1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER towing

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Wrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Chevrolet dealer. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever
you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green 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
NOTICE:
Do not tow on steep continuous grades exceeding
6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than normal
engine and transaxle temperatures may result
and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops are
very important
to allow the engine and transaxle
to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before 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 transaxle overheating.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage. If the indicator
is in the red area, turn off the air conditioning (if you
have this option) to reduce engine load (see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index).
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 transaxle fluid (don’t overfill), engine oil, drive 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.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
Towing a Trailer (Except Models
with
2.4L Engine and 4-Speed
Automatic Transaxle)
Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is:
a convertible model.
equipped with a 2.2L (Code 4) engine.
equipped with a manual transaxle or a three-speed
automatic transaxle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
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Hazard Warning Flashers
Other Warning Devices
Jump Starting
Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating
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Cooling System
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a
Flat Tire
Compact Spare Tire
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a Chevrolet dealer or a professional towing
service tow your vehicle. They can provide the right
equipment and know how to tow your vehicle without
damage. (See “Roadside Assistance” in the Index.)
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before you do anything, turn
on the hazard
warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle cannot be towed with
sling-type equipment.
0 The make, model and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can still move the shift lever.
If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing
instructions and illustrations. The operator may want to
see them.
I I
0 That your vehicle cannot be towed from the rear with
the front wheels on the ground.
0 That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
To help avoid injury to you or others:
0 Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
0 Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
0 Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
0 Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
0 Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.
0 Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
When your vehicle is
being towed, have the ignition key
turned
to OFF. 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 transaxle should be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released.
’ 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Front Towing
Before hooking up to a tow truck, be sure to read all
the information in “Towing Your Vehicle” earlier in
this section. Attach
T-hook chains into the slots in the bottom of the
floor pan, just behind the front wheels, on both sides.
These
slots are to be used when loading and securing to
car-carrier equipment.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or
fascidfog 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 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.
Attach a separate safety chain around the outboard end
of each lower control
arm.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Towing
NOTICE:
Towing dolly required under front wheels when
equipped with automatic transaxle
or damage
will
occur.
Before hooking up to a tow truck, be sure to read all the
information in “Towing Your Vehicle” earlier in this
section. Also be sure to use the proper hookup for your
particular vehicle.
Attach T-hook chains on both sides in the slotted holes
in the bottom of the frame rail, just ahead
of the rear
wheels. These slots are to be used when loading and securing to car-carrier equipment.
Place the front wheels on a towing
dolly or place the
vehicle on a car carrier.
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