1996 PONTIAC GRAND-AM tow

NOTICE:
Do not tow your vehicle with the front wheels in
contact with the
ground, or the automatic
transaxle
could be damaged.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. Open the fuse panel on the driver’s side of the
instrument
panel. Remove the fuse labeled
PRNDL. This will keep your battery from
draining while towing.
wheel. See “Ignition Positions”
in the Index.
with
a clamping device designed for towing.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF to unlock the steering
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position,
6. Release the parking brake.
When you are finished towing, make sure you replace
the PRNDL fuse in the instrument panel fuse block.
If your vehicle has a manual transaxle, you may tow
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
m
Follow these steps:
1. Set the parking brake. .
4-30
ProCarManuals.com

2.
3.
4.
5.
Open the fuse panel on the driver's side of the
instrument panel. Remove the fuse labeled
PRNDL. This will keep your battery from
draining while towing.
Tum the ignition key to OFF to unlock the
steering wheel.
Shift your manual transaxle to
NEUTRAL (N).
Release the parking brake.
When you
are finished towing, make sure you replace
the
PRNDL fuse in the instrument panel fuse block.
NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed
55 mph (90 kdh), or your vehicle could be badly
damaged.
Towing your Vehicle from the'Rear
'b
8
,NOTICE:
~~ ~
Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. Your
vehicle could be badly damaged and the costly
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
, .. P 'I
4-31
ProCarManuals.com

Towing a Trailer
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 Pontiac dealer for
advice and information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
Pulling
a traikr 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 yumr Pontiac
dealer for important information about towing
a
trailer with your vehicle.
Bo not tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with a
2.4L (Code T) engine.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with a
3.1L (Code M) -engine and 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, md fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used propetly.
That's the reason for this
part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safe% 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, transaxle,
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 gulling requjsernents.
1'
4-34
ProCarManuals.com

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight
of the trailer,
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 Weight of the Trailer
also where you’ll be driving. A good source for this
inforrnation can be state or provincial police. How heavy can a trailer safely be? the weight
of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
0 Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg). But
dealer about sway Controls’. even that can be
too heavy.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles It depends on how YOU plan
to use Your fig. For
(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine, exmPle,
speed, altitude, road grades, outside
axle or other parts could
be damaged. temperature and how much your vehicle
is used to pull a
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 h/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the advice, Or-You Can write
US at:
heavier loads. Pontiac Customer Services Department
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed Pontiac, Mi\
chigan 48340-2952 trailer are
all important. And,
it can also depend on any 0 Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer. One Pontia\
c Plaza
for trailers (or no more than 55 mph (90 lun/hj) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts. In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
4-35
ProCarManuals.com

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, 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 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
yow vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
B
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer
weight
(€3). If you have a “weight-distributing” hitch,
the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12% 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 me
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
recornended pressure for cold tires. You’ll find these
numbers on
the Certification label at the rear edge of the
driver’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 r
tongue.
.’ . :
4-36
ProCarManuals.com

Driving with a Trailer
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 itselfi.
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 tirne.
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 b’ehind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer,
This
can help you avoid situations that require heavv braking
and sudden
turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ,ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because
you’re a good
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.
Making Thrns
I NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause th’e 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 hms than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or
other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers.
Siggd well in advance.
4-38
ProCarManuals.com

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
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.
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, use the highest gear possible. If you
cannot maintain posted speeds, driving at a lower speed
may help avoid overheating your engine and bxmsaxle.
If you have a manual transaxle with FWTH (5) gear,
it’s better not to use
FIFTH (5) gear. Just drive in
FOURTH (4) gear (or- as vou need to, a lower gear).
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet, or into a gear for a manual transaxle.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking
brake, and then shift to PARK (P), or REVERSE (R)
for a manual transaxle.
Release the regular brakes.
4-39
ProCarManuals.com

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold,the pedal down
while
you:
0 Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
I. 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 need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle
fluid (don't ovel-fill),
engine oil, belt, cooling system and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will
help you find them quickly. If you're trailering, it's
a good idea to review these sections before you start
<* ~ I ,,; ;-':'. .a t , ,--: .. ;::l.$.:$ 5
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are
tight.
your trip. ! . .i . :$ ,,- .,,. . . f ~
_I.,
4-40
ProCarManuals.com