1994 CHEVROLET TRACKER towing

NOTICE:
Holding your key in “START” for
longer than 15 seconds at a time will
cause your battery to be drained
much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold
your key
in “ START” for about three
seconds at a time until your engine
starts. Wait about 15 seconds between
each
try to help avoid draining your
battery.
If your engine still won’t start, call your
dealer for help.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you
add electrical parts or accessories,
you could change the way
the fuel
injection system operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check
with your dealer. If you don’t, your
engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle
towed, see the part of this manual
that tells how to do
it without damag-
ing your vehicle. See “Towing Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
)riving through Deep Standing
Water Engine Coolant Heater (Engine
Block Heatel‘) (CANADA)
In very
cold weather, 0 OF (- 1 8 O C) or
colder, the engine coolant heater can help.
You’ll get easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be
plugged in a minimum
of four hours
prior to starting your vehicle.
To use the coolant heater:
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded
110-volt outlet.
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles
or standing water, water can
come in through your engine’s air
intake and badly damage your
engine.
If you can’t avoid deep
puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
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Features and Controls
Parking
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake: Hold the brake
pedal down and pull up
on the parking
brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake
system warning light will come
on.
To release the parking brake: Hold the
brake pedal down. Pull the parking brake
lever up until you can push in the release
button. Hold the release button in
as you
move the lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on
can cause your rear brakes to over-
heat.
You may have to replace them,
and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer, see“Towing a
Trailer”
in the Index.
Shifting into “P” (Park)
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMlSSlON)
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Features and Controls
“ON” position. See “Automatic
Transmission”
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of “P” (Park), ease
pressure on the shift lever
- push the
shift lever all the
way into “P” (Park) and
release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press
the shift lever button and move the shift
lever into the gear you wish.
/-
8
If you ever hold the brake pedal down bul
still can’t shift out of “P’ (Park), try this:
1. Apply And hold the brake until the en(
of step
6.
2. If the engine is running, shut it off.
Turn the key to
“ON” or “ACC.”
3. Find the access hole cover (A) on the
driver’s side
of the console, near the
shift lever.
4. Remove the screw (B) and cover (A).
5. Inside you’ll see the return plate (C).
Using your finger, move the return
plate toward the rear of the vehicle
until it stops.
6. Move the shift lever into the gear you
want.
7. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you
can.
Parking Your Vehitle
(MANUAL TRANSMISSION)
Before you get out of your vehicle,
put your manual transmission in “R”
(Reverse) and firmly apply the parking
brake.
If you have four-wheel drive, be sure
your transfer case is
in a drive gear.
Your vehicle could roll
if it isn’t.
If your vehicle is equipped to tow a
trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the
Index.
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Features and Controls
If you have four-wheel drive and your
transfer case is
in “N’ (Neutral), 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your
vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting into
‘P’ (Park)” in the Index.
If you’re parking on a
hill and if you’re
pulling a trailer,
also see “Towing a
Trailer’’ in the Index.
Windows
Manual Windows
Use the window crank to open and close
each door window.
Rear Swing-Out Side Windows
To open this window, pull the latch out
and forward.
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Features and Controls
If the light comes on while you are
driving,
pull off the road and stop
carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder
to push. Or, the pedal may go
closer to the floor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on. have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing
Your Vehicle“
in the Index.)
p CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the brake system
warning light is on, Driving with the
brake system warning light on can
lead
to an accident. If the light is still
on after you’ve pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the
vehicle towed
for service.
The brake system warning light will also
come
on when you set your parking
brake, and
it will stay on if your parking
brake doesn’t release
fully. If it stays on
after your parking brake is fully released.
it means you have a brake problem.
‘ngine Coolant Temperature Gage
rhis gage shows the engine coolanl
emperature.
If the gage pointer moves to
he
”H” (red) side. your engine is too hot!
t means that your engine coolant has
)verheatcd and you should
stop your
ehicle and
turn off the engine HS soo~
Iossible.
1 as
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU
BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road.” this manual
shows what to do. See ”Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
Charging System Light
This light will come on briefly when you
turn on the ignition, but the engine is not
running, as
a check to show you it is
working. Then
it should go out when the
engine starts. If it stays on or comes on
while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the electrical charging
system.
It could indicate that you have a
loose generator drive
belt or another
electrical problem. Have
it checked right
away. Driving while this light is on could
drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with
this light on,
be certain to turn off all your
accessories. such as
the radio and air
conditioner.
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Here YOU'II find information
about driving on different kinds
of roads and in varying weather
conditions
. We've also included
many other useful tips on
driving
.
I
I
I
I
I
Defensive Driving . .
Drunken Driving ...
Part 4
Your Driving and the Road
......................................... 100
........................................... 100 ... .
Control of a Vehicle ............................................... 102
Driving Guidelines ................................................ 107
Off-Road Driving with Your GL'O Four-wheel Drive Vehicle ............... 108
DrivingatNight .................................................. 116
Driving in the Rain ................................................ 117
City Driving ..................................................... 119
Freeway Driving ................................................. 120
Hill and Mountain Roads ........................................... 121
Winter Driving ................................................... 122
Towin~aTrL?iler .................................................. 125
Recreational Vehicle Towing ........................................ 129
1
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Towing a Trailer
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can dam-
age your vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by your warranty,
To pull a trailer correctly, follow the
advice in this section, and see your
Geo dealer for important information
about towing a trailer with your
vehicle. Your
vehicle can tow a trailer. 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, transmission, 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.
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
controls.
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.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800
km) that you tow a trailer, don’t drive
over
50 mph (80 km/h) and don’t
make starts at
full throttle. This helps
your engine and other parts
of your
vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
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0
distance is less than 12 inches, take
the foot off the trailer tongue.
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 "Carbon Monoxide"
in the Index). Dirt and water can, too.
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 pour rig. And, never
allow safety chains
to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000
pounds (450 kg) loaded, then it needs its
own brakes -and they must be adequate.
Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes so you'll be able to
install, ad-just and maintain them properly.
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
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 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.
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
contwxtor. 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.
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 tnliler. And.
because you're
B good deal longer, you'll
need to go much farther beyond the
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