2007 PONTIAC VIBE towing

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.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transaxle, wheel assemblies and tires are forced
to work harder against the drag of the added
weight. The engine is required to operate
at relatively higher speeds and under greater
loads, generating extra heat. What’s more,
the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.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. You can ask a
hitch dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst
1,000 miles (1 600 km) your new vehicle is
driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
Then, during the rst 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.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a
trailer. Don’t drive faster than the maximum
posted speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear on your
vehicle’s parts.
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Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your
vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety
chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the
tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes
separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the
bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you
can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the
trailer brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust
and maintain them properly. And, if you have
anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap into your
vehicle’s brake system. If you do, both systems
won’t work well, or at all.
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 the trailer hitch, platform
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.
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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.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring.
Check with your dealer. The arrows on your
instrument panel will ash whenever you signal a
turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer
lamps will also ash, telling other drivers you’re
about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
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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 transaxle uid (don’t overll), engine oil,
drive belt, 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 this information
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 297.
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The low-tire pressure warning light may not come
on even if the tire ination pressure is low, or it
could come on when the tire ination pressure is
set correctly under the following circumstances:
A compact spare tire, snow tires, or tire chains
are installed on your vehicle.
The tires are over-inated, or the tire ination
pressure suddenly drops due to a tire bursting
or other causes.
The vehicle is driven on a slippery road
surface such as rough or frozen roads.
The vehicle speed is less than
19 mph (30 km/h), and the driving duration is
less than ve minutes.
The tires are made by a different manufacturer
or differ in tread pattern than the original
equipment tires.
Rapid acceleration/deceleration or multiple
consecutive sharp turns.
Towing a trailer.
The vehicle is loaded over the limit or not
balanced properly.
The initialization (reset) procedure was not
performed correctly after replacing or
rotating tires or wheels.
The outside temperature is below 32°F (0°C)
or above 104°F (40°C).
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your
tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 335
andWheel Replacement on page 340for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve
more uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle.
The rst rotation is the most important. See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 376for scheduled rotation intervals.
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❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket, and lines
for damage or leaks (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs rst). Replace parts
as needed.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Change manual transaxle uid every
30,000 miles (48 000 km) only if your vehicle
is used to tow a trailer.
❑Change automatic transaxle uid every
60,000 miles (96 000 km) 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.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid does not require changing.
See Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 394for the proper uid to use.65,000 Miles 104 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 333for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.
70,000 Miles (112 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 333for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace lter if necessary.
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❑Inspect for tappet noise and engine vibration.
Adjust valve clearance to factory specications if
necessary (or every 48 months, whichever
occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect fuel tank, cap, cap gasket, and lines for
damage or leaks (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst). Replace parts as needed.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Change manual transaxle uid every
30,000 miles (48 000 km) only if your vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
❑Change automatic transaxle uid every
60,000 miles (96 000 km) 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.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid does not require changing.
See Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 394for the proper uid to use.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush, and rell the cooling system
(or every 5 years, whichever occurs rst). This
service can be complex; you should have
your dealer perform this service. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 294for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and neck. Pressure test cooling system and
pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
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Towing and Road Service Exclusions
Specically excluded from Roadside Assistance
coverage are towing or services for vehicles
operated on a non-public roadway or highway,
nes, impound towing caused by a violation
of local, Municipal, State, Provincial, or Federal
law, and mounting, dismounting or changing
of snow tires, chains, or other traction devices.
Courtesy Transportation
To enhance your ownership experience, we and
our participating dealers are proud to offer
Courtesy Transportation, a customer support
program for new vehicles.
For warranty repairs during the Bumper-to-Bumper
(U.S.) or Base Warranty Coverage period
(Canada), provided by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty, interim transportation may be available
under the Courtesy Transportation program.
Several courtesy transportation options are
available to assist in reducing your inconvenience
when warranty repairs are required.Courtesy Transportation is not a part of the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty and is available only
at participating dealers. A separate booklet entitled
“Warranty and Owner Assistance Information”
furnished with each new vehicle provides detailed
warranty coverage information.
Scheduling Service Appointments
When your vehicle requires warranty service,
contact your dealer and request an appointment.
By scheduling a service appointment and
advising your service consultant of your
transportation needs, your dealer can help
minimize your inconvenience.
If your vehicle cannot be scheduled into the
service department immediately, keep driving it
until it can be scheduled for service, unless,
of course, the problem is safety-related. If it is,
please call your dealership, let them know this, and
ask for instructions.
If the dealer requests that you simply drop the
vehicle off for service, you are urged to do so as
early in the work day as possible to allow for
the same day repair.
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