1997 Oldsmobile Aurora weight

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 retailer for our trailering information
or advice, or you can write us at:
Customer Assistance Representative
Oldsmobile Central Office
920 Townsend Street
P.O. Box 30095
Lansing, MI 48909
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
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
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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
Tire-Loading Information 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:
0
0 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.
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.
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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.
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.
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 steenng 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.
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Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-74
Fuel
....................................... 2-79
Garage
Door Opener ............................ 2-61
GAWR
....................................... 4-30
GloveBox
.................................... 2-54
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-30
Guide en FranCais
11 .. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-30
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-33
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-6
Headlamps
............................... 2-37. 2-44
Aiming
..................................... 6-3 7
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-34
HigWLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-38
Wiring
..................................... 6-62
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heated Outside Mirror
........................... 2-54
Heatedseats
.................................... 1-4
Heating ........................................ 3-7
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-38
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-24
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-35
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-34
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-20 Ignition
Positions
.............................. 2-21
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-48
Inadvertent Load Protection
....................... 2-50
Inflation, Tire
.................................. 6-45
Inspections
.................................... 7-43
Brakesystem
................................ 7-43
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-43
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot and Seal
........... 7-43
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-43
Steering
.................................... 7-43
Suspension
.................................. 7-43
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-43
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-64
Brightness Control
............................ 2-46
Cleaning
.................................... 6-55
Cluster
..................................... 2-66
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-63
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-46
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-43
Ignition Transaxle
Lock Check
.................... 7-42
Jack. Tire
.................................... 5-26
Jump Starting ................................... 5-3
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-40
Key Reminder Warning
.......................... 2-22
Keys
.......................................... 2-2
Labels Certification
................................. 4-30
Service Parts Identification ..................... 6-61
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-30

Storage. Vehicle ................................ 6-33
Stuck:
In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-35
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-58
Sunroof
....................................... 2-60
Supplemental Restraint System
.................... 1- 19
Surge Tank. Coolant
............................. 5-19
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
......................... 6-23
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. v
Tachometer
.................................. 2-68
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-39
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-30
Temperature Control. Passenger
................... 3-10
Theater Dimming
............................... 2-47
Theft
......................................... 2-16
Theft-Deterrent Feature
.......................... 3-25
THEFTLOCK"
................................ 3-25
Thermostat
.................................... 6-25
Third Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-27
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-35
Time Out Feature
............................... 2-47
Time. Setting the
............................... 3-1.1
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-30
Temperature Button. Climate Control System
.......... 3-3
1 Tires ......................................... 6-44
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-50
BuyingNew
................................. 6-48
Chains
..................................... 6-52
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-24
Cleaning
.................................... 6-58
Compact Spare
............................... 5-34
Inflation
.................................... 6-45
Inflationcheck
............................... 7-39 Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-46
Loading
Your Vehicle ......................... 4-30
Pressure
.................................... 6-45
Temperature
................................. 6-50
Traction
.................................... 6-49
Treadwe
ar ................................... 6-49
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-49
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-47
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-50
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-47
TopStrap
..................................... 1-36
TorqueLock
................................... 2-31
Torque, Wheel Nut
......................... 5-31, 6-73
Towing
Your Vehicle ............................. 5-8
Active Light
.................................. 4-9
Control System
................................ 4-9
Control System Active Light
................ 2-73, 4-9
Control System Warning Light
............. 2-72, 4-10
Off Warning Light ............................ 4-10
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-37
Drivingwith
................................. 4-36
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-38
ParkingonHills
.............................. 4-37
SafetyChains
................................ 4-35
Tongueweight
............................... 4-34
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-35
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
TowingaTrailer
................................ 4-32
Traction
Trailer Brakes
..................................... 4-36
Hitches
..................................... 4-35
Towing
..................................... 4-32
Weight
..................................... 4-34
9-10