trailer CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1996 Owners Manual

Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your vehicle. Remember
to keep your valuables out
of sight. Put them in a storage area, or take them
with
you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it’s best
to lock it up and take your keys. But what if you have to leave your ignition
key? What if you have
to leave something valuable in your vehicle‘?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
New Vehicle “Break-ln”
NOTICE:
Your modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long run if you follow these
guidelines:
0 Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for the first 500
miles (SO4 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed - fast or slow - for the first
500 miles (804 km). Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first 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.
Don’t tow a trailer during “break-in.” See “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index for more information.
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NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine racing isn’t covered by
your warranty.
0 AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@) - This position is for normal
driving. If you need more power for passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
You’ll shift down
to the next gear and have more power.
@ should not be used when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load,
driving on steep hills, or for off-road driving. Select THIRD
GEAR
(3) when operating the vehicle under any of these
conditions.
0 THIRD GEAR (3) - This is like @, but you never go into Overdrive.
You should use THIRD GEAR (3) when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, driving on steep hills, or for off-road driving.
0 SECOND GEAR (2) - This position gives you more power but lower
fuel economy. You can use SECOND GEAR (2) on hills. It can help
control your speed
as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
If you manually select
SECOND GEAR (2), the transmission will drive
in second gear. You may use this feature for reducing torque to the rear
wheels when
you are trying to start your vehicle from a stop on
slippery road surfaces.
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Parking Brake
To set the parking brake:
Hold the regular brake
pedal down with your
right foot. Push down
the parking brake
pedal with your left
foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will come on.
To release the parking brake:
Hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the
lever, located just
above the parking
brake pedal, marked
BRAKE RELEASE,
to release the parking
brake.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released, the brake system
warning light will
go off.
I NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause your rear brakes to
overheat. You may have to replace them, and you could also
damage other parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill: See “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index. That section shows what to do first to keep the trailer
from moving.
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Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission
Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual transmission in
REVERSE (R), turn off the engine, and firmly apply the parking brake.
If you have four-wheel drive, be sure your transfer case is in a drive gear.
Your vehicle could roll if it isn’t.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your pulling a trailer, see “Parking on
Hills” or “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Parking Over Things That Burn
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Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here
are some things to know.
If you have four-wheel drive and your transfer case is
in NEUTRAL (N),
your vehicle will be free
to roll, even if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear - not in NEUTRAL (N). Always
set your parking brake. Follow the proper steps
to be sure your vehicle
won’t move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
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Luggage Carrier
If you have a luggage carrier, you can load things on top of your vehicle.
The luggage carrier has slats and side rails attached to the roof, and cross
rails which can be moved fore and aft in the side rails to help secure cargo.
Tie the load to
the side rails or side rail supports. Use the cross rails mostly
for fore and aft stops.
NOTICE:
Loading cargo that weighs more than 200 pounds (90.6 kg) on
the luggage carrier may damage your vehicle. When you carry
large things, never let them hang over the rear or the sides of
your vehicle. Load your cargo
so that it rests on the slats and
does not scratch or damage the vehicle. Put the cargo against the
side rails and fasten it securely to the luggage carrier.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when loading your vehicle. For
more information on vehicle capacity and loading, see “Loading Your
Vehicle”
in the Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving, check now and then to
make sure the luggage carrier and cargo are still securely fastened.
Be sure
the cargo is properly loaded.
0 If small heavy objects are placed on the roof, place the load in the area
over the rear wheels (behind the rear side door on Suburbans).
If you
need
to, cut a piece of 3/8 inch plywood to fit inside the cross rails and
side rails to spread the load.
If plywood is used, tie it to the side rail
supports.
Tie the load to the cross rails or the side rail supports. Use the cross
rails
only to keep the load from sliding.
If you need to carry long items, move the cross rails as far apart as they
will go. Tie
the load to the cross rails and the side rails or side rail
supports. Also tie
the load to the bumpers. Do not tie the load so tightly
that the cross rails or side rails are damaged.
0 After moving the cross rails, be sure to tighten all the slider screws.
Trailer Wiring Harness
A 7-wire harness is stored under your vehicle along the rear frame
crossmember. The harness connects
to the underhood electrical center and
no connector, and should be wired by a qualified electrical technician.
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Securely attach the harness to the trailer, then tape or strap it to your
vehicle’s frame rail.
Be sure you leave it loose enough so the wiring won’t
bind or break when turning with the trailer, but not
so loose that it drags on
the ground.
Store the harness in its original position. Wrap the harness together and tie it
neatly
so it won’t be damaged.
If you do tow a trailer, your Center High Mount Stoplamp (CHMSL) may
not be properly visible from behind.
You should select a trailer with a
CHMSL on it or, if one is not available, have one installed. See your GM
dealer about how to connect your vehicle’s wiring to a trailer CHMSL.
Step-Bumper Pad
If your vehicle has a rear step bumper, it may be equipped with a rear step
pad at the center
of the bumper. Use this pad to improve footing when you
are stepping on the bumper step.
If you will be using
the bumper to tow a
trailer, you must
remove the center
cutout circle
to install
the trailer ball. You
must also remove both
outer cutouts to attach
the trailer safety
chains.
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Towing a Trailer
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
GM dealer
for important information about towing a trailer with your
vehicle.
Most vehicles are ready for some trailer towing. If yours was built 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 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.
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If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
0
a
0
0
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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
if your trailer will weigh 3,000 pounds
(1 362 kg) or less for a utility vehicle or, for a Suburban, 4,000 pounds
(1 800 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer
will weigh more than
3,000 pounds (1 362 kg) for a utility vehicle or
4,000 pounds (1 800 kg) for a Suburban. 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 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.
If you have
an automatic transmission, you should use DRIVE (3) (or, as
you need to, a lower gear) when towing
a trailer. Operating your vehicle
in DRIVE (3) when towing a trailer will minimize heat build-up and
extend the life of your transmission.
If you have a manual transmission
and you are towing a trailer, it’s better not to use
FIFTH (5) gear. Just
drive in FOURTH (4) gear (or. as vou need to. a lower pearl
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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 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 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
L 1 H 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 will
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 capacity.
A B
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, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
12% of the
total loaded trailer weight
(B).
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