1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can’t see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that
is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just
a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This
will help
keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When
you run the engine, make it 90 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 a while.
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.
4-40

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Recreational Vehicle Towing (Four-wheel Drive With Manual
Shift Transfer
Case 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 manual shift transfer case shift lever in
NEUTRAL
(N).
I A CAUTION:
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.
You or others could be injured.
Make sure the parking brake
is firmly set before
you shift the transfer case into NEUTRAL
(N).
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.
4-41

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Recreational Vehicle Towing (Except Four-wheel Drive
With
Manual Shift Transfer Case) Loading
Your Vehicle
Vehicles
with two-wheel drive or the optional electronic
shift transfer case require special modifications before
they can be towed in this manner. Please contact your
dealer
for the towing information that is appropriate for
your particular vehicle.
Vehicles with all-wheel drive
(AWD) can not be towed
in this manner.
The Certificationflire label is found on the driver’s door
edge, above the
door latch. The label shows the size of
your original tires and the inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity of your vehicle. This is
called the
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The
GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle. all occupants,
fuel, cargo and trailer tongue weight, if pulling a trailer.
4-42

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The Certificatioflire label also tells you the maximum
weights for
the front and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR).
To find out the actual loads on
your front and rear axles, you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help
you with this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides
of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either
the front or rear axle.
If you
do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
Similar appearing vehicles may have different
GVWRs
and payloads. Please note your vehicle’s
Certificationmire label or consult your dealer for
additional details.
I A CAUTION:
~~~____ ~~ ~
Do not load your vehicie any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can break,
or it can change the way your vehicle handles. These
could cause you to lose control. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that
fail because of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else
-- they will go as fast
as
the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
.. .. 4-43

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ~ A CAUTION: ~
~
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and
~ injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in
1 a crash.
~ Try to spread the weight evenly.
~ 0 Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
0 Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
0 Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever
you can.
0 Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
~ your vehicle.
There's also important loading information
lor off-road
driving
in this manual. See "Loading Your Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving" in the Index.
Payload
The payload capacity is shown on the Certificationflire
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.
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 ~OLI buy and install
the new equipment.
NOTICE:
Your warranty doesn't cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
L
4-44

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing a Trailer
I 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.
I NOTICE:
I
~ Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
i 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
I
~ with your vehicle.
Every vehicle is ready for $time 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.
4-45

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
a
a
a
a
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 kmh) and
don’t make starts
at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts
of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
If you have an automatic transmission, you can 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:
0 the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
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.
4-46

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Vehicle
2-Wheel Drive,
Auto. Trans.
2-Wheel Drive,
Manual Trans.
4-Wheel Drive
&
All-Wheel Drive,
Auto. Trans.
4-Wheel Drive
&
All-Wheel Drive, Manual Trans.
Axle Ratio Trailer Wt.
3 .OS 4,500 lbs. (2 04 1 kg)
3.42
5,500 lbs. (2 495 kg)
3.42 4,500 lbs. (2
04 1 kg)
3.08
3.42 3.73
3.42
4,000 lbs. (1 8 14 kg)
5,000 lbs. (2 268 kg)
5,000’1bs.
(2 268 kg)
4,000 lbs. (1 8 14 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. 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 Communication Centre
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.
4-47