Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
280 Driving and Operating
Towing a trailer requires experience.
The combination of the vehicle and
trailer is longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle itself. Get
used to the handling and braking of
the combination by driving on a
level road surface before driving on
public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires, and
the brakes must be all be rated to
carry the intended cargo.
Inadequate trailer equipment can
cause the combination to operate in
an unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. SeeTowing
Equipment 0289. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then
manually apply the trailer brake
controller to check the trailer brakes
work. During the trip, occasionally
check that the cargo and trailer are
secure and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are working.Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the stability control
system might be heard. The system
reacts to vehicle movement caused
by the trailer, which mainly occurs
during cornering. This is normal
when towing heavier trailers.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving without a trailer. This can
help to avoid heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination of the vehicle and
trailer will not accelerate as quickly
and is much longer than the vehicle
alone. It is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane. Pass
on level roadways. Avoid passing
on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move that hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle.
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so trailer will not go over soft
shoulders, over curbs, or strike road
signs, trees, or other objects.
Always signal turns well in advance.
Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
Driving and Operating 283
Pulling the Trailer from the Water1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine and shift into a gear.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Let up on the brake pedal.
5. Drive slowly until the tires are clear of the chocks.
6. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
7. Slowly pull the trailer from the water.
8. Once the vehicle and trailer have been driven from the
sloped part of the boat ramp,
the vehicle can be shifted from
four-wheel-drive high. Shift into
the drive mode that is
appropriate for the road
conditions.Caution
If the vehicle tires begin to spin
and the vehicle begins to slide
toward the water, remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal
and apply the brake pedal. Seek
help to have the vehicle towed up
the ramp.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when used to tow trailers. See
Maintenance Schedule 0403. It is
especially important to check the
automatic transmission fluid, engine
oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling
system, and brake system before
and during each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts and
bolts on the trailer hitch are tight.
Engine Cooling when Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
0 321.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly can
damage the vehicle and result in
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the directions in
this section and see your dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
290 Driving and Operating
Weight-Distributing Hitch Adjustment
A weight-distributing hitch may be useful with some trailers. Use the following guidelines to determine if a
weight-distributing hitch should be used.Vehicle Series Trailer Weight Weight-Distributing Hitch
Usage Hitch Distribution
1500 Up to 3 175 kg (7,000 lb) OptionalRefer to trailer
manufacturer ’s
recommendation
1500 Over 3 175 kg (7,000 lb) Required50%
1. Front of Vehicle
2. Body to Ground Distance
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, measure the front fender
height above the front axle
distance (2) before and after
connecting trailer. Adjust the spring
bars until the front fender height
distance (2) is approximately half
way between the first and second
measurements.
If equipped withAutomatic Level
Control 0249, it is recommended to
allow the shocks to inflate, leveling
the vehicle prior to adjusting the
hitch.Tires
. Do not tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire on the
vehicle.
. Tires must be properly inflated to
support loads while towing a
trailer. See Tires0348 for
instructions on proper tire
inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer, and attach
the chains to the holes on the trailer
hitch platform. Instructions about
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
296 Driving and Operating
If either the CHECK TRAILER
WIRING or SERVICE TRAILER
BRAKE SYSTEM message displays
while driving, the ITBC system may
not be fully functional or may not
function at all. When traffic
conditions allow, carefully pull the
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 either of
these messages continues, either
the vehicle or trailer needs service.
A GM dealer may be able to
diagnose and repair problems with
the trailer. However, any diagnosis
and repair of the trailer is not
covered under the vehicle warranty.
Contact your trailer dealer for
assistance with trailer repairs and
trailer warranty information.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak have a
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) feature.
Trailer sway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer while
towing. If the vehicle is towing atrailer and the TSC detects that
sway is increasing, the vehicle
brakes are selectively applied at
each wheel, to help reduce
excessive trailer sway. If equipped
with the Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, and the
trailer has an electric brake system,
StabiliTrak may also apply the trailer
brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
warning light will flash on the
instrument cluster. Reduce vehicle
speed by gradually removing your
foot from the accelerator. If trailer
sway continues, StabiliTrak can
reduce engine torque to help slow
the vehicle. TSC will not function if
StabiliTrak is turned off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control
0246.
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a crash
and in serious injury or death,
even if the vehicle is equipped
with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway,
reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot from
the accelerator. Then pull over to
check the trailer and vehicle to
help correct possible causes,
including an improperly or
overloaded trailer, unrestrained
cargo, improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle or
trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment 0289 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
Driving and Operating 297
Aftermarket Electronic Trailer
Sway Control Devices
Some trailers may come equipped
with an electronic device designed
to reduce or control trailer sway.
Aftermarket equipment
manufacturers also offer similar
devices that connect to the wiring
between the trailer and the vehicle.
These devices may interfere with
the vehicle’s trailer brake systems
or other systems, including
integrated anti-sway systems,
if equipped. Messages related to
trailer connections or trailer brakes
could appear on the DIC. The
effects of these aftermarket devices
on vehicle handling or trailer brake
performance is not known.
{Warning
Use of aftermarket electronic
trailer sway control devices could
result in reduced trailer brake
performance, loss of trailer
brakes, or other malfunctions, and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
result in a crash. You or others
could be seriously injured or
killed. Before using one of these
devices:
. Ask the device or trailer
manufacturer if the device
has been thoroughly tested
for compatibility with the
make, model, and year of
your vehicle and any
optional equipment installed
on your vehicle.
. Before driving, check the
trailer brakes are working
properly, if equipped. Drive
the vehicle with the trailer
attached on a level road
surface that is free of traffic
at about 32-40 km/h
(20-25 mph) and fully apply
the manual trailer brake
apply lever. Also, check the
trailer brake lamps and
other lamps are functioning
correctly.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.If the trailer brakes are not
operating properly at any
time, or if a DIC message
indicates problems with the
trailer connections or trailer
brakes, carefully pull the
vehicle over to the side of
the road when traffic
conditions allow.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ from
vehicle tires. Trailer tires are
designed with stiff sidewalls to help
prevent sway and to support heavy
loads. These features can make it
difficult to determine if the trailer tire
pressures are low only based on a
visual inspection.
Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip when the
tires are cool. Low trailer tire
pressure is a leading cause of trailer
tire blow-outs.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
298 Driving and Operating
Trailer tires deteriorate over time.
The trailer tire sidewall will show the
week and year the tire was
manufactured. Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend
replacing tires more than six
years old.
Overloading is another leading
cause of trailer tire blow-outs. Never
load your trailer with more weight
than the tires are designed to
support. The load rating is located
on the trailer tire sidewall.
Always know the maximum speed
rating for the trailer tires before
driving. This may be significantly
lower than the vehicle tire speed
rating. The speed rating may be on
the trailer tire sidewall. If the speed
rating is not shown, the default
trailer tire speed rating is 105 km/h
(65 mph).Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp 0155. A device connected
to the DLC —such as an
aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 0105 andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 0105.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
Vehicle Care 299
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 300
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 301
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 311
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . 313
Automatic Transmission Fluid (10-Speed Transmission) . . . 316
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 316
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 321
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . 323
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Battery - North America . . . . . . 326
Four-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Front Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 328
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 329
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 330
Glass Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 331
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 331
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . . . 334 Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 336
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 337
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 337
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Left) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Right) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 349
Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 350
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Tire Pressure for High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-12460269) - 2019 - CRC - 9/11/18
300 Vehicle Care
Tire Pressure MonitorSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 357
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 358
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 367
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 368
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 380
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks: