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Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example,
speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and
how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all
important. It can depend on any special equipment that
you have on your vehicle, and the amount of tongue
weight the vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle
must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
Use the following chart to determine how much
your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle
model and options.
Engine Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight *GCWR
Automatic Transmission, 3.7L Engine 4.56 4,500 lbs (2 041 kg) 9,500 lbs (4 309 kg)
Automatic Transmission, 5.3L Engine 4.10 6,000 lbs (2 721 kg) 11,400 lbs (5 171 kg)
Manual Transmission 4.56 3,000 lbs (1 364 kg) 8,000 lbs (3 629 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) in the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer/retailer for our trailering information or advice, or write us at our Customer Assistance Offices.
SeeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 7-5for more information.
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The effect of tongue weight is about 1.5 times the actual
weight. Dividing the 900 lbs (408 kg) by 1.5 leaves you
with being able to handle only 600 lbs (272 kg) of tongue
weight. Since tongue weight is usually at least 10 percent
of total loaded trailer weight, you can expect that the
largest trailer your vehicle can properly handle is
6,000 lbs (2 721 kg).
It is important that you make sure your vehicle does not
exceed any of its ratings — GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Maximum Trailer Rating or Tongue Weight. The
only way to be sure you are not exceeding any
of these ratings is to weigh your vehicle and trailer.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from contacting
the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Always
leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig.
Never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,500 lbs (680 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.
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.
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Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator. Never
turn the radiator pressure cap — even a little —
when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not to spill it.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-31.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
Engine Overheating
A coolant temperature gage is on the instrument panel.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-35.
The air conditioning might stop working if the engine
is too hot. This is normal and helps cool the engine.
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4. Fill the coolant recovery tank to the FULL
COLD mark.
5. Reinstall the cap on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap off.6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
ller neck might be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the ller neck until the level reaches
the base of the ller neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap.
At any time during this procedure if coolant begins to
ow out of the ller neck, reinstall the pressure cap.
Be sure to secure it tightly.
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Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 5-52.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
To replace a headlamp bulb:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Reach in and access the headlamp bulb socket
from inside the engine compartment.3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it
from the headlamp assembly and pull it straight out.
4. Unplug the electrical connector by pushing
the release tab and pulling the bulb socket out.
5. Replace with a new bulb socket.
6. Reinstall the electrical connector.
7. Reinstall the new bulb socket into the headlamp
assembly and turn it clockwise to secure.
8. Close the hood.
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4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it
from the taillamp assembly.
5. Holding the socket, pull the old bulb to release it
from the socket.
6. Push the new bulb into the socket until it clicks.
7. Insert the bulb socket into the taillamp assembly
and turn it clockwise to secure.
8. Reinstall the taillamp assembly by lining up
the locator pins with the retainers in the
vehicle’s body.
9. Reinstall the two screws and tighten.
10. Close the swing-gate.License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Reach under the bumper for the bulb socket.
2. Remove the two screws holding the license
plate lamp.
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3. Pull the license plate lamp away from the fascia.
4. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull the
bulb straight out of the license plate lamp assembly.
5. Install the new bulb into the socket.
6. Insert the bulb socket into the license plate lamp
assembly and turn it clockwise to secure.
7. Replace the license plate lamp assembly and
tighten the two screws.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Back-up Lamp, Stoplamp,
Taillamp and Turn Signal Lamp3157K
License Plate Lamp 194
Low-Beam and High-Beam
HeadlampH13
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact your
dealer/retailer.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for wear
and cracking. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For proper type and length,
seeNormal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 6-14.
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To replace the windshield wiper blade assembly do the
following:
1. Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield.2. Push the release lever (B) to disengage the hook
and push the wiper arm (A) out of the blade (C).
3. Push the new wiper blade securely on the
wiper arm until you hear the release lever click
into place.
To replace the rear wiper blade, lift the rear wiper arm
from the window and pull the blade.
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