
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Whatever the condition -- smooth ice, packed, blowing or loose
snow
-- drive with caution.
Your traction control system improves your ability to accelerate when
driving on a slippery road. Even though your vehicle has a traction control
system, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to the road
conditions. See “Traction Control System” in the Index.
Your anti-lock brakes improve your ability to make a hard stop
on a
slippery road. Even though you have the anti-lock braking system, you’ll
want to begin stopping sooner than you would
on dry pavement. See
“Anti-Lock” in the Index.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road.
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Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine until you hit a spot
that’s covered with ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice patches may
appear in shaded areas where the sun can’t reach: around clumps
of
trees, behind buildings, or under bridges. Sometimes the surface of a
curve or an overpass may remain icy when the surrounding roads are
clear. If you see a patch
of ice ahead of you, brake before you are on it.
Try not to brake while you’re actually on the ice, and avoid sudden LJ
steering maneuvers.
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4-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
“Carbon Monoxide’’
in the Index). 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.
Safety Chains
n
M
L.4
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
.-c.
recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not attach them to the
bumper. Always leave
just enough slack so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Because you have anti-lock brakes, don’t try to tap into your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system.
If you do, both brake systems won’t work well, or
at all.
Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes so you’ll
be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly.
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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 as responsive as your vehicle is by
itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments),
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.
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.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer
to come in contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns while trailering.
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 lamps 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 they are not. It’s
important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
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.
4-46

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
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it:
0 Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into PARK (P).
0 Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
0 When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until
0 Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into PARK (P) firmly and apply
Release the regular brakes.
__ injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
the chocks absorb the load.
your parking brake.
When You Are Ready to Leave Afier Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Be sure the parking brake has released.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
4-47

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adahtenance 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, belt, 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.
Engine Coding When Trailering
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during severe operating
conditions such as:
Climbing grades steeper than 4% at ambient temperatures above
90°F (32" C) with a loaded vehicle and trailer.
Stopping after high-speed driving.
Idling for long periods in stop-and-go traffic.
If the ENGINE HOT-A/C COMPRESSOR OFF message appears on the
Driver Information Center, do
not be alarmed. This is a normal function
designed to reduce the load on the engine and cooling system. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If the ENGINE COOLANT HOT-IDLE ENGINE message appears on
the Driver Information Center, pull
off to the side of the road as soon as
it is safe to do
so. When the vehicle is at a complete stop, shift the
transaxle selector to PARK
(P) and allow the engine to idle. Do not turn
off the engine or increase engine speed above a normal idle. After several
minutes, resume driving at a reduced speed. Return
to normal driving
after
10 minutes if the ENGINE COOLANT HOT-IDLE ENGINE
message is not displayed.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine f k
P
!,
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.
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 transaxle should be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the
parking brake released.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. Then replace the
pressure
cap. Be
sure the arrows on
the pressure cap
line up
like this.
Start the engine and allow
it to warm up. If the ENGINE COOLANT
LOW message does not appear on the Driver Information Center,
coolant
is at the proper fill level. If an ENGINE COOLANT LOW
message does appear, repeat steps 1 to 3 or see your dealer.
IFA TIRE GOES FLAT
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly.
If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely
to leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about
what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
will create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction you’d use in a skid. In any rear blowout,
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under
control by steering the way you want the vehicle
to go. It may be very
bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well off
the road
if possible.
If
a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your jacking equipment
to change a flat tire safely.
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