2003 CHEVROLET SSR weight

Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inated to the upper limit
for cold tires. You’ll nd these numbers on the
Certication label at the rear edge of the driver’s door.
SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-31. Then be
sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
Your vehicle is compatible only with the following
trailering hitch. To order this hitch, see your dealer.
A. Centering Device
B. Handwheel
C. LockD. Ball Rod
E. Ball (purchased
separately)
F. Chain Loop
4-42

Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (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’s brake system can tap into the vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system only if:
The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure.
The trailer’s brake system will use less than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of uid 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, then make the brake
uid tap at the port on the master cylinder that
sends uid to the rear brakes. But don’t use copper
tubing for this. If you do, it will bend and nally 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 all trailer hitch, parts 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.
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.
4-46

(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The
letter “R” means radial ply construction; the letter “D”
means diagonal or bias ply construction; and the
letter “B” means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a tire.
The load index can range from 1 to 279. Speed ratings
range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to
its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold Ination Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat from
driving. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-56.
Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor vehicle
with standard and optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can
also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, seeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front
axle, seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
5-54

GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire, that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air pressure.
There are 6.9 kilopascals (kPa) to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A tire used on light duty
trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles.
Load Index:An assigned number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Ination Pressure:The maximum air
pressure to which a cold tire may be inated. The
maximum air pressure is molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible ination pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight:The sum of curb
weight; accessory weight; vehicle capacity weight;
and production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight:The number of occupants a
vehicle is designed to seat multiplied by 150 pounds
(68 kg). SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
Occupant Distribution:Designated seating positions.Outward Facing Sidewall:The side of a asymmetrical
tire that has a particular side that faces outward
when mounted on a vehicle. The side of the tire that
contains a whitewall, bears white lettering or bears
manufacturer, brand, and or model name molding that is
higher or deeper than the same moldings on the other
sidewall of the tire.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used on passenger
cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose
vehicles.
Recommended Ination Pressure:Vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended tire ination pressure and
shown on the tire placard. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-56andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
Radial Ply tire:A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords
that extend to the beads are laid at 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Rim:A metal support for a tire and upon which the tire
beads are seated.
Sidewall:The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
Speed Rating:An alphanumeric code assigned to a
tire indicating the maximum speed at which a tire
can operate.
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Traction:The friction between the tire and the road
surface. The amount of grip provided.
Tread:The portion of a tire that comes into contact
with the road.
Treadwear Indicators:Narrow bands, sometimes
called wear bars, that show across the tread of a tire
when only 2/32 inch of tread remains. SeeWhen
It Is Time for New Tires on page 5-58.
UTQGS:Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards, a
tire information system that provides consumers
with ratings for a tire’s traction, temperature, and
treadwear. Ratings are determined by tire manufacturers
using government testing procedures. The ratings are
molded into the sidewall of the tire. SeeUniform
Tire Quality Grading on page 5-60.
Vehicle Capacity Weight:The number of designated
seating positions multiplied by 150 pounds (68 kg)
plus the rated cargo load. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-31.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire:Load on an
individual tire due to curb weight, accessory weight,
occupant weight and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard:A label permanently attached to a
vehicle showing the original equipment tire size
and recommended ination pressure. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-31.Ination - Tire Pressure
The Certication/Tire label or the Tire and Loading
Information label shows the correct ination pressures
for your tires when they’re cold. “Cold” means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than 1 mile (1.6 km). SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-31, for examples of these labels and
where they are located on your vehicle. If you’ll be
driving at high speeds (speeds of 100 mph (160 km/h)
or higher), where it is legal, set the cold ination
pressure to the maximum ination pressure shown on
the tire sidewall, or to 35 psi (244 kPa), whichever
is lower. See the example below. When you end this
high-speed driving, return to the cold ination pressure
shown on the Certication/Tire label or the Tire and
Loading Information Label.
Example:
You’ll nd maximum load and ination pressure molded
on the tire’s sidewall, in small letters near the rim
ange. It will read something like this: Maximum load
690 kg (1521 lbs) 300 kPa (44 psi) Max. Press.
For this example, you would set the ination pressure
for high-speed driving at 35 psi (244 kPa) for the
front and rear tires.
5-56

T
Tachometer....................................................3-24
Tailgate........................................................... 2-9
Taillamps.......................................................5-46
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-29
Temperature Knob...........................................3-18
Testing the Alarm............................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-80
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-12
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-12
Passlock
®...................................................2-14
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-4
Tire Inator Kit Storage....................................5-72
Tire Sealant...................................................5-67
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-52
Tire Size.......................................................5-53
Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-54
Tires.............................................................5-51
Buying New Tires........................................5-59
Chains.......................................................5-64
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-65
Ination -- Tire Pressure...............................5-56
Inspection and Rotation................................5-57
Tire Inator Kit............................................5-66Tires (cont.)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-60
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-61
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-58
Tlat (Tonneau Latch) Hall Switch Fault...............3-50
Tonn (Tonneau) Hall Switch Fault......................3-51
Tonn (Tonneau) Latd (Latched) Switch Fault.......3-51
Top Strap......................................................1-29
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-31
Torque Lock...................................................2-21
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-42
Towing
Loading Your Vehicle...................................4-31
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-31
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-38
Your Vehicle...............................................4-30
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-8
Control System Warning Light.......................3-29
Traction Active................................................3-51
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-38
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-46
14

W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-22
Warnings
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-45
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-3
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-4
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-76
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-10
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-40
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-41
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-16
What to Add..................................................5-34
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-18
What to Use..........................5-25, 5-31, 5-32, 5-42
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-61
Replacement...............................................5-62
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-15
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)...................................5-17
When to Check..............................................5-57When to Check and Change Lubricant...............5-42
When to Check and Change the Automatic
Transmission Fluid.......................................5-21
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.....5-20
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill.....................................................4-48
When to Check Power Steering Fluid...................5-31
Why Safety Belts Work..................................... 1-8
Windows.......................................................2-10
Power........................................................2-11
Windshield Washer
Fluid..........................................................5-32
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check................. 6-9
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement......................................5-48
Fuses........................................................5-81
Windshield Wipers............................................ 3-7
Winter Driving................................................4-26
Winter Tires...................................................5-52
Wiper Blade Check.........................................6-10
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
16