trailer CHEVROLET CAMARO 1993 User Guide

Here are some rules to follow:
0
Will you have to make any holes in
the body of your vehicle when you
install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then
be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the
hitch. If you don't
seal them, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get into
your vehicle (see "Carbon Monoxide"
in the Index). Dirt and water can, too.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not
intended for hitches.
Do not attach
rental hitches or other bumper-type
hitches
to them. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not
attach
to the bumper.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between
your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue
of the
trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to
the road
if it becomes separated from the
hitch. Instructions about safety chains
may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's
recommendation for attaching safety
chains. Always leave just enough slack
so
you can turn with your rig. And, never
a Jlow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000
pounds (450 kg) loaded, then it needs its
own brakes
- and they must be adequate.
Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes
so you'll be able to
install, adjust and maintain them properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do
not
try to tap into your vehicle's brake
system. If you
do, both brake systems
won't
work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount
of experience. Before setting out for the
open road, you'll want to get to know
your rig. Acquaint yourself
with the feel
of handling and braking with the added
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Your Driving and the Road
178
weight of the trailer. And always keep in
mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly so
responsive as your vehicle is by itself,
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform, safety chains, electrical
connector, lights, tires and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer
moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand
to be sure the brakes
are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection
at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure, and that the
lights and any trailer brakes are still
working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when driving
your vehicle without a trailer. This can
help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up
ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And,
because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll
need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return
to
your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, just move that hand
to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move
your hand
to the right. Always back up
slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal.
Do this so your
trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in
advance.
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Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to
have a different turn signal flasher and
extra wiring. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you
signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lights will also flash,
telling other drivers you’re about to
turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on
your instrument panel will flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned
out. Thus,
you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are
not. It’s important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If
you don’t shift down, you
might have to use your brakes
so much
that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed to around
45 mph
(70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of
engine and transmission overheating. If you
are towing a trailer and you
have an automatic transmission with
Overdrive, you may prefer to drive
in D
instead of Overdrive (or, as you need to,
a lower gear). Or, if you have a manual
transmission
with fifth (or sixth) gear
and you are towing a trailer, it’s better
not to use
fifth (or sixth) gear. Just drive
in fourth gear (fifth gear
if you have
a six-speed manual transmission)
(or, as you need to, a lower gear.
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Your Driving and the Road
I
180
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a
hill, here's how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don't
shift into
P (Park) yet, or into gear for
a manual transmission.
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes-until the
chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then
apply your parking brake, and then shift to
P (Park), or R (Reverse) for
a manual transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave after
Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold
the pedal down while you:
0 Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear
4. Stop and have someone pick up and
of the chocks.
store the chocks.
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Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often
when you're pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule for more on this.
Things that are especially important
in
trailer operation are automatic
transmission
fluid (don't overfill), engine
oil, axle lubricant. belts. cooling system,
and brake adjustment. Each of these is
covered
in this manual, and the Index will
help you find them quickly. If you're
trailering, it's
a good idea to review these
sections before
you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts
and bolts are tight.
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Problems on the Road
If Steam Is Coming from Your Engine:
W1Ldr-W II LUU I ILJN.'
Steam from an overheated engine can bum you badly, even if you just open
k the hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from
x. Just turn it off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait
until there is no sign of steam or coolant before opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is overheated, the liquids in it can catch
fire. You or others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if it overheats, and
get out of the vehicle until the engine is cool,
... 194
11 your engine catches fire because
I you keep driving with no coolant,
I1
E
I1
h
tC
a
0
a
a
your vehicle can be badly damaged
The
costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
F No Steam Is Coming from Your
hgine:
'you get the overheat warning but see or
ear
no steam, the problem may not be
)o serious. Sometimes the engine can get
little too
hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
1 Idle for long periods in traffic.
1 Tow a trailer.
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You should look for this on the oil
container, and use
only those oils that
display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@
oil (in Canada, GM
Engine Oil) meets all
the requirements for
your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives:
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your
Chevrolet dealer is ready
to advise if you
think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil:
See if any one of these is true for you:
0 Most trips are less than 4 miles (6
km).
It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles (16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as
in door-to-door delivery, or in
stop-and-go traffic).
0 You tow a trailer often.
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
oil
and filter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
or 3 months - whichever comes first. If none
of them is true, change the oil
every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12
months - whichever comes first. Change
the filter at the first oil change and at
every other
oil change after that.
Engine Block Heater:
An engine block heater can be a big help
if you have to park outside in very cold
weather,
0 OF (- 1 8 O C) or colder. If your
vehicle has this option, see “Engine Block
Heater’’
in the Index.
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Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic
transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer
to the
Maintenance Schedule
to determine when
to change your fluid. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Chevrolet dealership Service
Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all
the instructions here,
or you could get a
false reading
on the dipstick. damage
your transmission.
Too
much can mean that some of thr
fluid could come
out and fall on hc
~.: engine parts, starting a fire. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you ~“* check your transmission fluid. ~, \- ~
%it at least 30 minutes before checking
he transmission fluid level
if you have
>een driving:
D When outside temperatures are above
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot
While pulling a trailer.
90°F (32°C).
weather. To
get the right reading, the fluid should
be at normal operating temperature,
which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
To check transmission fluid hot: Get
the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside
temperatures are above
50°F (10OC). If
it’s colder than
50°F (lO”C), drive the
vehicle in
D (Third Gear) until the engine
temperature gage moves and then remains
steady for ten minutes. Then follow the
hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold
check is made after the vehicle has been
sitting for eight hours
or more with the
engine off and
is used only as a reference.
Let the engine run at idle for five minutes
233 = =
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Maintenance Schedule
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedules
This section tells you the maintenance services you should have done and when you should schedule them. Your
Chevrolet dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to
be happy
with it. If you go to your dealer for your service
needs, you’ll know that GM-trained and supported service people will perform the work using genuine
GM parts.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended limits.
You will find these limits on your vehicle’s Tire-Loading
Information label. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in the
Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
use the recommended unleaded fuel. See “Fuel” in the
driving limits.
Index.
Se/ecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which schedule
to follow:
Schedule I
Is any one of these true for your vehicle?
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
Most trips are less than 10 miles (16 km) when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in
door-to-door delivery, or
in stop-and-go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas.
You tow a trailer.
If any one (or more) of these is true for your driving, follow
Schedule I.
Schedule I1
Follow Schedule II only if none of the above conditions is
true.
289 9 .
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Maintenance Schedule
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services (Cont.)
Schedule I
Follow Schedule I if your vehicle is
MAINLY driven under one or more of
the following conditions:
When most trips are less than 4 miles
When most trips are less than 10 miles
(6 km).
(16 km) and outside temperatures
remain below freezing.
When most trips include extended
idling and/or frequent low-speed
operation, as in stop-and-go traffic.
When towing a trailer.
When operating in dusty areas.
Schedule I should also be followed if
the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi or other commercial
applications.
*An Emission Control Service.
ft The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
has determined that the failure to perform
this maintenance item will not nullify the
emission warranty or limit recall liability
prior to the completion
of vehicle usehl
life. General Motors, however, urges that
all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and
the maintenance be recorded in “Section
E:
Maintenance Record. ”
9 290
ITEM
NO.
2
4
6
8
10 -
WHAT TO SERVICE
See “Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services” following Schedules
I and II.
WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers) or Months
(whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication I Every other oil change. ~~
I
Transmission Service I
See “Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance
Services” following Schedules
I and II. I
Spark Plugwire Inspection** 1
Every 30,000 Miles (50 OOO km).
Fuel Tank, Cap & Lines Inspection** I
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