1996 CHEVROLET BLAZER tow

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section you'll find out how to operate the comfort
control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with
your vehicle.
Comfort Controls
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation
in your vehicle.
Climate Control System
L
a
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HI
I
to
Fan Control
The switch with the fan symbol changes the fan speed.
To increase the fan speed, move the switch upward
toward
HI. To decrease the fan speed, move the switch
downward toward
LO.
Temperature Knob
The upper knob regulates the temperature of the air
coming through the system. Turn the knob clockwise for warmer air. Turn the knob counterclockwise for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The lower knob allows you to choose the direction of
air delivery.
OFF: This setting turns the system off. Some outside air
will still enter the vehicle whenever the vehicle is
moving forward.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ventilation Tips
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Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any
other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance
of fogging the inside of your windows.
When
you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
blower fan to
HI for a few moments before driving
off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and
moisture, and reduces the chance
of fogging the
inside of your windows.
Keep
the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air
to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
Defogging and Defrosting
On cool, humid days, use BLEND to keep the
windshield and side windows clear.
Use DEFROST to remove fog or ice from the
windshield quickly in extremely humid or cold
conditions. Turn the temperature knob clockwise and move
the fan control toward HI.
Rear Window Defogger (Option)
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If your vehicle has this option, the rear window will
have lines that warm the glass. For best results, clear the
window of
as much snow or ice as possible before using
the rear window defogger.
To turn on the rear window defogger, find
the switch
marked REAR
DEFOG on your instrument panel below
the headlamp switch. Press ON
until the light in the
switch conles on, then release
it. It will only work if the
ignition switch
is turned to RUN.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When
you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That
is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that
you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery
to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all
the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this
only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But
do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
(Four-wheel Drive Only)
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Place an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a
manual transmission
in FIRST (1).
3. Firmly attach the vehicle being towed to the tow
vehicle.
Do not tow the vehicle by the rear bumper
bar. Refer to the hitch manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Place the transfer case shift lever in NEUTRAL (N).
Recreational vehicle towing is not recommended for
vehicles with
the optional electronic shift transfer
case or all-wheel drive because the transfer cases
have
no neutral position.
Shifting the transfer case into NEUTRAL (N) can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission
is in PARK (P), for an automatic transmission,
or if your vehicle is in gear, for a manual
transmission. This is because the transfer case
overrides the transmission.
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is firmly attached to the tow vehicle.
6. Insert the ignition key into the ignition switch and
turn it
one notch forward of the LOCK position. This
places the key
in the OFF position, which unlocks
the steering column while preventing battery drain.
Unlocking the steering column will allow for proper
movement
of the front wheelshires during towing.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Payload
The payload capacity is shown on the Certificationmire
label. This is the maximum load capacity that your
vehicle can carry. Be sure to include the weight of the
occupants as part
of your load. If you added any
accessories or equipment after your vehicle left the
factory, remember
to subtract the weight of these things
from the payload. Your dealer can help
you with this.
Towiy a Trailer
Add-on Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need to put a
limit on how many people you carry inside your vehicle.
Be sure
to weigh your vehicle before you buy and install
the new equipment.
NOTICE:
Your warranty doesn’t cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
A CAUTION:
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull
a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section.
Ask your GM dealer for
advice and information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your
GM dealer
for important information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
Every vehicle is ready for some trailer towing. If yours
was built with trailering options, as many are, it’s ready
for heavier trailers. 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.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
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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 if your trailer will
weigh
2,000 lbs. (900 kg) or less. You should always
use a sway control
if your trailer will weigh more
than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg). 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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you have an automatic transmission, you should
use DRIVE
(D) (or, as you need to, a lower gear)
when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle
in
DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer will minimize heat
buildup and extend the life of your transmission. If
you have a manual transmission and you are towing
a trailer, it’s better not to use FIFTH (5) gear. Just
drive in FOURTH
(4) gear (or, as you need to, a
lower gear).
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
0 and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan
to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used
to pull a
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that you have
on your vehicle. The
following chart shows how much your trailer can
weigh, based upon your vehicle model and options.
Vehicle
2-Wheel Drive, Auto. Trans.
2-Wheel Drive,
Manual Trans.
4-Wheel Drive, Auto. Trans.
4-Wheel Drive, Manual Trans.
Axle Ratio Trailer Wt.
3.08
3.42
3.42 4,500
lbs. (1 816 kg)
5,500 lbs. (2 497 kg)
4,500 Ibs. (1 8 16 kg)
3.08
. 4,000 Ibs. (1 8 16 kg)
3.42
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg)
3.73
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg)
3.42
4,000 lbs. (1 8 16 kg)
Maximum trailer weight
is calculated assuming the
driver and one passenger are in the tow vehicle and it
has all the required trailering equipment. The weight
of
additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or
you can write us at the address listed in your
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information Booklet.
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L 1 H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight
to measure because it affects the total or gross
weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo you may carry in
it, and the people who will be
riding
in the vehicle, And if you will tow a trailer, you
must add the tongue load
to the GVW because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle”
in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent
of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you have a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see
if the weights are
proper.
If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around
in the trailer.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Your trailer’s brake system can tap into the vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system only if:
0 The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure.
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicle’s
master cylinder. Otherwise, both braking systems
won’t work well. You could even lose your brakes.
0 The trailer’s brake system will use less than
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
A CAUTION:
-
If you hr ! a most wi ow 01 I and you
pull
a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.)
To
maximize your safety when towing a trailer:
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Have your exhaust system inspected €or
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip. Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through
a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside
air into your vehicle. Do not use
MAX A/C because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.)
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