weight GMC SIERRA 2003 Owner's Guide

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.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
While towing a trailer or when exposed to long periods
of sunshine, theoor of the truck bed may become
very warm. Avoid putting items in the truck bed
that might be affected by high ambient temperatures.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Your vehicle is equipped with four-wheel steering and if
you use it while backing your trailer the same rules
apply. However, with four-wheel steering your rig will
respond more quickly and it may take additional practice
to get used to backing up with four-wheel steering.
4-58
2003 - Sierra Denali

T
Tachometer....................................................3-26
Tailgate.........................................................2-10
Tailgate Removal............................................2-10
Taillamps.......................................................5-54
Temperature and Compass Display....................2-28
Testing the Alarm............................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-75
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-13
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-13
Passlock
®...................................................2-15
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire Inflation Check.........................................6-10
Tires.............................................................5-56
Buying New Tires........................................5-60
Chains.......................................................5-64
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-65
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-64
Inflation -- Tire Pressure...............................5-57
Inspection and Rotation................................5-58
Spare Tire..................................................5-82
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-61
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
.................5-62
Wheel Replacement
.....................................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires
......................5-59
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
....................2-18
Tonneau Cover
...............................................2-39
Top Strap
......................................................1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location
...............................1-40Torque Lock...................................................2-25
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-56
Tow/Haul Mode ...............................................2-21
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-41
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-47
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-53
Your Vehicle...............................................4-46
Traction
Manual Selectable Ride................................. 4-9
TRACTION ACTIVE........................................3-55
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-52
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-57
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-61
Transfer Case................................................5-45
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-20
Temperature Gage.......................................3-36
TRANSMISSION HOT.....................................3-55
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-19
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-10
Transportation Options...................................... 7-7
Traveling to Remote Areas...............................4-20
Trip Information Button....................................3-43
Trip Odometer
................................................3-26
Truck-Camper Loading Information
....................4-50
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.......................... 3-6
TURN SIGNAL ON
.........................................3-54
14
2003 - Sierra Denali

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-5
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-59
Two-Tiered Loading.........................................4-49
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-13
Underhood Fuse Block....................................5-95
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-76
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-61
United States................................................... 7-4
Using HomeLink
®...........................................2-38
Using the Recovery Hooks...............................4-45
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-47
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).............................................5-90
Service Parts Identification Label
...................5-90
Vehicle Personalization
Memory Seat
..............................................2-41
Vehicle Storage
..............................................5-39
Visors
...........................................................2-13
Voltmeter Gage
..............................................3-33
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-24
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-51
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-4
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-85
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-11
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-55
Weight of Trailer Tongue..................................4-56
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-15
What to Add ..................................................5-37
What to Do with Used Oil ................................5-17
What to Use ..................................5-24, 5-35, 5-46
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-62
Replacement...............................................5-62
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-14
When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life
System).....................................................5-16
When to Check..............................................5-57
When to Check and Change
............................5-20
When to Check Lubricant
.................................5-46
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
................5-34
When to Inspect
.............................................5-18
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill
.....................................................4-60
15
2003 - Sierra Denali