towing CHEVROLET BLAZER 2019 Owner's Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: CHEVROLET, Model Year: 2019, Model line: BLAZER, Model: CHEVROLET BLAZER 2019Pages: 404, PDF Size: 7.59 MB
Page 246 of 404
Chevrolet Blazer (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-12461541) - 2019 -
CRC - 3/11/19
Driving and Operating 245
.Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA)
. Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
If equipped with Lane Change Alert
(LCA), the LCA detection zones that
extend back from the side of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed. Use caution
while changing lanes when towing a
trailer.
If equipped with Rear Cross Traffic
Alert (RCTA), use caution while
backing up when towing a trailer, as
the RCTA detection zones that
extend out from the back of the
vehicle do not move further back
when a trailer is towed.
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death
from carbon monoxide (CO),
when towing a trailer: . Do not drive with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch,
or rear-most window open.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air.
See “Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0200.
Towing a trailer requires experience.
The combination of the vehicle and
trailer is longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle itself. Get
used to the handling and braking of
the combination by driving on a
level road surface before driving on
public roads.
The trailer structure, the tires, and
the brakes must all be rated to carry
the intended cargo. Inadequate trailer equipment can cause the
combination to operate in an
unexpected or unsafe manner.
Before driving, inspect all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires, and mirrors. See
Towing
Equipment 0251. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start the
combination moving and then
manually apply the trailer brake
controller to check that the trailer
brakes work.
During the trip, occasionally check
that the cargo and trailer are secure
and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are working.
Towing with a Stability Control
System
When towing, the stability control
system might be heard. The system
reacts to vehicle movement caused
by the trailer, which mainly occurs
during cornering. This is normal
when towing heavier trailers.
Page 247 of 404
Chevrolet Blazer (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-12461541) - 2019 -
CRC - 3/11/19
246 Driving and Operating
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when
driving without a trailer. This can
help to avoid heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. The
combination of the vehicle and
trailer will not accelerate as quickly
and is much longer than the vehicle
alone. It is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle
before returning to the lane. Pass
on level roadways. Avoid passing
on hills if possible.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. To move the
trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the
right, move that hand to the right.
Always back up slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making TurnsCaution
Turn more slowly and make wider
arcs when towing a trailer to
prevent damage to your vehicle.
Making very sharp turns could
cause the trailer to contact the
vehicle.
Make wider turns than normal when
towing, so the trailer will not go over
soft shoulders, over curbs, or strike
road signs, trees, or other objects.
Always signal turns well in advance.
Do not steer or brake suddenly.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downhill grade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes may overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency. The vehicle can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts too
often under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions.
When towing at higher altitudes,
engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at lower altitudes.
If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle could show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run, preferably on
level ground, with the transmission
in P (Park) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating
0275.Parking on Hills
{Warning
To prevent serious injury or death,
always park your vehicle and
trailer on a level surface when
possible.
Page 248 of 404
Chevrolet Blazer (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-12461541) - 2019 -
CRC - 3/11/19
Driving and Operating 247
When parking the vehicle and trailer
on a hill:1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, gradually release the
brake pedal to allow the chocks
to absorb the load of the trailer.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
.Start the engine.
. Shift into a gear.
. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when used to tow trailers. See
theMaintenance Schedule 0350.
It is especially important to check
the automatic transmission fluid,
engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
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 Overheating
0 275.
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.
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.
Page 249 of 404
Chevrolet Blazer (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-12461541) - 2019 -
CRC - 3/11/19
248 Driving and Operating
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:
.GCWR: Gross Combined Weight
Rating
. GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating
. Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
. Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight
Rating
See “Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment” underTowing
Equipment 0251 to determine if
equalizer bars are required to obtain
the maximum trailer weight rating.
See “Trailer Brakes” underTowing
Equipment 0251 to determine if
brakes are required based on your
trailer's 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, 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 later in this section.To check that the weight of the
vehicle and trailer are within the
GCWR for the vehicle, follow these
steps:
1. Start with the "curb weight" from the Trailering Information
label.
2. Add the weight of the trailer loaded with cargo and ready
for the trip.
3. Add the weight of all passengers.
4. Add the weight of all cargo in the vehicle.
5. Add the weight of hitch hardware such as a draw bar,
ball, load equalizer bars,
or sway bars.
6. Add the weight of any accessories or aftermarket
equipment added to the
vehicle.
The resulting weight cannot exceed
the GCWR value on the Trailering
Information label.
Page 251 of 404
Chevrolet Blazer (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-12461541) - 2019 -
CRC - 3/11/19
250 Driving and Operating
VehicleMaximum Trailer Weight *GCWR
2.5L L4 Engine FWD 680 kg (1,500 lb)2 625 kg (5,787 lb)
3.6L V6 Engine FWD 680 kg (1,500 lb)2 722 kg (6,001 lb)
3.6L V6 Engine AWD w/V92 Option (Heavy Duty
Towing) 2 041 kg (4,500 lb)
4 155 kg (9,250 lb)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment, and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating
The Maximum Trailer Tongue
Weight Rating is the allowable
trailer tongue weight that the vehicle
can support using a conventional
trailer hitch. It may be necessary to
reduce the overall trailer weight to
stay within the maximum trailer
tongue weight rating while still
maintaining the correct trailer load
balance.
Do not exceed a maximum trailer
tongue weight of 204 kg (450 lb). The trailer tongue weight contributes
to the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
GVW includes the CURB WEIGHT
of your vehicle, any passengers,
cargo, equipment, and trailer tongue
weight. Vehicle options, passengers,
cargo, and equipment reduce the
maximum allowable tongue weight
the vehicle can carry, which also
reduces the maximum allowable
trailer weight.Trailer Load Balance
The correct trailer load balance
must be maintained to ensure trailer
stability. Incorrect load balance is a
leading cause of trailer sway.
Page 252 of 404
Chevrolet Blazer (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-12461541) - 2019 -
CRC - 3/11/19
Driving and Operating 251
The trailer tongue weight (1) should
be 10–15% of the loaded trailer
weight (2). Some specific trailer
types, such as boat trailers, fall
outside of this range. Always refer
to the trailer owner’s manual for the
recommended trailer tongue weight
for each trailer. Never exceed the
maximum loads for your vehicle,
hitch, and trailer.
After loading the trailer, separately
weigh the trailer and then the trailer
tongue and calculate the trailer load
balance percentage to see if the
weights and distribution are
appropriate for your vehicle. If the
trailer weight is too high, it may be possible to transfer some of the
cargo into your vehicle. If the trailer
tongue weight is too high or too low,
it may be possible to rearrange
some of the cargo inside of the
trailer.
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for your
vehicle. Use the shortest hitch
extension available to position the
hitch ball closer to your vehicle. This
will help reduce the effect of the
trailer tongue weight on the trailer
hitch and the rear axle.
If a cargo carrier is used in the
trailer hitch receiver, choose a
carrier that positions the load as
close to the vehicle as possible.
Make sure the total weight,
including the carrier, is no more than
half of the maximum allowable
tongue weight for the vehicle or
227 kg (500 lb), whichever is less.
Ask your dealer for trailering
information or assistance.
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.
Never attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches. Only use
frame-mounted hitches that do not
attach to the bumper.
Hitch Cover
Page 253 of 404
Chevrolet Blazer (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-12461541) - 2019 -
CRC - 3/11/19
252 Driving and Operating
To remove the hitch cover,
if equipped:1. Remove the four 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 the 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 four 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.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
Adjustment
A weight-distributing hitch may be
useful with some trailers.
1. Front of the Vehicle
2. Body-to-Ground Distance
When using a weight-distributing
hitch, measure the front fender
height above the front axle
distance (2) before and after
connecting the trailer. Adjust the
spring bars until the front fenderheight distance (2) is approximately
halfway between the first and
second measurements.
Tires
.
Do not tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire on the
vehicle.
. Tires must be properly inflated to
support loads while towing a
trailer. See Tires0295 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 for 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
Page 255 of 404
Chevrolet Blazer (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-12461541) - 2019 -
CRC - 3/11/19
254 Driving and Operating
Electric Trailer Brake Control
Wiring Provisions
Wiring provisions for an aftermarket
electric trailer brake controller are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. The
harness contains the following
circuits:
These wiring provisions for an
electric trailer brake controller are
included with the vehicle as part of
the trailer wiring package. The body
harness, inside the front driver side
instrument panel, contains blunt cut
wires below the headlamp switch for
the electric trailer brake controller.
The harness contains the following
wires:
.Blue: Electric Trailer Brakes
. Blue: Battery Feed
. White/Blue: Brake Apply Signal
. Black: Ground
Refer to the aftermarket electric
trailer brake controller owner's
manual to determine wire color
coding of the electric trailer brake
controller. The wire colors on the brake controller may be different
from the vehicle. The electric trailer
brake controller should be installed
by your dealer or a qualified service
center.
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.
Tow/Haul Mode
For instructions on how to enter
Tow/Haul Mode, see
Driver Mode
Control 0210.
Tow/Haul assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load. See Tow/Haul Mode 0204. Tow/Haul Mode is designed to be
most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75% of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See
“Weight of the Trailer” under
Trailer Towing 0247. Tow/Haul
Mode is most useful when towing a
heavy trailer or carrying a large or
heavy load:
. Through rolling terrain.
. In stop-and-go traffic.
. In busy parking lots.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
Mode when lightly loaded or not
towing will not cause damage;
however, it is not recommended and
may result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics
and reduced fuel economy.Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
Vehicles with StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) have a
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) feature.
Trailer sway is unintended
Page 256 of 404
Chevrolet Blazer (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-12461541) - 2019 -
CRC - 3/11/19
Driving and Operating 255
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
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 ifStabiliTrak/ESC is turned off. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control
0208.
{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 or
trailer tires. See Towing
Equipment 0251 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 blowouts.
Trailer tires deteriorate over time.
The trailer tire sidewall will show the
week and year the tire was
manufactured. Many trailer tire
manufacturers recommend
replacing tires more than six
years old.
Overloading is another leading
cause of trailer tire blowouts. Never
load your trailer with more weight
than the tires are designed to
support. The load rating is on the
trailer tire sidewall.
Page 259 of 404
Chevrolet Blazer (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-12461541) - 2019 -
CRC - 3/11/19
258 Vehicle Care
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Tire Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 331
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346
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 Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0279
and
Jump Starting - North America
0 332 and the back cover.