1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM weight

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4-34
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in ªWeight of the Trailerº
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That's the reason for this part. In it are many
time
-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load
-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What's more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:

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
(1 600 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 km/h) 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,

the weight of the trailer tongue

and the total weight on your vehicle's tires.

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4-35 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 dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at:
Pontiac-GMC Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 436008
Pontiac, MI 48343-6008
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 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 ªLoading Your
Vehicleº in the Index for more information about your
vehicle's maximum load capacity.

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4-36
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 ªLoading Your Vehicleº 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 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 ªCarbon Monoxideº in the Index).
Dirt and water can, too.

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4-37 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 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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9-11
Pressure Monitor System 6-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature 6-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction 6-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treadwear 6-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uniform Quality Grading 6-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Used Replacement Wheel 6-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear Indicators 6-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Replacement 6-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When It's Time for New 6-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque Lock 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque, Wheel Nut 5-24 , 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing
Recreational Vehicle 4
-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Vehicle 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Vehicle From the Front 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Vehicle From the Rear 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer 4-33, 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Backing Up 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving on Grades 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Following Distance 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hitches 4-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance When Towing 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Making Turns 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking on Hills 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passing 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Chains 4-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tongue Weight 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Weight on Tires 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Towing 4
-33, 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signals 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weight 4-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle
Automatic 2
-20, 2-21, 2-22, 6-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 6-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmitters, Keyless Entry 2-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transportation, Courtesy 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trip Odometer 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk Lock 2-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trunk Release 2-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TTY Users 8-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signal Bulb Replacement 6-33, 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever 2-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Underbody Flushing Service 7-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Underbody Maintenance 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle
Control 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage Warnings iv. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions 6
-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification Number 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading 4-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage 6-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ventilation System 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Visors, Sun 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .