Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is
equipped with a 3.4L (VIN Code X)
engine and a manual transaxle.
Your Pontiac can tow a trailer if it is
equipped with a
3.1L (VIN Code T)
engine or a 3.4L (VIN Code X) engine
and an automatic transaxle, and proper
trailer towing equipment.
To identify
what the vehicle trailering capacity is
for your vehicle, you should read the
information in
Weight of the Trailer
that appears later in this section. But
trailering is different than just driving
your vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, durability, and fuel
economy. Successful, safe trailering
takes correct equipment, and it has to
be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section. In it
are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these
are important
for your safety and
that of your passengers.
So please read
this section carefully before you pull a
trailer. Load-pulling components such
as the engine, transaxle, wheel
assemblies, and tires are forced to work
harder against the drag of the added
weight. The engine is required to
operate at relatively higher speeds and
under greater loads, generating extra
heat. What’s more, the trailer adds
considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
All of that means changes in:
Handling
Durability
Fuel economy
If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer
If you do, here are some important
points.
There are many different laws having
to do with trailering. Make
sure your
rig will be legal, not
only where you
live but also where you’ll be driving. A
good source for this information can
be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. You
can ask a hitch dealer about sway
control.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the
first
500 miles (800 km) your new
vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or
other parts could be damaged.
ProCarManuals.com
Index
Emergencies. Braking in .................. 151
Emergencies on the Road
................. 183
Emergencies. Steering in .................. 153
Emergency Starting
......................... 185
Emergency Towing
.......................... 189
Engine Block Heater .................. 56. 223
Engine Coolant
................. 230. 277. 278
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light
................................................. 98
Engine Exhaust
.......................... 68, 173
Engine Identification
........................ 269
Engine Oil
........................................ 220
Additives
........................................ 222
Capacity
.......................................... 276
Checking
& Adding ....... 220, 276, 278
Disposing of Used Oil
.................... 223
Energy Conserving
......................... 222
Filter
....................................... 223, 284
Warning Light
............................... 100
When to Change ............................ 223
Engine Overheating
......................... 193
Engine Specifications ....................... 283
Engine, Starting
Automatic Transaxle
...................... 54
Manual Transaxle
............................ 54
ETR AM/FM Stereo Radio with
Cassette Player and Graphic Equalizer
(see
Audio Systems)
Ethanol in Gasoline .......................... 213
Exhaust Dangerous Gas in
................... 68. 173
Parking with the Engine
Running
................................ 68. 173
Expectant Mothers. Use of
Safety Belts
....................................... 23
Expressway Driving
......................... 164
Extender. Safety Belt
.......................... 39
Exterior Appearance
(see
Appearance Care)
Fabric Cleaning
(see
Appearance Care)
Fan Warnings ........... 186. 187. 194. 217
Filling the Fuel Tank
............... 215. 277
Filter
Air
................................................... 224
Fuel
................................................. 284
Oil
........................................... 223, 284
Finish Damage
.................................. 267
Flash-to-Pass
...................................... 80 Flashers. Hazard Warning
............... 184
Flat Tire
............................................ 200
Flooded Engine
.................................. 55
Fluid Brake
..................................... 234. 278
Capacities
...................................... 276
Hydraulic Clutch
.................. 229. 278
Power Steering
.............. 233. 277. 279
Transaxle Automatic
................... 225. 276. 278
Manual
........................ 228. 276. 278
Windshield Washer
........................ 233
Fluids
87 Lubricants ........................ 278
Fog. Driving in
................................. 162
Fog Lights
........................................... 80
Foreign Material
............................... 267
Four-Way Power Articulation
Control
............................................. 11
Freeway Driving .............................. 164
French Language Manual
.................... 2
Front Light Bar
................................. 244
Front Side Marker Bulb
................... 245
Fuel
.................................................. 213
Alcohol in Fuel
............................... 213
Capacity
................................ 213. 277
Exhaust Warnings
................... 68. 173
ProCarManuals.com
