towing CHEVROLET TAHOE 2010 3.G Owners Manual

A.Outlet Adjustment on page 4‑26.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 4‑4.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster on page 4‑30.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers
on page 4‑3.
E. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transmission Operation
on page 3‑32.
F. Tow/Haul Mode
on page 3‑38(If Equipped).
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 4‑47.
H. Audio System(s) on page 4‑80.
I. Exterior Lamps on page 4‑11.
J. Dome Lamp Override
on page 4‑15.Instrument
Panel Brightnesson page 4‑14. Fog Lampson
page 4‑13(If Equipped).
K. Hood Release on page 6‑14.
L. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped). Towing a Trailer on page 5‑47.
M. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped). See Four-Wheel Drive (Two Speed Automatic
Transfer Case)
on page 3‑39or Four-Wheel Drive
(Single Speed Automatic Transfer Case)on
page 3‑44. N.
Cruise Control on page 4‑8.
O. Tilt Wheel on page 4‑3.
P. Horn on page 4‑3.
Q. Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 4‑136.
R. Climate Control System
on page 4‑18orDual
Automatic Climate Control Systemon page 4‑20(If Equipped).
S. Accessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 4‑16.
Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). See Ashtray(s) and
Cigarette Lighter
on page 4‑17.
T. StabiliTrak®Systemon page 5‑6(If Equipped).
Pedal Adjust Button (If Equipped). See Adjustable
Throttle and Brake Pedal
on page 3‑30. Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA)on page 3‑56(If Equipped). Heated Windshield Washer Fluid
Button (If Equipped). See Windshield Washeron
page 4‑6. Power Assist Stepson page 3‑17(If Equipped).
U. Glove Box on page 3‑73.
1-3

Mirror Adjustment
Exterior Mirrors
Vehicles with manual outside mirrors can be adjusted
so that the side of the vehicle and the area behind
are seen.
If the vehicle has towing mirrors, they can be adjusted
for a clearer view of the objects behind you. Manually
pull out the mirror head to extend it for better visibility
when towing a trailer. SeeOutside Towing Mirrors
on
page 3‑53.
Vehicles with outside
power mirrors and
foldaway mirrors have
controls located on the
driver door. 1. Press (A) or (B) to select the driver or passenger
side mirror.
2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control pad to adjust the mirror.
3. Press either (A) or (B) again to deselect the mirror.
Power Foldaway Mirrors
To fold the mirrors: 1. Press (C) to fold the mirrors out to the driving position.
2. Press (D) to fold the mirrors in to the folded position.
The mirrors may also include a memory function that
works with the memory seats. See Memory Seat,
Mirrors, and Pedals
on page 2‑10for more information.
1-14

Automatic Transfer Case
Two Speed Transfer CaseSingle Speed
Transfer Case
The transfer case knob is located next to the steering
column. Use this knob to shift into and out of the
different Four-Wheel Drive modes.
2
m(Two-Wheel-Drive High): This setting is used for
driving in most street and highway situations.
AUTO (Automatic Four-Wheel Drive): This setting is
ideal for use when road surface traction conditions are
variable. 4
m(Four-Wheel High):
Use the Four-Wheel-Drive High
position when extra traction is needed, such as on
snowy or icy roads or in most off-road situations.
4
n(Four-Wheel-Drive Low): Vehicles with a
two speed transfer case have a Four-Wheel-Drive
Low position. This setting sends maximum power to all
four wheels. You might choose Four-Wheel-Drive Low if
you are driving off-road in deep sand, deep mud, deep
snow, and while climbing or descending steep hills.
N (Neutral): Vehicles with a two speed transfer case
have a N (Neutral) position. Shift the transfer case
to N (Neutral) only when towing the vehicle. See
Recreational Vehicle Towing
on page 5‑40or Towing
Your Vehicle on page 5‑40.
See Four-Wheel Drive (Two Speed Automatic
Transfer Case)
on page 3‑39or Four-Wheel Drive
(Single Speed Automatic Transfer Case) on page 3‑44.
1-20

Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here are some
driving tips to get the best fuel economy possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control, if equipped.
.Always follow posted speed limits or drive more
slowly when conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same TPC
Spec number molded into the tire's sidewall near
the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled maintenance.
Roadside Assistance Program
U.S.:1-800-CHEV-USA (1-800-243-8872)
TTY Users: 1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
As the owner of a new Chevrolet, you are automatically
enrolled in the Roadside Assistance program. This
program provides technically trained advisors who are
available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, minor repair
information or towing arrangements.
For more information see Roadside Assistance Program
on page 8‑7.
Roadside Assistance and OnStar
If you have a current OnStar subscription, press the
OnStar button and the current GPS location will be sent
to an OnStar Advisor who will assess your problem,
contact Roadside Assistance, and relay exact location
to get you the help you need.
Online Owner Center
The Online Owner Center is a complimentary service
that includes online service reminders, vehicle
maintenance tips, online owner manual, special
privileges and more.
Sign up today at:www.gmownercenter.com/chevrolet
(U.S.) or www.gm.ca (Canada).
1-29

Additional Factors Affecting System
Operation
Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on the
seat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, which helps
the passenger sensing system maintain the passenger
airbag status. See“Safety Belts”and“Child Restraints”
in the Index for additional information about the
importance of proper restraint use.
If the shoulder portion of the belt is pulled out all the
way, the child restraint locking feature will be engaged.
This may unintentionally cause the passenger sensing
system to turn the airbag off for some adult size
occupants. If this happens, let the belt go back all the
way and start again.
A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket
or cushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affect
how well the passenger sensing system operates. We recommend that you not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when approved by
GM for your specific vehicle. See
Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicleon page 2‑99for more
information about modifications that can affect how the
system operates.
The on indicator may be lit if an object, such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device, is put on an unoccupied seat. If this
is not desired remove the object from the seat.
{WARNING:
Stowing of articles under the passenger seat
or between the passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the proper operation
of the passenger sensing system.
2-98

Section 3 Features and Controls
Outside Towing Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-53
Outside Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-53
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-54
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55
Park Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55
Outside Convex Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55
Outside Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Object Detection Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) . . . . . . . . 3-56
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-58
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-61 Universal Home Remote System
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-66
Universal Home Remote System Operation (With Three Round LED) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-66
Storage Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-73
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-73
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-73
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-74
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-74
Rear Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-75
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-75
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-76
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-77
3-2

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
.Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less
for the first 500 miles (805 km).
.Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time the
new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard
stops with new linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every time you get new
brake linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer
on page 5‑47for the trailer
towing capabilities of the vehicle and more
information.
Following break‐in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
3-26

{WARNING:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park
on page 3‑47. If you are pulling a trailer,
see Towing a Trailer on page 5‑47.
{WARNING:
If the vehicle has a four-wheel drive transfer
case with a N (Neutral) position, and the transfer
case is in N (Neutral), the vehicle will be free
to roll —even if the shift lever is in P (Park).
(Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
Be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear,
Two-Wheel Drive High or Four-Wheel Drive High
or Four-Wheel Drive Low—not in N (Neutral). See
Shifting Into Park
on page 3‑47. Always set the
parking brake.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on
page 5‑27.
3-33

N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the
vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also,
use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{WARNING:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting the vehicle. D (Drive):
This position is for normal driving. It provides
the best fuel economy. If you need more power for
passing, and you are:
.Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
.Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
By doing this, the vehicle shifts down to the next
gear and has more power.
D (Drive) can be used when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills, or for off-road driving.
You might want to shift the transmission to a lower gear
selection if the transmission shifts too often.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding. See Skidding
under Loss of Control on page 5‑10.
3-34

The vehicle has a shift stabilization feature that
adjusts the transmission shifting to the current driving
conditions in order to reduce rapid upshifts and
downshifts. This shift stabilization feature is designed to
determine, before making an upshift, if the engine is
able to maintain vehicle speed by analyzing things such
as vehicle speed, throttle position, and vehicle load.
If the shift stabilization feature determines that a current
vehicle speed cannot be maintained, the transmission
does not upshift and instead holds the current gear. In
some cases, this could appear to be a delayed shift,
however the transmission is operating normally.
The vehicle's transmission uses adaptive shift controls.
Adaptive shift controls continually compares key shift
parameters to pre-programmed ideal shifts stored in the
transmissions computer. The transmission constantly
makes adjustments to improve vehicle performance
according to how the vehicle is being used, such as
with a heavy load or when the temperature changes.
During this adaptive shift control process, shifting might
feel different as the transmission determines the best
settings.
When temperatures are very cold, the Hydra-Matic
®
6-Speed transmission's gear shifting could be delayed
providing more stable shifts until the engine warms
up. Shifts could be more noticeable with a cold
transmission. This difference in shifting is normal.M (Manual Mode):
This position is available on vehicles
with the Hydra-Matic
®6-Speed transmission. It lets
drivers select the range of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions. If the vehicle has this feature,
see Range Select Mode (Hydra-Matic
®6-Speed
transmission) later in this section.
3 (Third): This position is also used for normal driving.
It reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive) without
using the brakes. You might choose 3 (Third) instead of
D (Drive) when driving on hilly, winding roads, when
towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears
and when going down a steep hill.
2 (Second): This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can
use 2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle
speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use the brakes off and on.
If you manually select 2 (Second) in an automatic
transmission, the transmission will start in second gear.
You can use this feature for reducing the speed of the
rear wheels when you are trying to start the vehicle
from a stop on slippery road surfaces.
3-35