towing CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX 2007 6.G User Guide

This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis
and service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon
as it is possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 349.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn
the light off.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 288
Defensive Driving...................................... 288
Drunken Driving........................................ 289
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 292
Braking...................................................... 292
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 293
Braking in Emergencies............................. 295
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 295
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).............. 297
Steering.................................................... 299
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 302
Passing..................................................... 302
Loss of Control.......................................... 304
Competitive Driving................................... 305
Driving at Night......................................... 306
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 307City Driving............................................... 311
Freeway Driving........................................ 312
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 313
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 314
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 315
Winter Driving........................................... 317
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow................................. 322
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 323
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 324
Towing........................................................ 330
Towing Your Vehicle................................. 330
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 330
Towing a Trailer........................................ 333
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
287

{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at
high speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. And, the
transaxle or other parts of the vehicle
can overheat. That could cause an
engine compartment re or other damage.
When you are stuck, spin the wheels
as little as possible. Do not spin the
wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transaxle back and forth, you can destroy
the transaxle. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 323.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 416.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
If your vehicle has a traction system, you
should turn the traction system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 295orEnhanced
Traction System (ETS) on page 297. Then
shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and
a forward gear, spinning the wheels as little
as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle
out after a few tries, it may need to be towed out.
If your vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 330.
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The Tire and Loading Information label also shows
the tire size of the original equipment tires (C) and
the recommended cold tire ination pressures (D).
For more information on tires and ination see
Tires on page 397andInation - Tire Pressure
on page 406.
There is also important loading information on the
Certication label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle; see
“Certication Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX pounds” on your
vehicle 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 kilograms or
XXX pounds.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 of your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 333for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules,
and trailering tips.
325

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 481.
If you want to tow your 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 your
vehicle behind another vehicle — such as behind
a motorhome. The two most common types
of recreational vehicle towing are known as
“dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a device known
as a “dolly”).With the proper preparation and equipment,
many vehicle can be towed in these ways. See
“Dinghy Towing” and “Dolly Towing”, following.
Here are some important things to consider before
you do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer/retailer or trailering
professional for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
you would prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving
on a Long Trip on page 313.
330

Dinghy Towing
The Malibu Sedan SS and Maxx SS cannot be
dinghy towed.
For vehicles that can be dinghy towed, follow
these steps:
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.
2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.4. To prevent your battery from draining while
the vehicle is being towed, remove the
following fuse from the instrument panel
fuse block: IGN SENSOR. SeeInstrument
Panel Fuse Block on page 447for more
information.
5. Turn the ignition switch to ACC.
6. Shift your transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
7. Release the parking brake.
Remember to install the fuses once you reach
your destination. To reinstall a fuse, do the
following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Reinstall the fuse.
Notice:If you exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
while towing your vehicle, it could be
damaged. Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
while towing your vehicle.
331

Notice:Towing your vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs would not
be covered by the warranty. Never have
your vehicle towed from the rear.
Dolly Towing
To tow your vehicle with a dolly and two wheels
on the ground, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed
for towing.
5. Release the parking brake.
332

Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you
have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and
information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
If you have a Malibu Sedan SS or a Maxx SS,
trailer towing is not recommended. Your vehicle
was neither designed nor intended to tow a trailer.Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
a 3.5L V6 engine and the proper trailer towing
equipment.
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
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,
transmission, 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.
333

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/retailer 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.Three important considerations have to do
with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg).
But even that can be too heavy.
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 also 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.
334

When towing a trailer on long uphill grades while
the outside temperature is above 85°F (29°C),
reduce your vehicle speed to 45 mph (72 km/h)
to avoid overheating the engine cooling system.
You can ask your dealer/retailer for our trailering
information or advice, or you can write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices. SeeCustomer
Assistance Offices on page 479for more
information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total
or gross weight of your vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight
of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it,
and the people who will be riding in the vehicle.
And if you tow a trailer, you must add the
tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle
will be carrying that weight, too. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 324for more information
about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue (A)
should weigh 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer
and then the tongue, separately, to see if the
weights are proper. If they aren’t, you may be
able to get them right simply by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll nd these numbers on the
Tire and Loading Information label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 324. Then be sure you don’t
go over the GVW limit for your vehicle, including the
weight of the trailer tongue.
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