trailer CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1996 3.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Passlock TM
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock is a passive theft-deterrent system. The system is armed once the key is removed from the ignition. Passlock
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a
valid key.
If a correct key is not used, fuel is disabled.
During normal operation, the THEFT SYSTEM light will
go off after the engine
is started. In the unlikely event that
the engine stalls and the THEFT SYSTEM light flashes,
wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from the START position as soon as the engine starts. If after several tries the vehicle still does not start, the vehicle
may need service. At this time, you may also want to
check the fuses (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in the\

Index). See your Chevrolet dealer for service.
If the THEFT SYSTEM light comes on while the engine
is running, a problem has been detected and the system
may need service.
See your dealer for service.
In
an emergency, call the Chevrolet Roadside Assistance
Program at
1-800-CHEV-USA I 1-800-243-8872.
New Vehicle LLBreak-InT’
NOTICE:
Your modern Chevrolet doesn’t need an
elaborate “break-in.” But it will perform better
in the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow -- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle
starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK
(P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always
set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer’’ in
the Index.
Ensure the shift lever
is fully in PARK (P) range before
starting the engine. Your Chevrolet has a brake-transaxle
shift interlock. You have to fully
apply your regular
brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key
is in the RUN position. If you cannot shift
out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever -- push
the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) and also
release the shift lever button
on floor shift console
models as you maintain brake application. Then move
the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the shift
lever button before moving the shift lever.) See
“Shifting Out of PARK
(P)” in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift
to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see “If
You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
NEUTRAL
(N): In this position, your engine
doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL
(N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL
(N) when your vehicle is being towed.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Models Only)
1. Hold the brake pedal down and-set the parking brake.
D
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when
you’re on fairly- level ground, use the steps
that follow.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing
a lkailer” in the Index. 2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position like
this: Hold
in the button on the lever, and push the
lever all the way toward the front
of your vehicle,.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in
PARK (P).
2;-24

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transaxle)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are
some things to know.
r
A 7AUTICU:
I
Idling the engine with the air system control off
could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle
(see the earlier Caution under “Engine
Exhaust”).
Also, idling in
a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is
at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is
a garage. Exhaust -- with
CO -- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard. (See
“Blizzard” in the Index.)
1 A CAUTION:
I
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK
(P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
Don’t leave, your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps ‘to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on
a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index.
I
2-28
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
0 Reduce vehicle speed.
0 Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it
is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). 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 flashing follow the
previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your dealer or
qualified service center for service,
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you just put fuel into your vehicle?
If
so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed. This will
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle
of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should
turn the light off.
Are you low
on fuel?
As your engine starts
to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will
take a few driving trips to turn the light off.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTI-N:
I
- I
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 trunk or rear area of your
vehicle. In
a trunk, put them as far forward
as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
If you have fold-down rear seats, you’ll
find four anchors on the back wall of your
trunk.
You can use these anchors to tie
down lighter loads. They’re not strong
enough for heavy things, however,
so put
them as far forward
as you can in the trunk
or rear area.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
Towing a Trailer (Models with
2.4L Engine a1 1 $-Speed mtomatic
Transaxle)
,A CAUTION:
If you don’t 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 Chevrolet dealer
for advice and information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
4-33

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your Chevrolet
dealer for important information about towing a
trailer with your vehicle.
Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with a
2.2L (Code
4) engine. You also cannot tow a trailer if
your vehicle is equipped with
a manual or a three-speed
automatic transaxle, or is a convertible model.
Your vehicle can tow
a trailer if it is equipped with a
2.4L (Code
T) engine, a four-speed automatic transaxle
and proper trailer towing equipment.
To identify what
the vehicle trailering capacity
is for your vehicle, you should read the informarlon in “Weight of the Trailer’’\

that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering .means changes
in handling, 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.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag
of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
0 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. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles
(1
600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
0 Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts
of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h)) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
Your vehicle can tow normally up to 1,000 lbs. (450 kg).
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend
on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at:
Chevrolet Motor Division Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 7047
Troy, MI 48007-7047
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight
to measure because it affects the total capacity
weight of your vehicle. The capacity weight includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in
it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And
if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue
load from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your
vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle’’ in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer
weight
(B). If you have a weight-distributing hitch, the
trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12% of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately,
to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the
recommended pressure for cold tires. You’ll find these
numbers
on the Certification label at the rear edge of
the driver’s door or see “Loading Your Vehicle” in the
Index. Then be sure
you don’t go over the GVW
limit for your vehicle, including the weight of the
trailer tongue.
4-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
.Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a
’ few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
Safety Chains
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.
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.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended 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. Eollow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can twn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes? 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.
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