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318 Driving and Operating
cooling system, and brake
system before and during
each trip.
Check periodically that all nuts
and bolts on the trailer hitch
are tight.
Engine Cooling When
Trailer Towing
The cooling system may
temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions.
See Engine Overheating0342.
Trailer Towing
Caution
Towing a trailer improperly
can damage the vehicle and
result in costly repairs not
covered by the vehicle
warranty. To tow a trailer
correctly, follow the
directions in this section and
see your dealer for
important information about
towing a trailer with the
vehicle. Trailering is different than just
driving the 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.
The following information has
many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important
for your safety and that of
your passengers. Read this
section carefully before pulling
a trailer.Trailer Weight
{Warning
Never exceed the towing
capacity for your vehicle.
Safe trailering requires
monitoring the weight, speed,
altitude, road grades, outside
temperature, dimensions of
the front of the trailer, and
how frequently the vehicle is
used to tow a trailer.
Trailer Weight Ratings
When towing a trailer, the
combined weight of the
vehicle, vehicle contents,
trailer, and trailer contents
must be below all of the
maximum weight ratings for
the vehicle including:
.Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR)
.Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
.Maximum Trailer Weight
Rating
.Gross Axle Weight
Rating-Rear (GAWR-RR)
.Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating
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Driving and Operating 319
See“Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment” under Towing
Equipment 0322 to determine
if equalizer bars are required
to obtain the maximum trailer
weight rating.
See “Trailer Brakes” under
Towing Equipment 0322 to
determine if brakes are
required based on the trailer
weight.
The only way to be sure the
weight is not exceeding any of
these ratings is to weigh the
tow vehicle and trailer
combination, fully loaded for
the trip, getting individual
weights for each of these
items.
{Warning
You and others could be
seriously injured or killed if
the trailer is too heavy or
the trailer brakes are
inadequate for the load. The
vehicle may be damaged,
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Only tow a trailer if all the
steps in this section have
been followed. Ask your
dealer for advice and
information about towing a
trailer.
Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR)
GCWR is the total allowable
weight of the completely
loaded vehicle and trailer
including any fuel, passengers,
cargo, equipment, and
accessories. Do not exceed
the GCWR for your vehicle.
The GCWR for the vehicle is
on the Tow Rating Chart
following.
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)
For information about the
vehicle's maximum load
capacity, see Vehicle Load
Limits0242. When calculating
the GVWR with a trailer
attached, the trailer tongue
weight must be included as
part of the weight the vehicle
is carrying.
Maximum Trailer Weight
The maximum trailer weight
rating is calculated assuming
the tow vehicle has a driver, a
front seat passenger, and all
required trailering equipment.
This value represents the
heaviest trailer the vehicle can
tow, but it may be necessary
to reduce the trailer weight to
stay within the GCW, GVWR,
maximum trailer tongue load,
or GAWR-RR for the vehicle.
Use the tow rating chart to
determine how much the
trailer can weigh, based on the
vehicle model and options.
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322 Driving and Operating
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Always use the correct hitch
equipment for your vehicle.
Crosswinds, large trucks going
by, and rough roads can affect
the trailer and the hitch.
Proper hitch equipment for
your vehicle helps maintain
control of the vehicle-trailer
combination. Many trailers can
be towed using a
weight-carrying hitch which
has a coupler latched to the
hitch ball, or a tow eye latched
to a pintle hook. Other trailers
may require a
weight-distributing hitch that
uses spring bars to distribute
the trailer tongue weight
between your vehicle and
trailer axles. See“Maximum
Trailer Tongue Weight” under
Trailer Towing 0318 for
weight limits with various hitch
types. Never attach rental hitches or
other bumper-type hitches.
Only use frame-mounted
hitches that do not attach to
the bumper.
Hitch Cover
To remove hitch cover,
if equipped:
1. Remove the two fasteners on the lower tabs.
2. Pull the lower edge of the cover to about a 45 degree
angle.
3. Pull the cover downward to disengage the upper
attachments. To reinstall the hitch cover:
1. Hold cover at a 45 degree angle to the vehicle and
push the upper tabs into
the slots in the bumper.
2. Push the bottom of the cover forward until the
lower tabs line up with the
lower slots.
3. Snap the hitch cover into place by pushing the upper
corners forward.
4. Reinstall the two fasteners on the lower tabs.
Consider using mechanical
sway controls with any trailer.
Ask a trailering professional
about sway controls or refer
to the trailer manufacturer's
recommendations and
instructions.
Tires
.Do not tow a trailer while
using a compact spare tire
on the vehicle.
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Driving and Operating 323
.Tires must be properly
inflated to support loads
while towing a trailer. See
Tires0364 for instructions
on proper tire inflation.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between
the vehicle and the trailer, and
attach the chains to the holes
on the trailer hitch platform.
Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the
hitch manufacturer or by the
trailer manufacturer.
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 the
combination can turn. Never
allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Loaded trailers over 450 kg
(1,000 lb) must be equipped
with brake systems and with brakes for each axle. Trailer
braking equipment conforming
to Canadian Standards
Association (CSA) requirement
CAN3-D313, or its equivalent,
is recommended.
State or local regulations may
require trailers to have their
own braking system if the
loaded weight of the trailer
exceeds certain minimums
that can vary from state to
state. Read and follow the
instructions for the trailer
brakes so they are installed,
adjusted, and maintained
properly. Never attempt to tap
into your vehicle's hydraulic
brake system. If you do, both
the vehicle anti-lock brakes
and the trailer brakes may not
function, which could result in
a crash.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Basic Trailer Wiring
The trailer wiring harness is
located at the rear of the
vehicle and is tied to the
vehicle's frame. The harness
connector can be plugged into
a trailer connector available
through your dealer.
Trailer Lamps
Always check all trailer lamps
are working at the beginning
of each trip, and periodically
on longer trips.
Turn Signals When
Towing a Trailer
When properly connected, the
trailer turn signals will
illuminate to indicate the
vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When
towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument cluster will
illuminate even if the trailer is
not properly connected or the
bulbs are burned out.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) have a Trailer Sway
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324 Driving and Operating
Control (TSC) feature. Trailer
sway is unintended
side-to-side motion of a trailer
while towing. If the vehicle is
towing a trailer and the TSC
detects that sway is
increasing, the vehicle brakes
are selectively applied at each
wheel, to help reduce
excessive trailer sway.
If equipped with the
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system, and the
trailer has an electric brake
system, StabiliTrak/ESC may
also apply the trailer brakes.
If TSC is enabled, the Traction
Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak/ESC warning light
will flash on the instrument
cluster. Reduce vehicle speed
by gradually removing your
foot from the accelerator.If trailer sway continues,
StabiliTrak/ESC can reduce
engine torque to help slow the
vehicle. TSC will not function if
StabiliTrak/ESC is turned off.
See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control
0
267.
{Warning
Trailer sway can result in a
crash and in serious injury or
death, even if the vehicle is
equipped with TSC.
If the trailer begins to sway,
reduce vehicle speed by
gradually removing your foot
from the accelerator. Then
pull over to check the trailer
and vehicle to help correct
possible causes, including an
improperly or overloaded
trailer, unrestrained cargo,
improper trailer hitch
configuration, or improperly
inflated or incorrect vehicle
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
or trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment0322 for trailer
ratings and hitch setup
recommendations.
Trailer Tires
Special Trailer (ST) tires differ
from vehicle tires. Trailer tires
are designed with stiff
sidewalls to help prevent sway
and to support heavy loads.
These features can make it
difficult to determine if the
trailer tire pressures are low
only based on a visual
inspection.
Always check all trailer tire
pressures before each trip
when the tires are cool. Low
trailer tire pressure is a
leading cause of trailer tire
blow-outs.
Trailer tires deteriorate over
time. The trailer tire sidewall
will show the week and year
the tire was manufactured.
Many trailer tire
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Vehicle Care 327
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . 389
Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . 390
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . 398
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . 404
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404
Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a DisabledVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 421
General
Information
For service and parts needs,
visit your dealer. You will
receive genuine GM parts and
GM-trained and supported
service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Perchlorate
Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt
pretensioners, and lithium
batteries contained in
electronic keys, may contain
perchlorate materials.
Perchlorate Material –special
handling may apply. See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/
hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories
or making modifications to the
vehicle can affect vehicle
performance and safety,
including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride
and handling, emissions
systems, aerodynamics,
durability, Driver Assistance
Systems, and electronic
systems like antilock brakes,
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Vehicle Care 407
Warning (Continued)
eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly.
Keep your hands away from
moving parts once the
engine is running.
5. Connect one end of the red positive (+) cable to the
discharged battery
positive (+) terminal.
6. Connect the other end of the red positive (+) cable to
the good battery
positive (+) terminal.
7. Connect one end of the black negative (–) cable to
the good battery negative
(–) terminal. 8. Connect the other end of
the black negative (–) cable
to the discharged battery
negative (–) terminal on the
driver side shock tower.
9. Start the engine in the vehicle with the good
battery and run the engine
at idle speed for at least
four minutes.
10. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery.
If it will not start after a
few tries, it probably needs
service.
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly
when removing the jumper
cables.
After starting the disabled
vehicle and removing the
jumper cables, allow it to idle
for several minutes.
Towing the
Vehicle
Transporting a
Disabled Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly transporting a
disabled vehicle may cause
damage to the vehicle. Use
proper tire straps to secure
the vehicle to the flatbed
tow truck. Do not strap or
hook to any frame,
underbody, or suspension
component not specified
below. Do not move vehicles
with drive axle tires on the
ground. Damage is not
covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Caution
The vehicle may be equipped
with an electric parking
brake and/or an electronic (Continued)
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408 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
shifter. In the event of a loss
of 12-volt battery power, the
electric parking brake
cannot be released, and the
vehicle cannot be shifted to
N (Neutral). Tire skates or
dollies must be used under
the non-rolling tires to
prevent damage while
loading/unloading the
vehicle. Dragging the vehicle
will cause damage not
covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Caution
The vehicle may be equipped
with a tow eye. Improper use
of the tow eye may cause
damage to the vehicle and is
not covered by the vehicle
warranty. If equipped, use
the tow eye to load the
vehicle onto a flatbed tow
truck from a flat road(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
surface, or to move the
vehicle a very short distance
at a walking pace. The tow
eye is not designed for
off-road recovery. The
vehicle must be in
N (Neutral) with the electric
parking brake released when
using the tow eye.
Contact a professional towing
service if the disabled vehicle
must be transported. GM
recommends a flatbed tow
truck to transport a disabled
vehicle. Use ramps to help
reduce approach angles,
if necessary.
If equipped, a tow eye may be
located near the spare tire or
emergency jack. Do not use
the tow eye to pull the vehicle
from the snow, mud, sand,
or ditch. Tow eye threads may
have right or left-hand
threads. Use caution when
installing or removing the
tow eye. The vehicle must be in
N (Neutral) and the electric
parking brake must be
released when loading the
vehicle onto a flatbed tow
truck.
.If the vehicle is equipped
with car wash mode and has
12-volt battery power, refer
to
“Car Wash Mode” under
Automatic Transmission
0 257 to place the vehicle in
N (Neutral).
.If the 12-volt battery is dead
and/or the engine will not
start, the vehicle will not
move. Try to jump start the
vehicle. Refer to Jump
Starting - North America
0 404 and if the jump start is
successful, retry the “Car
Wash Mode” procedure.
.If jump starting is
unsuccessful, the vehicle will
not move. Tire skates or
dollies must be used under
the non-rolling tires to
prevent vehicle damage.