1997 Oldsmobile Achieva weight

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 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 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:
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for
hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them. Use only
a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to
the bumper.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install
a trailer hitch? If you do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index). Dirt
and water can, too.
4-38

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
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly. And because you have anti-lock brakes,
do not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake system. If you
do, both brake systems won’t work well, or at all.
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.
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.
4-39

Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding
...... 2.17.2.18. 3.21. 6-56
Electrical System
............................... 6-56
Engine
.................................. 6.10. 6.11
Coolant ..................................... 6-24
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 19
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-41
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-65
Exhaust
................. 2.10.2.32.2.33.4.29. 4.38
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-60
Identification
................................ 6-56
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-41
Running While Parked
......................... 2-33
Specifications
................................ 6-62
Starting Your
...................... 2.16.247. 2.18
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-14
Additives
................................... 6- 17
Checking
................................... 6-13
Pressure Warning Light
........................ 2-69
Used
....................................... 6-17
Whentochange
.............................. 6-17
Enhanced Traction System Active Light ......... 2.65. 4.9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
...... 2.64. 4.10
Ethanol
........................................ 6-4
Exhaust. Engine
............ 2.10.2.32.2.33.4.29. 4.38
Overheating
................................. 5-13
Warning
Light ............................ 2- . 4.9
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-49
Fifth Gear. Manual Transaxle
..................... 2-26
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5 Filter. Air
..................................... 6-18
Finish Care
.................................... 6-52
Finish Damage
................................. 6-54
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-24
First Gear. Manual Transaxle
...................... 2-25
Flashers. Hazard Warning ......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluids and Lubricants ............................ 7-47
FogLamps
.................................... 2-45
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-4
Fourth Gear. Manual Transaxle .................... 2-26
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1-3
French Language Manual
11
FrontTowing .................................. 5-10
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage ....................................... 2-72
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-57
.. ...........................
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-65
Fuel
....................................... 2-72
Speedometer
................................. 2-59
Tachometer .................................. 2-60
GarmentHook
................................. 2-54
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-21
Gear Positions. Manual Transaxle
.................. 2-25
GloveBox
.................................... 2-50
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-33
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-33
GAWR
....................................... 4-33
9-4

Theft-Deterrent Feature. CD Player ................ 3- 19
Thermostat
.................................... 6-28
Third Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-23
Third Gear. Manual Transaxle
..................... 2-26
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-35
Time. Setting the
................................ 3-6
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-47
Tire Loading
................................... 4-33
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-33
Tires
......................................... 6-40
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-45
BuyingNew
................................. 6-44
Chains
..................................... 6-47
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-22
Cleaning
.................................... 6-53
Compact Spare
............................... 5-32
Inflation
.................................... 6-41
Inflation Check
............................... 7-41
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-42
Loading
.................................... 4-33
Pressure
.................................... 6-41
Temperature
................................. 6-46
Traction
.................................... 6-45
Treadwear
................................... 6-45
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-45
Used Replacement Wheel
...................... 6-47
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-43
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-46
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-43
THEFTLOCK
TM ................................ 3- 19
TopStrap
..................................... 1-37
TorqueLock
................................... 2-30
Torque. Wheel
Nut ......................... 5-29. 6-62 Towing
FromtheFront
............................... 4-30
From the Rear
............................... 4-31
Recreational Vehicle
.......................... 4-32
Towing
a Trailer ................................ 4-35
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 4-30
Manual Transaxle
............................. 4-31
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
................ 4-32
Trailer BaclungUp
................................. 4-40
Brakes
..................................... 4-39
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-40
Driving
with ................................. 4-39
Following Distance When Driving a
.............. 4-39
Hitches
..................................... 4-38
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-41
Making Turns with a
.......................... 4-40
ParlungonHills
.............................. 4-41
Passing with
a ............................... 4-39
Safety Chains
................................ 4-39
Tongueweight
............................... 4-37
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-38
Towing
..................................... 4-35
Turnsignals
................................. 4-40
Weight
..................................... 4-37
Automatic
............... 2- 16. 2-2 1. 6. 19.7.42. 7.44
Manual
...................... 2- 16.2.25.6.22. 7.42
Transmitters. Remote Lock Control
.................. 2-7
Transportation. Courtesy
.......................... 8-6
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-4
Transaxle
9-10