1993 CHEVROLET TRACKER towing

Your Driving and the Road
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 port
on the master cylinder that sends fluid
to the rear brakes. But don’t use
copper tubing
for this. If you do, it
will bend and finally break off. Use
steel brake tubing.
88. 182
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 working. 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.
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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.
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.
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
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J
It be dangerous tu get out
of your vehicle if the shift lever
is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set.
If you have left the engine running,
the veficle can
move suddenly. You
or others could be injured. To be
sure your vehicle won’t move, when
you’re
on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow.
If you have four-wheel drive, and
your transfer
case is in N (NeutraI) ,
your vehicle will be free to roll,
even
if your shift lever is in
P (Park). So, be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear - not in
N (Neutral).
If you are parking on a hill, or if
you’re pulling a trailer; also see
“Parking On Hills” in the Index.
6. 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
transmission fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, axle lubricant, 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.
185 9 =
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Your Driving and the Road
Recreational Towing
There may be times when you want to
tow your Geo behind another vehicle for
use at your destination. Be sure to use
the proper towing equipment designed
for recreational towing. Follow
the
instructions for the towing equipment.
186
Towing Your Geo from the Rear
The best way to tow your Geo is from
the rear. Follow these steps:
1 . Put the rear wheels on a dolly.
NOTlCE
Do not tow your Geo with the re--
wheels in contact with the grounL,
or
the transmission could be
damaged.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. If your Geo is a four-wheel-drive
vehicle, set your manual
free-wheeling hubs to
FREE or
unlock your automatic free-wheeling
hubs. See “Four-Wheel Drive’’
in
the Index.
4. Turn the ignition key to ACC to
unlock the steering wheel.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position,
with a
clamping device designed for towing.
6. Release the parking brake.
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Make sure that the towing speed
dues not exceed 55 mph
(90 km/h), or your Geo could be
badly damaged.
Towing Your Geo from the Front
If your vehicle has automatic
I free-wheeling hubs or two-whet
drive, do not tow it
on all fa
I wheels. If you do, you transmission could be damaged.
I
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle
with manual free-wheeling hubs, it can
be towed from the front with all four
wheels on the ground. Follow these
steps:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to ACC to
unlock the steering wheel.
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Your Driving and the Road
= - 9 188
3. Shift your automatic transmission
into
P (Park), or your manual
transmission into
2 (Second).
4. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral).
5. Set the hubs to FREE. See
“Four-Wheel Drive” in the Index.
6. Release the parking brake. Stop towing every
200 miles (300 km)
and
start the engine. Leave the transfer
case shift lever in
N (Neutral). Shift
your automatic transmission
to
D (Drive); leave a manual transmission
in
2 (Second) and release the clutch.
Run the engine at medium speed for one
minute to circulate
the oil in the transfer
case. Turn
the ignition key to ACC.
Now, you can continue towing your
Geo
.
NU I Kt
Make sure that the towing speed
does not exceed
50 mph
(80 km/h), or your Geo could
badly damaged.
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Problems on the Road
10. Now start the vehicle with the good
battery and
run the engine for
awhile.
dead battery.
If it won't start after a few tries, it
probably needs service.
11. Try to start the vehicle with the
I
I-
12. Remove the cables in reverse order
to prevent electrical shorting. Take
care that they don't touch each
other or any other metal.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
r
L
Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a GM dealer or a
professional towing service tow your
Geo. The usual towing equipment is
a
sling-type (A) or a wheel-lift (B) or car
carrier
(C) tow truck.
If your vehicle has been changed or
modified since it was factory-new by
adding aftermarket items like fog lamps,
aero skirting, or special tires and
wheels, these instructions and
illustrations may not be correct.
Before you
do anything, turn on the
hazard warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
A dolly must be used when towing
from the front.
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That your vehicle has rear-wheel
drive, or that
it has the
four-wheel-drive option.
vehicle.
The make, model, and year of your
Whether you can still move the shift
levers for the transmission and
transfer case,
if you have one.
If there was an accident, what was
damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the
tow operator know that this manual
contains detailed towing instructions and
illustrations. The operator may want to
see them.
* T- help avoid injury to you or
Never let passengers ride in a
vehicle that is being towed.
Never tow faster than safe or
posted speeds
Never tow with damaged parts
not fully secured.
0 Never get under your vehicle
after it
has been lifted by the
tow truck.
chains on each side when towing
a vehicle.
hooks instead.
* Always use separate safety
Never use T-hooks. Use “J”
When your vehicle is being towed, have
the ignition key off. The steering wheel
should be clamped
in a straight-ahead
position, with
a clamping device
designed for towing service.
Do not use
the vehicle’s steering column lock for
this. The transmission and transfer case,
if you have one, should be in Neutral
and the parking brake released.
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