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,
lamps, 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 lamps 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.
4-36
ProCarManuals.com
e
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ELC
HORN
E3 RDOllAUX
TAIL
El
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ECM
TURN B/U
GAUGES LPS
ABS
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F WIPER
p-4 R BLW
Fuse Panel (3.1L V6 Engine)
Position Circuitry
CTSY Dome Lamps, Courtesy Lamps, Power Door
Lock Switches, Glove Box Lamp, Power
Mirrors, Power Sliding Delay Lock Module
ELC
HORN
STOP
HAZ Auto
Level Control, Underhood Lamp
Horns, Horn Relay, Safety Belt Buzzer
Front/Rear Turn Lamps, Front Sidemarker
Lamps, Rear Stop Lamps, Instrument Cluster
Turn Indicator Lamps, Cruise Brake Switch
F PUMP Fuel Pump,
Oil Pressure SenderIFuel Pump Switch
Position
RDO 1/
AUX
TAIL
ECM
TURN
B/U
GAUGES
LPS
ABS
RD02
R WIPER
F WIPER
IGN
HTR-A/C
R BLW
Circuitry
Radio, Front Cigar Lighter, Accessory Power
Outlet
Front Park Lamps, Rear Taillamps, Front
Sidemarker Lamps, License Plate Lamp, Radio,
HeatNentlAC Control Head, Power Sliding Door
Throttle Body Fuel Injection, Fuel Pump Relay,
Elec. Vac. Reg. Valve, Elec. Control Module,
Elec. Spark Control Module
Front/Rear Turn Lamps, Front Sidemarker Lamps, Cluster Turn Telltale, Back-up Lamps,
Fog Lamps
Cluster, Anti-Lock Brake System Lamp
Module, Elec. Level Control Sensor
Cluster, Radio, Wiper Switch, Headlamp
Switch, Rear Blower Switch, Heat/Vent/AC
Control Head, Door Switch Illumination,
FrontIRear Ashtray Illumination Bulbs
Anti-Lock Brake System
Radio
Rear Wiperwasher Motors; Overhead Console
Compass
Front Wipermasher Motor
A/C Compressor, A/C Solenoid Box, Compressor
Relay, Temp. Door Motor,
Low Blower Relay;
HeatNentlAC Control Head; Cruise Module; Cooling Fan Relay; Rear Defogger Relay;
Key
Chime; Vehicle Speed Sensor Buffer and Generator
Charge Discrete, Transaxle Converter Clutch Switch
FrondRear Blower Motors, High Blower Relay
Rear Blower, Rear Heat/Vent/AC
6-53
ProCarManuals.com
Fuse Panel (3800 V6 Engine)
cCTSYI, ,fD023
eeC3
R WIPER
HORN TURN BIU F WIPER
r"4
STOP HA2
E5 TAIL
Position
CTSY
ELC
HORN
STOP
HAZ
Circuitry
Dome Lamps, Courtesy Lamps, Power Door
Lock Switches, Glove Box Lamp, Power
Mirrors, Power Sliding Delay Lock Module
Auto Level Control, Underhood Lamp
Horns,
Horn Relay, Safety Belt Buzzer
Front/Rear Turn Lamps, Front Sidemarker
Lamps, Rear Stop Lamps, Instrument Cluster
Turn Indicator Lamps
Position Circuitry
RDOl/ Radio, Front Cigar Lighter, Accessory Power
AUX Outlet
TAIL Front Park Lamps, Rear Taillamps, Front Sidemarker Lamps, License Plate Lamp, Radio,
HeatNentlAC Control Head, Power Sliding Door
ABS
ECM Anti-Lock
Brakemraction Control System
Mass Air How Sensor, Electronic Control Module
TURN Front/Rear Turn Lamps, Front Sidemarker
B/U Lamps, Cluster Turn Telltale, Back-up Lamps,
Fog Lamps
Module, Elec. Level Control Sensor
GAUGES Cluster, Anti-Lock
Brake System Lamp
INJ 3365D Remote Location (see page
6-56)
LPS Cluster, Radio, Wiper Switch, Headlamp
Switch, Rear Blower Switch, HeatNentlAC
Control Head, Door Switch Illumination,
Front/Rear Ashtray Illumination Bulbs
RD02 Radio
R WIPER Rear Wipermasher Motors; Overhead Console
F WIPER Front WiperNasher Motor
Compass
IGN A/C
Solenoid Box, Temp. Door Motor, Low
Blower Relay; HeatNentlAC Control Head;
Cooling Fan Relay; Rear Defogger Relay; Key
Chime; Transaxle Converter Clutch Solenoid
and Generator Charge Discrete
HTR-A/C Front/Rear Blower Motors, High Blower Relay
R BLW Rear Blower,
Rear HeatNentlAC
6-54
ProCarManuals.com
Checking Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-57
Checking Automatic Transaxle Fluid
..................... 6-19
Brakenuid
................................. 6-27
Engine Coolant
.............................. 6-23
Engineoil
.................................. 6-11
Power Steering Fluid ......................... 6-25
Restraint Systems
............................ 1-57
Things Under the Hood
........................ 6-6
Chemjcal Faint Spotting
.......................... 6-49
Child Restraints
................................ 1-49
Built-In
.................................... 1-40
Securing in
an Outside Seat Position ............. 1-50
Securing in the Center Seat Position
.............. 1-52
TopStrap
................................... 1-49
Where to Put
................................ 1-49
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-65
Circuit Breaker, Power Windows
and
Other Power Options ........................... 6-57
Circuit BreakerRelay Panel
....................... 6-55
Cleaner, Air
................................... 6-17
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
........................... 6-48
Built-In Child Restraint Pad
.................... 6-45
Fabric
..................................... 6-42
Leather
.................................... 6-45
Outside
of the Windshield, Backglass
andWiperBlades
........................... 6-46
Special Problems
............................ 6-44
Glass
...................................... 6-46
Stains
...................................... 6-42 The Inside
of Your Oldsrnobile .................. 6-42
The Outside
of Your Oldsmobile ................ 6-47
Tires
...................................... 6-48
Top
of the Instrument Panel .................... 6-45
Vinyl
...................................... 6-44
Climate Control System
........................... 3-1
Climate Control. Rear
............................ 3-4
Clock. Settingthe ................................ 3-8
Coinholder
.................................... 2-67
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-22
Compact Disc Player
............................ 3-16
Compact Spare Tire ............................. 5-34
Console. Compact Overhead
...................... 2-55
Console. Overhead
.............................. 2-51
Control
of a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
Control.
LOSS of ................................ 4-14
ConvenienceNet
............................... 2-59
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-58
Coolant
....................................... 6-22
Coolant Heater. Engine
..................... 2-27. 6-16
Coolant Recovery Tank
.......................... 5-19
Coolant. How
to Add to the Coolant Recovery Tank ... 5-19
Coolant. How to
Add to the Radiator ............... 5-21
Cooling System ................................ 5-16
Cruise Control
................................. 2-44
Erasing Speed Memory
........................ 2-48
Getting Out
of ............................... 2-48
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
............ 2-48
ToIqcreaseSpeed
............................ 2-47
To Reduce Speed
............................ 2-48
9-3
ProCarManuals.com
......................................... Horn 2-39
Hydroplaning .................................. 4- 18 Key
Lock Cylinders
............................ 7-37
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-23
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
&You’re Stuck
In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow ......... 5-35
Ignition Key Positions
........................... 2-23
Ignition Switch
................................. 2-23
Illuminated Entry System
......................... 2-11
Inflator.
Air ................................... 2-63
Injector 3365 Fuse
.............................. 6-56
Inside Daymight Rearview
Mirror ................. 2-58
Brake System
............................... 7-39
Restraint Systems
............................ 7-39
Axle Boot and Sed ......................... 7-39
Throttle Linkage
............................. 7-39
Instrument Panel Cluster
......................... 2-72
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
................. 2-49
Instrument Panel. Cleaning
....................... 6-45
Integrated
Roof Antenna ......................... 3-23
Interior Lamps Control
........................... 2-55
Interior Lights Override Switch
.................... 2-56
Inspections
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-39
Steering. Suspension and Front-Wheel-Drive
Instrumentpanel
............................... 2-70
Jack.
Tie .................................... 5-25
Jumpstarting
................................... 5-2 Lamps
...................................... 2-49
Lamps Control. Interior
.......................... 2-55
Lamps On Reminder
............................ 2-49
Lane Change Indicator
........................... 2-41
Larger Children. Safety Belt Use
................... 1-54
Latches. Side Window
........................... 2-39
Leaving
Your Vehicle ............................. 2-7
Leaving
Your Vehicle With the Engine Running ....... 2-35
Level Control. Electronic
......................... 2-68
Liftgate Ajar Warning Light
....................... 2-84
Liftgate Lock
.................................. 2-19
Liftgate. Raising
................................ 2-19
Lights Air Bag: Readiness
................. .... 1.27, 2.76 ......
Anti-LGck Brake System Warning ........... 2.78. 4.7
Brake System Warning ........................ 2-77
Liftgate Ajar Warning
......................... 2-84
Low Fuel Warning
........................... 2-85
Low Traction
............................ 2-80, 4-9
Power Sliding Door Warning
................... 2-84
Safety Belt Reminder
.................... 1-13, 2-76
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-81
TCS Warning ........................... 2.79, 4-9
Traction Control System Warning
........... 2-79, 4-9
9-6
ProCarManuals.com
Lighter ....................................... 2-65
Locks Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-29
Automatic Door
.............................. 2-5
Door ....................................... 2-3
Liftgate
.................................... 2-19
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Locking Storage Bin
............................ 2-67
Loss
of Control ................................ 4-14
Low Fuel Warning Light
......................... 2-85
Low Traction Light
......................... 2.80. 4.9
Lubrication. Body
.............................. 7-37
Luggagecarrier
................................ 2-60
Maintenance Record
........................... 7-42
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7- 1
Owner Checks and Services
.................... 7-36
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
............... 7-39
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............ 7-40
Schedule1
................................... 7-6
Schedule
I Definition .......................... 7-4
Schedule11
................................. 7-26
Schedule
I1 Definition .......................... 7-5
Scheduled Maintenance Services
................. 7-3
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-48
Maintenance. When Trailer Towing
................. 4-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)
..................... 2-81
Manual Front Passenger Seat
....................... 1-2
Manual Windows
............................... 2-38
Methanol
(In Fuel) ............................... 6-3 Mirrors
....................................... 2-58
Convex Outside
............................. 2-58
Inside Daymight Rearview
.................... 2-58
Power Remote Control ........................ 2-59
Visorvanity
................................ 2-65
MTBE
(In Fuel) ................................. 6-3
Net. Convenience .............................. 2-59
Neutral
(N) Position ............................. 2-30
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-22
Night Vision
................................... 4-16
odometer
.................................... 2-74
Odometer. Tamper Resistant
...................... 2-74
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-12
Oil Engine
..................................... 6-11
Pressure Gage (3800
V6 Engine) ................ 2-83
Pressure Indicator
(3.1L V6 Engine) ............. 2-82
Owner Publications
............................ 8-7
Service Bulletins
.............................. 8-7
Service Manuals
.............................. 8-7
Overdrive Position
.............................. 2-30
Overhead Console
.............................. 2-51
Garage Door Opener compartment .............. 2-51
Ordering
Reading Lamps
.............................. 2-51
Storage Compartment
......................... 2-54
Sunglasses Storage Compartment
................ 2-54
Temperature and Compass Display
.............. 2-53
9-7
ProCarManuals.com
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-49
Park (P) Position ............................... 2-29
Park (P). Shifting Into ........................... 2-33
Park (P). Shifting Out of ......................... 2-36
AtNight ................................... 2-22
Lots ....................................... 2-22
On Hills While Towing a Trailer ................ 4-38
Over Things That Burn ........................ 2-36
Parts, Normal Maintenance Replacement ............ 6-60
Passing ....................................... 4-13
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-39
PowerDoorLocks ............................... 2-4
Power Outlet, Accessory ......................... 2-57
Power Remote Control Mirrors .................... 2-59
Power Sliding Door ............................. 2-13
Power Sliding Door Warning Light ................. 2-84
Power Steering ................................. 4-11
Power Steering Fluid ............................ 6-25
Adding .................................... 6-26
Checking ................................... 6-25
Power Windows ................................ 2-38
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts .................... 1-31
Problems on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner .................... 8-7
Parking
ParkingBrake
.................................. 2-32
9-8
ProCarManuals.com
Traction .................................... 6-39
Treadwear
.................................. 6-39
Uniform Quality Grading
...................... 6-38
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-37
Wheel Replacement
.......................... 6-40
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-37
Top Strap
..................................... 1-49
TorqueLock
................................... 2-35
Torque. Wheel
Nut ......................... 5.32. 6.59
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-3 1
Towing Your Vehicle ............................. 5-8
Front ...................................... 5-11
Rear
....................................... 5- 13
Traction Control Disable Switch
................... 4-10
Traction Control System
.......................... 4-9
Traction Control System Warning Light
......... 2-79, 4-9
Trailer Tongue Weight
........................... 4-33
Trailer Towing Brakes
..................................... 4-35
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-37
Driving with a Trailer
......................... 4-35
Hitches
.................................... 4-34
Maintenance
................................ 4-38
Parking on Hills
............................. 4-38
Safety Chains
............................... 4-35
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
............. 4-34
Towing
a Trailer ............................. 4-31
Turnsignals
................................ 4-37
Transaxle Fluid, Automatic
....................... 6- 19
Transmitters, Matching to Your Vehicle
............. 2- 10
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-75
Weight
of a
Trailer ........................... 4-33 Trip. Before Leaving on a Long
.................... 4-21
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
............. 2-41
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
................... 2-40
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-37
Underbody Maintenance
........................ 6-48
Underhood Lamp
............................... 6-11
Vehicle Damage Warnings
......................... iv
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
............... 6-51
Vehicle Loading ................................ 4-29
Vehicle Storage
........................ : ....... 6-30
Vehicle Symbols
................................... v
Vehicle. Control of a ............................. 4-5
Vehicle. Leaving Your
............................ 2-7
Ventilation Tips
................................. 3-7
Vision. Night
.................................. 4-16
Visor Vanity Mirrors
............................ 2-65
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-65
Voltmeter ..................................... 2-77
Ventilation System. Flow-Through
.................. 3-7
warning Devices
............................... 5-2
Warning Flashers. Hazard
......................... 5-1
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators
............... 2-75
Washing Your Vehicle
........................... 6-47
Water. Driving Through Deep Standing
............. 2-27
Weatherstrips .................................. 6-46
9-11
ProCarManuals.com