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 all trailer hitch parts 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.
While towing a trailer or when exposed to long periods
of sunshine, the oor of the truck bed may become
very warm. Avoid putting items in the truck bed
that might be affected by high ambient temperatures.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
4-87
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-7
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-12
At Least Once a Month................................6-12
At Least Once a Year..................................6-13
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000km).......................6-12
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-9
Maintenance Record....................................6-20
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-18
Owner Checks and Services.........................6-11
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-15
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-45
Manual Seats................................................... 1-3
Manual Selectable Ride...................................4-11
Manual Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-32
Operation...................................................2-32
Manual Windows............................................2-15
Memory Seat.................................................2-79Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-54
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass....2-60
Automatic Dimming Rearview with
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-62
Automatic Dimming Rearview
with OnStar
®and Compass.......................2-56
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-58
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-56
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-68
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors........................2-65
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-68
Outside Curb View Assist Mirrors...................2-68
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-68
Outside Manual Mirrors................................2-64
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors....................2-67
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-66
Outside West Coast-Type Mirrors...................2-66
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-20
Noise Control System, Tampering......................5-61
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-18
9
O
Odometer......................................................3-32
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-32
Off-Road Driving.............................................4-17
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-14
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-20
Pressure Gage............................................3-47
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-23
Older Children, Restraints................................1-32
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-69
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-29
Outlet(s), Accessory Power...............................3-18
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-68
Camper-Type Mirrors....................................2-65
Convex Mirror.............................................2-68
Curb View Assist Mirrors..............................2-68
Heated Mirrors............................................2-68
Manual Mirrors............................................2-64
Power Foldaway Mirrors...............................2-67
Power Mirrors.............................................2-66
West Coast-Type Mirrors..............................2-66
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 5-40
Owner Checks and Services.............................6-11
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-50
Shifting Out of............................................2-52
Parking
Brake........................................................2-49
Over Things That Burn.................................2-53
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-53
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-36
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-80
Passing.........................................................4-15
Passlock
®......................................................2-19
Pickup Conversion to Chassis Cab....................4-61
Power
Accessory Outlet(s)......................................3-18
Door Locks.................................................. 2-8
Electrical System.......................................5-126
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-4
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-22
Seat............................................................ 1-4
Steering Fluid.............................................5-46
Windows....................................................2-16
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-10
10
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-17
R
Radios..........................................................3-70
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-72
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-128
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-130
Care of Your CDs and DVDs .......................3-129
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-85
Radio with CD............................................3-74
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-99
Rear Seat Audio........................................3-125
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-71
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-71
Theft-Deterrent..........................................3-126
Understanding Reception............................3-128
Rear Axle......................................................5-56
Locking......................................................4-12
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-12
Rear Doors....................................................2-13
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-30
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)..................................3-125
Rear Seat Entertainment System.....................3-114
Rear Seat Operation...............................1-10, 1-11Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-27
Rearview Mirror, Automatic
Dimming with Compass................................2-60
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass and Temperature Display................2-62
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming
with OnStar®and Compass..........................2-56
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with OnStar®,
Compass and Temperature Display..................2-58
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-56
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-6
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-15
Recovery Hooks.............................................4-47
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-62
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-5
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-99
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-95
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-72
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-14
General Motors...........................................7-14
United States Government............................7-13
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-88
Replacing Restraint System
Parts After a Crash..................................1-89
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-22
11