1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE Owners Manual

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer’ is an important
weight to measure because it affects
the total capacity
weight
of your vehicle. The capacity weight includes the
curb weight
of the vehicle, my cargo you may carry in
it, and the people who will%e riding in the vehicle. And
if you
will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue
load from your vehicle’s capacity weight 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
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer weight
(B). If you have a “weight-distributing” hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh 1.2% 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.
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
~ltl the Certification label at the rear edge of the
drivel’s
door 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.
4-34
ProCarManuals.com

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
a
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you hstall 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 trgler 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
(_,.,.. !. ‘I.. ,)-*: 5 , .>:. 1 . -. .,
L,. t .,
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.
ProCarManuals.com

Driving with a nailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before seffing 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, elec.ical 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
tuns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
yuu’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.
I
I :
4-36
ProCarManuals.com

Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky
or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance. ‘
. Turn ,Signals When Towing a Trailer’
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different
turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Pontiac dealer. The green
arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up,’ the trailer lamps
will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop. When towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your
instrument panel will flash for turns
even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out.
Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you’plug
a trailer lighting system into your vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you
know if
one of your lamps goes out. So, when you have a trailer
lighting system plugged in, be sure to check your
vehicle and trailer lamps
from time to time to be sure
they’re
all working. Once you disconnect the trailer
lamps, the bulb warning lights again can tell you
if one
of ypur vehicle lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade.
If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they. would get hot
and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down to Dm (D) and
reduce your speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
4-37
ProCarManuals.com

Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes
mil the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your pa;rking
brake, and then shift to PdRK (P).
PARK (P) yet.
’ 5. Release the regular brakes.
~ When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
.down while
you:
Start your engine;
e Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will & service more often when you’re
pmg a trde~ See the Mainte~nance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are .automatic
trande fluid (don’t overfill),
engine
oil, belts, cooling system and brake adjustment.
Each
of these is-covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you kd them quickly. If you’re tradering, it’s a good
idea to review these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-38
ProCarManuals.com

Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem.
Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on
and off.
Press the button in to make
your front and rear
turn
signal lamps flash on
and off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your
key is in, and even if the key isn’t in.
5-1
ProCarManuals.com

To turn off the flashers,
pull out on the collar.
When the hazard w;?ming
flashers are
on, your turn
signals won't work.
Other Warning Devices .%
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
&e side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
Pontiac. But please follow the steps below to do
it safely.
I
CAL SION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
0 They contain ,acid that can burn you.
0 They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don't follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Remember that ignoring these steps could result
in costly damage to your vehicle that wouldn't be
covered
by your warranty.
Trying
to start your Pontiac by pushing or
~ pulling it won't work, and it could dam'age
your vehicle.
5-2
ProCarManuals.com

1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with
a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching-
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able
to
start your Pontiac, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
You could be injured
if the vehicles roll. Set the
parking brake firmly on each vehicle. Put an
automatic transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual
transaxle
in NEUTRAL (N).
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn
off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
I as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. In addition, it could save your radio!
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged.
The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
An electric fan can start ~ even wl 3 the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away
from any underhood
electric fan.
5-3
ProCarManuals.com