Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
204 Driving and Operating
For information about using tire chains on
the vehicle, seeTire Chains0387.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get It Out
Caution
Do not hold the steering wheel at full
rotation for more than 15 seconds and/or
at an elevated RPM. Damage may occur
to the power steering system and there
may be loss of power steering assist.
Turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Then
make sure the wheels are pointed straight
ahead. For four-wheel-drive vehicles, shift
into Four-Wheel Drive High. Turn the TCS
off. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse)
and a forward gear, spinning the wheels as
little as possible. To prevent transmission
wear, wait until the wheels stop spinning
before shifting gears. Slowly spinning the
wheels in the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could free the
vehicle. If that does not get the vehicle out
after a few tries, it might need to be towed
out. See Transporting a Disabled Vehicle
0 402. Recovery hooks can be used, if the
vehicle has them.
Recovery Hooks
{Warning
Never pull on recovery hooks from the
side. The hooks could break and you and
others could be injured. When using
recovery hooks, always pull the vehicle
from the front.
Caution
Never use recovery hooks to tow the
vehicle. The vehicle could be damaged,
and the repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If equipped, there are recovery hooks at the
front of the vehicle. Use them if the vehicle
is stuck off-road and needs to be pulled
some place to continue driving.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how much
weight the vehicle can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity
weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on the vehicle may show how much
weight it was designed to carry: the
Tire and Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any heavier
than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the maximum
front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). This can cause
systems to break and change the
way the vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a crash.
(Continued)
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Driving and Operating 205
Warning (Continued)
Overloading can also reduce stopping
performance, damage the tires, and
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Tire and Loading
Information label is attached to the
center pillar (B-pillar). The Tire and
Loading Information label shows the
number of occupant seating positions (1), and the maximum vehicle
capacity weight (2) in kilograms and
pounds.
The Tire and Loading Information label
also shows the size of the original
equipment tires (3) and the
recommended cold tire inflation
pressures (4). For more information on
tires and inflation see
Tires0369 and
Tire Pressure 0375.
There is also important loading
information on the vehicle Certification/
Tire label. It may show the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
the front and rear axles. See
“Certification/Tire Label” later in this
section.“Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit–
1.
Locate the statement "The combined
weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs." on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example,
if the "XXX" amount equals 1400 lbs.
and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
5.Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.”
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
206 Driving and Operating
SeeTrailer Towing 0302 for important
information on towing a trailer, towing
safety rules, and trailering tips.
Example 1
1. Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 1
= (453 kg) (1,000 lb)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 68 kg (150 lb) × 2 = 136 kg (300 lb)
3. Available Occupant and Cargo Weight = 317 kg (700 lb)
Example 2
1. Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 2= 453 kg (1,000 lb)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 68 kg (150 lb) × 5 = 340 kg (750 lb)
3. Available Cargo Weight = 113 kg (250 lb)
Example 3
1. Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 3= 453 kg (1,000 lb)
2. Subtract Occupant Weight @ 91 kg (200 lb) × 5 = 453 kg (1,000 lb)
3. Available Cargo Weight = 0 kg (0 lb)
Refer to the Tire and Loading
Information label for specific
information about the vehicle's capacity
weight and seating positions. The
combined weight of the driver,
passengers, and cargo should never
exceed the vehicle's capacity weight.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Driving and Operating 207
Certification/Tire Label
A vehicle-specific Certification/Tire label
is attached to the center pillar (B-pillar).
The label may show the size of the
vehicle's original tires and the inflation
pressures needed to obtain the gross
weight capacity of the vehicle. This is
called Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants, and
cargo.
The Certification/Tire label also may
show the maximum weights for the
front and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To determinethe actual loads on the front and rear
axles, weigh the vehicle at a weigh
station. Your dealer can help with this.
Be sure to spread the load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
The Certification/Tire label also contains
important information about the Front
Axle Reserve Capacity.
{Warning
In the case of a sudden stop or
collision, things carried in the bed of
your truck could shift forward and
come into the passenger area,
injuring you and others. If you put
things in the bed of your truck, you
should make sure they are properly
secured.
Caution
Overloading the vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not overload the
vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components
to get added durability might not
change the weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help load the vehicle the
right way.
{Warning
Things you put inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden
stop or turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo area of the
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
.Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so
that some of them are above the
tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
.When you carry something inside
the vehicle, secure it whenever
you can.
.Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Driving and Operating 303
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 affects the
handling, acceleration, braking, and
durability of your vehicle. 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:
.Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
.Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
.Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating
.Gross Axle Weight Rating-Rear (GAWR-RR)
See “Weight-Distributing Hitch and
Adjustment” underTowing Equipment 0307
to determine if equalizer bars are required
to obtain the maximum trailer weight
rating.
See “Trailer Brakes” underTowing
Equipment 0307 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.
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.
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
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Driving and Operating 305
the Maximum Tongue Weight Rating.
Always verify that the weight of the vehicle,
vehicle contents, trailer, trailer contents and
trailer tongue are below all of these
maximum weight ratings. See“Maximum
Trailer Weight” below.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
For information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity, see Vehicle Load
Limits 0204. 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 Trailering Information Label to
determine how much the trailer can weigh. 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.
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.
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.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Driving and Operating 329
To safely carry a snow plow on the vehicle:
.With a snow plow attached, the engine
coolant temperature gauge may show a
higher temperature than while driving
without one. The snow plow could block
the airflow to the radiator. This could be
more noticeable as vehicle speed
increases. At speeds above 72 km/h
(45 mph), this may cause the engine
coolant to overheat. Move or angle the
snow plow blade to allow increased
airflow to the radiator.
.To increase the airflow, move the snow
plow blade position.
.If driving more than 24 km/h (15 mph),
angle the plow blade position.
.Make sure the weight on the front and
rear axles does not exceed the axle rating
for each.
.Follow the snowplow manufacturer’s
recommendations for any rear ballast that
may be required. Rear ballast may be
required to ensure a proper front and rear
weight distribution ratio even though the
actual weight at the front axle may be
less than the front axle rating.
.The snowplow manufacturer or installer
can assist in determining the amount of
rear ballast required to ensure that thevehicle with the attached snowplow does
not exceed the GVW rating, the front and
rear axle ratings, or the front and rear
weight distribution ratio (refer to the GM
Upfitter Manual).
Front axle reserve capacity is the difference
between the Front Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) and the front axle weight of
the vehicle with full fuel, passengers, and
any other cargo. This is the amount of
weight that can be added to the front axle
before reaching the Front GAWR.
To calculate the amount of weight any front
accessory, such as a snow plow, is adding to
the front axle, use this formula:
(W x (A + W.B.)) /W.B.= Weight the accessory
is adding to the front axle.
Where: IW = Weight of added accessory
IA = Distance that the accessory is in
front of the front axle
IW.B. = Vehicle Wheelbase
For example, adding a 318 kg (700 lb) snow
plow actually adds more than 318 kg (700 lb)
to the front axle. Using the formula, if the
snow plow is 122 cm (4 ft) in front of the
front axle and the wheelbase is 305 cm
(10 ft), then: IW = 318 kg (700 lb)
IA = 122 cm (4 ft)
IW.B. = 305 cm (10 ft)
(W x (A + W.B.)/W.B. = (318 x (122 + 305))/305
= 445 kg (980 lb)
This means if the front axle reserve capacity
is more than 445 kg (980 lb), the snow plow
could be added without exceeding the
front GAWR.
Heavier equipment can be added on the
front of the vehicle if less cargo or fewer
passengers are carried, or by positioning
cargo toward the rear. This reduces the load
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico/Paraguay-16515119) - 2023 - CRC - 6/2/22
Vehicle Care 373
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
(1) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The
United States version of a metric tire
sizing system. The letter P as the first
character in the tire size means a
passenger vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S. Tire and Rim
Association.
(2) Tire Width
:The 3-digit number
indicates the tire section width in
millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(3) Aspect Ratio
:A 2-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width
measurements. For example, if the tire
size aspect ratio is 75, as shown in
item (3) of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire's sidewall is
75 percent as high as it is wide. (4) Construction Code
:A letter code is
used to indicate the type of ply
construction in the tire. The letter R
means radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction.
(5) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of the
wheel in inches.
(6) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load index and
speed rating of the tire. The load index
represents the load carrying capacity a
tire is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a tire is
certified to carry a load.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
(1) Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:The
United States version of a metric tire
sizing system. The letters LT as the first
two characters in the tire size mean a light truck tire engineered to standards
set by the U.S. Tire and Rim
Association.
(2) Tire Width
:The 3-digit number
indicates the tire section width in
millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(3) Aspect Ratio
:A 2-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width
measurements. For example, if the tire
size aspect ratio is 75, as shown in
item (3) of the light truck (LT-Metric)
tire illustration, it would mean that the
tire's sidewall is 75 percent as high as it
is wide.
(4) Construction Code
:A letter code is
used to indicate the type of ply
construction in the tire. The letter R
means radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias ply
construction.
(5) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of the
wheel in inches.
(6) Load Range
:Load Range.