2009 PONTIAC TORRENT tow

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be
towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-26.
Loading the Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. Two labels on your vehicle
show how much weight it may properly carry,
the Tire and Loading Information label and
the Vehicle Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on the
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of the vehicle.
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Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1.Locate the statement “The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity for your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-33for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules, and
trailering tips.
4-22

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled vehicle should be towed
with all four wheels off the ground. Consult your
dealer/retailer or a professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-7.
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes, such as behind a motorhome,
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing.
Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle
with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up
on a device known as a dolly.Here are some important things to consider before
recreational vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
What is the distance that will be travelled? Some
vehicles have restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
Is the proper towing equipment going to be used?
See your dealer/retailer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing
the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a
Long Trip on page 4-15.
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Dinghy Towing (Vehicles with a
5-speed Transmission)
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle
with any of its wheels on the ground.
The vehicle was not designed to be towed with all of its
wheels on the ground. If the vehicle is front-wheel drive,
it can be towed with two of its wheels on the ground. See
“Dolly Towing” following. If the vehicle is all-wheel-drive,
it cannot be towed with any of its wheels on the ground.
It must be towed with a platform truck or trailer.
Dinghy Towing (Vehicles with a
6-speed Transmission)
If the vehicle is front-wheel-drive, it can be dinghy towed
from the front. These vehicles may also be towed by
putting the front wheels on a dolly. See “Dolly Towing”
later in this section.
If the vehicle is all-wheel-drive, it can be dinghy towed
from the front. These vehicles can also be towed by
placing them on a platform trailer with all four wheels off
of the ground. These vehicles cannot be towed using
a dolly.
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For vehicles being dinghy towed, re-install the fuse and
run the vehicle at the beginning of each day and at
each RV fuel stop for about ve minutes. This will
ensure proper lubrication of transmission components.
To tow a vehicle with a 6–speed transmission from
the front with all four wheels on the ground:
1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow
vehicle and shift the transmission to P (Park).
2. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
3. Firmly set the parking brake.
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow
vehicle.
5. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
6. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
7. To prevent the battery from draining while the
vehicle is being towed, remove the 50 amp
BATT1 fuse from the engine compartment fuse
block and store in a safe location. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-93.
8. Release the parking brake.Notice:If the vehicle is towed without performing
each of the steps listed under “Dinghy Towing,”
the automatic transmission could be damaged.
Be sure to follow all steps of the dinghy towing
procedure prior to and after towing the vehicle.
Notice:If 65 mph (105 km/h) is exceeded while
towing the vehicle, it could be damaged. Never
exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing the vehicle.
Once the destination has been reached:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Reinstall the 50 amp BATT1 fuse to the engine
compartment fuse block.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park), turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF and remove the key from the ignition.
4. Release the parking brake.
Notice:Do not tow a vehicle with the front drive
wheels on the ground if one of the front tires
is a compact spare tire. Towing with two different
tire sizes on the front of the vehicle can cause
severe damage to the transmission.
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Dolly Towing (Front-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles with a 5-speed Transmission)To dolly tow a front-wheel drive vehicle with a 5–speed
transmission from the front with two of its wheels on
the ground:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
4. Firmly set the parking brake.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for towing.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the dolly.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
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Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
with a 5-speed Transmission)
Notice:Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of
its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain
components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle
with any of its wheels on the ground.
If the vehicle is all-wheel-drive with a 5–speed
transmission, it cannot be towed with any of its wheels
on the ground. It must be towed with a platform truck
or trailer.
Dolly Towing (Front-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles with a 6-speed Transmission)
To tow a front-wheel-drive vehicle from the front with
two wheels on the ground:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
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3. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
4. Firmly set the parking brake.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for towing.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the dolly.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
with a 6-speed Transmission)
All-wheel-drive vehicles must not be towed with two
wheels on the ground. To properly tow these vehicles,
they should be placed on a platform truck or trailer with
all four wheels off of the ground or dinghy towed from
the front.
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