2002 GMC SONOMA towing

2-77
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.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see
ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.

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 Defensive Driving
4
-3 Drunken Driving
4
-6 Control of a Vehicle
4
-6 Braking
4
-9 Steering
4
-11 Off-Road Recovery
4
-12 Passing
4
-13 Loss of Control
4
-14 Off-Road Driving with Your
Four
-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
4
-27 Driving at Night4
-29 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4
-32 City Driving
4
-33 Freeway Driving
4
-34 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
-35 Highway Hypnosis
4
-35 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-37 Winter Driving
4
-41 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
-45 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-50 Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab
4
-50 Towing a Trailer

4-41
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle
-- such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as ªdinghy towingº (towing your
vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and ªdolly
towingº (towing your vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a device known as
a ªdollyº).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See ªDinghy
Towingº and ªDolly Towing,º following.Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:

What's the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.

How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.

Do you have the proper towing equipment? See your
dealer or trailering professional for additional advice
and equipment recommendations.

Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you would
prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you'll want to
make sure your vehicle is prepared to be towed. See
ªBefore Leaving on a Long Tripº in the Index.

4-42 Dinghy Towing
(Two-Wheel Drive Models Only)
Your vehicle should not be towed with all four wheels
on the ground. Your transmission has no provision for
internal lubrication while being towed. To properly tow
your vehicle, it 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
must 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.

4-43
When towing your vehicle, turn the ignition to OFF. To
prevent your battery from draining while towing,
remove the RDO BATT and CLSTR fuses 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.
Be sure to use the proper towing equipment designed for
recreational vehicle towing. Follow the instructions for
the towing equipment.
CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in Park (P), for an
automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is in
gear, for a manual transmission. You or others
could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is
firmly set before you shift the transfer case to
NEUTRAL.
Dolly Towing
(Two-Wheel Drive Models Only)
Your vehicle should not be towed with all four wheels
on the ground. Your transmission has no provision for
internal lubrication while being towed. To properly tow
your vehicle, it 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.

4-44
In rare cases when it's unavoidable and your vehicle
must 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.
Use the following steps to dolly tow your vehicle:

Put the front wheels on a dolly.

Put the vehicle in PARK (P).

Set the parking brake and then remove the key.

Disconnect the propshaft as described above.

Clamp the steering wheel in a straight
-ahead position
with a clamping device designed for towing.

Release the parking brake.Be sure to use the proper towing equipment designed for
recreational vehicle towing. Follow the instructions for
the towing equipment.
CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in PARK (P), for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is in
gear, for a manual transmission. You or others
could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is
firmly set before you shift the transfer case into
NEUTRAL.

4-50 Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch load from the CWR for
your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with your trailer
attached, so that you won't go over the GVWR or the
GAWR.
You'll get the best performance if you spread out the
weight of your load the right way, and if you choose the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, see ªTowing a Trailerº later in
this section.
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab
General Motors is aware that some vehicle owners may
consider having the pickup box removed and a
commercial or recreational body installed. However, we
recommend that conversions of this type not be done to
pickups. Owners should be aware that, as manufactured,
there are differences between a chassis cab and a pickup
with the box removed which may affect vehicle safety.
For specific information on this pickup, contact GM
Customer Assistance. See ªCustomer Assistanceº in
the Index.
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.

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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. Additional rear axle
maintenance is required for a vehicle used to tow
a trailer. See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº
in the Index.
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.