2006 CHEVROLET SSR towing

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
If you have an automatic transmission, you can tow in
DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the transmission
to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy loads or hilly
conditions. If you have a manual transmission and
you are towing a trailer, it is better not to use SIXTH (6)
gear. Just drive in FIFTH (5) gear (or, as you need
to, a lower gear).
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked, preferably on level ground, with
the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off. For manual
transmissions, let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the transmission out of
gear and the parking brake applied, for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If you do get the overheat
warning, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-27.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet for an automatic transmission, or
into gear for a manual transmission. Turn your
wheels into the curb if facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Release the regular brakes.
4-45

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
•Start your engine.
•Shift into a gear.
•Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
fluid (don’t overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual. If you’re trailering, it’s a
good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-46

Trailer Wiring Harness
The trailer wiring is a four-wire harness assembly. The
wires are blunted and taped to the wiring harness.
The harness and wiring are stored under the vehicle on
the driver’s side. The harness has no connector and
should be wired by a qualified electrical technician. The
technician can use the following color code chart
when connecting the wiring harness to your trailer.
•Black: Ground wire.
•Yellow: Left turn lamps.
•Dark Green: Right turn lamps.
•Brown: Parking lamps.
Securely attach the harness to the trailer, then tape or
strap it to your vehicle’s frame rail. Be sure you
leave it loose enough so the wiring doesn’t bend or
break, but not so loose that it drags on the ground. Store
the harness in its original place. Wrap the harness
together and tie it neatly so it won’t be damaged.
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch load from the Cargo
Weight Rating (CWR) for your vehicle. The CWR is the
maximum weight of the load your vehicle can carry.
The CWR does not include the weight of the people
inside, but you can figure about 150 lbs (68 kg) for each
seating position. The total cargo load must not be
more than the vehicle’s CWR. Make sure to 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, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-35
earlier in this section.
4-47

If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
•Climb a long hill on a hot day.
•Stop after high-speed driving.
•Idle for long periods in traffic.
•Tow a trailer. See “Driving on Grades” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-35.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning does not come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you are parked. If you still have the
warning,turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicleuntil it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-28

Maintenance Footnotes
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines and hoses
for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang, etc.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if
they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, ttings, and clamps; replace with genuine
GM parts as needed. To help ensure proper operation,
a pressure test of the cooling system and pressure
cap and cleaning the outside of the radiator and
air conditioning condenser is recommended at least
once a year.
(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace wiper blades that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing itsjob, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety
belts replaced. Also look for any opened or broken
airbag coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, all body door and
fuel door hinges, latches and locks, including glove box
and console doors, hood assembly, secondary latch,
pivots, spring anchor, release pawl, and any moving
seat hardware. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer, seal better, and
not stick or squeak.
(g)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
-In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
-In hilly or mountainous terrain.
-When doing frequent trailer towing.
-Uses such as found in taxi, police, or
delivery service.
6-7

If an Accident Occurs
Here is what to do if you are involved in an accident.
•Try to relax and then check to make sure you are all
right. If you are uninjured, make sure that no one else
in your vehicle, or the other vehicle, is injured.
•If there has been an injury, call 911 for help. Do not
leave the scene of an accident until all matters have
been taken care of. Move your vehicle only if its
position puts you in danger or you are instructed to
move it by a police officer.
•Give only the necessary and requested information
to police and other parties involved in the accident.
Do not discuss your personal condition, mental frame
of mind, or anything unrelated to the accident. This
will help guard against post-accident legal action.
•If you need roadside assistance, call GM Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 7-6for more information.
•If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where the
towing service will be taking it. Get a card from the
tow truck operator or write down the driver’s name,
the service’s name, and the phone number.
•Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it is
towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance
information and registration if you keep these items
in your vehicle.
•Gather the important information you will need from
the other driver. Things like name, address, phone
number, driver’s license number, vehicle license
plate, vehicle make, model and model year, Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN), insurance company and
policy number, and a general description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
•If possible, call your insurance company from the
scene of the accident. They will walk you through the
information they will need. If they ask for a police
report, phone or go to the police department
headquarters the next day and you can get a copy of
the report for a nominal fee. In some states with “no
fault” insurance laws, a report may not be necessary.
This is especially true if there are no injuries and both
vehicles are driveable.
•Choose a reputable collision repair facility for
your vehicle. Whether you select a GM dealer or a
private collision repair facility to fix the damage,
make sure you are comfortable with them.
Remember, you will have to feel comfortable with
their work for a long time.
•Once you have an estimate, read it carefully and
make sure you understand what work will be
performed on your vehicle. If you have a question,
ask for an explanation. Reputable shops welcome
this opportunity.
7-12

Power (cont.)
Steering Fluid.............................................5-31
Windows....................................................2-12
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-10
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-11
R
Radios..........................................................3-58
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-86
Care of Your CDs........................................3-86
Radio with CD............................................3-60
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-72
Setting the Time..........................................3-60
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-84
Understanding Reception..............................3-85
Raising the Convertible Top..............................2-48
Rear Axle......................................................5-42
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-27
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-35
Reduced Engine Power Light............................3-38
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-6
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-48Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-14
General Motors...........................................7-14
United States Government............................7-13
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-52
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-53
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-17
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-28
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-26
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-27
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-79
Driver Position............................................1-12
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-12
Passenger Position......................................1-19
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-11
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-19
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-18
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-6
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
9

Tires.............................................................5-51
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels,
Cleaning.................................................5-82
Buying New Tires........................................5-60
Chains.......................................................5-66
Cleaning....................................................5-82
Different Size..............................................5-62
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-67
Inflation - Tire Pressure................................5-57
Inspection and Rotation................................5-59
Tire Inflator Kit............................................5-68
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-52
Tire Terminology and Definitions....................5-54
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-62
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-63
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-64
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-59
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-35
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-35
Your Vehicle...............................................4-35
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-32
Trailer
Recommendations.......................................4-47
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-20
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-22Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-19
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-21
Trip Odometer................................................3-26
Truck-Camper Loading Information....................4-34
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-85
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-62
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-30
Operation...................................................2-30
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-29
Parking Your...............................................2-25
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders............................................. 7-9
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).............................................5-85
Service Parts Identification Label...................5-85
11