2007 CHEVROLET SILVERADO ECU

There are some important things to remember
about how to load your vehicle.
The heaviest things should be on the load
oor and forward of your rear axle. Put
heavier items as far forward as you can.
Be sure the load is secured properly, so
driving on the off-road terrain does not
toss things around.
You will nd other important information in this
manual. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 427
andTires on page 552.
Environmental Concerns
Off-road driving can provide wholesome and
satisfying recreation. However, it also raises
environmental concerns. We recognize these
concerns and urge every off-roader to follow these
basic rules for protecting the environment:
Always use established trails, roads, and areas
that have been specially set aside for public
off-road recreational driving; obey all posted
regulations.
Avoid any driving practice that could damage
the environment — shrubs, owers, trees,
grasses — or disturb wildlife. This includes
wheel-spinning, breaking down trees, or
unnecessary driving through streams or over
soft ground.
Always carry a litter bag — make sure all refuse
is removed from any campsite before leaving.
Take extreme care with open res (where
permitted), camp stoves and lanterns.
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other
combustible materials that could catch re from
the heat of the vehicle’s exhaust system.
395

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency
supplies in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 552.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some
winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a
red cloth, and reective warning triangles. And,
if you will be driving under severe conditions,
include a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet,
or a couple of burlap bags to help provide
traction. Be sure you properly secure these items
in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires
meet the road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires
and the road, you can have a very slippery
situation. You will have a lot less traction, or grip,
and will need to be very careful.
420

To nd out the actual loads on your front and rear
axles, you need to go to a weigh station and
weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with
this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
The Certication/Tire label also contains important
information about your Front Axle Reserve
Capacity. See “What is front axle reserve capacity,
and how do I calculate it?” underAdding a
Snow Plow or Similar Equipment on page 434.
{CAUTION:
In the case of a sudden stop or collision,
things carried in the bed of your truck
could shift forward and come into the
passenger area, injuring you and others.
If you put things in the bed of your truck,
you should make sure they are properly
secured.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to get
added durability might not change your weight
ratings. Ask your dealer to help you load
your vehicle the right way.
431

If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything
else — they go as fast as the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is
a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
There is also important loading information for
off-road driving in this manual. See “Loading Your
Vehicle for Off-Road Driving“ underOff-Road
Driving on page 392.
432

Two-Tiered Loading
Depending on the model of your pick-up, you can
create an upper load platform by positioning
two or four 2 inches (5 cm) by 6 inches (15 cm)
wooden planks across the width of the pickup box.
The planks must be inserted in the pickup box
depressions. The length of the planks must allow
for at least a 3/4 inch (2 cm) bearing surface
on each end of the plank.
When using this upper load platform, be sure the
load is securely tied down to prevent it from
shifting. The load’s center of gravity should be
positioned in a zone over the rear axle. The zone
is located in the area between the front of each
wheel well and the rear of each wheel well.
The center of gravity height must not extend above
the top of the pickup box areboard.
Any load that extends beyond the vehicle’s
taillamp area must be properly marked according
to local laws and regulations.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the front or rear axle.
Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need
to put a limit on how many people you carry
inside your vehicle. Be sure to weigh your vehicle
before you buy and install the new equipment.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
Remember not to exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of the front or rear axle.
* Equipment Maximum Weight
Ladder Rack and Cargo 750 lbs (340 kg)
Cross Toolbox and Cargo 400 lbs (181 kg)
Side Boxes and Cargo 250 lbs per side
(113 kg per side)
*The combined weight for all rail-mounted equipment
should not exceed 1,000 lbs (454 kg).
433

Say, for example, you have a 700 lb (318 kg)
snow plow. The total weight of all occupants and
cargo inside the cab should not exceed 300 lb
(135 kg). This means that you may only be able to
carry one passenger. But, even this may be too
much if you have got other equipment already
adding to the weight of your vehicle.
Here are some guidelines for safely carrying a
snow plow on your vehicle:
Make sure the weight on the front and
rear axles does not exceed the axle rating
for each.
For the front axle, if more cargo or passengers
must be carried, appropriate counter ballast
must be installed rear of the rear axle.
Counter ballast must be properly secured
so it will not move during driving.
Follow the snow plow manufacturer’s
recommendations regarding rear ballast.
Rear ballast may be required to ensure
a proper front and rear weight distribution
ratio, even though the actual weight at
the front axle may be less than the front
axle rating.
The snow plow manufacturer or installer can
assist you in determining the amount of rear
ballast required, to help make sure your
snowplow/vehicle combination does not
exceed the GVW rating, the front and rear
axle ratings, and the front and rear weight
distribution ratio.
The total vehicle must not exceed the
GVW rating.
435

Secure loose items to prevent weight shifts that
could affect the balance of your vehicle. When the
truck-camper is loaded, drive to a scale and
weigh on the front and on the rear wheels
separately to determine axle loads. Individual axle
loads should not exceed either of the gross
axle weight ratings (GAWR). The total of the axle
loads should not exceed your vehicle’s gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR). These ratings are
given on the vehicle certication label attached
to the rear edge of the driver’s door. See
“Certication/Tire Label” underLoading Your
Vehicle on page 427. If weight ratings are
exceeded, move or remove items to bring all
weights below the ratings.
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.”Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab
General Motors is aware that some vehicle owners
may consider having the pickup box removed
and a commercial or recreational body installed.
Owners should be aware that, as manufactured,
there are differences between a chassis cab and a
pickup with the box removed which may affect
vehicle safety. The components necessary
to adapt a pickup to permit its safe use with a
specialized body should be installed by the
body builder.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 654.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind
a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
441

Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
1. Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
2. Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.
3. Firmly set the parking brake.
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause
your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P). You or
others could be injured. Make sure the
parking brake is rmly set before you shift
the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
5. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
SeeFour-Wheel Drive on page 149for the
proper procedure to select the neutral position
for your vehicle.
6. Release the parking brake only after the
vehicle being towed is rmly attached to
the towing vehicle.
7. Turn the ignition off and leave the steering
column unlocked.
443