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Shifting Into Park
1. Hold the brake pedal down, then set theparking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the P (Park) position by pulling the shift lever toward
you and moving it up as far as it will go.
3. Push the ignition key in, towards the steering column and then turn the
ignition off.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave the vehicle with the
ignition key in your hand, the vehicle is
in P (Park).
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.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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 0135. If you are towing a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips 0155.
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 Park0135.
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 on. See
Automatic Transmission 0137.
The shift lock control system is designed to:
.Prevent the ignition key from being
removed unless the shift lever is in
P (Park).
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Maintenance when Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when
used to tow trailers. SeeMaintenance
Schedule 0242. 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 0186.
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.
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:
.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
See “Weight-Distributing Hitch Adjustment”
under Towing Equipment 0167 to determine
if equalizer bars are required to obtain the
maximum trailer weight rating.
See “Trailer Brakes” underTowing
Equipment 0167 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.
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160 Driving and Operating
{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.
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.
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 shown on the Tow Rating
Chart.
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 0126. 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 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.
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Driving and Operating 161
Use the Tow Rating Chart to determine how much the trailer can weigh, based on the vehicle model and options.
Tow Rating Chart
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
I4.3L V6 3.42
3 357 kg (7,400 lb) 6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
I6.6L V8 3.42
4 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
G2500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase I4.3L V6 3.42
3 220 kg (7,100 lb) 6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
I6.6L V8 3.42
4 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
G2500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase I4.3L V6 3.42
3 039 kg (6,700 lb) 6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
I6.6L V8 3.42
4 355 kg (9,600 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
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Tow Rating Chart (cont'd)
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
I4.3L V6 3.42
3 357 kg (7,400 lb) 6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
I6.6L V8 3.42
4 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
G3500 Cargo Van 2WD Long Wheelbase I4.3L V6 3.42
3 265 kg (7,200 lb) 6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
I6.6L V8 3.42
4 536 kg (10,000 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Short Wheelbase
I4.3L V6 3.42
3 039 kg (6,700 lb) 6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
I6.6L V8 3.42
4 355 kg (9,600 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
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Driving and Operating 163
Tow Rating Chart (cont'd)
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
G3500 Passenger Van 2WD Long Wheelbase
I4.3L V6 3.42
2 858 kg (6,300 lb) 6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
I6.6L V8 3.42
4 173 kg (9,200 lb) 7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
3500 Series Cutaway –353 cm (139 in) Wheelbase
I4.3L V6 3.42
(b)6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
I6.6L V8 3.42/3.73
(b)7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
3500 Series Cutaway –404 cm (159 in) Wheelbase
I6.6L V8 3.42/3.73
(b)7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
I6.6L V8
I(5 579 kg (12,300 lb) GVWR) 4.10
(b)9 072 kg (20,000 lb)
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164 Driving and Operating
Tow Rating Chart (cont'd)
VehicleAxle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR (a)
I6.6L V8
I(6 441 kg (14,200 lb) GVWR) 4.10
(b)9 072 kg (20,000 lb)
3500 Series Cutaway –450 cm (177 in) Wheelbase
I6.6L V8 3.73
(b)7 258 kg (16,000 lb)
I6.6L V8
I(5 579 kg (12,300 lb) GVWR) 4.10
(b)9 072 kg (20,000 lb)
I6.6L V8
I(6 441 kg (14,200 lb) GVWR) 4.10
(b)9 072 kg (20,000 lb)
(a) 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.
(b) Maximum Trailer Weight cannot be provided because total vehicle weight is unknown.
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Driving and Operating 165
The bumper on this vehicle is not designed
to tow a trailer.
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.
Do not exceed a maximum trailer tongue
weight of 454 kg (1,000 lb).