CHEVROLET TAHOE 2010 3.G Owners Manual

Example 3
Item DescriptionTotal
A Vehicle Capacity
Weight for
Example 3 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
B Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 200 lbs
(91 kg) × 5 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
C Available Cargo
Weight =
0 lbs (0 kg)Refer to your vehicle's tire and loading information
label for specific 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.
Certification/Tire Label
A vehicle specific Certification/Tire label is
found on the rear edge of the driver's door.
The label shows the size of your vehicle's
original tires and the inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity of your vehicle.
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This is called Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel, and cargo.
The Certification/Tire 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
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
The Certification/Tire label also contains
information about your Front Axle Reserve
Capacity.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should
spread it out.
{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.
Notice :Overloading the vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not overload the vehicle.
The label will help you decide how much cargo
and installed equipment your truck can carry.
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.
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If you put things inside your vehicle—like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything
else —they go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you
have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash,
they will keep going.
{WARNING:
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.
(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
.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 is also important loading information for
off-road driving in this manual. See “Loading Your
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving” underOff-Road
Driving
on page 5‑11.
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Adding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment
Before installing a snow plow on your vehicle, here are
some things you will need to know:
Notice:If your vehicle does not have the snow plow
prep package, adding a plow can damage your
vehicle, and the repairs would not be covered by
warranty. Unless your vehicle was built to carry a
snow plow, do not add one to your vehicle. If your
vehicle has the snow plow prep package, called
RPO VYU, then the payload your vehicle can carry
will be reduced when a snow plow is installed. Your
vehicle can be damaged if either the front or rear
axle ratings or the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) are
exceeded.
Some vehicles are built with a special snow plow prep
package, called RPO VYU. If your vehicle has this
option, you can add a plow to it, provided certain
weights, such as the weights on the vehicle's axles and
the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), are not exceeded. The plow your vehicle can carry depends on many
things, such as:
.The options your vehicle came with, and the
weight of those options.
.The weight and number of passengers you intend
to carry.
.The weight of items you have added to your
vehicle.
.The total weight of any additional cargo you intend
to carry.
Say, for example, you have a 700 lb (318 kg) snow plow.
The total weight of all occupants and cargo inside the
cab should not exceed 300 lb (135 kg). This means that
you may only be able to carry one passenger. But, even
this may be too much if you have got other equipment
already adding to the weight of your vehicle.
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Here are some guidelines for safely carrying a snow
plow on your vehicle:
.Make sure the weight on the front and rear axles
does not exceed the axle rating for each.
.For the front axle, if more cargo or passengers
must be carried, appropriate counter ballast must
be installed rear of the rear axle. Counter ballast
must be properly secured so it will not move during
driving.
.Follow the snow plow manufacturer's
recommendations regarding rear ballast. Rear
ballast may be required to ensure a proper front
and rear weight distribution ratio, even though the
actual weight at the front axle may be less than the
front axle rating.
.The snow plow manufacturer or installer can assist
you in determining the amount of rear ballast
required, to help make sure your snowplow/vehicle
combination does not exceed the GVW rating, the
front and rear axle ratings, and the front and rear
weight distribution ratio.
.The total vehicle must not exceed the GVW rating.Front axle reserve capacity is the difference between
your front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and the
front axle weight of your vehicle with full fuel and
passengers. Basically, it is the amount of weight you
can add to your front axle before reaching your
front GAWR.
The front axle reserve capacity for your vehicle can be
found in the lower right corner of the Certification/Tire
label, as shown.United StatesCanada
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In order to calculate the amount of weight any front
accessory, such as a snow plow, is adding to the front
axle, use the following formula:
(W x (A + W.B.)) /W.B.= Weight the accessory is adding
to the front axle.
Where:
W = Weight of added accessory
A = Distance that the accessory is in front of the
front axle
W.B. = Vehicle Wheelbase
For example, adding a 700 lb (318 kg) snow plow
actually adds more than 700 lbs (318 kg) to the front
axle. Using the formula, if the snow plow is 4 ft (122 cm)
in front of the front axle and the wheel base is 10 ft
(305 cm), then:
W = 700 lb (318 kg)
A = 4 ft (122 cm)
W.B. = 10 ft (305 cm)
(W x (A + W.B.))/W.B. = (700 x (4 + 10))/10 = 980 lbs
(445 kg)
So, if your vehicle's front axle reserve capacity is more
than 980 lbs (445 kg), you could add the snow plow
without exceeding the front GAWR.
You can add heavier equipment on the front of the
vehicle if you compensate for it by carrying fewer
passengers, less cargo, or by positioning cargo towards
the rear. This has the effect of reducing the load on the
front. However, the front GAWR, rear GAWR, and the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) must never be
exceeded.
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{WARNING:
On some vehicles that have certain front mounted
equipment, such as a snow plow, it may be
possible to load the front axle to the front gross
axle weight rating (GAWR) but not have enough
weight on the rear axle to have proper braking
performance. If your brakes can not work properly,
you could have a crash. To help your brakes work
properly when a snow plow is installed, always
follow the snow plow manufacturer or installer's
recommendation for rear ballast to ensure a
proper front and rear weight distribution ratio,
even though the actual front weight may be less
than the front GAWR, and the total vehicle weight
is less than the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR). Maintaining a proper front and rear
weight distribution ratio is necessary to provide
proper braking performance.Total vehicle reserve capacity is the difference between
your GVWR and the weight of your vehicle with full fuel
and passengers. It is the amount of weight you can add
to your vehicle before reaching your GVWR. Keep in
mind that reserve capacity numbers are intended as
a guide when selecting the amount of equipment or
cargo your vehicle can carry. If you are unsure of your
vehicle's front, rear, or total weight, go to a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can also
help you with this.
The total vehicle reserve capacity for your vehicle can
be found in the lower right corner of the Certification/
Tire label as shown previously.
See your dealer for additional advice and information
about using a snow plow on your vehicle. Also, see
Loading the Vehicle on page 5‑29.
Emergency Roof Lamp Provisions
Vehicles with the RPO VYU snow plow prep package
also have an emergency roof lamp provision package,
RPO TRW. Wiring for the emergency roof lamp is
provided above the overhead console. See
Auxiliary
Roof-Mounted Lamp
on page 4‑14for switch location.
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Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the ground. Consult your dealer
or a professional towing service if the disabled vehicle
must be towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on
page 8‑7.
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes, such as behind a motorhome,
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
If the vehicle has a two–mode hybrid engine, see the
Two–mode Hybrid manual for more information.
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle
behind another vehicle–such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing.
Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with
two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly. Here are some important things to consider before
recreational vehicle towing:
.What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
.What is the distance that will be travelled? Some
vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long
they can tow.
.Is the proper towing equipment going to be used?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing
the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed. See
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip on page 5‑24.
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Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles and Four-Wheel
Drive Vehicles with a Single Speed
Automatic Transfer Case
Notice:If the vehicle is towed with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could be
damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not tow the vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive vehicles and four-wheel drive vehicles
with a single speed automatic transfer case should
not be towed with all four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions for
internal lubrication while being towed. Four-wheel drive
vehicles with a single speed automatic transfer case
have no neutral position and will spin the transmission
when the rear wheels turn.
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Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles with a
Two Speed Automatic Transfer Case
Use the following procedure to dinghy tow a four-wheel
drive vehicle with a two speed automatic transfer case:1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle and shift the transmission to P (Park).
2. Turn the engine off and firmly set the parking brake.
3. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
{WARNING:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer case
into N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle to roll even
if the transmission is in P (Park). The driver or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is firmly set before the transfer case is
shifted to N (Neutral).
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting
into Neutral” under“Four-Wheel Drive” for the
proper procedure to select the Neutral position for
the vehicle.
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
6. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF and remove the key —the steering wheel will still turn.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of Neutral” under
“Four-Wheel Drive” for the proper procedure to take the
vehicle out of the Neutral position.
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