
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the
recommended pressure for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the Tire-Loading Information label (found
inside the trunk lid) or see “Loading Your Vehicle”
in the
Index. Then be sure you don’t go over the
GVW limit for
your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
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:
0
0
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
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 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
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (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, adjust and
maintain them properly. Because you have anti-lock
brakes, do not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake
system. If you do, both brake systems won’t work well,
or at all.
4-32
ProCarManuals.com

Driving with a Trailer Following Distance
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel
of can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
handling and braking with the added weight of the and sudden turns.
trailer. And always keep
in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
Passing -
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector, longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
Backing Up
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. 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.
4-33
ProCarManuals.com

Engineoil .................................... 6-10
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Additives
................................... 6-14
Checking
................................... 6- I I
Used ....................................... 6-15
When to Change
.............................. 6- I5
Ethanol ........................................ 6-4
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-23
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-43
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-16
Filter. Engine Oil ............................... 6- 15
Finish Care .................................... 6-47
Finish Damage
................................. 6-49
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2- 17
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5- 1
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-22
Fluids and Lubrlcants
............................ 7-40
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-4
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1-2
French Language Manual
11
FrontTowing ................................... 5-9
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Canadian
.................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-57
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-53
.. ...........................
Gapes
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-51
Fuel ....................................... 2-57
GAWR
....................................... 4-27
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-14
GloveBox
.................................... 2-38
Gross
Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-27
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-27
Guide en Franpis
II
GVWR ....................................... 4-27
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-31
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints ................................. 1-5
Headlamps .................................... 2-32
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-31
High/Low Beam .............................. 2-27
On Reminder
................................ 2-32
Wiring
..................................... 6-52
Hearing Impaired
. Customer Assistance .............. 8-3
Heating
........................................ 3-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-27
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-21
Hitches
. Trailer .................................. 4-32
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-6
Release ...................................... 6-7
Horn
......................................... 2-25
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-16
9-4
ProCarManuals.com

Trailer Brakes
..................................... 4-32
Driving
on Grades ............................ 4-34
Driving with
................................. 4-33
Hitches
..................................... 4-32
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-35
Safety Chains
................................ 4-32
Tongueweight
............................... 4-31
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-32
Towing
...................................... 4-29
Turnsignals
................................. 4-34
Weight
..................................... 4-30
Transaxle Fluid, Automatic
....................... 6- 17
Transmitters, Remote Keyless Entry ................. 2-4
Transportation, Courtesy
.......................... 8-5
Trunk
......................................... 2-6
Lock
........................................ 2-7
Release, Remote
............................... 2-7
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-3
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
............. 2-26
Turn Signal On Chime
........................... 2-27
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
................... 2-26
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-34
Two-way Manual Seat
........................... 1 - 1
Underbody Flushing Service ................... 7-38
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-49
Vehicle
. Parking on Hills .............................. 4-35
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-45
Control
...................................... 4-5
Damage Warnings .............................. ix
Dimensions ................................. 6-62
Identification Number
......................... 6-51
Loading .................................... 4-27
Storage
..................................... 6-30
Ventilation System
............................... 3-4
Visor Vanity Mirrors
............................ 2-41
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-40
warning Devices
............................... 5-2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ............... 2-46
Washer Fluid. Windshield
........................ 6-26
Washing Your Vehicle
........................... 6-47
Weatherstrips
.................................. 6-46
Wheel
Alignment
.................................. 6-40
Nut Torque
............................. 5-29. 6-61
Replacement
................................. 6-40
WindowLock
.................................. 2-25
Windows
..................................... 2-24
Auto-Down
................................. 2-25
Power
...................................... 2-24
Windshield Washer
............................. 2-28
Fluid
.................................. 2-28. 6-26
Fluid Level Check
............................ 7-35
Windshield Wiper
.............................. 2-27
Blade Replacement
........................... 6-34
Fuses
...................................... 6-52
Wiring. Headlamp
.............................. 6-52
WreckerTowing
................................. 5-7
Winter Driving
................................. 4-23
ProCarManuals.com