1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU weight

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
0 and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1000 lbs.
(450 kg). But
even that can be
too heavy.
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. You
can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 7047
Troy, MI 48007-7047
In Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H
8P7
4-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you have a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
12 percent 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 upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Certification label on 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 tongue.
4-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving with a nailer
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.
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 turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’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.
4-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electrical Equipment. Adding ..... 2.15.2.16.3.22. 6.64
Electrical System
............................... 6-54
Engine
.................................. 6.10. 6.11
Coolant
..................................... 6-18
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-17
Coolant Levelcheck
.......................... 7-37
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-56
Exhaust
...................... 2.10.2.26.4.27. 4.36
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-58
Identification
................................ 6-53
Oil Level Check
.............................. 7-37
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Running While Parked
......................... 2-26
Specifications
................................ 6-62
Starting Your
........................... 2- 14. 2. 16
EngineOil .................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-13
Additives
................................... 6-16
Checking ................................... 6-13
Pressure Warning Light
........................ 2-60
Used
....................................... 6-17
What Kind to Use
............................. 6- 15
Ethanol ........................................ 6-4
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-36
Whentochange
.............................. 6-16
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-45
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-17
Finishcare
.................................... 6-49 Finish Damage
................................. 6-51
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-21
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flash-to-Pass .................................. 2-30
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-20
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-42
FogLmps
.................................... 2-38
Following Distance with a Trailer
.................. 4-37
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
FrenchLanguageManual
11
FrontTowing .................................. 5-10
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-64
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-55
.. ...........................
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-56
Fuel
....................................... 2-64
Tachometer
.................................. 2-52
Garment
Hook ................................. 2-46
GAWR
....................................... 4-31
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-19
GloveBox
.................................... 2-42
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-31
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-31
Guide en Frangais
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-31
.. .................................
9-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tires ......................................... 6-35
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-42
Buying New
................................. 6-39
Chains
..................................... 6-43
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-20
Cleaning
.................................... 6-50
Compact Spare
............................... 5-32
Inflation
.................................... 6-36
Inflation Check
............................... 7-37
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-37
Loading
.................................... 4-30
Pressure
.................................... 6-36
Temperature
................................. 6-41
Traction
.................................... 6-4 1
Treadwear
................................... 6-4 1
Uniform Quality Grading ....................... 6-40
Used Replacement Wheel
...................... 6-43
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-39
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-42
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-39
TorqueLock
................................... 2-24
Torque. Wheel
Nut ......................... 5-29. 6-61
Towing From the Front
............................... 4-28
From the Rear
............................... 4-30
Recreational Vehicle
.......................... 4-28
Towing
a Trailer ................................ 4-32
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front ............... 4-28
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
................ 4-30
TopStrap
..................................... 1-37
Trailer
Backing Up with
............................. 4-37
Brakes
..................................... 4-36
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-37
Drivingwitha
............................... 4-37
Following Distance
with ....................... 4-37
Hitches
..................................... 4-36
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-40
Making Turns
................................ 4-38
ParkingonHills
.............................. 4-39
Passing with
................................. 4-37
Safety Chains
................... ............ 4-36
Tongueweight
............................... 4-35
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-36
Towing
..................................... 4-32
Turn Signals
................................. 4-38
Weight
..................................... 4-34
Automatic
................................... 6-18
Ignition Lock Check .......................... 7-40
Transportation. Courtesy
.......................... 8-8
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-51
Trunk ........................................ 2-10
TrUnk Transaxle
Transmitters. Keyless Entry System
................. 2-6
Lamp
...................................... 2-39
Release Lockout. Remote
...................... 2-10
Release. Remote
.............................. 2-10
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-4
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-29
Turn Signal On Chime
........................... 2-30
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
................... 2-29
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-38
9-10