towing GMC SAVANA 2005 Owner's Guide

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The
air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to
stop ame if the engine backres. If it is not
there and the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83,000 km) if the vehicle’s GVWR is over
8,600 lbs (3 901 kg) or 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 your vehicle’s GVWR is not over 8,600 lbs (3 901 kg)
and you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the uid and lter every
100,000 miles (166 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
5-19

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood.
Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine is cool.Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not
be covered by your warranty.If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
If you get an engine 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. See “Driving on Grades” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-36.
5-26

6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
ller neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the ller neck until the level reaches
the base of the ller neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to ow out of the
ller neck, reinstall the pressure cap.
Engine Fan Noise
Your 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 everyday driving
conditions, the fan is spinning slower and the clutch is
not fully engaged. This improves fuel economy and
reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer
towing, and/or high outside temperatures, the fan
speed increases as the clutch more fully engages, 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
when additional cooling is not required and the clutch
partially disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch partially
disengages.
5-32

(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
ttings and clamps; replace with genuine GM parts as
needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken airbag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
(The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.)(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood hinges, hood
prop rod pivot, hood latch assembly, secondary
latch, pivots, spring anchor, release pawl, rear
compartment hinges, latches, locks, fuel door hinge and
any moving seat hardware. More frequent lubrication
may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them last longer, seal
better and not stick or squeak.
(g)Vehicles with GVWR above 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
only: Inspect shields for damage or looseness. Adjust or
replace as required. This is a Noise Emission Control
Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in the
United States.
(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter 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.
6-9

R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-25
Radios..........................................................3-41
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-42
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-73
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-74
Care of Your CDs........................................3-74
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-49
Radio with CD............................................3-44
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-62
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-41
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-41
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-72
Understanding Reception..............................3-72
Reading Lamps..............................................3-16
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System.........3-22
Rear Axle......................................................5-44
Locking........................................................ 4-8
Rear Door Security Locks.................................. 2-8
Rear Doors....................................................2-14Rear Heating System......................................3-21
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-28
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-6
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-25
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-30
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-13
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-36
Reduced Engine Power Light............................3-38
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire.............................................5-73
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-70
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-51
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-12
General Motors...........................................7-13
United States Government............................7-12
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-73
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash..................................................1-74
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-73
Replacing Parts...........................................1-74
10

Tires (cont.)
Tire Sidewall Labelling..................................5-53
Tire Terminology and Denitions....................5-56
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-64
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-65
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-65
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-62
Top Strap......................................................1-47
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-48
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-39
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-36
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-36
Your Vehicle...............................................4-36
Traction
Stabilitrak
®System........................................ 4-9
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-23
Trip Odometer................................................3-25
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-72
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-64
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders..................................................7-10
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-92
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-92
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-20
Visors...........................................................2-18
Voltmeter Gage..............................................3-29
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