1998 GMC SIERRA weight

A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh
10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B j. If you’re using 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 upper
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:
If you use a step-bumper hitch, your bumper could
be damaged
in sharp turns. Make sure you have
ample room when turning to avoid contact between
the trailer and the bumper.
0 If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than
the capacity stamped on your step
bumper, 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.
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Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that’the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains
to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 Ibs. (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes
-- and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Your trailer brake system can tap into the vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system only if
0 The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure.
0 The trailer’s brake system will use less than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicle’s
master cylinder. Otherwise, both braking systems
won’t work well. You could even lose your brakes.
If everything checks out this far, make the brake tap at
the port
on the master cylinder that sends the fluid to the
rear brakes.
But don’t use copper tubing for this. If you
do,
it will bend and finally break off. Use steel
brake tubing.
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.
4-56
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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
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.
Tampering With Noise Control
System Prohibited
Federal law prohibits the following acts or the
causing thereof:
1. The removal or rendering inoperative by any person,
other than for purposes
of maintenance, repair or
replacement,
of any device or element of design
incorporated into any new vehicle for the purpose of
noise control, prior to its sale or delivery to the
ultimate purchaser or while
it is in use; or
2. The use of the vehicle after such device or element
of design has been removed or rendered inoperative
by any person.
Among those acts presumed to constitute tampering are
the acts listed below.
Insulation:
Removal of the noise shields or underhood
insulation.
Engine:
Removal or rendering engine speed governor (if
equipped) inoperative
so as to allow engine speed to
exceed manufacturer specifications.
Fan and Drive:
Removal of fan clutch (if equipped) or rendering
clutch inoperative.
Removal of the fm shroud (if equipped).
Air Intake:
0 Removal of the air cleaner silencer.
0 Reversing the air cleaner cover.
Exhaust:
Removal of the muffler and/or resonator.
Removal of the exhaust pipes and exhaust
pipe clamps.
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Tachometer .................................. 2-63
Voltmeter
................................... 2-67
Garage Door Opener
............................ 2-5 1
GAWR ....................................... 4-43
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission
............. 2- 15
Gear Positions. Manual Transmission .......... 2- I8 . 2- 19
GloveBox .................................... 2-51
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-43
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-43
Guide en Franpis
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-43
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-39
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints ................................. 1-5
Headlamps .................................... 2-41
Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-40. 6.4 I
High/Low Beam Changer ...................... 2-36
On Reminder
................................ 2-42
Wiring
..................................... 6-71
Heating
........................................ 3-5
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-36
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-34
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-55
Hood
Checking Things Under ......................... 6-9
Release
..................................... 6-10
Horn ......................................... 2-34
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
...................... 6-25 . 7-46
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
................... 7-41
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-30
Hearing Ilnpaired
. Customer Assistance .............. 8-4
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-33 Ignition
Positions
..............................
Brakesystem ................................ 7-45
Drive Axle
.................................. 7-45
Engine Cooling System
........................ 7-44
Exhaust
Systems ............................. 7-44
Steering
.................................... 7-44
Suspension
.................................. 7-44
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-44
Transfer Case (Four-Wheel Drive)
............... 7-45
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-60
Cleaning
.................................... 6-64
Cluster
..................................... 2-62
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-72
Intensity Control
............................. 2-43
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-43
.................................... J ack. Tire 5-25
Jump Starting
................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-41
Key Release Button
............................. 2-12
Keyless Entry System ............................ 2-6
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
9-5
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Hitches ..................................... 4-55
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-59
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-58
Safety Chains
................................ 4-56
Tongueweight
............................... 4-54
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-55
Towing
..................................... 4-49
Turn Signals ................................. 4-57
Weight
..................................... 4-50
Wiring Harness
............................... 4-60
Transfer Case. Electronic
......................... 2-23
Transfer Case Lubricant ..................... 6-26 . 7-47
Transfer Case. Manual
........................... 2-2 1
Transmission Fluid
Automatic
.............................. 6-2 1.7-47
Manual
................................ 6-24. 7-46
Transmitters. Keyless Entry
........................ 2-6
Transportation
. Courtesy .......................... 8-8
Trip Odometer ................................. 2-63
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-4
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-35
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
................... 2-35
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-57
Underbody Maintenance
........................ 6-68
Underllood-Fuse/Relay Center
..................... 6-74 Vehicle
Control
...................................... 4-5
Damage Warnings
.............................. iv
Identification Number ......................... 6-70
Loading
.................................... 4-43
Storage
..................................... 6-39
Ventilation System
............................... 3-5
Visors. Sun .................................... 2-59
Voltmeter
..................................... 2-67
warning Devices
............................... 5-3
Wxranty Information
............................ 8- IO
Washer Fluid. Windshield ................... 6.33. 7-47
Washing
Your Vehicle ........................... 6-65
Weatherstrips
.................................. 6-65
West Coast Type Mirror
.......................... 2-50
Wheel Warning
Lights
. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-64
Alignment
.................................. 6-59
Nut Torque ............................. 5-32. 6-77
Replacement
................................. 6-59
Wrench
..................................... 5-25
Windows
..................................... 2-32
Lockout Switch
.............................. 2-33
Manual
..................................... 2-32
Power
...................................... 2-32
Sliding Rear
................................. 2-34
Swing-Out
.................................. 2-34
9-11
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