1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER tow

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When towing a trailer, the 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 byfilw 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 and reduce your
speed
to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
if
you have an automatic transmission. you should use
DRIVE (D) 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. Or.
if you have a manual transmission. it's
better not to use
FIFTH (5 j gear. just drive in
FOURTH (4) gear (or. as you need to. a lower gear). When
towing
at high altitude on steep uphill grades.
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes.
If you turn
your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this. let the
engine
run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) (or the
rnanual transmission out of gear and the parking brake
applied) for a few minutes before turning the engine off.
If you do get the overheat warning, see "Engine
Overheating"
in the Index.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle. with a trailer
attached.
on ;I hill. If something goes wrong, your ris
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer
can be damaged.
4-52

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
whiie you:
Start your engine:
Shift into a gear: and
Release the parking brake.
3,. 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 transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine
oil, axle lubricant, 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 your
trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-54

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5 -2
5-2
5-3
5 -7
5-12
Hazard Warning Flashers
Other Warning Devices
Jump Starting
Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating
5-22
5 -22
5-23
5-35
5-36
Engine Fan Noise
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire
Compact Spare Tire
(If Equipped)
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
5-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don’t touch
each other or any other metal.
-0
A
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing
service tow your vehicle. See “Roadside Assistance” in
the index.
If your vehicle has been changed since it was
factory-new by adding things like fog lamps, aero
skirting,
or special tires and wheels, these instructions
may not be correct.
Before
you do anything, turn on the hazard
warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
e Whether your vehicle has rear-wheel drive,
four-wheel drive
or all-wheel drive.
The make, model and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can move the shift lever for the
transmission and shift the transfer
case, if you
have one.
If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let
the tow operator
know that this manual contains these towing
instructions.
The operator may want to see them.
5-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
To help avoid injury to you or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
Never get under your vehicle after it has
Always use separate safety chains on each
Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being
towed.
fully secured.
been lifted by the tow truck.
side when towing a vehicle.
A 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.
5-8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 transmission
should be in NEUTRAL
(N) and the transfer case, if you
have one, should be in 2HI. The parking brake should
be released.
If your vehicie has a floor mounted shifter and no
electrical power, the electrical solenoid lock must be
overridden
to shift from PARK (P) to NEUTRAL (N).
Follow these steps:
1. Push the base of the shift lever boot forward with
your thumb.
2. Lift the boot and find the white solenoid lever.
1-
3.
4.
5.
Move the solenoid lever toward the driver's side to
unlock it.
While holding the solenoid lever in the unlock
position, press the shift lever button and shift into
NEUTRAL
(N).
Release the solenoid lever and snap the boot back
into place.
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 transmission will
be damaged.
If these limitations must be exceeded, then
the drive wheels have to
be supported on a dolly.
5-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or
fascia/fog lamp damage will occur. Use wheel-lift
or car carrier equipment. Additional ramping may be required for car-carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing
a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage
a vehicle. Damage can occur from
vehicle to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift
equipment. To help
avoid damage, install a
towing dolly and raise the vehicle until adequate
clearance
is obtained between the ground and/or
wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using car-carrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
5-10

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tow Limits -- 35 mph (56 kd), 30 miles@3O krn)
'*Vehicles with all- wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive and
the electrbni'c transfer case DptibMmlasritse'a iowing
dully undwthefront wheels &hen towing from the reay:
~, ..
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or rea
bumper valance damage will occur. Use whee
or car-carrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for car-carrier equipment.
safety chains and wheel straps.
Towing
a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage
a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift equipment.
Unless you have all-wheel drive,
to help avoid
damage, install
a towing dolly and raise the
vehicle until adequate clearance
is obtained
between the ground and/or wheel-lift equi
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when
using car-carrier
equipment. Aiways use T-hooks inserted in
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