2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE tow

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Traction Assist System (TAS).........................4-10
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-12
Stabilitrak
žSystem.......................................4-12
Steering......................................................4-15
QUADRASTEERŸ........................................4-17
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-20
Passing.......................................................4-20
Loss of Control.............................................4-21
Off-Road Driving with Your Four-Wheel
Drive Vehicle............................................4-23
Driving at Night............................................4-40
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-42City Driving..................................................4-45
Freeway Driving...........................................4-46
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-47
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-48
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-49
Winter Driving..............................................4-51
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow........4-56
Towing..........................................................4-59
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-59
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-59
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-62
Level Control...............................................4-64
AutorideŸ...................................................4-64
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-65
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-65
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

If you want to use tire chains, the vehicle needs to be in 2
wheel steer mode. For more information seeTire Chains
on page 5-76.
4:In this mode all four wheels will help steer the vehicle.
If you want to use 4, and your vehicle is not in this mode,
press the button, until the 4 indicator, located to the right
of the 4 Wheel Steer button, comes on and stays on.
If the 4 indicator is ¯ashing you will have to center the
steering wheel by turning it to the left or right.
At slower speeds the front and rear wheels will turn in
opposite directions. This helps the vehicle make
tighter turns, such as during parking, cornering and
turning into tight spaces.At higher speeds the front and rear wheels will turn in
the same direction. This improves stability of the vehicle
during lane changes and sweeping turns.
_(4 Wheel Steer tow mode):When towing a
trailer the 4 wheel steer tow mode provides enhanced
stability allowing the trailer to follow the path of the tow
vehicle more closely, especially during lane changes.
In this mode the system operates much like the 4 mode,
but is enhanced for trailer towing. It is recommended
for all types and weights of trailers. Slower Speeds (below 40 m.p.h./ 64 km/h )
Higher Speeds (40 m.p.h./64 km/h, and above)
4-18

To engage the 4 Wheel Steer tow mode, press the
button until the 4 and tow mode indicators light up on
the instrument panel. If the tow indicator is ¯ashing you
will have to center the steering wheel by turning it to
the left or right. While in the 4 wheel steer tow mode, it
is possible the steering wheel may be slightly off
center. For more information, see
Towing a Trailer on
page 4-65.
Car Washes for QUADRASTEERŸ
Equipped Vehicles
Notice:Because your vehicle has a wider rear
track a small number of older car washes may be
too narrow for your vehicle. Conveyor systems
on some automatic car washes may damage your
vehicle. Only use conveyor system car washes with
13-inch (33 cm) wide conveyor rails and/or
stationary washes with at least 82 inches (208 cm)
between the rails. Before using the car wash
check with the manager.
4-19

The following steps must be performed on each of the
push-pins to remove the air dam:
1. Insert a tool into the
push-pin slot and pull
downward until the
push-pin snaps loose.
2. While continuing to pull
downward on the
push-pin, squeeze and
turn the expandable
end of the push-pin
with a tool until it
releases from the
retainer.3. Pull the push-pins and
lower air dam assembly
away from the
retainers until the lower
air dam is free.
When you're back on roads, though, be sure to replace
the air dam.
Notice:Operating your vehicle for extended
periods without the front bumper lower air dam
installed can cause improper air ¯ow to the engine
and may allow things like fog lamps or tow hooks
on the front of your vehicle to be damaged. Always
be sure to replace the front bumper air dam when
you are ®nished off-road driving.
4-24

To reinstall the lower air dam do the following:
1. Line up each push-pin
with its intended
retainer and push the
washer portion of
the push-pin towards
the retainer until it locks
into place.
2. Push the ¯at end of the
push-pin towards the
retainer until it
locks into place,
making sure each is
secure.Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly
attached. Be sure you read all the information about
your four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is
there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully in¯ated? Are
the ¯uid levels up where they should be? What are the
local laws that apply to off-roading where you'll be
driving? If you don't know, you should check with law
enforcement people in the area. Will you be on
someone's private land? If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.
4-25

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear
the area around your front wheels. If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI or 4LO. If your
vehicle has the Traction Assist System, you should turn it
off by pressing the TAS on/off button. If your vehicle has
the Stabilitrak
žSystem, turn the StabilitrakžSystem off
by pressing the Stabilitrakžbutton so that the STABILITY
SYSTEM DISABLED and TRACTION OFF lights are
illuminated on the instrument panel cluster. Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release
the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on
the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear.
By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and
reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion that
may free your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after a
few tries, you may need to be towed out. Or, you can use
your recovery hooks if your vehicle has them. If you do
need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on
page 4-59.
Using the Recovery Hooks
Your vehicle may be equipped with recovery hooks. The
hooks are provided at the front of your vehicle. You
may need to use them if you're stuck off-road and need
to be pulled to some place where you can continue
driving.
4-57

{CAUTION:
These hooks, when used, are under a lot of
force. Always pull the vehicle straight out.
Never pull on the hooks at a sideways angle.
The hooks could break off and you or others
could be injured from the chain or cable
snapping back.
Notice:Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged and it would
not be covered by warranty.
4-58

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle ± such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as ªdinghy towingº (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and ªdolly towingº
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a ªdollyº).With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See
Dinghy
TowingandDolly Towing, following.
Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
·What's the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
·How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
·Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
·Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you'll
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be
towed. See
Before Leaving on a Long Trip on
page 4-47.
4-59