1997 CHEVROLET TRACKER weight

Towing a Trailer
/I CA JTION:
-
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 Geo dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer 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 your Geo dealer
for important information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. 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 and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
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That’s the reason for this section. 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.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, 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 pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
0 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.
0 Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer aho.ut sway controls.
0
0
0
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 km/h) 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,
0 the weight of the trailer tongue
0 and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
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Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
1,000 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:
Customer Assistance Department
Chevrolet/Geo
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
LlH 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.
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A B
If you’re using a weight-cauying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you’re using 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
Tire-Loading Information label at the rear edge of the
driver’s door lock pillar or see “Tire Loading” in the
Index. Then be sure you don’t go over the
GVW
limit for your vehicle, including the weight of the
trailer tongue.
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:
If you use a step-bumper hitch, your bumper could
be damaged in sharp turns. Make sure you have
ample room when turning to avoid contact between
the trailer and the bumper.
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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 trailer 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
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes -- and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
0 Don’t tap into your vehicle’s brake system if the
trailer’s brake system will use more than
0.02 cubic
inch
(0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicle’s master
cylinder. If
it does, both systems won’t work well.
You could even lose your brakes.
Will the trailer brake parts take 3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure? If not, the trailer brake
system must not be used with your vehicle.
If everything checks out this far, then make the brake
fluid tap at the port on the master cylinder that sends
fluid to the rear brakes. But don’t
use copper tubing
for this.
If you do, it will bend and finally break off.
Use steel brake tubing.
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 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.
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Gear Positions. Manual Transmission ............... 2- 14
Glove Box
.................................... 2-41
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-47
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-47
Guide en FranGais
11
GV WR. ....................................... 4-47
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs .. ............................. 6-33
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-4
Headlamps
.................................... 2-3 1
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-34
HighLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-3 1
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-4
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-38
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-38
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-52
Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Hood Latch Operation Check
..................... 7-49
Hubs, Freewheeling ............................. 2- 17
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-34
Hood
Prop
........................................ 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-7
Horn ......................................... 2-29
Ignition Positions
............................... 2-7
Ignition Transaxle
Lock Check .................... 7-52
Inflation. Tire .................................. 6-41
Inside Daymight Rearview
Mirror ................. 2-39 Inspections
Brakesystem
................................ 7-54
FrontAxle
.................................. 7-54
Exhaust
Systems
............................. 7-53
Front Drive Axle Boot
......................... 7-53
Front Drive Axle Seal
......................... 7-53
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-53
RearAxle
................................... 7-54
Steering
.................................... 7-53
Suspension
.................................. 7-53
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-54
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-58
Brightness Control
............................ 2-38
Cleaning
.................................... 6-51
Cluster ..................................... 2-60
FuseBlock .................................. 6-59
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-38
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-25
Jump Starting ................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-50
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-47
Service Parts Identification
..................... 6-58
Tire-Loading Information ...................... 4-47
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-58
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Tachometer .................................. 2-6 1
Tailgate Lock Release ............................ 2-6
Tailgate
........................................ 2-5
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-18
Theft
.......................................... 2-6
Theft-Deterrent Feature. CD Player
................ 3- 15
Thermostat .................................... 6-26
Third Gear. Manual Transmission
.................. 2- 15
Tirechains
.................................... 6-48
TireLoading
................................... 4-47
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-47
Tires
......................................... 6-40
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-46
Chains
..................................... 6-48
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-23
Cleaning
.................................... 6-55
Inflation
.................................... 6-41
Inflation Check
............................... 7-49
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-42
Pressure
.................................... 6-41
Storing a Flat or Spare
......................... 5-32
Temperature
................................. 6-46
Traction
.................................... 6-45
Treadwear
................................... 6-45
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-45
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-43
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-43
Buying
New
.................................. 6-44
Loading
.................................... 4-47
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-46 Top
Strap
..................................... 1-37
Torque. Wheel Nut
......................... 5-32. 6-64
TorqueLock
................................... 2-24
Towing ATrailer
.................................... 4-49
Recreational Vehicle
.......................... 4-44
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Trailer Brakes
..................................... 4-53
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-55
Driving with
................................. 4-53
Hitches
..................................... 4-52
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-56
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-55
Safety Chains
................................ 4-53
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-52
Towing
..................................... 4-49
Turnsignals
................................. 4-55
Weight ..................................... 4-51
Tongueweight
............................... 4-51
Transfer Case. Manual Shift
................. 2-20, 6-22
Transmission Fluid Automatic
................................... 6-16
Manual
..................................... 6-19
Transportation. Courtesy
.......................... 8-7
Trip Odometer ................................. 2-61
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-4
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-30
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
................... 2-29
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-55
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