towing SATURN VUE 2007 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 retailer 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 309.
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............................................ 228
Driver Behavior......................................... 228
Driving Environment.................................. 229
Vehicle Design.......................................... 229
Defensive Driving...................................... 230
Drunken Driving........................................ 231
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 234
Braking...................................................... 234
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 235
Braking in Emergencies............................. 237
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 238
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.................. 239
Steering.................................................... 240
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 243
Passing..................................................... 243
Loss of Control.......................................... 245
Off-Road Driving........................................ 247Driving at Night......................................... 262
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 264
City Driving............................................... 267
Freeway Driving........................................ 268
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 269
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 270
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 270
Winter Driving........................................... 272
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow................................. 276
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 277
Recovery Hook.......................................... 277
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 279
Towing........................................................ 284
Towing Your Vehicle................................. 284
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 285
Towing a Trailer........................................ 290
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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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 traction control, you should turn
the system off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 238. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, or with a
manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R), 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. Or, you can
use the recovery hook if your vehicle has one.
If your vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 284.
Recovery Hook
{CAUTION:
The recovery hook, when used, is under
a lot of force. Always pull the vehicle
straight out. Never pull on the hook at a
sideways angle. The hook could break off
and you or others could be injured from
the chain or cable snapping back.
Notice:Never use the recovery hook to tow
the vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged
and it would not be covered by warranty.
Contact your dealer/retailer if you would like to
have a recovery hook installed on your vehicle.
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The recovery hook is located at the rear of your
vehicle. It can only be used for pulling the vehicle
out if it is stuck, not for towing the vehicle.
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The Tire and Loading Information label also shows
the 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 366andInation - Tire Pressure on
page 374.
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 lbs” 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 kg or XXX lbs.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 290for important
information on towing a trailer, towing safety rules
and trailering tips.
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If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else — they
will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
{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.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your retailer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 445.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as
behind a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
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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
in this section.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 269.
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Dinghy Towing
Front-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission, four-speed automatic transmission
or ve-speed automatic transmission may be
dinghy towed from the front. These vehicles may
also be towed by putting the front wheels on a
dolly. See “Dolly Towing” later in this section.
All-wheel-drive vehicles with the ve-speed
automatic transmission can be dinghy towed from
the front. You can also tow these vehicles by
placing them on a platform trailer with all
four wheels off of the ground. These vehicles
cannot be towed using a dolly.To tow your vehicle from the front with all
four wheels on the ground, do the following:
1. Position and attach the vehicle to tow it behind
the recreational vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
3. Turn fog lamps and all accessories off.
4. If your vehicle has the manual transmission,
shift your transmission to NEUTRAL and
let the engine run for three minutes, then
turn it off.
If your vehicle has the ve-speed automatic
transmission, shift your transmission from
DRIVE (D) to NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine
run for three minutes. Then turn it off.
Due to transmission uid drain back, the
transmission lubrication procedure in Step 4 is
required every seven hours after the initial
procedure has been completed, regardless of
the vehicle being towed or parked. Once the
procedure is performed, the transmission
is adequately lubricated and can be
recreational vehicle towed for seven hours
prior to repeating the lubrication procedure.
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As an example, if you initially perform the
lubrication procedure and tow your vehicle for
three hours, then park for four hours, the
lubrication procedure will need to be performed
again, prior to dinghy towing the vehicle.
Notice:Towing your vehicle after shifting the
automatic transaxle (four-speed or ve-speed)
from anything other than DRIVE (D) to
NEUTRAL (N) can cause internal damage to
the automatic transaxle. Always shift the
automatic transaxle (four-speed or ve-speed)
from DRIVE (D) to NEUTRAL (N) as the last
shift before towing.
5. Locate and remove the large IGN fuse from
the underhood fuse block. SeeUnderhood
Fuse Block on page 411.
Notice:If you tow your vehicle without
performing each of the steps listed under
“Dinghy Towing,” you could damage the
automatic transmission. Be sure to follow all
steps of the dinghy towing procedure prior
to and after towing your vehicle.Notice:If your vehicle has a four-speed
automatic transmission, it can be dinghy towed
from the front for unlimited miles at 65 mph
(105 km/h). If you exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
while towing your vehicle, it could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h)
while towing your vehicle.
Notice:If your vehicle has a ve-speed
automatic transmission and it is towed for
more than seven hours without performing
lubrication process or at speeds greater than
65 mph (105 km/h), you could damage the
automatic transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Do not tow
your vehicle for extended periods of time or at
speeds greater than 65 mph (105 km/h).
After seven hours, repeat Step 4 above for the
ve-speed automatic transmission.
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Once you have reached your destination, do the
following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission to REVERSE (R) for a
manual transmission. Shift the transmission to
PARK (P) for an automatic transmission.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK and remove the
key from the ignition.
4. Reinstall the large IGN fuse.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can
damage the transmission. Be sure that the
transaxle uid is at the proper level before
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Notice:Don’t tow a vehicle with the front drive
wheels on the ground if one of the front tires
is a compact spare tire. Towing with two
different tire sizes on the front of the vehicle
can cause severe damage to the transmission.Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)
All-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with
two wheels on the ground. To properly tow
these vehicles, they should be placed on a
platform trailer with all four wheels off of the
ground or dinghy towed from the front.
Dolly Towing
(Front-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)
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