2009 HUMMER H3 trailer

Electric Power
Management
The vehicle has Electric Power
Management (EPM) that estimates
the battery’s temperature and
state of charge. It then adjusts the
voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge
is low, the voltage is raised
slightly to quickly bring the charge
back up. When the state of charge is
high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If
the vehicle has a voltmeter gage or
a voltage display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), you may
see the voltage move up or
down. This is normal. If there is a
problem, an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged
at idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fastenough at idle to produce all the
power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator’s
output and the vehicle’s electrical
needs. It can increase engine
idle speed to generate more power,
whenever needed. It can temporarily
reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as BATTERY
SAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY
VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY.
If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce
the electrical loads as much as
possible. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-37.
Battery Run-Down
Protection
This feature shuts off the dome
lamp if it is left on for more
than 20 minutes when the ignition is
in LOCK/OFF. This helps to
prevent the battery from being
drained.
Instrument Panel 3-17

the vehicle’s fuel economy might
not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Notice:Modications made to
the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
the vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can
affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light
to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead
to costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. This
could also result in a failure to
pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition
has been detected. A misre
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the
vehicle. Find a safe place to park
the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and
see your dealer/retailer for service
as soon as possible.Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has been
detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction
might be corrected by:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 5-7. 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
the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven
through a deep puddle of
water, the vehicle’s electrical
system might be wet. The
condition is usually corrected
when the electrical system dries
out. A few driving trips should
turn the light off.
Instrument Panel 3-31

Driving Your
Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy...........................4-1
Defensive Driving................4-2
Drunk Driving.....................4-2
Control of a Vehicle............4-3
Braking...............................4-3
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)...................4-5
Braking in Emergencies......4-6
StabiliTrak®System............4-6
Traction Control
System (TCS)...................4-7
Locking Rear Axle..............4-8
Locking Front Axle..............4-9
Steering............................4-10
Off-Road Recovery............4-11
Passing.............................4-12
Loss of Control.................4-12
Off-Road Driving...............4-13
Assist Steps......................4-28
Driving at Night.................4-28
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................4-29
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................4-30
Highway Hypnosis.............4-30
Hill and Mountain Roads. . .4-30
Winter Driving...................4-31
If Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow
...................4-33
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................4-34
Recovery Loops................4-34
Loading the Vehicle..........4-35
Truck-Camper Loading
Information......................4-39
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle.........4-40
Recreational Vehicle
Towing............................4-40
Towing a Trailer................4-42
Trailer
Recommendations...........4-53
Your Driving, the
Road, and the Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control, if equipped.
Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
Keep vehicle tires properly
inated.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-1

The Tire and Loading
Information label shows the
number of occupant seating
positions (A), and the maximum
vehicle capacity weight (B) in
kilograms and pounds.
The Tire and Loading Information
label also shows the size of the
vehicle’s original equipment
tires (C) and the recommended
cold tire ination pressures (D).
For more information on tires and
ination seeTires on page 5-44
andInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-51.
There is also important
information on the
Certication/Tire label. It tells
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 4-42for important
information on towing a
trailer, towing safety, and
trailering tips.
4-36 Driving Your Vehicle

The combined weight of the
driver, passengers, cargo
and any accessories or
equipment added to the vehicle
after it left the factory should
never exceed the vehicle’s
capacity weight.
Certication/Tire Label
A vehicle specic
Certication/Tire label is
attached to the bottom section
of the center pillar (B-pillar),
on the driver’s side of the
vehicle. The label shows the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, alloccupants, fuel, cargo and trailer
tongue weight, if pulling a
trailer.
The Certication/Tire label also
tells the maximum weights
for the front and rear axles,
called Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). To nd out the
actual loads on the front and
rear axles, go to a weigh station
and weigh the vehicle. Your
dealer/retailer can help with this.
Be sure to spread out the
load equally on both sides of the
centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for the
vehicle, or the GAWR for
either the front or rear axle.
If the load is heavy, it should be
spread out.
Similar appearing vehicles may
have different GVWRs and
capacity weights. Please note
the vehicle’s Certication/Tire
label or consult your
dealer/retailer for additional
details.{CAUTION
Do not load the 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
the 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 the vehicle.
Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change the
weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load the
vehicle the right way.
Label Example
4-38 Driving Your Vehicle

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled
vehicle should be towed with all four
wheels off the ground. Consult
your dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service if the disabled
vehicle must be towed. See
Roadside Service on page 7-6
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational
purposes — such as behind a
motorhome, see “Recreational
Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common
types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy
towing” — towing the vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, and“dolly towing” — towing the vehicle
with two wheels on the ground
and two wheels up on a device
known as a “dolly”.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational
vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity of
the tow vehicle? Be sure to
read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s
recommendations.
What is the distance that will be
travelled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and
how long they can tow.
Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer/retailer or trailering
professional for additional advice
and equipment
recommendations.
Is the vehicle ready to be towed?
Just as preparing the vehicle for
a long trip, make sure the
vehicle is prepared to be towed.
SeeBefore Leaving on a
Long Trip on page 4-30.
Dinghy Towing
This full-time four-wheel-drive
vehicle can be dinghy towed from
the front. These vehicles can also be
towed by placing them on a
platform trailer with all four wheels
off the ground. These vehicles
cannot be towed using a dolly.
4-40 Driving Your Vehicle

Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly. For
example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well — or even at all. The driver
and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may
also be damaged; the resulting
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer
only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your
dealer/retailer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.Notice:Pulling a trailer
improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in
this section and see your
dealer/retailer for important
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of
the vehicle, read the information
in “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just
driving the vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in
handling, acceleration, braking,
durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.The following information has 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
pulling a trailer.
Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
There are many different
laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with
trailering. Make sure the rig will
be legal, not only where you
live but also where you will 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.
4-42 Driving Your Vehicle

Do not tow a trailer at all during
the rst 500 miles (800 km) the
new vehicle is driven. The
engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) that a trailer is towed,
do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and do not make starts
at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of
the vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
Vehicles with an automatic
transmissions can tow in
D (Drive). Shift the transmission
to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often
under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions. For vehicles with
a manual transmission, it is better
not to use the highest gear.
This vehicle has a Hill Start
Assist feature, which may
be useful when the vehicle is
stopped on a grade. SeeBraking
on page 4-3for more information.
Three important considerations have
to do with weight:
The weight of the trailer
The weight of the trailer tongue
The weight on the vehicle’s tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is
used. For example, speed, altitude,
road grades, outside temperature
and how much the vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. It
can depend on any special
equipment on the vehicle, and the
amount of tongue weight the vehicle
can carry. See “Weight of the
Trailer Tongue” later in this section
for more information.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-43