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Your vehicle's load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Distribute the load so that only 10 to 15% of the total is on the tongue.
Tie down the load so that it does not shift and change the weight on the
hitch.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any towing operation.
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label.
Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer
weight could result in engine damage, transmission/axle damage,
structural damage, loss of control, and personal injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer, and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your dealer or a reliable trailer
dealer if you require assistance.
Hitches
Do not use or install hitches that clamp onto the bumper or to the axle.
Underbody hitches are acceptable if installed properly.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer's safety chains to the vehicle. To connect the
trailer's safety chains, cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow
slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Driving
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Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type brakes are safe if
installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer's specifications. The
trailer brakes must meet local and Federal regulations.
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough
braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure your
trailer lamps conform to local and Federal regulations. See your dealer or
trailer rental agency for proper instructions and equipment for hooking
up trailer lamps.
Using a step bumper
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and requires only a
ball with a 25.4 mm (one inch) shank diameter. The bumper has a
2 270 kg (5 000 lb.) trailer weight and 227 kg (500 lb.) tongue weight
capability.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.
Driving while you tow
Do not drive faster than 88 km/h (55 mph) when towing a trailer. Do not
drive faster than 72 km/h (45 mph) with any weight on the trailer while
towing on a hot day or in hilly country.
Speed control may shut off if you are towing on long, steep grades.
When towing a trailer:
²Use D (Drive) or a lower gear when towing up or down steep hills.
This will eliminate excessive downshifting and upshifting for optimum
fuel economy and transmission cooling.
²Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
When descending long, steep downhill grades, always use a lower gear to
provide engine braking to save wear on brakes. Use Drive (Overdrive
Driving
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OFF) on moderately steep hills, Second (2) on steep hills, and First (1)
on very steep hills.
Servicing after towing
If you tow a trailer for long distances, your vehicle will require more
frequent service intervals. Refer to your maintenance guide and or
service guide for more information.
Trailer towing tips
²Practice turning, stopping and backing up in an area before starting on
a trip to get the feel of the vehicle trailer combination. When turning,
make wider turns so the trailer wheels will clear curbs and other
obstacles.
²Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached.
²The trailer tongue weight should be 10±15% of the loaded trailer
weight.
²If you will be towing a trailer frequently in hot weather, hilly
conditions, at GCW, or any combination of these factors, consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic gear lube. Refer to the
Capacities and specificationschapter for the lubricant specification.
²After you have traveled 80 km (50 miles), thoroughly check your
hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts.
²When stopped in traffic for long periods of time in hot weather, place
the gearshift in P (Park) and increase idle speed. This aids engine
cooling and air conditioner efficiency.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. If you must
park on a grade, place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels.
Launching or retrieving a boat
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval,
²Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of
the rear bumper and
²Do not allow waves to break higher than 15 cm (six inches) above the
bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter critical vehicle
components, adversely affecting driveability, emissions, reliability and
causing internal transmission damage.
Driving
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Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the axle has been submerged in
water. Rear axle lubricant quantities are not to be checked or changed
unless a leak is suspected or repair required.
Disconnect the wiring to the trailer before backing the trailer into the
water. Reconnect the wiring to the trailer after the trailer is removed
from the water.
Driving
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
8 30A Radio Capacitor(s), Ignition Coil, PCM
Diode, PCM Power Relay, Fuel Heater,
Glow Plug Relay (Diesel Only)
9 30A Wiper Control Module, Windshield Wiper
Motor
10 20A Main Light Switch, (External Lamps)
Multi-Function Switch (Flash-to-pass)
11 15A Brake Pressure Switch, Multi-Function
Switch (Hazards), RABS, Brake Pedal
Position Switch
12 15A Transmission Range (TR) Sensor, Auxiliary
Battery Relay
13 15A Blend Door Actuator, Function Selector
Switch
14 5A Instrument Cluster (Air Bag and Charge
Indicator)
15 5A Trailer Battery Charge Relay
16 30A Power Seats
17 Ð Not Used
18 Ð Not Used
19 10A Air Bag Diagnostic Monitor
20 5A Overdrive Cancel Switch
21 30A Power Windows*
22 15A Memory Power Radio
23 20A Cigar Lighter, Data Link Connector (DLC)
24 5A Illuminated Entry Module
25 10A Left Headlamp (Low Beam)
26 Ð Not Used
27 5A Radio
28 25A Power Plug
29 Ð Not Used
30 15A Headlamps (High Beam Indicator), DRL10A
Roadside emergencies
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The high-current fuses are coded as follows.
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
1 Ð Not Used
2 Ð Not Used
3 Ð Not Used
4 10A PCM Keep Alive Memory, Instrument
Cluster
5 10A Right Trailer Turn Signal
6 10A Left Trailer Turn Signal
7 Ð Not Used
8 60A I/P Fuses 5, 11, 23, 38, 4, 10, 16, 22, 28
9 30A PCM Power Relay, Engine Compartment
Fuse 4
10 60A Auxiliary Battery Relay, Engine
Compartment Fuses 14, 22
11 30A IDM Relay
12 60A Engine Compartment Fuses 26, 27
13 50A Blower Motor Relay (Blower Motor)
AB3
2
146 5715 14 13 12 11 10 9 823 22 21 20 19 18 17 1624 26 25 27
29
CDG F EK J H
28
Roadside emergencies
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Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
14 30A Trailer Running Lamps Relay, Trailer
Backup Lamps Relay
15 40A Main Light Switch
16 50A RKE Module, Auxiliary Blower Motor Relay
17 30A Fuel Pump Relay, IDM (Diesel)
18 60A I/P Fuses 40, 41
19 60A 4WABS Module
20 20A Electric Brake Controller
21 50A Modified Vehicle Power
22 40A Trailer Battery Charge Relay (Modified
Vehicles Only)
23 60A Ignition Switch
24 Ð Not Used
25 20A NGV Module
26 10A Generator/Voltage Regulator (Diesel Only)
27 15A DRL Module, Horn Relay
28 Ð PCM Diode
29 Ð Not Used
A Ð Not Used
B Ð Not Used
C Ð Trailer Backup Lamps Relay
D Ð Trailer Running Lamps Relay
E Ð Trailer Running Lamps Relay
F Ð IDM Relay
G Ð PCM Relay
H Ð Blower Motor Relay
J Ð Horn Relay
K Ð Fuel Pump Relay, IDM Relay (Diesel)
Relays
Relays are located in the power distribution box and should be replaced
by qualified technicians.
Roadside emergencies
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6. If the fluid is low, add fluid in small amounts, continuously checking
the level until it reaches the FULL COLD range. Be sure to put the
dipstick back in the reservoir.
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Checking automatic transmission fluid
Refer to your maintenance guide and or service guide for scheduled
intervals for fluid checks and changes. Your transmission does not
consume fluid. However, the fluid level should be checked if the
transmission is not working properly, i.e., if the transmission slips or
shifts slowly or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.
Automatic transmission fluid expands when warmed. To obtain an
accurate fluid check, drive the vehicle until it is warmed up
(approximately 30 km [20 miles]). If your vehicle has been operated for
an extended period at high speeds, in city traffic during hot weather or
pulling a trailer, the vehicle should be turned off for about 30 minutes to
allow fluid to cool before checking.
1. Drive the vehicle 30 km (20 miles) or until it reaches normal operating
temperature.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
3. With the parking brake engaged and your foot on the brake pedal,
start the engine and move the gearshift lever through all of the gear
ranges. Allow sufficient time for each gear to engage.
4. Latch the gearshift lever in P (Park) and leave the engine running.
5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean with a clean, dry lint free rag.
6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully seated in the filler tube.
7. Remove the dipstick and inspect the fluid level. The fluid should be in
the designated areas for normal and room temperature.
Low fluid level
Do not drive the vehicle if the fluid
level is at the bottom of the dipstick
and the outside temperatures are
above 10ÉC (50ÉF).
Correct fluid level
The transmission fluid should be checked at normal operating
temperatures 66ÉC-77ÉC (150ÉF-170ÉF) on a level surface. The normal
Maintenance and care
157