tow CHEVROLET TRACKER 1995 Owner's Manual

Fan Control Lever Bi-Level
Slide the lever away from OFF to turn the heating
system on. Move the lever toward FAN
to increase the
fan’s speed.
Temperature Control Lever
Slide the lever to change the temperature of the air
flowing from the system. Move it to the right for warmer
air and
to the left for cooler air. The air temperature can’t
be less than the outside air temperature.
Air Intake Lever
RECIRCULATE:
Choose this position to
recirculate the inside air through
the comfort control
system.
outside air through the comfort control system.
CIRCULATE: Choose this position to circulate
Heating
For the quickest results, move the air intake lever to
RECIRCULATE. Move the airflow lever to FLOOR, the
temperature control lever toward the right for warmer
air and the fan control lever toward FAN.
You should
switch
to CIRCULATE once in a while to avoid stale air
and cloudy windows.
You may want to use bi-level on cool, but sunny days.
This setting directs outside air toward your body and
warmer air toward your feet.
Move the air intake lever to CIRCULATE and the
airflow lever to
BI-LEVEL. Move the temperature
control lever to the center and the fan control lever
toward FAN.
Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures, when little heating or
cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through
your vehicle.
Move the air intake lever to CIRCULATE and
the
airflow lever to BI-LEVEL. Adjust the temperature
control lever to a comfortable setting and move the fan
control lever to FAN.
Defogging and Defrosting Windows
Slide the air intake lever to CIRCULATE and the
airflow lever to DEFROST
to direct air to the
windshield vents. Then slide the temperature control
lever toward the right and the fan control lever to FAN.
When the windshield is clear, turn down the fan speed.
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Air Conditioner Controls (Option)
The air conditioning
system uses
the same
controls
as the heating
system. The function
of each lever is
explained under
“Heater Controls”
in
this part. The
incoming air
is cooled
and dehumidified
instead of being
heated.
A/C: Push this button to change your comfort control
system from heating
to air conditioning. A light will
come on when the air conditioning is on. The A/C
button can also control the humidity in your vehicle.
Cooling
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows
just
long enough for the hot air to escape.
Push the
A/C button. Move the air intake lever to
CIRCULATE for normal cooling. For faster cooling
move the lever to RECIRCULATE, Then move the
airflow lever to VENT, the temperature control lever
toward the left and the
fan control lever to FAN.
Dehumidifying
On days when it is raining or the humidity is high,
follow these dehumidifying steps instead
of the cooling
directions.
It will help clean windows that are cloudy
with moisture.
Push
the A/C button. Move the air intake lever to
CIRCULATE. Move the airflow lever to DEFROST and
the
fan control lever toward FAN. Adjust the
temperature control lever to a comfortable setting.
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Rear Window Defogger
I I The rear window
1 defogger uses a
warming grid
to
remove fog from the
rear window.
Press the switch
to turn on the defogger. An indicator
light will come on below the switch to remind you that
the defogger is
on. Press the switch again to turn the
defogger
off. The rear window defogger will also turn
off if you turn the ignition switch to ACC or LOCK, but
will turn back on when the ignition
is turned back on.
Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license
or a decal across the defogger grid on the rear window.
I NOTICE:
Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Flow-Through Ventilation System
Your Geo’s flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the fan
is running
and the air intake lever is at CIRCULATE.
Ventilation Tips
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow, or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, move the
fan control lever toward FAN for a few moments
before driving
off. This helps clear the intake ducts
of snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of
fogging the inside of your windows.
0 Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects.
This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.
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Recreational Vehicle Towing
There may be times when you want to tow your Geo
behind another vehicle for use at your destination. Be
sure to use the proper towing equipment designed for
recreational towing. Follow the instructions for the
towing equipment.
Towing Your Geo from the Rear
The best way to cow your Geo is from the rear. Follow
these steps:
1. Put the rear wheels on a dolly.
I NOTICE:
Do not tow your Geo with the rear wheels in
contact with the ground,
or the transmission
could be damaged.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. If your Geo is a four-wheel-drive vehicle, set your
manual freewheeling hubs
to FREE or unlock your
automatic freewheeling hubs. See “Four-wheel
Drive” in the Index.
4. Turn the ignition key to ACC to unlock the steering
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
wheel.
position, with a clamping device designed for
towing.
6. Release the parking brake.
NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed
55 mph
(90 km/h), or your Geo could be badly
damaged.
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Towing Your Geo from the Front
I NOTICE:
If your vehicle has automatic freewheeling hubs
or two-wheel drive, do not tow it on all four
wheels. If you do, your transmission could be
damaged.
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle with manual
freewheeling hubs, it can be towed from the front with
all four wheels on the ground. Follow these steps:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to ACC to unlock the steering
wheel.
3. Shift your automatic transmission into PARK (P), or
your manual transmission into SECOND
(2).
4. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N).
5. Set the hubs to FREE. See “Four-wheel Drive” in
the Index.
6. Release the parking brake.
Stop towing every
200 miles (300 km) and start
the engine. Leave the transfer
case shift lever in
NEUTRAL (N). Shift your automatic transmission
to
DRIVE (D); leave a manual transmission in
SECOND
(2) with the clutch engaged. Run the engine
at medium speed for
one minute to circulate the oil in
the transfer case. Turn the ignition key to ACC. Now,
you can continue towing your Geo.
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I
NOTICE:
The front wheels transmit shocks during towing.
The steering column may not be strong enough to
withstand the shocks. Always unlock the steering
wheel before towing.
Loading Your Vehicle
I NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed
damaged.
I 50 mph (SO kmh), or your Geo could be badly
f
TIRE PLACARD
GhR GWVR FRT GAWR RR
WKg
TIRES
RIMS
INFLATION PRESSURE COLD PSVkPa
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found on the driver’s door lock pillar tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number of people that
can be in your vehicle and the total weight that
you can
carry.
This weight is called the Vehicle Capacity Weight
and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
4-42
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There’s also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See “Loading Your Vehicle”
in
the Index.
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 Chevrolet/Geo dealer for important information
about towing a trailer with your vehicle.
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Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity
is for your vehicle, you
should read the information 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 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.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, 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.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
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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. 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 (D) (or, as
you need to, a lower gear) when
towing
a trailer. Operating your vehicle in DRIVE (D)
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 you need to, a lower gear).
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Three important considerations have to do with weight:
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
1,000 pounds (450 kg).
But even that can be too
heavy.
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:
Customer Assistance Department
ChevroletlGeo
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
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
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nailer 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
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
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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 cc) of fluid from your vehicle’s master
cylinder.
If it does, both 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 vehicle.
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 brakes. But don’t use copper tubing
for this.
If you do, it will bend and finally break off.
Use steel brake tubing. Towing
a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll
want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint 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 as
responsive as your vehicle
is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets
you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
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