1996 CHEVROLET EXPRESS weight

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming the
driver and one passenger are in the towing vehicle and
it
has all the required trailering equipment. The weight of
additional equipment, passengers and cargo in the
towing vehicle must be must be subtracted from the
above maximum trailer weights.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or
you can write us at the address listed in your
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information Booklet.
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L 1 H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or gross
weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight
of the vehicle, any
cargo
you may carry in it, and the people who will be
riding
in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you
must add the tongue load to
the GVW because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle”
in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A B
4-31

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you’re using your platform hitch as a weight-carrying
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 10 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you’re using your
platform hitch as a weight-distributing hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 12 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t,
you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the limit for
cold tires. You’ll find these numbers
on the Certification
label at the rear edge of the driver’s door or see “Tire
Loading” in the Index. Then be sure
you don’t go over
the
GVW limit for your vehicle, including the weight of
the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
0
0
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for
hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does
not attach to the
bumper.
Do not use a ball hitch, because it could pull
the bumper loose.
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than 4,000 lbs. (1 800 kg), be sure to use
a properly mounted, weight-distributing hitch and
sway control
of the proper size. This equipment is
very important for proper vehicle loading and good
handling when you’re driving.
4-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving with a m .’ .er
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull
a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.) To
maximize your safety when towing
a trailer:
a
a
a
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting
on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear
or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle.
Do not use
MAX A/C because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.)
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.
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.
4-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Towing
NOTICE:
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear with
loads approaching rated
GVW as the weight
transfer will cause the front suspension to
become overloaded.
NOTICE:
Do not tow with the sling-type equipment or the
rear bumper will be damaged. Use wheel-lift
or
car-carrier equipment. Additional ramping may
be required for car-carrier equipment. Use safety
chains and wheel straps.
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage
a vehicle. To help avoid damage, install a
towing dolly and raise the vehicle until adequate
clearance is obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
5-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If your vehicle has a 7.4L engine and air conditioning,
your vehicle will have
a auxiliary engine fan in addition
to the belt driven fan.
A CAUTION:
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary
engine fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any
underhood electric fan.
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start
a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly.
Then lift the hood to relieve pressure
on the hood prop.
Remove the hood prop from the slot in the hood and
return the prop
to its retainer. Then just let the hood
down and close
it firmly.
Noise Control System
The following information relates to compliance with
Federal noise emission standards for vehicles with a
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than
10,000
lbs. (4 536 kg). The Maintenance Schedule
booklet provides information on maintaining the noise
control system
to minimize degradation of the noise
emission control system during the life of your vehicle.
The noise control system warranty is given
in your
Warranty booklet.
These standards apply
only to vehicles sold in the
United States.
6-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine ........................................ 6-8
Coolant
..................................... 6-20
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-43
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-54
Cooling System
.............................. 6-66
Exhaust
..................................... 2-24
Identification
........................... 6-60. 6-65
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-43
Overheating
................................. 5- 10
Running While Parked ......................... 2-25
StartingYour
................................ 2-14
Engineoil
.................................... 6-11
Additives ................................... 6-13
Checking
................................... 6-11
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-52
Used
....................................... 6-14
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14
Ethanol
........................................ 6-3
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-24
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-5 I
Fan Control, Climate Control System ................ 3-2
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter, Air
..................................... 6-15
Finish Care
.................................... 6-56
Finish Damage ................................. 6-57
First Gear, Automatic Transmission
................ 2- I9
Flashers, Hazard Warning ......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-20
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-65
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-49
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
Adding ..................................... 6-11
French Language Manual 11
Front Parkingflurn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .... 6-34
Front Storage Area
.............................. 2-41
FrontTowing
................................... 5-8
Fuel .......................................... 6-2
Canada
...................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-53
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Tank Capacity
............................... 6-67
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-62
Gages
.. ...........................
Engine Coolant Temperature .................... 2-54
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-52
Fuel
....................................... 2-53
Speedometer
................................. 2-45
Voltmeter
................................... 2-55
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission
............. 2-17
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-27
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-26
Guide en Franpis
11
GAWR ....................................... 4-27
.. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-26
Halogen
Bulbs ................................ 6-31
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-1
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamps
.................................... 2-35
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-31
HighLow Beam Changer ...................... 2-30
OnReminder
................................ 2-36
Wiring
..................................... 6-61
9-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Steering ....................................... 4-8
Column Lock Check
.......................... 7-46
In Emergencies
................................ 4-9
Power
....................................... 4-8
Tips
......................................... 4-8
Wheel. Tilt
.................................. 2-29
StorageAreas
.................................. 2-41
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-30
Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow
............ ". ..... 5-35
SunVisors
.................................... 2-41
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
.................. 1-2 1
Symbols, Vehicle .................................. v
Taillamp Bulb Replacement ...................... 6-36
Tape Player Care
............................... 3-28
Temperature Control. Climate Control System
......... 3- 1
Temperature Control. Passenger .................... 3-5
Theft
......................................... 2-12
Theft-Deterrent Feature
.......................... 3-23
Thermostat
.................................... 6-24
Third Gear. Automatic Transmission
................ 2- 19
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-29
Time. Setting the
................................ 3-9
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-50
TireLoading ................................... 4-26
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-26
Tires
......................................... 6-41
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-48
Buying New
................................. 6-45
Chains
..................................... 6-50
Changing
a Flat .............................. 5-20
Cleaning
.................................... 6-54
Dual Operation ............................... 6-45
Inflation
.................................... 6-42
Inflation Check
............................... 7-44
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-43
Loading
.................................... 4-26
Pressure
.................................... 6-42
Temperature
................................. 6-47
Traction
.................................... 6-47
Treadwear
................................... 6-47
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-46
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-44
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-48
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-44
TopStrap
..................................... 1-38
TorqueLock
................................... 2-23
Torque. Wheel
Nut .............................. 6-65
Torque. Wheel
Nut .............................. 5-32
TowingaTrailer
................................ 4-28
Trailer Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-6
Brakes
..................................... 4-33
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-36
Driving
with ................................. 4-34
Hitches
..................................... 4-32
Maintenance When Towing ..................... 4-37
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-36
Safety Chains
................................ 4-33
Tongueweight
............................... 4-31
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-32
Towing
..................................... 4-28
Weight
..................................... 4-30
Wiring Harness
............................... 4-37
Turnsignals
................................. 4-35
9-9