumes food just before or during drinking will have a
somewhat lower BAC level.
There is a gender difference, too. Women generally have
a lower relative percentage of body water than men. Since
alcohol is carried
in body water, this means that a
woman generally will reach a higher BAC level than
a
man of her same body weight when each has the same
number of drinks.
The law in many
U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC
of 0.10 percent.
In a growing number of U.S. states, and
throughout Canada, the limit is
0.08 percent. In some
other countries, it’s even lower. The BAC limit for all
commercial drivers
in the United States is 0.04 percent.
The BAC will be over
0.10 percent after three to six
drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we’ve seen, it
depends
on how much alcohol is in the drinks, and how
quickly the person drinks them.
But the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC
of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills
of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching
0.05 percent, and that the effects are worse at night.
All drivers are impaired at BAC levels above
0.05
percent. Statistics show that the chance of being in a
collision increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC
of
0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of
0.06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a
collision.
At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of
this driver having
a collision is 12 times greater; at a
level
of 0.15 percent, the chance is 25 times greater!
4-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving Across an Incline
Sooner or later, an off-road trail will probably go across
the incline of a hill.
If this happens, you have to decide
whether to try to drive across the incline. Here are some
things to consider:
0
8
A hill that can be driven straight up or down may be
too steep to drive across. When you
go straight up or
down a hill, the length of the wheel base (the
distance from the front wheels to the rear wheels)
reduces the likelihood the vehicle will tumble end
over end. But when you drive across
an incline, the
much more narrow track width (the distance between
the left and right wheels) may not prevent the vehicle from tilting and rolling over. Also, driving across an
incline puts more weight on
the downhill wheels.
This could cause a downhill slide or a rollover.
Surface conditions can be a problem when you drive
across a hill. Loose gravel, muddy spots,
or even wet
grass can cause your tires to slip sideways, downhill.
If the vehicle slips sideways, it can hit something
that will trip it (a rock, a rut, etc.) and roll over.
0 Hidden obstacles can make the steepness of the
incline even worse. If you drive across a rock with
the uphill wheels, or if the downhill wheels drop into
a rut or depression, your vehicle can tilt even more.
For reasons like these, you need to decide carefully
whether
to try to drive across an incline. Just because
the trail goes across the incline doesn’t mean
you
have to drive it. The last vehicle to try it might have
rolled over.
‘ A CAUTIC 7:
,1
Driving across an incline that’s too steep will
make your vehicle roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed.
If you have any doubt
about the steepness of the incline, don’t drive
across it. Find another route instead.
A 3A

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Loading Your Vehicle
< SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION uu-
The CertificatiodTire label is found on the driver's door
edge, above
the door latch. The label shows the size of
your original tires and the inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity of your vehicle. This is
called the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The
GVWR includes the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel, cargo and trailer tongue weight, if pulling a trailer.
The Certificationmire label also
tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To find 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
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front
or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out.
Similar appearing vehicles may have different GVWR's
and payloads. Please note the Certificationire label
of
your truck or consult your dealer for additional details.
I
. A CAUTION:
I
In the case of a sudden stop or collision, things
carried in the bed of your truck could shift
forward and come into the passenger area,
injuring you and others.
If you put things in the
bed of your truck, you should make, sure they are
properly secured.
4-42

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ’ A CAUTIGA:
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, or it can change the
way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control.
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:
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because
of overloading. 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.
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in
a crash.
0 Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
0 Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
Try to spread the weight evenly.
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops
of the seats.
0 Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
There’s also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2-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
314 inch 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. The zone is located
in the area
between the front
of each fenderwell and the rear of
each fenderwell. The center of gravity height must not
extend above
the top of the pickup box flareboard.
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. See “Loading Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
Payload
The payload capacity is shown on the Certification/Tire
label. 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.
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:
I
Your warranty doesn’t cover parts or
components that fail because of, overloading.
4-44
~ .~ .

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Truck-Camper Loading Information
This label is inside your glove box. It will tell you if
your vehicle can carry a slide-in camper, how much of a
load your vehicle can carry, and how to correctly spread
out your load. Also,
it will help you match the right
slide-in camper to your vehicle.
When you carry a slide-in camper, the total cargo load
of your vehicle is the weight of the camper, plus
everything else added to the camper after it left the
factory;
0 everything in the camper; and
0 all the people inside.
The Cargo Weight Rating (CWR) is the maximum
weight of the load your vehicle can carry.
It doesn’t
include
the weight of the people inside. But, you can
figure about
150 lbs. (68 kg) for each seating position.
The total cargo load must not be more than your
vehicle’s CWR.
IC,
Refer to the Truck-Camper Loading Information label in
the glove box for A and B dimensions.
Use the rear edge of the load floor for measurement
purposes.
The recommended location for the cargo center of
. gravity for the Cargo Weight Rating (C) is the point
where the mass
of a body is concentrated and, if
suspended at that point, would balance the front
and rear.
4-45

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Here is an example of proper truck and camper match:
I .c
J
A. Camper Center of Gravity
B. Recommended Center of Gravity Location Zone
The camper’s center of gravity should fall within the
center
of gravity zone for your vehicle’s cargo load.
Campers can only,be installed
in a long box pickup. Check
your Truck-Camper Loading Label
in your glove box to
determine if your vehicle can carry a slide-in camper.
You must weigh any accessories, trailer hitches or other
equipment
you add to your vehicle. Then, subtract this
extra weight from the CWR. This extra weight may
shorten the center of gravity zone for your vehicle. Your
dealer can help you with this.
I
I
~ - ~~~ - ~~
~~
If your slide-in camper and its load weigh less than the
CWR, the center of gravity zone for your vehicle may
be larger.
Your dealer can help you make a good vehicle-camper
match. He’ll also help you determine your CWR.
After you’ve loaded your vehicle and camper, drive
to a
weigh station and weigh on
the front and rear wheels
separately. This will tell you the loads on your axles.
The loads on the front and rear axles shouldn’t be more
than either of the GAWRs. The total of the axle loads
should
not be more than the GVWR. The GAWR and
GVWR are found on the Certification/Tire label located
on the driver’s door edge, above the door latch.
If you’ve gone over your weight ratings, move
or take
out some things until all the weights fall below the
ratings. Of course, you should always tie down any
loose items when you load your vehicle or camper.
When you install and load your slide-in camper, check
the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you want more information on curb weights, cargo
weights, cargo weight rating and the correct center
of
gravity zone for your vehicle, your dealer can help you.
Just ask for a copy of “Consumer Information,
Truck-Camper Loading.”

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads 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, see “Towing a Trailer”
in
the Index.
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 specific information on
this pickup, contact the GM
Zone Office for your area. (See the “Warranty and
Owner Assistance” booklet for Zone Office.)
Towing a Trailer
1 A CAUTION:
I
If you don’t 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 GM dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer with your vehicle.
4-47