towing CHEVROLET CLASSIC 2005 Owner's Manual

When towing a trailer, the 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
is important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher
than normal engine and transaxle temperatures
may result and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops
are very important to allow the engine and transaxle
to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you do not shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage. If the indicator
is in the red area, turn off the air conditioning to
reduce engine load. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-22.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
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 is
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) yet.
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 shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-40

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
•start your engine,
•shift into a gear, and
•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
Your vehicle will need service more often when you
are pulling a trailer. SeePart A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services on page 6-4for more on this. Things that
are especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transaxle fluid (do not overfill), engine oil,
drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it
is a good idea to review this information before you
start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-22.
4-41

Long Trip/Highway Denition
Follow this scheduled maintenanceonlyif none of
the conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty
area or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions will cause engine oil to break
down slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km):Engine Oil and
Filter Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs
first). Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection.
Every 45,000 Miles (75 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km):Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km):Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
first). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-16
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-20.
Footnotes
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-21.
6-6

50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
❑Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police, or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require changing.
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
54,000 Miles (90 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
57,000 Miles (95 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary, replace
the filter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect filter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more
information.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
63,000 Miles (105 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
66,000 Miles (110 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
6-9

93,000 Miles (155 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
96,000 Miles (160 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.❑Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle any of these conditions,
the uid and lter do not require changing.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, flush, and refill cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs first).
This service can be complex; you should have
your dealer perform this service. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-18for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap, and neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure
cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-11

30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary, replace
the filter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect filter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more
information.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace engine air cleaner filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
❑Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require changing.
6-13

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace engine air cleaner filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Inspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.❑Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require changing.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, flush, and refill cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs first).
This service can be complex; you should have
your dealer perform this service. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-18for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap, and neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure
cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-15

Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-10
R
Radios..........................................................3-36
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-51
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-53
Care of Your CDs........................................3-53
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-41
Radio with CD............................................3-37
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-36
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-36
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-51
Understanding Reception..............................3-51
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-10
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-23
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-19
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-27
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-33
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-63Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-62
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-45
Reporting Safety Defects
General Motors...........................................7-10
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-52
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-53
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-17
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-19
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-5
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-27
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-26
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-25
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-73
Center Rear Passenger Position....................1-22
Driver Position............................................1-11
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-11
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-10
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for
Children and Small Adults.........................1-23
9

T
Tachometer....................................................3-25
Taillamps
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps....5-43
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-51
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-15
Passlock
®...................................................2-15
Throttle System Inspection...............................6-21
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-6
Tires.............................................................5-47
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning..........................5-75
Buying New Tires........................................5-56
Chains.......................................................5-59
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-60
Cleaning....................................................5-76
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-70
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-60
Inflation -- Tire Pressure...............................5-53
Inspection and Rotation................................5-54
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-63
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-63
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-62
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-69
Tire Sidewall Labelling..................................5-48
Tire Terminology and Definitions....................5-50Tires (cont.)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-57
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-58
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-58
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-55
Top Strap......................................................1-36
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-37
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-33
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-35
Your Vehicle...............................................4-32
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-18
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-19
Trip Odometer................................................3-24
Trunk............................................................2-11
Trunk Lamps..................................................3-16
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-51
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-57
11