weight HUMMER H3 2010 User Guide

9-30 Driving and Operating
Example 2
A.
Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight @
68 kg (150 lbs) × 5 = 340 kg
(750 lbs).
C.Available Cargo
Weight = 113 kg (250 lbs).
Example 3
A.
Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 3 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight @
91 kg (200 lbs) × 5 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
C.Available Cargo
Weight = 0 kg (0 lbs). Refer to the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information label for
specific information about the
vehicle's capacity weight and
seating positions. The combined
weight of the driver, passengers,
cargo and any accessories or
equipment added to the vehicle
after it left the factory should
never exceed the vehicle's
capacity weight.

Driving and Operating 9-31
Certification/Tire Label
Label Example
A vehicle specific Certification/
Tire label is attached to the
bottom section of the driver sidecenter pillar (B-pillar) or on the
end of the driver side instrument
panel. The label shows the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, cargo and trailer
tongue weight, if pulling a trailer.
The Certification/Tire label also
tells the maximum weights for
the front and rear axles, called
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). To find out the actual
loads on the front and rear
axles, go to a weigh station and
weigh the vehicle. Your dealer
can help with this. Be sure to
spread out the load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for the
vehicle, or the GAWR for either
the front or rear axle.
If the load is heavy, it should be
spread out.

9-32 Driving and Operating
Similar appearing vehicles may
have different GVWRs and
capacity weights. Please note
the vehicle's Certification/Tire
label or consult your dealer for
additional details.
{WARNING
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 the vehicle handles.
These could cause you to
lose control and crash. Also,
overloading can shorten the
life of the vehicle. Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change
the weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load the
vehicle the right way.Notice :Overloading the
vehicle may cause damage.
Repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do
not overload the vehicle.
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 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.
.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.

9-38 Driving and Operating
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running (Automatic
Transmission)
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it
could overheat and even catch
fire. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle
with the engine running.If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is firmly set before
you leave it. After you have moved
the shift lever into P (Park), hold
the regular brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from P (Park) without
first pressing the shift lever button.
If you can, it means that the shift
lever was not fully locked into
P (Park).
Torque lock is when the weight
of the vehicle puts too much
force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. This happens when
parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not
done properly and then it is difficult
to shift out of P (Park). To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into P (Park). To find
out how, see
“Shifting Into P (Park)”
listed previously. If torque lock does occur, your
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to relieve
the parking pawl pressure, so you
can shift out of P (Park).Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is
designed to:
.Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
P (Park) with the shift lever
button fully released, and
.Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park) unless
the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the
regular brake pedal is applied.

9-70 Driving and Operating
Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that
has been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
retailer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer.
See the following trailer towing
information in this section:
.For information on driving while
towing a trailer, see“Driving
Characteristics and
Towing Tips”.
.For maximum vehicle and trailer
weights, see “Trailer Towing”.
.For information on equipment
to tow a trailer, see “Towing
Equipment”. For information on towing a disabled
vehicle, see
Towing the Vehicle
on
page 10‑90. For information on
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle —such as a motorhome,
see Recreational Vehicle Towing
on
page 10‑90.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
{WARNING
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well —or even at all. The driver
and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle
may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
Notice: Pulling a trailer
improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this
section and see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
The vehicle can tow a trailer when it
is equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. For trailering
capacity, see Trailer Towing
on
page 9‑74. Trailering changes
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability and fuel economy.

Driving and Operating 9-71
With the added weight, the engine,
transmission, wheel assemblies and
tires are forced to work harder and
under greater loads. The trailer also
adds wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements. For safe
trailering, correctly use the proper
trailering equipment.
The following information has
important trailering tips and rules
for your safety and that of your
passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
.There are many laws, including
speed limit restrictions that apply
to trailering. Check for legal
requirements with state or
provincial police.
.Consider using a sway control.
See“Hitches” later in this
section.
.Do not tow a trailer at all during
the first 800 km (500 miles) the
new vehicle is driven. The
engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
.Then, during the first 800 km
(500 miles) that a trailer is
towed, do not drive over 80 km/h
(50 mph) and do not make starts
at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of the
vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
.Vehicles with an automatic
transmission can tow in
D (Drive). Use a lower gear if
the transmission shifts too often.
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, it is better not to
use the highest gear.
.This vehicle has a Hill Start
Assist feature, which may be
useful when the vehicle is
stopped on a grade. See Hill
Start Assist (HSA)
on page 9‑52for more information.
.Do not drive faster than the
maximum posted speed for
trailers.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires experience.
Get familiar with handling and
braking with the added trailer
weight. The vehicle is now longer
and not as responsive as the
vehicle is by itself.
Check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains,
electrical connectors, lamps, tires
and mirror adjustments. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start the vehicle
and trailer moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes are working.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and the lamps and trailer brakes are
working properly.

9-74 Driving and Operating
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedalwhile you:
.start the engine,
.shift into a gear, and
.release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual's Maintenance Schedule
or Index for more information.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See
Engine Overheating
on page 10‑22.
Trailer Towing
Three important considerations
have to do with weight:
.The weight of the trailer.
.The weight of the trailer tongue.
.The total weight on the vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
Speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, special
equipment, and the amount of
tongue weight the vehicle can carry
must be considered. See “Weight of
the Trailer Tongue” later in this
section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the
tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment.
The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Use the following chart to determine
how much a vehicle can weigh,
based on the vehicle model and
options.

Driving and Operating 9-75
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight *GCWR
H3 3.7L L5 Engine, Automatic
Transmission 4.56
4,500 lbs (2 041 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
3.7L L5 Engine, Manual
Transmission 4.56
3,000 lbs (1 361 kg) 8,000 lbs (3 629 kg)
5.3L V8 Engine, Automatic
Transmission 4.10
6,000 lbs (2 721 kg) 11,400 lbs (5 171 kg)
H3T 3.7L L5 Engine, Automatic
Transmission 4.56
4,400 lbs (1 996 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
3.7L L5 Engine, Manual
Transmission 4.56
2,900 lbs (1 315 kg) 8,000 lbs (3 629 kg)
5.3L V8 Engine, Automatic
Transmission 4.10
5,900 lbs (2 676 kg) 11,400 lbs (5 171 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) in the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.

9-76 Driving and Operating
Ask your dealer for our trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
SeeCustomer Assistance Offices
on page 13‑3for more information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added to
the GVW because the vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See
Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑27for more information about the
vehicle's maximum load capacity.
If a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch is being
used, the trailer tongue (A) should
weigh 10‐15 percent of the total
loaded trailer weight (B) up to a
maximum of 227 kg (500 lbs).
After loading the trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer. Trailering may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue weight cannot cause
the vehicle to exceed the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or
the RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating). The effect of
additional weight may reduce the
trailering capacity more than the
total of the additional weight.
Choose the shortest hitch extension
that will position the hitch ball
closest to the vehicle. This will help
reduce the effect of trailer tongue
weight on the rear axle.
If the spare tire carrier is mounted
on the back of the vehicle and the
hitch extension is too short, the
spare tire may interfere with trailer
coupling or trailer tongue jack
operation on some types of trailers.

Driving and Operating 9-77
Consider the following example:
A vehicle model base weight is
2 495 kg (5,500 lbs); 1 270 kg
(2,800 lbs) at the front axle and
1 225 kg (2,700 lbs) at the rear
axle. It has a GVWR of 3 266 kg
(7,200 lbs), a RGAWR of 1 814 kg
(4,000 lbs) and a GCWR (Gross
Combination Weight Rating) of
6 350 kg (14,000 lbs). The trailer
rating should be:
Expect tongue weight to be at least
10 percent of trailer weight (386 kg
(850 lbs)) and because the weight is
applied well behind the rear axle,
the effect on the rear axle is greater
than just the weight itself, as much
as 1.5 times as much. The weight
at the rear axle could be 386 kg
(850 lbs) X 1.5 = 578 kg (1,275 lbs).Since the rear axle already weighs
1 225 kg (2,700 lbs), adding 578 kg
(1,275 lbs) brings the total to
1 803 kg (3,975 lbs). This is very
close to, but within the limit for
RGAWR as well. The vehicle is set
to trailer up to 3 856 kg (8,500 lbs).
If the vehicle has many options and
there is a front seat passenger and
two rear seat passengers with some
luggage and gear in the vehicle as
well. 136 kg (300 lbs) could be
added to the front axle weight and
181 kg (400 lbs) to the rear axle
weight. The vehicle now weighs:
Weight is still below 3 266 kg
(7,200 lbs) and you might think
318 additional kilograms (700 lbs)
should be subtracted from the
trailering capacity to stay within
GCWR limits. The maximum trailerwould only be 3 538 kg (7,800 lbs).
You may go further and think the
tongue weight should be limited
to less than 454 kg (1,000 lbs) to
avoid exceeding GVWR. But the
effect on the rear axle must still be
considered. Because the rear axle
now weighs 1 406 kg (3,100 lbs),
408 kg (900 lbs) can be put on
the rear axle without exceeding
RGAWR. The effect of tongue
weight is about 1.5 times the actual
weight. Dividing the 408 kg (900 lbs)
by 1.5 leaves only 272 kg (600 lbs)
of tongue weight that can be
handled. Since tongue weight is
usually at least 10 percent of total
loaded trailer weight, expect that
the largest trailer the vehicle can
properly handle is 2 722 kg
(6,000 lbs).
It is important that the vehicle
does not exceed any of its
ratings
—GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Maximum Trailer Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings
is to weigh the vehicle and trailer.