1993 CHEVROLET LUMINA trailer

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
..I I
If You Do Decide fo Pull a Trailer
(CONT.)
Then, during the first 500 miles
(800 km) that you tow a trailer, don’t
drive over
50 mph (80 ldh) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This
helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
Three important considerations have
to do with weight:
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Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be? It
should never weigh more than
1,000
pounds (450 kg). But even that can be
too heavy. It depends on how you
plan to use your rig. For example,
speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your
vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all
important. And, it can also depend on
any special equipment that you have
on your vehicle.
You can ask your
dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or
you can write us at: Chevrolet Customer Assistance
Department
P.O. Box 7047
Troy,
MI 48007-7047
In Canada, write to: General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario,
L1H 8P7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total capacity
weight
of your vehicle. The capacity
weight includes the curb weight
of the
vehicle, any cargo you
may carry in it,
and the people who will be riding in
the vehicle. And
if you will tow a
trailer, you must subtract the tongue
load from your vehicle’s capacity
weight because your vehicle will be
carrying that weight, too. See the
Index under Loading Your Vehicle for
more information about your vehicle’s
maximum load capacity. The trailer tongue
(A) should
weigh
10% of the total loaded trailer weight
(B) . After you’ve loaded your trailer,
weigh the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able
to get them right simply by moving
some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s
Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are
inflated to the limit for cold tires.
You
will find these numbers on the
Certification label at the rear edge of
the driver’s door, or see the
Index
under Tire Loading. Then be sure you
don’t
go over the GVW limit for your
vehicle.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch
equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks
going by, and rough roads are a few
reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.
Here are some rules to follow:
Will you have to make any holes in
the body
of your vehicle when you
install
a trailer hitch? If you do, then
be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the hitch. If
you don’t
seal them, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get into
your vehicle. (See the
Index under
Carbon Monoxide in Exhaust.) Dirt
and water can, too.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not
intended for hitches.
Do not attach
rental hitches or other bumper-type
hitches to them. Use only a frame-
mounted hitch that does not attach
to
the bumper.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer
(CONT.)
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains
between your vehicle and your trailer.
Cross the safety chains under the
tongue of the trailer
so that the tongue
will not drop to the road if it becomes
separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by
the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for
attaching safety chains. Always leave
just enough slack
so you can turn with
your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes
so
you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly. And:
If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes,
do not
try to tap into your vehicle’s
brake system. If you do, both brake
systems won’t work well, or at all.
Even if your vehicle doesn’t have anti-
lock brakes, don’t tap into your
vehicle’s brake system
if the trailer’s
brake system will use more than
0.02
cubic inch (0.3 cc) of fluid from your
vehicle’s master cylinder. If it does,
both braking systems won’t work
well.
You could even lose your brakes.
Will the trailer brake parts take 3,000
psi (20 650 kPa) of pressure? If not,
the trailer brake system must not be
used with your vehicle.
If everything checks out this far, then
make the brake fluid tap at the upper
rear master cylinder port. But don’t
use copper tubing for this. If you do,
it will bend and finally break
off. Use
steel brake tubing.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself
with the feel of handling and braking
with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the
vehicle you are driving is now
a good
deal longer and not nearly
so responsive
as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform, safety chains, electrical connector, lights, tires and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer
moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the brakes
are worling. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time. During your
trip, check occasionally to
be sure that the load is secure, and that
the lights and any trailer brakes are still
working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead
as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that
require heavy braking and sudden
turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up
ahead when you’re towing a trailer.
And, because you’re a good deal longer,
you’ll need to go much farther beyond
the passed vehicle before you can return
to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the
trailer to the left, just move that hand
to
the left. To move the trailer to the right,
move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have
someone guide you.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
Driving with a Trailer (CONT.)
Making Turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this
so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or
other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has
to have a different turn signal flasher
and extra wiring. The green arrows on
your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer
lights will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to turn, change
lanes or stop.
I60
When towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash for
turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your
signal when they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning .lights.
When you plug trailer lights into your
vehicle’s lighting system, its bulb
warning lights may not let you know if
one
of your lights goes out. So, when
you have trailer lights plugged in, be
sure to check your vehicle and trailer
lights from time to time to be sure
they’re all working. Once you disconnect the trailer lights, the bulb
warning lights again can tell you if one
of your vehicle lights
is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If you don’t shift down,
you
might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no longer
work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed to around
45 mph
(70 Wh) to reduce the possibility of
engine and transaxle overheating.
If you are towing a trailer and you have
an automatic transaxle with Overdrive,
it’s best to drive in
D instead of (or,
as you need to, a lower gear). This will
minimize heat build-up and extend the
life of your transaxle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached,
on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig
on
a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t
shift into
P (Park) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under
the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then
apply your parking brake, and then
shift to
P (Park).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a
Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold
the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear
4. Stop and have someone pick up and
of
the chocks.
store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more
often when you’re pulling a trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule for more
on
this. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are
automatic transaxle fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, belts, cooling
system, and brake adjustment. Each
of
these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you find them quickly. If
you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to
review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts and bolts are tight.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If No Steam is Coming from Your
Engine:
If you get the overheat warning but see
or hear no stem, the problem may not
be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get
a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no
sign of steam, try this for a minute or
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it
so:
Off.
I If Steam is Coming from Your Engine:
’I
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature
gage or the warning light about a hot
engine on your Chewolet’s instrument
panel. You also have a low coolant
warning light on your instrument panel.
See the
Index under Coolant
Temperature Gage for the gage cluster. Steam from
an overheated
engine can burn you badly,
/I‘ even if you just open the hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see or
hear steam coming from it. Just
turn it
off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of steam
or coolant before opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine
is overheated, the liquids in
it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine
if it overheats, and get out of
the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
2. Tm on your heater to full hot at the
I I highest fan speed and open the
window as necessary.
3. Try to keep your engine under load
(in a drive gear where the engine
I runs slower). IL

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles
(6
lun).
It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than 10 miles (16
km).
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as in door-to-door delivery, or in
stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
oil and filter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
or 3 months-whichever comes first. If
none of them is true, change the oil
every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12
months-whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Engine Block Heater
An engine block heater can be a big
help
if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see the
Index under Engine Block Heater.
What to Do with Used Oil
CAUTION
Used engine oil contains
things that have caused skin
cancer in laboratory animals. Don’t
let used oil stay on your skin for
very long. Clean your skin and nails
with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly
throw away clothing or rags
containing used engine
oil.
Used oil can be a real threat to the
environment. If you change your
own
oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal.
Don’t ever dispose
of oil by pouring it
on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that
collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing
of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local
recycling center for help.