tow GMC JIMMY 2005 Service Manual

The Tire and Loading Information label also shows the
size of the original equipment tires (C) and the
recommended cold tire ination pessures (D). For more
information on tires and ination seeTires on
page 5-53andInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-59.
There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certication/Tire 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/Tire 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’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 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. SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-57for
important information on towing a trailer, towing
safety rules and trailering tips.
4-45

{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
There’s also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See“Loading Your Vehicle
for Off-Road Driving”underOff-Road Driving with Your
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle on page 4-14.
Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need to put
a limit on how many people you carry inside your
vehicle. Be sure to weigh your vehicle before you buy
and install the new equipment.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
4-49

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. SeeDinghy
TowingandDolly 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 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 4-34.
Dinghy Towing
(Vehicles with the Automatic
Transfer Case)
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transfer
case with a NEUTRAL position, you can dinghy tow
your vehicle. To dinghy tow your vehicle, use the
following steps:
1. Firmly set the parking brake.
2. Place the transmission in PARK (P).
3. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow
vehicle.
4-50

{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in Park (P) for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is
in gear, for a manual transmission. You or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is rmly set before you shift the transfer
case to NEUTRAL.
4. With the engine running, shift the transfer case to
NEUTRAL (N). See “Automatic Transfer Case”
underFour-Wheel Drive on page 5-44for more
information on how to shift the transfer case
to NEUTRAL.5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
Notice:If you exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged. Never
exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle.
Notice:Do not exceed the posted speed limit
when towing your vehicle. If you do, your vehicle
could be badly damaged.
6. Turn the ignition to OFF. To prevent your battery
from draining while towing, remove the RDO BATT
and CLSTR fuses from the instrument panel
fuse block. Be sure to replace the fuse when you
reach your destination. SeeInstrument Panel
Fuse Block on page 5-91.
4-51

Dinghy Towing (Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
and Vehicles with the Electronic
Transfer Case)
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.Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles with the
electronic transfer case should not be towed with all
four wheels on the ground. Your transmission has
no provision for internal lubrication while being towed.
To properly tow your vehicle, it should be placed
on a platform trailer with all four wheels off the ground.
Dolly Towing
(Vehicles with Electronic Transfer Case)
Front Towing
(Front Wheels off the Ground)
Notice:Towing your 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 your vehicle if any of its wheels will
be on the ground.
If your vehicle has an electronic transfer case, you should
not dolly tow your vehicle.
4-52

Dolly Towing
(Vehicles with Automatic Transfer Case)
If your vehicle has an automatic transfer case, your
vehicle can be dolly towed.
1. Follow the dolly manufacturer’s instructions to attach
and secure the vehicle being towed to the dolly and
then the loaded dolly to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly set the parking brake.
3. Put an automatic or a manual transmission in
NEUTRAL (N).
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in Park (P) for an
automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is in
gear, for a manual transmission. You or others
could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is
rmly set before you shift the transfer case
to NEUTRAL.4. Shift the transfer case to 2HI. SeeFour-Wheel
Drive on page 2-30for how to shift the
transfer case.
5. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the towing vehicle.
Notice:Do not exceed the posted speed limit when
towing your vehicle. If you do, your vehicle could
be badly damaged.
Notice:If you tow your vehicle from the front for
more than 50 miles (80 km) on a dolly, you could
damage it. Never dolly tow your vehicle from
the front more than 50 miles (80 km).
6. Turn the ignition to OFF. To prevent your battery
from draining while towing, remove the RDO BATT
and CLSTR fuses from the instrument panel fuse
block. Be sure to replace the fuse when you reach
your destination SeeInstrument Panel Fuse Block on
page 5-91.
4-53

Rear Towing (Rear Wheels off the Ground)
If your vehicle has an electronic transfer case, you can
dolly tow your vehicle from the rear only if the rear wheels
are on the dolly. Use the following steps to dolly tow
your vehicle:
1. Follow the dolly manufacturer’s instructions to attach
and secure the vehicle being towed to the dolly and
then the loaded dolly to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly set the parking brake.
3. Put the automatic or manual transmission in
NEUTRAL (N).
4. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the towing vehicle.{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in Park (P) for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is
in gear, for a manual transmission. You or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is rmly set before you shift the transfer
case to NEUTRAL.
Notice:Do not exceed the posted speed limit when
towing your vehicle. If you do, your vehicle could
be badly damaged.
5. Turn the ignition to OFF. To prevent your battery
from draining while towing, remove the RDO BATT
and CLSTR fuses from the instrument panel
fuse block. Be sure to replace the fuse when you
reach your destination. SeeInstrument Panel
Fuse Block on page 5-91.
4-54

Dolly Towing (Two-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles)
Front Towing (Front Wheels off
the Ground)
You can dolly tow your vehicle from the front. Use the
following steps to dolly tow your vehicle:
1. Follow the dolly manufacturer’s instructions to attach
and secure the vehicle being towed to the dolly and
then the loaded dolly to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly set the parking brake.3. Put the automatic or manual transmission in
NEUTRAL (N).
4. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
5. Turn the ignition to OFF. To prevent your battery
from draining while towing, remove the RDO BATT
and CLSTR fuses from the instrument panel
fuse block. Be sure to replace the fuse when you
reach your destination. SeeInstrument Panel
Fuse Block on page 5-91.
Notice:Do not exceed the posted speed limit when
towing your vehicle. If you do, your vehicle could
be badly damaged.
Notice:If you tow your vehicle from the front for
more than 50 miles (80 km) on a dolly, you could
damage it. Never dolly tow your vehicle from
the front more than 50 miles (80 km).
4-55

Rear Towing (Rear Wheels off the Ground)
You can dolly tow your vehicle from the rear. Use the
following steps to dolly tow your vehicle:
1. Follow the dolly manufacturer’s instructions to attach
and secure the vehicle being towed to the dolly and
then the loaded dolly to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly set the parking brake.3. Put the automatic or manual transmission in
NEUTRAL (N).
4. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle
being towed is rmly attached to the towing
vehicle.
Notice:Do not exceed the posted speed limit when
towing your vehicle. If you do, your vehicle could
be badly damaged.
5. Turn the ignition to OFF. To prevent your battery
from draining while towing, remove the RDO BATT
and CLSTR fuses from the instrument panel
fuse block. Be sure to replace the fuse when you
reach your destination. SeeInstrument Panel
Fuse Block on page 5-91.
4-56

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. Pull a trailer only if you have
followed all the steps in this section. Ask your
dealer for advice and information about towing
a trailer with your vehicle.
Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage
your vehicle and result in costly repairs that would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the instructions in this section and check with your
dealer for more information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is for your
vehicle, you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.If yours was built with trailering options, as many are,
it’s ready for heavier trailers. But trailering is different
than just driving your 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.
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.
If You 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. See “Hitches” later
in this section.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
4-57