tires HUMMER H3 2009 User Guide

Police records show that almost
40 percent 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, more than
17,000 annual motor vehicle-related
deaths have been associated
with the use of alcohol, with about
250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is
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 eliminate the
leading highway safety problem
is for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.
Medical research shows that
alcohol in a person’s system can
make crash injuries worse,
especially injuries to the brain,
spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who hasbeen drinking — driver or
passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or
permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been
drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems
help to control the vehicle while
driving — brakes, steering,
and accelerator. At times, as when
driving on snow or ice, it is easy
to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose
control of the vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-7.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-27.
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding
to push the brake pedal is
perception time. Actually doing
it is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about
three-fourths of a second. But that
is only an average. It might be
less with one driver and as long as
two or three seconds or more
with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination,
and eyesight all play a part. So
do alcohol, drugs, and frustration.
But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph
(100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough
space between the vehicle
and others is important.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-3

2. Press the rear axle locking
button with the vehicle moving
less than 16 mph (26 km/h).
The light in the button stops ashing
and remains illuminated when the
rear axle is locked.
Notice:If you try to lock the axle
while the vehicle is stuck and
the tires are spinning, the
vehicle’s drivetrain could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always lock the axle
before attempting situations
and/or navigating terrain which
could possibly cause the vehicle
to become stuck.
The locking rear axle will be
disengaged when the wheel speed
is greater than 40 mph (64 km/h),
if the vehicle’s battery is low and/or
the transfer case is shifted out of
4LO Lock mode.Notice:If the vehicle’s axle is
locked while driving on pavement,
the drivetrain could be damaged.
Repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do
not use the locking axle on
pavement. If four-wheel drive is
needed when traveling on
pavement, use only 4HI.
Locking Front Axle
For vehicles with this feature, the
locking front axle, used with
the locking rear axle, can give the
vehicle additional traction when
traveling in off-road situations such
as mud, snow, sand, steep hills
and uneven terrain.
The button used to turn the locking
front axle on or off is located on
the instrument panel.Before the front axle can be locked,
the rear axle must be locked.
To lock the front and rear axles:
1. Place the transfer case in
the 4LO Lock mode. This is the
only mode which allows the
front and rear axles to lock. See
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive
on page 2-24for more
information regarding the transfer
case and 4LO Lock mode.
2. Press the rear axle locking
button with the vehicle moving
less than 16 mph (26 km/h).
3. Wait for the light in the button
to stop ashing and remain
illuminated to show that the rear
axle is locked.
4. Press the front axle locking
button with the vehicle stopped
or moving less than 16 mph
(26 km/h).
Driving Your Vehicle 4-9

5. Wait for the light in the button
to stop ashing and remain
illuminated to show that the front
axle is locked.
Notice:If you try to lock the axle
while the vehicle is stuck and
the tires are spinning, the
vehicle’s drivetrain could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always lock the axle
before attempting situations
and/or navigating terrain which
could possibly cause the vehicle
to become stuck.
Locking axles will be disengaged
when the wheel speed is greater
than 40 mph (64 km/h), if the
vehicle’s battery is low and/or the
transfer case is shifted out of
4LO Lock mode.Notice:If the vehicle’s axle is
locked while driving on pavement,
the drivetrain could be damaged.
Repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do
not use the locking axle on
pavement. If four-wheel drive is
needed when traveling on
pavement, use only 4HI.
Steering
Power Steering
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or the
system is not functioning, the vehicle
can be steered but it will take
more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the
road surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and vehicle
speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve,
while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you
can drive through the curve.
Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until out
of the curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
4-10 Driving Your Vehicle

Turn the steering wheel 3 to
5 inches, 8 to 13 cm, (about
one-eighth turn) until the right front
tire contacts the pavement edge.
Then turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Passing
Passing another vehicle on a
two-lane road can be dangerous. To
reduce the risk of danger while
passing:
Look down the road, to the sides,
and to crossroads for situations
that might affect a successful
pass. If in doubt, wait.
Watch for traffic signs,
pavement markings, and lines
that could indicate a turn or
an intersection. Never cross a
solid or double-solid line on your
side of the lane.
Do not get too close to the
vehicle you want to pass. Doing
so can reduce your visibility.
Wait your turn to pass a slow
vehicle.
When you are being passed,
ease to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts
say about what happens when
the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do
not have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what
the driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up.
Keep trying to steer and constantly
seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control
of the vehicle. Defensive drivers
avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing
conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are
always possible.The three types of skids
correspond to the vehicle’s three
control systems. In the braking
skid, the wheels are not rolling. In
the steering or cornering skid,
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the
acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
Remember: Any traction control
system helps avoid only the
acceleration skid. If the traction
system is off, then an acceleration
skid is best handled by easing
your foot off the accelerator pedal.
SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-7andStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-6.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease
your foot off the accelerator
pedal and quickly steer the way you
want the vehicle to go. If you
start steering quickly enough, the
vehicle may straighten out. Always
be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
4-12 Driving Your Vehicle

Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
slow down and adjust your
driving to these conditions. It is
important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping
distance will be longer and vehicle
control more limited.
While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing
vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not
realize the surface is slippery until
the vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.Off-Road Driving
The airbag system is designed to
work properly under a wide range
of conditions, including off-road
usage. Always wear your safety belt
and observe safe driving speeds,
especially on rough terrain.
Drinking and driving can be very
dangerous on any road and this is
certainly true for off-road driving.
At the very time you need special
alertness and driving skills, your
reexes, perceptions, and judgment
can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You could
have a serious — or even
fatal — accident if you drink and
drive or ride with a driver who has
been drinking.Off-roading can be great fun
but has some denite hazards. The
greatest of these is the terrain
itself. When off-road driving, traffic
lanes are not marked, curves are not
banked, and there are no road
signs. Surfaces can be slippery,
rough, uphill, or downhill.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers. Failure to operate the
vehicle correctly off-road could result
in loss of vehicle control or vehicle
rollover.
Off-roading involves some new
skills. That is why it is very important
that you read these driving tips
and suggestions to help make
off-road driving safer and more
enjoyable.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-13

You will nd other important
information underLoading the
Vehicle on page 4-35andTires on
page 5-44.
Environmental Concerns
Off-road driving can provide
wholesome and satisfying
recreation. However, it also raises
environmental concerns. We
recognize these concerns and urge
every off-roader to follow these
basic rules for protecting the
environment:
Always use established trails,
roads, and areas that have
been specially set aside for public
off-road recreational driving
and obey all posted regulations.
Avoid any driving practice that
could damage shrubs, owers,
trees, or grasses or disturb
wildlife. This includes
wheel-spinning, breaking down
trees, or unnecessary driving
through streams or over
soft ground.
Always carry a litter bag and
make sure all refuse is removed
from any campsite before
leaving.
Take extreme care with open
res (where permitted), camp
stoves, and lanterns.
Never park your vehicle over dry
grass or other combustible
materials that could catch re
from the heat of the vehicle’s
exhaust system.
Traveling to Remote Areas
It makes sense to plan your
trip, especially when going to a
remote area. Know the terrain and
plan your route. Get accurate
maps of trails and terrain. Check to
see if there are any blocked or
closed roads.
It is also a good idea to travel
with at least one other vehicle in
case something happens to one
of them.
For vehicles with a winch, be sure
to read the winch instructions.
In a remote area, a winch can be
handy if you get stuck but you
will want to know how to use
it properly.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-15

For very large dips, ditches or
small washes, coast in, using the
engine as a brake (transmission
and transfer case lowest gears).
Then, use the low ranges in
the transmission and transfer case
to power out.
Roll The Tires Over Large Rocks
Do not straddle large rocks; drive
over them, letting the tire cover
the rock. The tread of the tire
is thicker and tougher than the
sidewall of the tire and is more
resilient to impact than underbody
components.Log Crossing
Using the proper technique, the
vehicle will cross logs up to
10 inches (25.4 cm) in diameter.
Approach the log at approximately a
15° angle (A) with the transmission
in 1 (First) and the transfer case
in Four-Wheel-Low Lock and “walk”
the vehicle over, one tire at a
time. It may be necessary to
modulate the brake pedal and
accelerator to avoid spin-out. Ease
the vehicle down from the log
with the brake.Driving on Hills
Off-road driving often takes you up,
down, or across a hill. Driving
safely on hills requires good
judgment and an understanding of
what the vehicle can and cannot do.
There are some hills that simply
cannot be driven, no matter how well
built the vehicle.
{CAUTION
Many hills are simply too steep for
any vehicle. If you drive up them,
you will stall. If you drive down
them, you cannot control your
speed. If you drive across them,
you will roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. If you
have any doubt about the
steepness, do not drive the hill.
4-20 Driving Your Vehicle

Driving Across an Incline
An off-road trail will probably go
across the incline of a hill. To decide
whether to try to drive across the
incline, consider the following:
{CAUTION
Driving across an incline that is
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, do not drive across it. Find
another route instead.
A hill that can be driven
straight up or down might be
too steep to drive across. When
going straight up or down a
hill, the length of the wheel
base — the distance from
the front wheels to the rear
wheels —reduces the likelihoodthe vehicle will tumble end over
end. But when driving across
an incline, the narrower
track width — the distance
between the left and right
wheels — might not prevent the
vehicle from tilting and rolling
over. Driving across an incline
puts more weight on the downhill
wheels which could cause a
downhill slide or a rollover.
Surface conditions can be a
problem. Loose gravel, muddy
spots, or even wet grass can
cause the 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.
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, the vehicle can tilt
even more.
For these reasons, carefully
consider whether to try to drive
across an incline. Just because the
trail goes across the incline does
not mean you have to drive it.
The last vehicle to try it might have
rolled over.
If you feel the vehicle starting to
slide sideways, turn downhill. This
should help straighten out the
vehicle and prevent the side
slipping. The best way to prevent
this is to “walk the course” rst,
so you know what the surface is like
before driving it.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-25

Stalling on an Incline
{CAUTION
Getting out on the downhill (low)
side of a vehicle stopped across
an incline is dangerous. If the
vehicle rolls over, you could be
crushed or killed. Always get out
on the uphill (high) side of the
vehicle and stay well clear of the
rollover path.
If the vehicle stalls when crossing
an incline, be sure you, and
any passengers, get out on the
uphill side, even if the door there is
harder to open. If you get out on
the downhill side and the vehicle
starts to roll over, you will be right in
its path.
If you have to walk down the slope,
stay out of the path the vehicle
will take if it does roll over.
Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow,
or Ice
When you drive in mud, snow, or
sand, the wheels do not get good
traction. Acceleration is not as quick,
turning is more difficult, and braking
distances are longer.
It is best to use a low gear when in
mud — the deeper the mud, the
lower the gear. In really deep mud,
keep the vehicle moving so it
does not get stuck.
When driving on sand, wheel
traction changes. On loosely packed
sand, such as on beaches or
sand dunes, the tires will tend to
sink into the sand. This affects
steering, accelerating, and braking.
Drive at a reduced speed and
avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers.Hard packed snow and ice offer the
worst tire traction. On these surfaces,
it is very easy to lose control. On wet
ice, for example, the traction is so
poor that you will have difficulty
accelerating. And, if the vehicle does
get moving, poor steering and
difficult braking can cause it to slide
out of control.
{CAUTION
Driving on frozen lakes, ponds, or
rivers can be dangerous.
Underwater springs, currents
under the ice, or sudden thaws
can weaken the ice. Your vehicle
could fall through the ice and you
and your passengers could
drown. Drive your vehicle on safe
surfaces only.
4-26 Driving Your Vehicle

Driving in Water
{CAUTION
Driving through rushing water can
be dangerous. Deep water can
sweep your vehicle downstream
and you and your passengers
could drown. If it is only shallow
water, it can still wash away the
ground from under your tires, and
you could lose traction and roll
the vehicle over. Do not drive
through rushing water.
Heavy rain can mean ash ooding,
and ood waters demand extreme
caution.Find out how deep the water is
before driving through it. Do not
try it if it is deep enough to cover
the wheel hubs, axles, or exhaust
pipe — you probably will not get
through. Deep water can damage the
axle and other vehicle parts. The
vehicle is capable of depths up to
20 inches (50 cm). Know how to
judge whether the water is deeper
than this before proceeding into it.
If the water is not too deep, drive
slowly through it. At faster speeds,
water splashes on the ignition
system and the vehicle can stall.
Stalling can also occur if you get the
tailpipe under water. If the tailpipe
is under water, you will never
be able to start the engine. When
going through water, remember that
when the brakes get wet, it might
take longer to stop. SeeDriving
in Rain and on Wet Roads on
page 4-29.
After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that
has collected on the underbody,
chassis, or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand,
have the brake linings cleaned and
checked. These substances can
cause glazing and uneven braking.
Check the engine and oil coolers
for mud accumulation. Thoroughly
and carefully clean these devices to
allow proper cooling. Check the
body structure, steering, suspension,
wheels, tires, and exhaust system
for damage and check the fuel lines
and cooling system for any
leakage.
The vehicle requires more frequent
service due to off-road use.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
for additional information.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-27