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Driving and Operating 317
The vehicle 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.
When towing at higher
altitudes, engine coolant will
boil at a lower temperature
than at lower altitudes. If the
engine is turned off
immediately after towing at
high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle could show
signs similar to engine
overheating. To avoid this, let
the engine run, preferably on
level ground, with the
transmission in P (Park) for a
few minutes before turning
the engine off. If the overheat
warning comes on, see Engine
Overheating0342.Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or
death, always park your
vehicle and trailer on a level
surface when possible.
When parking your vehicle and
your trailer on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park)
yet. Turn the wheels into
the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually
release the brake pedal to
allow the chocks to absorb
the load of the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking
brake and shift into
P (Park). 5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake
pedal.
.Start the engine.
.Shift into the
desired gear.
.Release the parking
brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service
more often when used to tow
trailers. See Maintenance
Schedule 0425. It is especially
important to check the
automatic transmission fluid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
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318 Driving and Operating
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 Overheating0342.
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. 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, dimensions of
the front of the trailer, 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:
.Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR)
.Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
.Maximum Trailer Weight
Rating
.Gross Axle Weight
Rating-Rear (GAWR-RR)
.Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating
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Driving and Operating 319
See“Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment” under Towing
Equipment 0322 to determine
if equalizer bars are required
to obtain the maximum trailer
weight rating.
See “Trailer Brakes” under
Towing Equipment 0322 to
determine if brakes are
required based on the trailer
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
vehicle may be damaged,
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
For information about the
vehicle's maximum load
capacity, see Vehicle Load
Limits0242. 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 GCW, GVWR,
maximum trailer tongue load,
or GAWR-RR for the vehicle.
Use the tow rating chart to
determine how much the
trailer can weigh, based on the
vehicle model and options.
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324 Driving and Operating
Control (TSC) feature. Trailer
sway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer
while towing. If the vehicle is
towing a trailer 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/ESC may
also apply the trailer brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak/ESC warning light
will flash on the instrument
cluster. Reduce vehicle speed
by gradually removing your
foot from the accelerator.If trailer sway continues,
StabiliTrak/ESC can reduce
engine torque to help slow the
vehicle. TSC will not function if
StabiliTrak/ESC is turned off.
See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control
0
267.
{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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
or trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment0322 for trailer
ratings and hitch setup
recommendations.
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.
Trailer tires deteriorate over
time. The trailer tire sidewall
will show the week and year
the tire was manufactured.
Many trailer tire
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Driving and Operating 325
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. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light)0126. 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 076
and Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 077.
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328 Vehicle Care
traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even
cause malfunction or damage
not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Damage to suspension
components caused by
modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Damage to vehicle
components resulting from
modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including
control module or software
modifications, is not covered
under the terms of the vehicle
warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage
for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed
to complement and function
with other systems on the
vehicle. See your dealer to
accessorize the vehicle usinggenuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer
technician.
Also, see Adding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0
77.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work
on your vehicle if you do not
have the proper knowledge,
service manual, tools,
or parts. Always follow
owner’s manual procedures
and consult the service
manual for your vehicle
before doing any
service work. If doing some of your own
service work, use the proper
service manual. It tells you
much more about how to
service the vehicle than this
manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see
Publication Ordering
Information
0445.
This vehicle has an airbag
system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 076.
If equipped with remote
vehicle start, open the hood
before performing any service
work to prevent remote
starting the vehicle
accidentally. See Remote
Vehicle Start 018.
Keep a record with all parts
receipts and list the mileage
and the date of any service
work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0431.
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Vehicle Care 329
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause
damage to vehicle systems.
Do not allow contaminants
to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto
engine stop/start, turn the
vehicle off before opening
the hood. If the vehicle is on,
the engine will start when
the hood is opened. You or
others could be injured.
{Warning
Components under the hood
can get hot from running the
engine. To help avoid the
risk of burning unprotected
skin, never touch these
components until they have
cooled, and always use a
glove or towel to avoid
direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood
before opening.
To open the hood: 1. Pull the hood release lever with the
isymbol. It is
on the lower left side of
the instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and locate the
secondary release lever
under the front center of
the hood. Push the
secondary hood release
lever to the right to
release.
3. After you have partially lifted the hood, the gas
strut system will
automatically lift the hood
and hold it in the fully open
position.
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330 Vehicle Care
To close the hood:1. Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on
properly, and all tools are
removed.
2. Pull the hood down until the strut system is no
longer holding up the hood.
3. Allow the hood to fall. Check to make sure the
hood is latched completely.
Repeat this process with
additional force if
necessary.{Warning
Do not drive the vehicle if
the hood is not latched
completely. The hood could
open fully, block your vision,
and cause a crash. You or
others could be injured.
Always close the hood
completely before driving.