GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
216 Driving and Operating
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity
for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring
the weight, speed, altitude, road
grades, outside temperature,
dimensions of the front of the trailer,
and how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
Trailering Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the combined
weight of the vehicle, vehicle
contents, trailer, and trailer contents
must be below all of the maximum
weight ratings for the vehicle,
including:
. GCWR: Gross Combined Weight
Rating
. GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating
. Maximum Trailer Weight Rating .
GAWR-RR: Gross Axle Weight
Rating-Rear
. Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight
Rating
See “Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment” underTowing
Equipment 0222 to determine if
equalizer bars are required to obtain
the maximum trailer weight rating.
See “Trailer Brakes” underTowing
Equipment 0222 to determine if
brakes are required based on your
trailer's weight.
The only way to be sure the weight
is not exceeding any of these
ratings is to weigh the tow vehicle
and trailer combination, fully loaded
for the trip, getting individual
weights for each of these items.
{Warning
You and others could be seriously
injured or killed if the trailer is too
heavy or the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load. The
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
vehicle may be damaged, and the
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Only tow a trailer if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer.
Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR)
GCWR is the total allowable weight
of the completely loaded vehicle
and trailer including any fuel,
passengers, cargo, equipment, and
accessories. Do not exceed the
GCWR for your vehicle. The GCWR
for the vehicle is on the Tow Rating
Chart following.
To check that the weight of the
vehicle and trailer are within the
GCWR for the vehicle, follow these
steps:
1. Start with the curb weight from the Tow Rating Chart.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Driving and Operating 225
Electric Brake Control Wiring
Provisions
If the vehicle is not equipped with
an integrated trailer brake controller,
and the trailer has electric brakes, a
trailer brake controller needs to be
installed on the vehicle. The brake
controller should be installed by
your dealer or a qualified service
center.
If equipped, wiring provisions for an
aftermarket electric trailer brake
controller are included with the
vehicle as part of the trailer wiring
package. The harness contains the
following circuits:Electric Trailer
Brakes Dark Blue
Battery Feed Red/White
Brake Apply
Signal Light Blue
Ground Black
There are four blunt cut wires under
the floor carpeting in front of the
brake pedal. It will be necessary to have a technician connect the
12-volt power to the engine
compartment fuse block.
Refer to the aftermarket electric
trailer brake controller owner's
manual to determine wire color
coding of the electric trailer brake
controller. The wire colors on the
brake controller may be different
from the vehicle.
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps are
working at the beginning of each
trip, and periodically on longer trips.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals will illuminate to indicate
the vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When towing a
trailer, the arrows on the instrument
cluster will illuminate even if the
trailer is not properly connected or
the bulbs are burned out.
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/Haul assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load. For instructions on how to
enter Tow/Haul mode, see
Tow/Haul
Mode 0190.
Tow/Haul Mode is designed to be
most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75% of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Trailer Weight ”under Trailer
Towing 0215.
Tow/Haul Mode is most useful when
towing a heavy trailer or carrying a
large or heavy load:
. through rolling terrain
. in stop-and-go traffic
. in busy parking lots
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
Mode when lightly loaded or not
towing will not cause damage;
however, it is not recommended and
may result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Vehicle Care 249
If No Steam is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day
. Stops after high-speed driving
. Idles for long periods in traffic
. Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam: 1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the
highest fan speed. Open the
windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature
gauge is no longer in the overheat
zone or an overheat warning no longer displays, the vehicle can be
driven. Continue to drive the vehicle
slowly for about 10 minutes. Keep a
safe vehicle distance from the
vehicle in front. If the warning does
not come back on, continue to drive
normally and have the cooling
system checked for proper fill and
function.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam,
push down the accelerator until the
engine speed is about twice as fast
as normal idle speed for at least
three minutes while parked. If the
warning is still on, turn off the
engine until it cools down.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood, get service help right away.
Engine Fan
The vehicle has a clutched engine
cooling fan. When the clutch is
engaged, the fan spins faster to
provide more air to cool the engine.
In most everyday driving conditions,
the fan is spinning slower and the
clutch is not fully engaged. This
improves fuel economy and reduces
fan noise. Under heavy vehicle
loading, trailer towing, and/or high
outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully
engages, so an increase in fan
noise may be heard. This is normal
and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making
extra shifts. It is merely the cooling
system functioning properly. The fan
will slow down when additional
cooling is not required and the
clutch partially disengages.
This fan noise may be heard when
starting the engine. It will go away
as the fan clutch partially
disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
256 Vehicle Care
Air Intake:
.Removal of the air cleaner
silencer.
. Modification of the air cleaner.
Exhaust:
. Removal of the muffler and/or
resonator.
. Removal of the exhaust pipes
and exhaust pipe clamps.
Fuel Operated Heater (FOH) -
Diesel Engine:
. Removal of the muffler.
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. 2. Apply both the parking brake
and the regular brake.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured. 1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Apply the parking brake. Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition off
in each shift lever position.
.The ignition should turn to off
only when the shift lever is in
P (Park).
. The ignition key should come
out only when the ignition is off.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Vehicle Care 265
FusesUsage
3 Right trailer stoplamp/ Turn signal lamp
4 –
5 –
6 Fuel system control module/Ignition
7 Body control module 5
8 Body control module 7
9 Body control module 4
10 Instrument cluster 11 Trailer wiring
12 –
13 Interior rear vision camera module
14 Windshield washer
16 Horn
17 Transmission
18 A/C
19 Engine control module battery Fuses
Usage
20 Cutaway/Left stoplamp/ Turn signal lamp
21 Left trailer stoplamp/ Turn signal lamp
22 Cutaway/Right stoplamp/Turn
signal lamp
23 –
24 Fuel pump
25 Auxiliary power outlet
26 Body control module 3
27 Special equipment option
28 Airbag
29 Steering wheel sensor
30 Engine control module/ Ignition
31 Transmission control module Ignition
32 Transmission control module 1 battery
33 Rear parking aid module Fuses
Usage
34 –
35 –
36 Fuel system control module battery
41 Transmission control 2 module battery power
42 Trailer wiring
43 –
44 Starter solenoid
45 Engine control module/ Powertrain
46 AC DC inverter
47 –
51 Left high-beam headlamp
52 Right high-beam headlamp
53 Left low-beam headlamp
54 Right low-beam headlamp
55 Wipers
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
266 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
56 Canister vent solenoid
58 Body control module 2
59 Body control module 1
61 Engine oil solenoid
62 O2 sensor 2
63 –
64 Mass airflow/ Canister vent
65 Ignition/Injectors –odd
66 Daytime running lamps 2
67 Daytime running lamps 1
68 Auxiliary stoplamps
69 External power for trailer
70 Upfitter stoplamps
71 Fuel heater/FlexFuel sensor
72 Body control module 6
73 Lighter/Data link connector Fuses
Usage
74 Front blower
75 Engine control module diesel
76 –
77 O2 sensor 1
78 Engine control module/ Powertrain
79 Ignition/Injectors –even
Relays Usage
15 Run/Crank
37 –
38 Fuel pump
39 Crank
40 A/C compressor
48 –
49 Powertrain
50 –
57 –
60 – Auxiliary Fuse Block
This component is near the fuse
block in the engine compartment
Fuses Usage
MR-1 Upfitter 1
MR-2 Upfitter 2
MR-3 Upfitter power control
Relays Usage
MR Rel 1 Upfitter 1
MR Rel 2 Upfitter 2
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Vehicle Care 275
Aspect Ratio:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords between the plies and the
tread. Cords may be made from
steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a tire,
measured in kPa (kilopascal)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
before a tire has built up heat
from driving. See Tire Pressure
0 277. Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil,
and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
:A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire
signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
(DOT) Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer,
production plant, brand, and
date of production.
GVWR
:Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 172.
GAWR FRT
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the front axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0172. GAWR RR
:Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the rear axle. See
Vehicle Load Limits 0172.
Intended Outboard Sidewall
:
The side of an asymmetrical tire
that must always face outward
when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa)
:The metric
unit for air pressure.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
:A
tire used on light duty trucks and
some multipurpose passenger
vehicles.
Load Index
:An assigned
number ranging from 1 to 279
that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
Maximum Inflation Pressure
:
The maximum air pressure to
which a cold tire can be inflated.
The maximum air pressure is
molded onto the sidewall.
GMC Savana Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12146167) -
2019 - CRC - 11/26/18
Vehicle Care 277
government testing procedures.
The ratings are molded into the
sidewall of the tire. SeeUniform
Tire Quality Grading 0287.
Vehicle Capacity Weight
:The
number of designated seating
positions multiplied by
68 kg (150 lb) plus the rated
cargo load. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0172.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the
Tire
:Load on an individual tire
due to curb weight, accessory
weight, occupant weight, and
cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard
:A label
permanently attached to a
vehicle showing the vehicle
capacity weight and the original
equipment tire size and
recommended inflation pressure.
See “Tire and Loading
Information Label” underVehicle
Load Limits 0172.
Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of
air pressure to operate
effectively.
{Warning
Neither tire underinflation nor
overinflation is good.
Underinflated tires, or tires
that do not have enough air,
can result in:
.Tire overloading and
overheating which could
lead to a blowout.
.Premature or
irregular wear.
.Poor handling.
.Reduced fuel economy.
Overinflated tires, or tires that
have too much air, can
result in:
.Unusual wear.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Poor handling.
.Rough ride.
.Needless damage from
road hazards.
The Tire and Loading
Information label on the vehicle
indicates the original equipment
tires and the correct cold tire
inflation pressures. The
recommended pressure is the
minimum air pressure needed to
support the vehicle's maximum
load carrying capacity.
For additional information
regarding how much weight the
vehicle can carry, and an
example of the Tire and Loading
Information label, see Vehicle
Load Limits 0172. How the
vehicle is loaded affects vehicle
handling and ride comfort. Never