1998 GMC SIERRA wheel

Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road,
you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll
have a
lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be
very careful. What’s the worst time
for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive
on. But wet
ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the
least traction of all. You
can get wet ice when it’s about
freezing
(32°F; 0°C) and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever
the condition -- smooth ice, packed, blowing
or loose snow
-- drive with caution.
Accelerate gently. Try not to break the fragile traction. If
you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and
polish the surface under the tires even more.
Your anti-lock brakes improve your vehicle’s stability
when
you make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even
though you have
an anti-lock braking system, you’ll
want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry
pavement. See “Anti-Lock‘’ in the Index.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
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Recreational Vehicle Towing
There may be times when you want to tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle for use at your destination. Be
sure to use the proper towing equipment designed for
recreational vehicle towing. Follow the instructions for
the towing equipment.
I
I1
c
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Two-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with
all four wheels on the ground. Two-wheel drive
transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication
while being towed. To properly tow these vehicles, they
should be placed on a platform trailer with all four
wheels off the ground.
In
rare cases when it's unavoidable that a
two-wheel-drive vehicle is to be towed with all 'four
wheels on the ground, the propeller shaft to axle yoke
orientation should be marked and the propeller shaft
removed following the applicable service manual
removal/installation procedure.
Dust or dirt can enter the back of the transmission
through the opening created by removing the propeller
shaft if proper protection is not provided. Also, check
the transmission fluid level before driving the truck.
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Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
(Manual Transfer Case Only)
‘A
-
Shifting the transfer case into NEUTRAL (N) can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in
PARK (P), for an automatic transmission, or
if your vehicle is in gear, for
a manual
transmission.
You or others could be injured.
Make sure the parking brake is firmly set before
you shift the transfer case into NEUTRAL (N).
Use the following procedure to correctly tow your
vehicle on all four wheels:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Firmly set the parking brake.
Place the transmission in
PARK (P) or a manual
transmission in FIRST
(1).
Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow vehicle.
With the engine running, shift the transfer case to
NEUTRAL
(N). See “Four-wheel Drive” in the
Index for the proper procedure to select the neutral
position for your vehicle.
Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is firmly attached to the towing vehicle.
Turn the ignition to
OFF, The OFF position unlocks the
steering column and reduces battery
drain. Unlocking
the steering column will allow the proper movement
of
the front wheels and tires during towing.
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If your slide-in camper and its load weighs less than the
CWR, the center
of gravity zone for your vehicle may
be larger.
Your dealer can help you make a good vehicle-camper
match. He’ll also help
you determine your CWR.
After you’ve loaded your vehicle and camper, drive to a
weigh station and weigh the front and rear wheels
separately. This will tell you
the loads on your axles.
The loads on the front and rear axles shouldn’t be more
than either of
the GAWRs. The total of the axle loads
should
not be more than the GVWR.
Open your driver’s door and look at the
CertificatiodTire label to find
out your GAWR
and GVWR.
If you’ve gone over your weight ratings, move or take
out some things until all the weight falls below the
ratings.
Of course, you should always tie down any
loose items when you load your vehicle or camper. When you
install and load your slide-in camper, check
the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you want more information
on curb weights, cargo
weights, Cargo Weight Rating and the correct center of
gravity zone for your vehicle, your dealer can help
you.
Just ask for a copy of “Consumer Information,
Truck-Camper Loading.”
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the CWR for
your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with the trailer attached,
so that you won’t go over the GVWR or GAWR.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out the
weight
of your load the right way, and if you choose the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, see “Trailer Towing”
in the Index.
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1 K-1500 (4WD)
~ Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio 4.3L
(Auto.) 3.73
1 4.3L
(Manual)
i 5.0L (Auto.)
5
.OL (Manual)
5.7L 6.5L Diesel 3.73
3.42
3.73
3.42 3.73
3.42
3.73
3.42
3.73
Max. Trailer Wt.
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg)
2,500 lbs. (1 135 kg)
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg)
6,000 lbs. (2 724 kg)
2,500 lbs. (1 135 kg)
3,500 lbs. (1 589 kg)
5,500 lbs. (2 497 kg)
6,500 lbs. (2 951 kg)
6,000 lbs. (2 724 kg)
7,000 lbs. (3 178 kg) 5 .OL (Manual)
5.7L
6.5L Diesel
7.4L
C-2500 (2WD) Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio
5.0L (Auto.) 3.42
3.73
3.42
3.73
3.42
3.73
4.10
3.42 3.73
4.10 3.73
4.10
Max. Trailer Wt.
5,500 lbs. (2 497 kg)
6,500 lbs. (2 951 kg)
3,000 lbs. (1 362 kg)
4,000 lbs. (1 800 kg)
6,000 lbs.
(2 724 kg)
7,000 lbs.3' (3 178 kg)
8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
6,500 lbs. (2 951 kg)
7,500 1bs.T (3
405 kg)
8,500 lbs. (3 859 kg)
9,000 lbs. (4 086 kg)
11,OOO lbs.* (4 994 kg)
?Vehicles with
8600 GVWR subtract 500 lbs. (227 kg).
*Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to 10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg).
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K-2500 (4WD)
Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
5.7L 3.73 6,000 lbs. (2 724 kg)
3.73 6,500 Ibs.
(2 95 1 kg)
3.73
8,500 lbs. (3 859 kg)
4.10 10,500 lbs.* (4 767 kg)
4.10 7,500
lbs. (3 405 kg)
4.10 8,000 Ibs. (3 632 kg)
6.5L
Diesel
7.4L
*'Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to 10,000 Ibs. (4 540 kg).
C-3500 (2WD)
6.5L Diesel
7.4L
Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
5.7L 4.10 7,500 lbs. (3 405 kg)
4.56 9,000 lbs. (4 086 kg)
4.10
8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
4.10 10,500 lbs." (4 767 kg)
4.56 12,500 Ibs."
(5 675 kg)
"Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited
to 10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg).
K-3500 (4WD)
Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
5.7L 4.10 7,000 lbs. (3 178 kg)
7.4L 4.10 10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg)
6.5L
Diesel 4.10 7,500 lbs. (3 405 kg)
4.56 12,000 lbs.* (5
448 kg)
*Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to 10,000 Ibs. (4 540 kg).
C-3500 Crew Cab (2WD)
6.5L Diesel
7.4L
Engine (Trans.) Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
5.7L 4.10 7,000 lbs. (3 178 kg)
4.56 8,500 lbs.
(3 859 kg)
4.10 8,000 lbs.
(3 632 kg)
4.10 10,500
lbs." (4 767 kg)
4.56 12,500 lbs."
(5 675 kg)
*Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to 10,000 Ibs. (4 540
kg).
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K-3500 Crew Cab (4WD)
Engine (Trans.)
5.7L
6.5L Diesel
7.4L
Axle
Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
4.10 6,500 Ibs. (2 95 I kg)
4.56 8,000 lbs.
(3 ti32 kg)
4.10 7,500 Ibs.
(3 405 kg)
4.10
10,000 Ibs. (4 540 kg)
4.56 12,000
Ibs.'% (5 448 kg)
*Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited to
10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg).
C-3500 HD Chassis Cab
Engine (Trans.)
6.5L Diesel (Auto.)
7.4L
Axle
Ratio Max. Trailer Wt.
4.63 9,000 lbs. (4 084 kg)
5.1
3 10,OOO Ibs. (4 540 kg)
4.63
12,000 Ibs.'': (5 448 kg)
5.1
3 12,000 Ibs." (5 448 kg) 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
L1 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 mot-e information about
your vehicle's maximum load capacity.
"Fifth wheel hitch rating; weight distributing hitch
rating is limited
to 10,000 lbs. (4 540 kg).
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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.
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.
Making Turns
I NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this
so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel
will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Thus,
you may think drivers behind you are
seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important to
check occasionally
to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
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