CHEVROLET S10 1993 2.G Owners Manual

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,
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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.
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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).
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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 prOb/ems on the Road
. .-
r
7
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road .
Hazard Warning Flashers ........................................................................\
............. 5-2
Other Warning Devices ........................................................................\
................. 5-3
Jump Starting ........................................................................\
................................ 5-3
Towing Your Vehicle ........................................................................\
...................... 5-7
Engine Overheating ........................................................................\
....................... 5-9
If a Tire Goes Flat ........................................................................\
...................... 5-15
Changing a Flat Tire ........................................................................\
................... 5-16
Compact Spare Tire ........................................................................\
.................... 5-28
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow ................................................... 5-30

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Problems on the Road
AM505003
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They also let pol\
ice know
you have a problem. Your front and rear turn signal lights will flash on and
off. But they won’t flash if you’re braking.
i
Press the button in to make your front and rear turn signal lights flash on
and
off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what position your key is in,
and even if the key isn’t in.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To turn off the flashers, pull out on the collar.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn signals won\
’t work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at the sid\
e of the road
about
300 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle. But please follow the ste\
ps below to
do it
safely.
mwlmm A
A Batteries cart hurt you. They m be dangerous because:
* They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
* They contain enough electricity to burn you.
I
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some 01: all .of thlese things
can hurt
yoW.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with ti negative
ground system.
IWU I IWL I
5-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be
sure the vehicles aren’t touching each other. If they are, \
it could cause
a
ground connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to start your
vehicle, and the bad grounding could damage the electrical syst\
ems.
1 CAUTION
* You could be injured if the vehicles roll. Set the parking brake \
firmly I
on each vehicle. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in
N (Neutral).
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a manual transfer case\

shift lever, be sure the tra-fer case is not in
N (Neut--’).
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all lights that aren’t
I
needed, and radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both \
batteries.
And it could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the positive (t) arlu
negative
(-) terminals on each battery.
* Using a match near a battery can cause battery gas to explode. I
People have been hurt doing this, and some have been blinded. \
Use
a flashlight if you need more light.
You don’t need to add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery \
installer’
in every new
GM vehicle. But if a battery has filler caps, be sure thG
right amount of fluid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care of
that first.
If you don’t, explosive gas could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you. Don’t get it on you.
If
you accidentally get it in your eyes or on your skin, flush the place
I with water and get medical help immediately.
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or missing insulation. If
they do, you could get a shock. The vehicles could be damaged, too.
5-4
I