2021 GMC SIERRA weight

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
228 Driving and Operating
cargo load should not exceed the truck's
cargo weight rating, and the camper's
center of gravity (1) should fall within
the truck's recommended center of
gravity zone (2) when installed.
Any accessories or other equipment
that are added to the vehicle must be
weighed. Then, subtract this extra
weight from the CWR. This extra weight
may shorten the center of gravity zone
of the vehicle.
If the slide-in camper and its load
weighs less than the CWR, the center of
gravity zone for the vehicle may be
larger.
Secure loose items to prevent weight
shifts that could affect the balance of
the 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 axle loads should not
exceed the vehicle's gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR). These ratings aregiven on the Certification/Tire label
attached to the B-pillar. See
“Certification/Tire Label”
underVehicle
Load Limits 0222. If weight ratings are
exceeded, move or remove items to
bring all weights below the ratings.
See your dealer for more information
on curb weights, cargo weights, Cargo
Weight Rating, and the correct center of
gravity zone.
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the
long run if you follow these guidelines:
.Keep the vehicle speed at 88 km/h
(55 mph) or less for the first 805 km
(500 mi).
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.Do not drive at any one constant
speed, fast or slow, for the first
805 km (500 mi). Do not make
full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting
to brake or slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops for the first
322 km (200 mi) or so. During this
time the new brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with new linings
can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new
brake linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
See Trailer Towing 0293 for the
trailer towing capabilities of the
vehicle and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load
can be gradually increased.

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Driving and Operating 237
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 may put too much
force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may find it 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.
When you are ready to drive, move the
shift lever out of P (Park) before you release
the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to
have another vehicle push yours a little
uphill to take some of the pressure from the
parking pawl in the transmission. You will
then be able to pull the shift lever out of
P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic
shift lock release system. The system is
designed to prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park), unless the brake pedal
is applied and the ignition is on or in
Service Mode.
The shift lock release is always functional
except in the case of an uncharged or low
voltage–less than 9 volt –battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged or low
voltage battery, try charging or jump
starting the battery. See Jump Starting -
North America 0391.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Release the parking brake if it is applied. See Electric Parking Brake 0247.
3. Pull the shift lever toward you, then move it to the desired position, and
release.
If the vehicle still cannot be shifted out of
P (Park): 1. Ease the pressure on, or release the shift lever. 2. While holding the brake pedal, push the
shift lever all the way into P (Park).
3. Pull the shift lever toward you, then move it to the desired position, and
release.
If there is still a problem shifting, have the
vehicle serviced soon.
Parking over Things That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under the vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves,
dry grass, or other things that can burn.
Active Fuel Management
If equipped, Active Fuel Management allows
a V8, V6, or L4 gasoline engine to operate
on either all of its cylinders, or a reduced
number of cylinders, depending on the
driving conditions. When less power is
required, such as cruising at a constant
vehicle speed, the system will enable
reduced cylinder operation, allowing the
vehicle to achieve better fuel economy.
When greater power is required, such as

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
252 Driving and Operating
When you enter this mode, you will
immediately feel a down shift. In this mode
the vehicle also monitors driving behaviors
and automatically enables Performance Shift
Features when spirited driving is detected.
These features maintain lower transmission
gears to increase available engine braking
and improve acceleration response. The
vehicle will exit these features and return to
normal operation after a short period when
spirited driving is no longer detected. If the
vehicle has Magnetic Ride Control, the
suspension will change to provide better
cornering performance.
6Snow/Ice Mode :Snow/Ice Mode
improves vehicle acceleration on snow and
ice covered roads. When active, Snow/Ice
Mode will adjust acceleration to optimize
traction on slippery surfaces. This can
compromise the acceleration on dry asphalt.
This feature is not intended for use when
the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow,
or gravel. If the vehicle becomes stuck, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck 0221.
7Off-Road Mode : Use this mode for
off-road recreational driving. Off-Road Mode
should be used to improve driving at
moderate speeds, on grass, gravel, dirt,
unpaved roads, or snow-covered roads. The accelerator pedal is tuned for off-road use.
This mode modifies pedal mapping,
All-Wheel Drive (AWD), ride height, Antilock
Brake System (ABS), StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), and Traction Control
System (TCS) performance.
For more information on off-road driving see
Off-Road Driving
0215.
_Tow/Haul Mode : Use this mode
when hauling heavy loads to provide
increased performance and vehicle control.
Tow/Haul Mode adjusts the transmission
shift pattern, AWD, and ESC performance.
If the vehicle is turned off with Tow/Haul
Mode active and then restarted within four
hours or less, Tow/Haul will remain active.
Otherwise, the vehicle will start in
Normal Mode.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, exhaust
braking is automatically activated when
Tow/Haul Mode is selected. It maintains
vehicle speed by automatically
implementing a shift pattern that uses the
engine and the transmission to slow the
vehicle. The system will command
downshifts and use the turbocharger on the
engine to reduce vehicle speed when the
brake is applied. The normal tow/haul shift pattern will return once the vehicle is on a
low grade or when the accelerator pedal is
pressed.
While in the Electronic Range Select (ERS)
Mode (see
“manual mode”), grade breaking
is deactivated, allowing the driver to select a
range and limiting the highest gear
available.
For more information on trailer weight
specifications, see Towing Equipment 0296.
gTerrain Mode : Use for finer control
during low speed, off-road driving. When
using this mode it will mimic the
characteristics of four-wheel-drive low (4
n)
without the torque capabilities.
Use when:
.Traveling on very rough roads at very low
speeds, such as a two-track or heavily
rutted road.
.Traveling slowly in grassy fields.
.Pulling a boat out of the water on a
trailer.
.Using the vehicle for public off-road
recreational driving. See Off-Road Driving
0 215 and
Hill and Mountain Roads 0219.

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Driving and Operating 293
Trailer Towing
If equipped with a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
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.
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.
Read this section carefully before pulling a
trailer.
Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing capacity for
your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires monitoring the
weight, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, and how frequently the vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.
Trailer 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 and
Adjustment” underTowing Equipment 0296
to determine if equalizer bars are required
to obtain the maximum trailer weight
rating. See
“Trailer Brakes” underTowing
Equipment 0296 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.
A trailering information label on the B-pillar
shows tow rating information for the
vehicle.
{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 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.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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294 Driving and Operating
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 Trailering Information
Label.
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 Trailering Information Label.
2. Add the weight of the trailer loaded with cargo and ready for the trip.
3. Add the weight of all passengers.
4. Add the weight of all cargo in the vehicle.
5. Add the weight of hitch hardware such as a draw bar, ball, load equalizer bars,
or sway bars.
6. Add the weight of any accessories or aftermarket equipment added to the
vehicle.
The resulting weight cannot exceed the
GCWR value on the Trailering Information
Label. The gross combined weight can also be
confirmed by weighing the truck and trailer
on a public scale. The truck and trailer
should be loaded for the trip with
passengers and cargo.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
For information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity, see
Vehicle Load
Limits 0222. When calculating the GVWR
with a trailer attached, the trailer tongue
weight must be included as part of the
weight the vehicle is carrying.
Maximum Trailer Weight
The maximum trailer weight rating is
calculated assuming the tow vehicle has a
driver, a front seat passenger, and all
required trailering equipment. This value
represents the heaviest trailer the vehicle
can tow, but it may be necessary to reduce
the trailer weight to stay within the GCWR,
GVWR, maximum trailer tongue load,
or GAWR-RR for the vehicle.
Use the Tow Rating Guide (my.gmc.com/
learn) to determine how much the trailer
can weigh, based on the vehicle model and
options.
Weights listed apply for conventional trailers
and gooseneck/fifth-wheel trailers unless
otherwise noted.
A step bumper trailer hitch can only support
a total trailer weight up to 2 271 kg
(5,000 lb). If a trailer hitch ball is added to
the step bumper, check the hitch ball rating
to be sure it is higher than the total trailer
weight.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
Canada/Mexico-14632426) - 2021 - CRC - 11/5/20
Driving and Operating 295
Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating
The Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating
is the allowable trailer tongue weight that
the vehicle can support using a conventional
trailer hitch. It may be necessary to reduce
the overall trailer weight to stay within the
maximum trailer tongue weight rating while
still maintaining the correct trailer load
balance. A fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch
may support a higher tongue weight.
The Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating
for a conventional trailer hitch or a fifth
wheel/gooseneck hitch is shown on the
Trailering Information Label.Do not exceed a maximum trailer tongue
weight of 567 kg (1,250 lb) for a conventional
trailer hitch.
The trailer tongue weight contributes to the
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). GVW includes
the curb weight of your vehicle, any
passengers, cargo, equipment and the trailer
tongue weight. Vehicle options, passengers,
cargo, and equipment reduce the maximum
allowable tongue weight the vehicle can
carry, which also reduces the maximum
allowable trailer weight.
Trailer Load Balance
The correct trailer load balance must be
maintained to ensure trailer stability.
Incorrect load balance is a leading cause of
trailer sway.
The trailer tongue weight (1) should be 10–
15% and fifth-wheel or gooseneck tongue
weight should be 15–25% of the total loaded
trailer weight (2). Some specific trailer types,
such as boat trailers, fall outside of this
range. Always refer to the trailer owner’s
manual for the recommended trailer tongue
weight for each trailer. Never exceed the
maximum loads for the vehicle, hitch, and
trailer.
The trailer load balance percentage is
calculated as: weight (1) divided by
weight (2) times 100.

GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./
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296 Driving and Operating
After loading the trailer, separately weigh
the trailer and then the trailer tongue and
calculate the trailer load balance percentage
to see if the weights and distribution are
appropriate for your vehicle. If the trailer
weight is too high, it may be possible to
transfer some of the cargo into your vehicle.
If the trailer tongue weight is too high or
too low, it may be possible to rearrange
some of the cargo inside of the trailer.
Do not exceed the maximum allowable
tongue weight for your vehicle. Use the
shortest hitch extension available to position
the hitch ball closer to your vehicle. This will
help reduce the effect of the trailer tongue
weight on the trailer hitch and the rear axle.
If a cargo carrier is used in the trailer hitch
receiver, choose a carrier that positions the
load as close to the vehicle as possible.
Make sure the total weight, including the
carrier, is no more than half of the
maximum allowable tongue weight for the
vehicle or 227 kg (500 lb), whichever is less.Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR-RR)
The GAWR-RR is the total weight that can be
supported by the rear axle of the vehicle. Do
not exceed the GAWR-RR for the vehicle,
with the tow vehicle and trailer fully loaded
for the trip including the weight of the
trailer tongue. If using a weight-distributing
hitch, do not exceed the GAWR-RR before
applying the weight distribution spring bars.
The GAWR-RR for the vehicle is on the
Trailering Information Label.
Ask your dealer for trailering information or
assistance.
Towing Equipment
Hitches
{Warning
In order to avoid serious injury or
property damage, always follow the hitch
manufacturer's instructions when securing
your draw bar/coupling device to the
vehicle's hitch receiver.
Ensure that the draw bar/coupling device
is secured with a locking retainer pin or
other means such that rotation of the pin
or locking mechanism will not cause the
pin to back out or loosen during use.
Failure to correctly secure the draw bar/
coupling device to the receiver can result
in separation of the hitch/receiver while
towing.
Conventional Hitch
A conventional hitch is bolted to the frame
or cross member of the tow vehicle, and is
generally rated Class 2, 3, or 4.

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Driving and Operating 297
Gooseneck Hitch
A gooseneck hitch is designed to be coupled
to a special hitch leveraging a hitch ball, and
is mounted over the rear axle in the
truck bed.
Fifth-Wheel Hitch
A fifth-wheel hitch is mounted over the rear
axle in the truck bed, and leverages a
hinged plate—the same type of hitch
leveraged by semi trucks. Generally,
fifth-wheel hitches accommodate large
trailers with as many as one, two, or three
axles.
Always use the correct hitch equipment for
your vehicle. Crosswinds, large trucks going
by, and rough roads can affect the trailer
and the hitch.
Proper hitch equipment for your vehicle
helps maintain control of the vehicle-trailer
combination. Many trailers can be towed
using a weight-carrying hitch which has a
coupler latched to the hitch ball, or a tow
eye latched to a pintle hook. Other trailers
may require a weight-distributing hitch that
uses spring bars to distribute the trailer tongue weight between your vehicle and
trailer axles. Fifth-wheel and gooseneck
hitches may also be used. See
“Maximum
Trailer Tongue Weight” underTrailer Towing
0 293 for weight limits with various hitch
types.
Avoid sharp turns when using a step-bumper
hitch to prevent damage. Make wider turns
to prevent contact between your trailer and
your bumper.
Consider using mechanical sway controls
with any trailer. Ask a trailering professional
about sway controls or refer to the trailer
manufacturer's recommendations and
instructions.
Weight-Distributing Hitch and
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.