If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
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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.
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during
the first 1,000 miles
(I 600 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 kdh) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h)) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts. Three
important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
0 the weight of the trailer tongue
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
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:
Oldsmobile Network
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
LlH 8P7
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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 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.
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 inside of the trunk lid
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.
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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 The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for
hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches
to it. 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.
Trailer Brakes
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.
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GAWR ....................................... 4-30
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-20
GloveBox
.................................... 2-46
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-30
Guide en Francais
11 .. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-30
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-31
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamps Aiming
..................................... 6-33
Wiring
..................................... 6-56
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-3 1
High/Low Beam Changer ...................... 2-32
Heating
........................................ 3-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-32
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-23
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-34
Hood
if Steam Is Coming From Your Engine .............. 5- 15
Ignition Positions ............................... 2-16
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................... 7-16
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-40
Illumination on Door Handle Activation
............. 2-41
Illumination on Remote Activation ................. 2-11
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-40
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-43
Inspections
.................................... 7-17
Brake System
................................ 7-17
Engine Cooling System
........................ 7-17
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-17
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot
.................. 7-17
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal
................... 7-17
Steering
.................................... 7-17
Suspension
.................................. 7-17
Throttle System
.............................. 7-17
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-50
Brightness Control
............................ 2-40
Cleaning
.................................... 6-49
Cluster
..................................... 2-52
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-57
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-40
Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-9 .................................... J ack. Tire 5-27
How to Reset the Change Oil Light
................. 6-15 Jump Starting ................................... 5-3
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-19 Key in the Ignition ............................. 2-14
Key Lock Cylinders Service
...................... 7-14
If a Tire Goes Flat .............................. 5-24 Keyless Entry System ............................ 2-8
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine ........... 5- 16 Keys .......................................... 2-2
How
to Reset the Engine Oil Life Monitor
........... 6- 15
ProCarManuals.com
Third Gear. Automatic Transaxle ................... 2-22
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-30
Tips About Your Audio System
.................... 3-26
Tirechains
.................................... 6-46
TireLoading
................................... 4-29
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-29
Tires
......................................... 6-39
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-45
BuyingNew
................................. 6-42
Chains
..................................... 6-46
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-25
Cleaning
.................................... 6-52
Compact Spare
............................... 5-35
Howtocheck
............................... 6-40
Inflation
.................................... 6-40
Inflation Check
............................... 7-13
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-41
Loading
.................................... 4-2 9
Removing the Spare and Tools
.................. 5-26
Storing the Flat and Tools
...................... 5-33
Storing the Spare and Tools
..................... 5-34
Temperature
................................. 6-44
Traction
.................................... 6-44
Treadwear
................................... 6-44
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-43
Used Replacement Wheel
...................... 6-46
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-42
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-45
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-42
Whentocheck
............................... 6-40
TopStrap
..................................... 1-42
Pressure
.................................... 6-40
Removing the Flat and Installing the Spare
......... 5-28 TorqueLock
................................... 2-26
Torque. Wheel
Nut .............................. 5-32
Towing
a Trailer ................................ 4-31
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-9
Backing Up with ............................. 4-35
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-36
Driving with a
............................... 4-34
Trailer
Brakes
..................................... 4-34
Engine Cooling When Towing
................... 4-37
Following Distance with
....................... 4-35
Hitches
..................................... 4-34
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-37
MakingTurns
................................ 4-35
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-36
Passing
with ................................. 4-35
Safety Chains
................................ 4-34
Tongueweight
............................... 4-33
Turnsignals
................................. 4-36
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-33
Towing
..................................... 4-31
Weight
..................................... 4-32
When
You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
onAHill
.................................. 4-37
Automatic
................................... 6-18
HowtoAdd
................................. 6-20
Howtocheck
............................... 6-18
When to Check and Change
..................... 6-18
Transmitters. Remote Keyless Entry
................. 2-8
Transportation, Courtesy
.......................... 8-6
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-54
Transaxle Fluid
9-10
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