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Safety Chains Driving with a Trailer
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
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
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. 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.
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To help avoid injury to you or others:
0 Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not fully
secured.
0 Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
0 Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.
0 Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
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I. CAUTION:
--
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components. When
your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key
turned to the
OFF position. 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.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the drive wheels,
unless you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the
drive wheels, be sure
to follow the speed and distance
restrictions later in this section or your transaxle will be
damaged.
If these limitations must be exceeded, then the
drive wheels have to be supported on a dolly.
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These slots are to be used when loading and securing to
car carrier equipment.
Attach T-hook chains on both sides, in the slotted holes
in the bottom
of the body rail, behind the front wheels
and cradle. Attach a separate safety chain around the outboard
end
of each lower control arm.
NOTICE:
Be sure not to attach the safety chain to the drive
axle. This could cause damage to the drive axle
boot.
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The fuel door can be opened
manually in case of an
electrical power failure. To
do so, first open the trunk.
The release mechanism is
on the driver’s side of the
vehicle, at the top of the
trunk compartment. Pull the
tab toward you to release
the fuel door.
NOTICE:
Prying on a locked fuel filler door could damage
it. Use the remote fuel door manual release While refueling, hang the cap inside the fuel door.
located in the trunk.
Twist it clockwise to secure it, if necessary.
To take
off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise).
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Vehicle Storage
To be sure the vent hose (A) is properly attached, the
vent hose connectors
(B) must be securely reattached to
the vent outlets
(C) on each side of the battery, and the
vent assembly grommet (D) must
be secured to the
floor pan
(E).
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take off the black, negative
(-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
I’
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting’’ in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your retailer to learn how to prepare your
vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in the Index.
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Windaield Wiper Blade Replacement Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed
in different ways. Here’s how to remove the
type with
a release hole:
1.
2.
3.
Pull the windshield wiper arm away from
the- windshield.
Insert
a small screwdriver into the hole (A) and
pull the blade assembly
off the’wiper arrri (B).
Push the new wiper blade securely’.on the wiper arm.
For the proper windshield wiper blade length and type,
see
“Normal Replacement Parts” in the Index.
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NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odometer
calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance and tire or tire chain clearance
to the body and chassis.
See
“Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
I
I 1
i
’ A CAUTION: I
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how many miles it’s been driven. It could
fail
suddenly and cause an accident. If you have to
replace
a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only
SAE Class ccS” type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install
them on the front tires and tighten them
as
tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage your vehicle.
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