2007 HUMMER H2 brake

Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not 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.
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, 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.
374

Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 2,000 lbs (900 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes – and they
must be adequate. Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes so you’ll be
able to install, adjust and maintain them properly.
Your trailer brake system can tap into the
vehicle’s hydraulic brake system only if:
The trailer parts can withstand 3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure.
The trailer’s brake system will use less than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3 cc) of uid from your
vehicle’s master cylinder. Otherwise,
both braking systems won’t work well.
You could even lose your brakes.
If everything checks out this far, make the brake
tap at the port on the master cylinder that
sends the uid to the rear brakes. But don’t use
copper tubing for this. If you do, it will bend
and nally break off. Use steel brake tubing.
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 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.
382

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
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.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift
the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary,
a lower gear selection if the transmission shifts too
often (e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions).
You may also want to activate the tow/haul mode
if the transmission shifts too often. See “Tow/Haul
Mode” earlier.
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. If you do get the overheat warning,
seeEngine Overheating on page 418.
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.
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. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
384

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, and
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. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transmission uid (don’t overll),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. Each of these is covered in
this manual, and the Index will help you nd them
quickly. 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.
385

Trailer Wiring Harness
Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring Package
Your vehicle is equipped with a trailer towing
harness. This harness with a seven-pin universal
heavy-duty trailer connector is attached to a
bracket on the hitch platform.
The trailer towing harness contains the following
trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Light Blue: Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)
Red: Battery Feed
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
A jumper harness for an electric trailer brake
controller and a trailer battery feed fuse may be
included with this trailering package. See
“Instrument Panel Jumper Wiring Harness” later in
this section.
If you need to tow a light-duty trailer with a
standard four-way, round pin connector, an
adapter may be included. See “Four-Wire Harness
Adapter” later in this section.
Instrument Panel Jumper Wiring Harness
Notice:If your vehicle has factory or
dealer-installed HUMMER off-road lamps, the
place where an electric trailer brake connection
must be made is already in use. Do not attempt
to double-up or “piggyback” the connection,
because this could cause a failure or damage to
your vehicle, the electric trailer brake system,
or both. If you want to connect a trailer with
electric brakes to your vehicle, see your dealer
to disconnect the off-road lamps. Also, read
Add-On Electrical Equipment on page 503for
more information.
386

This harness may be included with your vehicle as
part of the heavy-duty trailer wiring package.
{CAUTION:
Be sure to use only the correct trailer
brake harness, the one intended for use
on your vehicle. If you use some other
trailer brake harness, even if it seems to
t, your trailer brakes may not work at all.
You could have a crash in which you or
others could be injured. Use only the
trailer brake harness intended for your
vehicle. If it is no longer available to you,
be sure to get a proper replacement from
your dealer.
This harness is for an electric brake controller and
includes a trailer battery feed fuse. It should be
installed by your dealer or a qualied service
center.
387

Connect the adapter with the tab pointing up.
The ip cap on the vehicle’s seven-wire harness
will lock onto the tab (see arrow in the previous
graphic) and help hold the adapter in place.
Plug the four-way round pin connector onto the
adapter.
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the Cargo
Weight Rating (CWR). CWR is the maximum
weight of the load your vehicle can carry. It doesn’t
include the weight of the people inside, but you
can gure about 150 lbs. (68 kg) for each
seat. The total cargo load must not be more than
your vehicles CWR.
Weigh your vehicle with your trailer attached, so
that you won’t go over the GVWR or GAWR. If you
are using a weight-distributing hitch, weigh the
vehicle without the spring bars in place.
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 374.
388

Service........................................................ 392
Accessories and Modications................... 392
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 393
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 393
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 394
Fuel............................................................. 394
Gasoline Octane........................................ 394
Gasoline Specications.............................. 394
California Fuel........................................... 395
Additives................................................... 395
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 396
Filling the Tank......................................... 397
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 399
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 400
Hood Release........................................... 400
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 402
Engine Oil................................................. 404
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 407
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 409
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 412
Engine Coolant.......................................... 415Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 418
Engine Overheating................................... 418
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 420
Cooling System......................................... 420
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 425
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 426
Brakes...................................................... 427
Battery...................................................... 431
Jump Starting............................................ 432
Rear Axle.................................................... 437
Four-Wheel Drive........................................ 438
Front Axle................................................... 440
Bulb Replacement....................................... 441
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 441
Headlamps................................................ 441
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.......... 442
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 443
Roof Marker Lamps................................... 443
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps...................................... 444
Replacement Bulbs................................... 446
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
389