Your car can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
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 part. 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, rear axle, 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.
0 There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, 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.
0
0
0
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1000 miles
(1 600 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? 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.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h)) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
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4. Open the air cleaner and remove the filter.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Pontiac dealer Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to- follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
.
6-22
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Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied, This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected.
Also, the
rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each
time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When you have the front brakes replaced, have the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapidincrease in pedal
travel.
This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate or
heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly.
If you drive in that way, then -- very carefully -- make
a few moderate brake stops about every 1,000 miles
(1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than norrid, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjdsi them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complkx. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and wokk well.
together if the vehicle is to have really good briking.
Vehicles
we design and test have top-quality GM brake
parts
in them, as your Pontiac does when it is new.
When you replace parts of your braking system, -- for
example, when your brake linings wear down dnd yob .
have to have new ones put in -- be sure you get new
genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, yuia
brakes
may no longer work properly. For em$le, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
€& ybuf
vehicle, the balance between your front and re& btakes
can change
-- for the worse. The braking perfoi-mhnce ,
you’ve come to expect can change in many other way$ if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
,& b .. - i*
t
-
,%
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Headlamps
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker.
An electrical overload will cause the larnps to
go on and
off, or in some cases to remain off. If this happens, have
your headlamp wiring checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and
a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem and
not snow, etc., be sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers protect the power windows and other
power accessories. When the current load is
too heavy,
the circuit breaker opens and closes, protecting the
circuit until the problem is fixed or goes away.
Main Fuse Block
IC3 20 30 4EIl
FUSE USAGE CHART
AIR BAG TURN B - U HVAC RADIO ACCY
5m 60 70 80 PCM IGN STOP/HAZARD PWR ACCY COURTESY
GAGES TAIL LTS CIGAR/HORN DEFOG/SEATS
CRANK ACCY RADIO
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR MORE INFORMATION PRINTED IN U.S.A 10264033 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
AIR BAG: SIR Components
TURN B-U: Backup Lamps; Daytime Running
Lamps Module (Canada);Turn Flasher; Transmission
Range Switch;Traction Control Switch
HVAC: Heat Control Selector Switch (Heatedfir
Conditioner); Rear Defogger
RADIO ACCY: Power Antenna; Disc Changer
6-67
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Lamps ...................................... 2-49
Lamps On Reminder
............................ 2-50
Lamps. Courtesy
............................... 2-52
Lamps. Daytime Running
........................ 2-50
Lmps. Front Map .............................. 2-52
Lamps. Interior
................................. 2-52
Lane Change Indicator
........................... 2-41
Larger Children. Safety Belt Use
................... 1-37
Latches. Front Seatback
........................... 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-4
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
....... 2-35
Lights
Air Bag Readiness ...................... 1-21. 2-68
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
........... 2-70. 4-6
Brake System Warning
........................ 2-69
Check Gauges
............................... 2-79
Coolant
(V8 Engine Only) ..................... 2-73
Low Traction
................................ 2-72
Safety Belt Reminder
..................... 1.8. 2.68
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-74
LowCoolant ................................ 2-73
LowOil
.................................... 2-77
Low Traction
................................ 2-72
Lighter ....................................... 2-63
Limited Slip Differential
......................... 6-29
Limited
Slip Axle .............................. 6-32
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-29
Locks
Lamps. Fog ................................... 2-52
Traction Control System Warning ........... 2.72. 4-9
Door ....................................... 2-3
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Steering Column
............................. 7-46
Lock. Torque .................................. 2-35
Loss of Control
................................ 4-14
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 6-73
Lubrication. Body .............................. 7-46
Main Fuse Block ......................... 6-66. 6-67
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-52
Maintenance Schedule
Long Trip. Before Leaving on a .................... 4-22
Low Maintenance Battery
........................ 6-40
Owner Checks and Services .................... 7-45 .
Periodic Maintenance Inspections ............... 7-48
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............ 7-50
Schedule1
................................... 7-6
Schedule
I Definition .......................... 7-4
ScheduleII
................................. 7-32
Schedule
11 Definition .......................... 7-5
Scheduled Maintenance Services
................. 7-3
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ............ 6-74
Maintenance. Underbody
.... .- .. ................... 6-63
Maihtenance. When Trailer Towing
................. 4-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light) 2-74
Manual Adjust Mirror
........................... 2-53
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-1
Manual Remote Control Mirror .................... 2-53
Manual Transmission
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