trailer CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 206
Defensive Driving...................................... 206
Drunken Driving........................................ 207
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 210
Braking...................................................... 210
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 211
Braking in Emergencies............................. 213
Steering.................................................... 214
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 216
Passing..................................................... 217
Loss of Control.......................................... 219
Driving at Night......................................... 220
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 222City Driving............................................... 225
Freeway Driving........................................ 226
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 227
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 228
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 229
Winter Driving........................................... 231
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 235
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 236
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 236
Towing........................................................ 241
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 241
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 242
Towing a Trailer........................................ 243
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
205

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
vehicles 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 is 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 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 will want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving
on a Long Trip on page 227.
Dinghy Towing
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground.
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with
all four wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must
be towed, you should use a dolly. See “Dolly
Towing” that follows for more information.
242

Dolly Towing
Notice:Towing your vehicle from the rear
with the front wheels on the ground could
cause transaxle damage. Do not tow the
vehicle from the rear with the front wheels
on the road.
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow
your vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Turn the ignition to ACC.3. Put the vehicle in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Set the parking brake and then remove
the key.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position.
6. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
Do not use your vehicle to tow a trailer. The vehicle
is not designed or intended for such a use. Towing
a trailer can adversely affect handling, durability
and fuel economy.
243

Notice:Use only engine oil identied as
meeting GM Standard GM6094M and showing
the American Petroleum Institute Certied
For Gasoline Engines starburst symbol.
Failure to use the recommended oil can
result in engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
GM Goodwrench
®oil meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both provide
easier cold starting and better protection for
the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet
GM Standard GM6094M are all you need for
good performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the
short trip/city maintenance schedule:
•Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
•Most trips include extensive idling, such as
frequent driving in stop-and-go traffic.
•You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier
on top of your vehicle.
•The vehicle is used for delivery service,
police, taxi, or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil
to break down sooner. If any one of these is
true for your vehicle, change the oil and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months, whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and
filter every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months,
whichever occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a
fully warmed engine under highway conditions will
cause engine oil to break down slower.
263

T
Tachometer................................................. 163
Taillamps
Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps.............. 300
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..................... 298
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps..................................... 299
Theft-Deterrent System................................ 103
Theft-Deterrent Systems.............................. 103
Throttle System Inspection.......................... 381
Tilt Adjuster, Driver Seat................................ 11
Tilt Wheel.................................................... 141
Time ........................................................... 154
Tire
Pressure Light.......................................... 171
Tires........................................................... 303
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning..................... 341
Buying New Tires..................................... 318
Chains..................................................... 323
Changing a Flat Tire................................ 324
Cleaning.................................................. 342
Compact Spare Tire................................. 334
Different Size........................................... 319
If a Tire Goes Flat................................... 324
Inflation - Tire Pressure............................ 311Tires (cont.)
Inspection and Rotation............................ 316
Installing the Spare Tire........................... 329
Pressure Monitor System......................... 312
Removing the Flat Tire............................. 329
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools............ 326
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools......... 333
Tire Sidewall Labeling .............................. 304
Tire Terminology and Definitions............... 307
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.................... 320
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance........... 321
Wheel Replacement................................. 322
When It Is Time for New Tires................. 317
Towing
Recreational Vehicle................................. 242
Towing a Trailer....................................... 243
Your Vehicle............................................. 241
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic....................................... 266
Fluid, Manual........................................... 266
Transaxle Operation, Automatic................... 110
Transaxle Operation, Manual....................... 114
Trip Odometer............................................. 163
Trunk Ajar Light........................................... 177
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................... 142
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................... 141
421