2000 CHEVROLET BLAZER trailer

2-44
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit
Breakersº in the Index) and for burned
-out bulbs.
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for
the trailer lamps, a different turn signal flasher is used.
With this flasher installed, the signal indicator will flash
even if a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front
and rear turn signal lamps regularly to make sure they
are working.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
to low, pull the multifunction lever all the way toward
you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this indicator light on
the instrument panel cluster
will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are in the
automatic position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, but not
so far that you hear a click.
If your headlamps are in the automatic position or on
low beam, your high
-beam headlamps will turn on.
They'll stay on as long as you hold the lever toward you
and the high
-beam indicator on the instrument panel
cluster will come on. Release the lever to return to
normal operation.

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NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
NOTICE:
Modifications made to the engine, transmission,
exhaust or fuel system of your vehicle or the
replacement of the original tires with other than
those of the same Tire Performance Criteria
(TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission controls
and may cause the SERVICE ENGINE SOON
light to come on. Modifications to these systems
could lead to costly repairs not covered by your
warranty. This may also result in a failure to pass
a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

Light On Steady
-- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.

4-
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We've also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4
-2 Your Driving, the Road and Your Vehicle
4
-4 Defensive Driving
4
-4 Drunken Driving
4
-7 Control of a Vehicle
4
-8 Braking
4
-11 Steering
4
-13 Off-Road Recovery
4
-13 Passing
4
-15 Loss of Control
4
-16 Off-Road Driving with Your
Four
-Wheel-Drive Vehicle4
-30 Driving at Night
4
-31 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4
-34 City Driving
4
-35 Freeway Driving
4
-36 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
-37 Highway Hypnosis
4
-38 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-40 Winter Driving
4
-44 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
-46 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-48 Towing a Trailer

4-44
Recreational Vehicle Towing
There may be times when you want to tow your vehicle
behind another vehicle for use at your destination. Be
sure to use the proper towing equipment designed for
recreational vehicle towing. Follow the instructions for
the towing equipment.
When towing your vehicle, turn the ignition to OFF.
To prevent your battery from draining while towing,
remove the RDO BATT fuse from the instrument panel
fuse block. Be sure to replace the fuse when you reach
your destination. See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in
the Index.
Two-Wheel Drive Vehicles and Vehicles
with the Electronic Shift Transfer Case
Tw o-wheel-drive vehicles and vehicles with the
Electronic Shift Transfer Case should not be towed with
all four wheels on the ground. These transmissions have
no provisions for internal lubrication while being towed.
To properly tow these vehicles, they should be placed on
a platform trailer with all four wheels off the ground.
Towing with all four wheels on the ground should
be avoided.
In rare cases when it's unavoidable and your vehicle has
to be towed with all four wheels on the ground, the
propeller shaft to axle yoke orientation should be
marked and the propeller shaft removed following the
applicable service manual removal/installation
procedure. See ªService and Owner Publicationsº in
the Index.
Dust or dirt can enter the back of the transmission
through the opening created by removing the propeller
shaft if proper protection is not provided. Also, check
the transmission fluid level before driving the vehicle.

4-46
Loading Your Vehicle
The Certification/Tire label is found on the driver's door
edge, above the door latch. The label shows the size of
your original tires and the inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity of your vehicle. This is
called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The
GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel, cargo and trailer tongue weight, if pulling a trailer.The Certification/Tire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the actual loads on
your front and rear axles, you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help
you with this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
If you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
Similar appearing vehicles may have different GVWRs
and payloads. Please note your vehicle's Certification/Tire
label or consult your dealer for additional details.CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.

4-48 Payload
The payload capacity is shown on the Certification/Tire
label. This is the maximum load capacity that your
vehicle can carry. Be sure to include the weight of the
occupants as part of your load. If you added any
accessories or equipment after your vehicle left the
factory, remember to subtract the weight of these things
from the payload. Your dealer can help you with this.
Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need to put a
limit on how many people you carry inside your vehicle.
Be sure to weigh your vehicle before you buy and install
the new equipment.
NOTICE:
Your warranty doesn't cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
Towing a Trailer
CAUTION:
If you don't use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a trailer.
For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the brakes
may not work well
-- or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured. Pull a trailer
only if you have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your dealer for advice and information about
towing a trailer with your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your dealer for
important information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.

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Your vehicle may be able to tow a trailer. 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.
If yours was built with trailering options, as many are,
it's ready for heavier trailers. 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.
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 if your trailer will
weigh 2,000 lbs. (900 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer
will weigh more than 2,000 lbs. (900 kg). You can
ask a hitch dealer about sway controls.

Don't tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(800 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.

If you have an automatic transmission, you can use
THIRD (3) (or, as you need to, a lower gear) when
towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in THIRD (3)
when towing a trailer will minimize heat buildup and
extend the life of your transmission. If you have a
manual transmission and you are towing a trailer, it's
better not to use FIFTH (5) gear. Just drive in
FOURTH (4) gear (or, as you need to, a lower gear).
See ªTow/Haul Modeº in the Index.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:

the weight of the trailer,

the weight of the trailer tongue

and the weight on your vehicle's tires.

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Tow/Haul Mode (V6 Engine, Automatic
Transmission Equipped Models) (If Equipped)
The Tow/Haul Mode is a feature that assists when
pulling a heavy trailer. The purpose of the Tow/Haul
Mode is:

Reduce the frequency of shifts when pulling a
heavy trailer.

Provide the same shift feel when pulling a heavy
trailer as when the vehicle is unloaded.

Reduce the need to change throttle position when
pulling a heavy trailer.
This feature is turned on or
off by pressing a button on
the floor console. When the
feature is on, a light on the
instrument panel will
illuminate to indicate that
the Tow/Haul Mode has
been selected.See ªTow/Haul Mode Lightº in the Index. The
Tow/Haul Mode is automatically turned off each time
the vehicle is started.
The Tow/Haul Mode is most effective when the vehicle
and trailer combined weight is at least 75% of the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the maximum
trailer weight rating for the vehicle. See ªGross Vehicle
Weight Ratingº and ªTrailer Weightº in the Index.
The Tow/Haul Mode for hauling a heavy trailer is most
useful under the following conditions

When driving through hilly terrain at speeds below
55 mph (88 km/h).

When driving in low speed or stop and go traffic
below 55 mph (88 km/h).

When driving in parking lots.
Use the Tow/Haul Mode instead of the previous
recommendation to shift to THIRD (3) gear to improve
fuel economy at highway speeds and shift performance
at lower speeds. Operating in the Tow/Haul Mode when
not pulling a heavy trailer will not cause damage to the
vehicle, but you may experience reduced fuel economy
and undesirable performance from the engine and
transmission. The Tow/Haul Mode should be used
only when pulling a heavy trailer.