trailer CHEVROLET S10 1993 2.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
.
Section
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds\
of roads and in
varying weather conditions
. We’ve also included many other useful tips on
driving
.
Road Signs ........................................................................\
.................................... 4-2
Defensive Driving
........................................................................\
.......................... 4-8
Drunken Driving
........................................................................\
............................. 4-9
Control
of a Vehicle ........................................................................\
.................... 4-12
Braking
........................................................................\
...................................... 4-12
Steering Tips
........................................................................\
............................ 4-18
Steering in Emergencies
........................................................................\
......... 4-18
Passing
........................................................................\
..................................... 4-20
Loss of Control ........................................................................\
........................ 4-22
Off-Road Driving With Your Four-wheel Drive Vehicle
.................................... 4-23
Driving at Night
........................................................................\
........................... 4-34
Driving in the Rain
........................................................................\
...................... 4-37
Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze
........................................................................\
.. 4-39
City Driving
........................................................................\
.................................. 4-41
Freeway Driving
........................................................................\
........................... 4-42
Driving a Long Distance
........................................................................\
............. 4-44
Hill and Mountain Roads
........................................................................\
............ 4-46
Winter Driving
........................................................................\
.............................. 4-51
Recreational Vehicle Towing (Four-wheel Drive Only)
.................................... 4-54
Towing a Trailer
........................................................................\
........................... 4-56
Parking
on Hills ........................................................................\
........................... 4-48
4-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
Towing a mailer
CAUTION I
A
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.
Every vehicle is ready for some trailer towing.
If it was t t with trailering
options, as many are, it’s ready for heavier trailers. But \
trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means chan\
ges 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 section. 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.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
e
e
e
e There are many different laws having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but also whe\
re you’ll be
driving.
A good source for this information can be state or provincial
police.
Consider using a sway control
if your trailer will weigh 2,000 pounds
(900 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer will
weigh more than
2,000 pounds (900 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles (800 km) your new
vehicle
is driven. Your engine, axle, or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, don’t
drive over
50 mph (80 kdh) and don’t make starts at full throttle. This
helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
4-56

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Three important considerations have to do with weight:
Weight
of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be? It depends on how you plan to\
use your
rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperat\
ure, 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 y\
ou can write
us at
the address listed in your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information
Booklet.
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada, Limited
Customer Assistance Center 1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Weight
of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load
(A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because
it affects the total or gross weight of your vehicle. The gross vehicle weight
(GVW) 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 tow a trailer, you
must add the tongue load to the GVW 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 capaci’
AN490002
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10%
of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you have a “weight-distributing” hitch,
4-57

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
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 trai\
ler.
Total Weight
on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated
to the limit for cold tires. You’ll find
these numbers on the Certification Label on the driver’s doo\
r lock pillar (or see “Tire-Loading” in the Index). Then be sure you don’\
t go over the GVW
limit for your vehicle.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswind\
s, large trucks
going by, and rough roads are a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.
Here are some rules to follow:
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will weigh more than 2,000
pounds (900 kg) be sure to use a properly mounted weight-distributing
hitch and sway control
of the proper size. This equipment is very
important for proper vehicle loading and good handling when you\
’re
driving.
You can tow trailers up to
2,000 pounds (900 kg) with a step bumper hitch,
but
if your trailer tongue has a V-shaped foot, your bumper could be
damaged in sharp turns. Check the distance from the front edge of the fo\
ot
to the middle of the hitch ball socket. If the distance is less than 12 inches,
take the foot
off the trailer tongue.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trail\
er. 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 atta\
ching safety
chains. Always leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig. And,
never allow 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 to install, adjust and maintain them properly.
And:
Don’t tap into your vehicle’s brake system if the trailer’s brake system
will use more than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3~~) of fluid from your vehicle’s
- master cylinder. If it does, both braking systems won’t work well. You
could even lose your brakes.
Will the trailer brake parts take 3,000 psi (20 650 kPa) of pressure? If
not, the trailer brake system must not be used with your vehi\
cle.
If everything checks out this far, then make the brake fluid tap \
at the
port on the master cylinder that sends fluid to the rear brak\
es. But don’t use copper tubing for this.
If you do, it will bend and finally break off.
Use steel brake tubing.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setti\
ng out
for the open road, you’ll want to get to know your rig. A\
cquaint yourself with
the feel of handling and braking with the added 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 trail\
er brake controller
by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you che\
ck 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.
4-59

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you w\
ould when
driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoi\
d situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re to\
wing 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 left, just move your 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 n\
ormal. Do this so
your trailer wheels won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road \
signs, trees, or
other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
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 pan\
el 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 work\
ing.
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 ove\
rheating.
If you have an automatic transmission, you should use D when towing a
trailer. Operating your vehicle in
D when towing a trailer will minimize heat
buildup and extend the life of your transmission. Or, if you have a manual
transmission with fifth gear, it’s better not to use fifth \
gear, just drive in fourth
gear (or, as you need
to, a lower gear).
4-60

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
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. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a manual transfer case\
shift
lever, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear-not in
N (Neutral).
6. Release the regular brakes.
for a manual transmission.
A
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not
fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenl\
y.
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 have four-wheel drive with a manual transfer case shift le\
ver
and your transfer case is in
N (Neutral), your vehicle will be free to
roll, even if your shift lever is in
P (Park). So be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear-not in
N (Neutral). If you are parking on a
hill, or if you’re pulling a trailer, see also “Parking On Hills” in the
Index.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
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’re pulling a \
trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that are esp\
ecially important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t ove\
rfill),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system, and brake adj\
ustment. 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.
Trailer Light Wiring
See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the Index.
Power Winches
If you wish to use a power winch on your vehicle, only use it when your
vehicle is stationary or anchored.
NOTICE
Use the regular brakes, set the parking brake Or UIWK ihe wheels IW keep
your vehicle from rolling.
4-62

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Problems on the Road
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine:
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may
not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little
too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam, try this for a minute
or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it off.
2. Turn your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the
3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to N (Neutral).
window as necessary.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive. Just to
be safe,
drive slower for about ten minutes. If the warning doesn't com\
e back on, you
can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle \
right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, push the accelerator until the engine speed is
about twice as fast as normal idle speed. Bring the engine sp\
eed back to
normal idle speed after
two or three minutes. Now see if the warning stops.
But then,
if you still have the warning, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND GET
EVERYONE
OUT OF THE VEHICLE until it cools down.
You may decide
not to lift the hood but to get service help right away.
KO71 5
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I

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine KO721
8. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the arrows on the pres\
sure cap line up like this.
Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster to provide more air to cool the engine. In most every day
driving conditions the clutch is not engaged. This improves fue\
l economy and
reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing andlor high
outside temperatures, the fan speed increases when the clutch e\
ngages.
So
you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is normal and should not be
mistaken as the transmission slipping or making extra shifts.
It is merely the
cooling system functioning properly. The fan will slow down whe\
n additional
cooling is not required and the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the engine. It will go away
as the fan clutch disengages.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you’re d\
riving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly.
If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,”\
here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pu\
lls the vehicle toward
that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel
firmly. Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to \
a stop well out of
the traffic lane.
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