2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO trailer

As soon as it is safe to do so, carefully pull your
vehicle over to the side of the road and turn
the ignition off. Check the wiring connection to the
trailer and turn the ignition back on. This
message clears if the trailer is reconnected. This
message also clears if you acknowledge it. If
this message still displays, either your vehicle or
the trailer needs service. See your dealer.
See “Integrated Trailer Brake Control System”
underTowing a Trailer on page 447for more
information.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the
driver’s door is not fully closed and the vehicle
is in a drive gear. Stop and turn off the vehicle,
check the door for obstructions, and close the door
again. Check to see if the message still appears
on the DIC.
ENGINE HOT A/C (Air Conditioning)
TURNED OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating
temperature. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 260. To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning compressor
automatically turns off. When the coolant
temperature returns to normal, the air conditioning
compressor turns back on. You can continue to
drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the
system repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible to avoid damage to the engine.
ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL
If your vehicle has an oil level sensor, this
message displays if the oil level in the vehicle is
low. Check the oil level and correct it as
necessary. You may need to let the vehicle cool
or warm up and cycle the ignition to be sure
this message clears.
This message clears itself after 10 seconds, until
the next ignition cycle. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline
Engine) on page 502for additional information.
283

SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
On vehicles with the Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, this message displays and
a chime sounds when there is a problem with
the ITBC system.
When this message displays, power is no longer
available to the trailer brakes.
As soon as it is safe to do so, carefully pull your
vehicle over to the side of the road and turn
the ignition off. Check the wiring connection to the
trailer and turn the ignition back on. If this
message still displays, either your vehicle or the
trailer needs service. See your dealer.
See “Integrated Trailer Brake Control System”
underTowing a Trailer on page 447for more
information.
STABILITRAK OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message
displays when you turn off StabiliTrak®, or when
the stability control has been automatically
disabled. To limit wheel spin and realize the full
benets of the stability enhancement system, you
should normally leave StabiliTrak
®on. However,
you should turn StabiliTrak®off if your vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow and you wantto rock your vehicle to attempt to free it, or if you
are driving in extreme off-road conditions and
require more wheel spin. SeeIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 424.To
turn the StabiliTrak
®system on or off, see
StabiliTrak®System on page 384.
There are several conditions that can cause this
message to appear.
One condition is overheating, which could
occur if StabiliTrak®activates continuously
for an extended period of time.
The message also displays if the brake
system warning light is on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 258.
The message could display if the stability
system takes longer than usual to complete its
diagnostic checks due to driving conditions.
The message displays if an engine or vehicle
related problem has been detected and the
vehicle needs service. See your dealer.
The message also displays if the vehicle is
shifted into 4LO.
The message turns off as soon as the conditions
that caused the message to be displayed are
no longer present.
289

TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along with the check
engine light on the instrument panel cluster if
the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 262.
Reinstall the fuel cap fully. SeeFilling the Tank on
page 494. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel cap allows fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn this
light and message off.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message displays when the system
is re-learning the tire positions on your vehicle.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons) on page 270orDIC Operation and
Displays (Without DIC Buttons) on page 277for
more information. The tire positions must be
re-learned after rotating the tires or after replacing
a tire or sensor. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 568,Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 563, andInation - Tire Pressure
on page 561for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message
displays when the Traction Control System (TCS)
is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 384for more
information.
TRAILER CONNECTED
On vehicles with the Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, this message displays
briey when a trailer with electric brakes is
rst connected to the vehicle.
This message clears itself after several seconds.
This message also clears if you acknowledge
it. After this message clears, the TRAILER
GAIN/OUTPUT display appears in the DIC.
See “TRAILER GAIN/OUTPUT” underDIC
Operation and Displays (With DIC Buttons) on
page 270orDIC Operation and Displays (Without
DIC Buttons) on page 277and “Integrated
Trailer Brake Control System” underTowing a
Trailer on page 447for more information.
290

Your Driving, the Road, and Your
Vehicle..................................................... 376
Defensive Driving...................................... 376
Drunken Driving........................................ 377
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 380
Braking...................................................... 380
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 381
Braking in Emergencies............................. 383
Locking Rear Axle..................................... 383
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 384
Steering.................................................... 387
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 389
Passing..................................................... 389
Loss of Control.......................................... 391
Off-Road Driving........................................ 392
Driving at Night......................................... 409
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 410
City Driving............................................... 414
Freeway Driving........................................ 415Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 416
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 417
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 418
Winter Driving........................................... 420
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 424
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 425
Recovery Hooks (Except SS Model).......... 426
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 427
Adding a Snow Plow or Similar
Equipment.............................................. 434
Truck-Camper Loading Information............ 438
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab.............. 441
Towing........................................................ 441
Towing Your Vehicle................................. 441
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 442
Towing a Trailer........................................ 447
Trailer Recommendations.......................... 484
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
375

The Tire and Loading Information label also shows
the size of the original equipment tires (C) and
the recommended cold tire ination pressures (D).
For more information on tires and ination see
Tires on page 552andInation - Tire Pressure on
page 561.
There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certication/Tire label. It tells you the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the
front and rear axles. See “Certication/Tire Label”
later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your
vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 447for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
428

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 dinghy
towing, towing your vehicle will all four wheels
on the ground, and dolly towing, towing your
vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”.
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly 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. SeeBefore Leaving on
a Long Trip on page 416.
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not tow your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground.
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.
442

Towing a Trailer
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeNew
Vehicle Break-In on page 134for more information.
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull a trailer only if you have followed all
the steps in this section. Ask your dealer
for advice and information about towing a
trailer with your vehicle.Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. To pull
a trailer correctly, follow the advice in this
part, and see your dealer for important
information about towing a trailer with your
vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes in acceleration,
braking, handling, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment,
and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.
447

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed
limit restrictions, having to do with trailering.
Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where
you live but also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this information can be state
or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches”
later in this section.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst
500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is driven.
Your engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle.
This helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to
shift the transmission to THIRD (3), or
FOURTH (4) with the Allison or Hydra-matic
6-speed transmissions, or if necessary, a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too
often, such as under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on
page 268.
Three important considerations have to do with
weight:
The weight of the trailer
The weight of the trailer tongue
The weight on your vehicle’s tires
448