STARTING AND DRIVING137
DBacking with a trailer is difficult and
requires practice. Grip the bottom of
the steering wheel and move your hand
to the left to move the trailer to the
left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to the right. (This pro-
cedure is generally opposite to that
when backing without a trailer.) Also,
just turn the steering wheel a little at
a time, avoiding sharp or prolonged
turning. Have someone guide you when
backing to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
DRemember that when making a turn,
the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the
turn. Therefore, compensate for this by
making a larger than normal turning
radius with your vehicle.
DCrosswinds and rough roads will ad-
versely affect handling of your vehicle
and trailer, causing sway. Pay attention
to the rear from time to time to pre-
pare yourself for being passed by large
trucks or buses, which may cause your
vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying
happens, firmly grip the steering wheel
and reduce speed immediately but
gradually. Never increase speed. If it is
necessary to reduce speed, brake
slowly. Steer straight ahead. If you
make no extreme correction with the
steering or brakes, the vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.
DBe careful when passing other ve-
hicles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do
not forget the length of your trailer and
be sure you have plenty of room be-
fore changing lanes.
DTo maintain engine braking efficiency,
when using engine braking, do not use
fifth gear.
DBecause of the added load of the trail-
er, your vehicle’s engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over
30_C[85_F]) when going up a long or
steep grade with a trailer. If the engine
coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, pull off the road and stop
in a safe spot. Refer to “If your vehicle
overheats” on page 148 in Section 4.
DAlways place wheel blocks under both
the vehicle and trailer wheels when
parking. Apply the parking brake firmly.
Put the transmission in first or reverse.
Avoid parking on a slope with a trailer,
but if it cannot be avoided, do so only
after performing the following:
1. Apply the brakes and hold.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks un-
der both the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place,
release your brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake firmly.
5. Shift into first or reverse and turn off
the engine.
When restarting out after parking on a
slope:
1. With the clutch pedal depressed, start
the engine.
2. Shift into gear.
3. Release the parking brake and slowly
pull or back away from the wheel
blocks. Stop andapply your brakes.
4. Have someone retrieve the blocks.
Dyna100/150_EE
138STARTING AND DRIVING
CAUTION
DObserve the legal maximum speeds
for trailer towing.
DSlow down and downshift before
descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden down-
shifts while descending steep or
long downhill grades.
DAvoid holding the brake pedal down
too long or too frequently. This
could cause the brakes to overheat
and result in reduced braking effi-
ciency.
Improving fuel economy is easy—just take
it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and
repairs:
DKeep your tires inflated at the cor-
rect pressure.Underinflation causes
tire wear and wastes fuel. See page
193 in Section 7−2 for instructions.
DDo not carry unneeded weight in
your vehicle.Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing
greater fuel consumption.
DAvoid lengthy warm−up idling.Once
the engine is running smoothly, begin
driving—but gently. Remember, howev-
er, that on cold winter days this may
take a little longer.
DAccelerate slowly and smoothly.
Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high
gear as quickly as possible.
DAvoid long engine idling.If you have
a long wait and you are not in traffic,
it is better to turn off the engine and
start again later.
DAvoid engine lugging or over−rev-
ving.Use a gear position suitable for
the road on which you are travelling.
DAvoid continuous speeding up and
slowing down.Stop−and−go driving
wastes fuel.
DAvoid unnecessary stopping and
braking.Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to
avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis-
tance from other vehicles to avoid sud-
den braking. This will also reduce wear
on your brakes.
DAvoid heavy traffic or traffic jams
whenever possible.
DDo not rest your foot on the clutch
or brake pedal.This causes premature
wear, overheating and poor fuel econo-
my.
Dyna100/150_EE
How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer
226INDEX
Tires
Changing 149.........................
Checking and replacing 194............
Flat tire 149...........................
Inflation pressure 193,218..............
Replacing wheels 197..................
Rotating tires 195......................
Size 218..............................
Snow tires and chains 196..............
Spare 150............................
Tools 150...............................
To w i n g
Emergency towing 164.................
Emergency towing hook or
eyelet precautions 166...............
If your vehicle needs to be
towed 163...........................
Trailer 130............................
Trailer towing 130.......................
Trip meter 70............................
Turn signals 62..........................
V
Vehicle identification number 120.........
W
Warning buzzer 73......................
Warning light 73.........................
Washer fluid
Adding washer fluid 204................
Washing and waxing 171.................
Wheels
Replacing wheels 197..................
Windshield wiper and
washer switch 65......................
Winter driving tips 129...................
Dyna100/150_EE
