Black plate (11,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014682) -
2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 8/26/13
Driving and Operating 9-11
the front and rear axle. See
“Certification/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 figure equals
the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the "XXX"
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 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, 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.”
Example 1
1. Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 1 = 453 kg (1,000 lbs)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 68 kg (150 lbs) × 2 = 136 kg
(300 lbs)
3. Available Occupant and Cargo Weight = 317 kg (700 lbs)
Black plate (12,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014682) -
2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 8/26/13
9-12 Driving and Operating
Example 2
A. Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 2 = 453 kg (1,000 lbs)
B. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 68 kg (150 lbs) × 5 = 136 kg
(750 lbs)
C. Available Cargo Weight = 113 kg (250 lbs)Example 3
1. Maximum Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 3 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 91 kg (200 lbs) × 5 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs)
3. Available Cargo Weight = 0 kg (0 lbs)
Refer to the vehicle tire and
loading information label for
specific information about the
vehicle's capacity weight and
seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle capacity weight.
Certification/Tire Label
A vehicle specific Certification/
Tire label is found on the rear
edge of the driver door. The
label shows the size of the
vehicle's original tires and the
inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity
of the vehicle. This is called
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
Black plate (13,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014682) -
2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 8/26/13
Driving and Operating 9-13
(GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, and cargo.
The Certification/Tire label also
tells you the maximum weights
for the front and rear axles,
called Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). To find out the actual
loads on the front and rear
axles, you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh the vehicle.
Your dealer can help you 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 there is a heavy load, it should
be spread out.{Warning
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).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
shorten the life of the vehicle.
{Warning
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Put things in the cargo
area of the 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.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
.When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.
Black plate (20,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014682) -
2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 8/26/13
9-20 Driving and Operating
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
SeeShifting Into Park on
page 9-19. If you are towing a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9-46. If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the
parking brake is firmly set. After the
shift lever is moved into P (Park),
hold the regular brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from P (Park) without
first pulling it toward you. If you can,
it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked into P (Park).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you
do not shift the transmission into
P (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle can put too much force on
the parking pawl in the
transmission. It might be difficult to
pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
This is called torque lock. To
prevent torque lock, set the parking
brake and then shift into P (Park)
properly before you leave the driver
seat. To find out how, see
Shifting
Into Park on page 9-19. When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of P (Park) before
releasing the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you might
need to have another vehicle push
yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission. Then you
should be able to pull the shift lever
out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. You have to fully apply the
brakes before you can shift from
P (Park) when the ignition is in ON/
RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY. See
Automatic Transmission (Six Speed)
on page 9-22
orAutomatic
Transmission (Four Speed) on
page 9-26.
The shift lock control system is
designed to do the following:
.Prevent the ignition key from
being removed unless the shift
lever is in P (Park).
Black plate (50,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014682) -
2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 8/26/13
9-50 Driving and Operating
{Caution
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 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” following.
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.
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. Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the
tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment. The
weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers,and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Use the following chart to determine
how much the vehicle can weigh,
based upon the vehicle model and
options.
Black plate (51,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014682) -
2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 8/26/13
Driving and Operating 9-51
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
G1500 Cargo Van 2WD 4.3L V6 3.421 950 kg (4,300 lb) 4 309 kg (9,500 lb)
5.3L V8 3.42
3.73 3 039 kg (6,700 lb) 5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
H1500 Cargo Van AWD 5.3L V8 3.422 948 kg (6,500 lb) 5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
G1500 Passenger Van 2WD 5.3L V8 3.42
3.73 2 812 kg (6,200 lb) 5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
H1500 Passenger Van AWD 5.3L V8 3.42
3.73 2 722 kg (6,000 lb) 5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD Short Wheelbase 4.8L V8 3.423 357 kg (7,400 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.424 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
4.8L V8 3.423 266 kg (7,200 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.424 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
Black plate (52,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014682) -
2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 8/26/13
9-52 Driving and Operating
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
G2500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase 4.8L V8 3.423 039 kg (6,700 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.424 445 kg (9,800 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Short Wheelbase 4.8L V8 3.423 357 kg (7,400 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.424 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase 4.8L V8 3.423 221 kg (7,100 lb) 5 897 kg (13,000 lb)
6.0L V8 3.424 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase 6.0L V8 3.424 400 kg (9,700 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Long Wheelbase 6.0L V8 3.424 218 kg (9,300 lb) 7 257 kg (16,000 lb)
*The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment, and conversion. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer for trailering information or advice.
Black plate (53,1)GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6014682) -
2014 - CRC 2nd Edition - 8/26/13
Driving and Operating 9-53
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (1) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers, or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added to
the GVW because the vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9-10
for more information about the
vehicle's maximum load capacity.
The trailer tongue weight (1) should
be 10 percent to 15 percent of the
total loaded trailer weight (2), up to a
maximum of 181 kg (400 lb) with a
weight carrying hitch. The trailer
tongue weight (1) should be
10 percent to 15 percent of the total
loaded trailer weight (2), up to a
maximum of 454 kg (1,000 lb) with a
weight distributing hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the
vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch
extension that will position the hitchball closest to the vehicle. This will
help reduce the effect of trailer
tongue weight on the rear axle.
After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Trailering may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue weight cannot cause
the vehicle to exceed the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or
the RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating). The effect of
additional weight may reduce the
trailering capacity more than the
total of the additional weight.
It is important that the vehicle does
not exceed any of its ratings
—
GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR, Maximum
Trailer Rating, or Tongue Weight.
The only way to be sure it is not
exceeding any of these ratings is to
weigh the vehicle and trailer.