towing HUMMER H3 2009 Owner's Manual

Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross
the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer to help prevent the
tongue from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the
hitch. Always leave just enough
slack so the rig can turn. Never
allow safety chains to drag on the
ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 1,500 lbs (680 kg) needs
to have its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted
and maintained properly.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Get to
know the rig before setting out for
the open road. Get acquainted
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
longer and not as responsive as the
vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch
parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustments. If
the trailer has electric brakes, start
the vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This checks
the electrical connection at the
same time.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind
the vehicle ahead as you would
when driving the vehicle without a
trailer. This can help to avoid
situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because
the rig is longer, it is necessary to
go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before returning to
the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, move that
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.
4-48 Driving Your Vehicle

Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause
the trailer to come in contact with
the vehicle. The vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this
so the trailer 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
The arrows on the instrument panel
ash whenever signaling a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps also ash, telling
other drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping.When towing a trailer, the arrows
on the instrument panel ash
for turns even if the bulbs on the
trailer are burned out. For this
reason you may think other drivers
are seeing the signal when they
are not. It is important to check
occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gearbeforestarting down a long
or steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts
too often under heavy loads and/or
hilly conditions. For vehicles with
a manual transmission, it is
better not to use the highest gear.When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider
the following: Engine coolant will
boil at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the automatic
transmission in P (Park) for a
few minutes before turning the
engine off. For vehicles with manual
transmissions, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on
level ground, with the transmission
out of gear and the parking
brake applied, for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the
overheat warning comes on,
seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-49

Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual’s Maintenance Schedule
or Index for more information.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission uid, engine oil,
axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good
idea to inspect these before and
during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Light-Duty Trailer Wiring Package
If the vehicle does not have a
trailer towing package, the chassis
harness will contain the following
blunt cut circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
White: Ground
Brown: Tail Lamps
To add a trailer towing wiring
package, have it installed by your
dealer/retailer or a qualied
service center. Also, seeAdd-On
Electrical Equipment on page 5-91
for more information.Heavy-Duty Trailer Wiring
Package
If the vehicle has a trailer towing
package, the rear bumper harness
will have a seven-pin universal
heavy-duty trailer connector
attached to a bracket on the hitch
platform.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-51

The trailer towing harness contains
the following seven trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn
Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Red: Battery Feed
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
If charging a remote (non-vehicle)
battery, turn on the headlamps
to boost the vehicle system voltage
to properly charge the battery.Four-Wire Harness Adapter
If towing a light-duty trailer with a
standard four-way, at pin
connector, an adapter is available
from your dealer/retailer.
Hold the adapter with the tab
pointing up.Connect the adapter to the
seven-pin universal heavy-duty
trailer connector attached to
the bracket on the hitch platform.
The ip cap on the vehicle’s harness
locks onto the tab and helps hold
the adapter in place. Plug the
four-way pin connector onto the
adapter.
4-52 Driving Your Vehicle

Trailer Brake Control Wiring
Harness
The trailer brake control wiring
harness is located under the
instrument panel to the right of the
steering column. The wires are
taped to the harness that goes to
the courtesy light under the
instrument panel. The harness has
the following wires:
Red Wire: AUX B+
Black Wire: Ground
Light Blue Wire: Brake Signal
Dark Blue Wire: Trailer Brakes
Trailer Recommendations
Subtract the hitch loads from the
Cargo Weight Rating (CWR). CWR
is the maximum weight of the
load the vehicle can carry. It does
not include the weight of the people
inside, but you can gure about
150 lbs. (68 kg) for each passenger.
The total cargo load must not be
more than the vehicles CWR.
Weigh the vehicle with the trailer
attached, so the GVWR or GAWR
are not exceeded. If using a
weight-distributing hitch, weigh the
vehicle without the spring bars
in place.
The best performance is obtained
by correctly spreading out the weight
of the load and choosing the
correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-42.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-53

If No Steam Is Coming From
The Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
Stops after high-speed driving.
Idles for long periods in traffic.
Tows a trailer. See “Driving
on Grades” underTowing a
Trailer on page 4-42.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest
temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle
in N (Neutral) while stopped. If it
is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and
let the engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gage is
no longer in the overheat zone
or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle
slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a
safe vehicle distance from the
car in front of you. If the warning
does not come back on, continue to
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until
it cools down.
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 everyday driving
conditions, the clutch is not
engaged. This improves fuel
economy and reduces fan noise.
Under heavy vehicle loading,
trailer towing and/or high outside
temperatures, the fan speed
increases when the clutch 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
disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise
when you start the engine. It will go
away as the fan clutch disengages.
5-28 Service and Appearance Care

(d)Inspect wiper blades for wear,
cracking, or contamination.
Clean the windshield and wiper
blades, if contaminated. Replace
wiper blades that are worn or
damaged. See Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement on page 5-44
and Windshield, Backglass,
and Wiper Blades on page 5-87
for more information.
(e)Make sure the safety belt
reminder light and safety belt
assemblies 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 see Checking the Restraint
Systems on page 1-60.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood latch assembly, secondary
latch, pivots, spring anchor, release
pawl, rear compartment hinges,
outer endgate handle pivot points,
rear door detent link, rollermechanism, endgate handle pivot
points, latch bolt, fuel door hinge,
locks, and folding 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)Check vent hose at transfer
case for kinks and proper
installation.
(h)Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter 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.(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system. This service can be
complex; you should have your
dealer/retailer perform this service.
See Engine Coolant on page 5-23
for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and filler neck.
Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
(j)A fluid loss in any vehicle system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add fluid
if needed.
(k)Visually inspect belt for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious
damage. Replace belt if necessary.
6-8 Maintenance Schedule

HUMMER Technician
Roadside Service (U.S. only)
HUMMER’s exceptional Roadside
Service is more than an auto club or
towing service. It provides every
HUMMER owner in the United
States with the advantage of
contacting a HUMMER advisor and,
where available, a HUMMER
trained dealer technician who can
provide on-site service.
A dealer technician will travel to your
location within a 30 mile radius of a
participating HUMMER dealership.
If beyond this radius, we will arrange
to have your vehicle towed to the
nearest HUMMER dealership. Each
technician travels with a specially
equipped service vehicle complete
with the necessary HUMMER parts
and tools required to handle most
roadside repairs.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance

Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
Legal nes.
Mounting, dismounting or
changing of snow tires, chains,
or other traction devices.
Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specic to Canadian
Purchased Vehicles

Fuel delivery:Reimbursement
is approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may be
restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
Lock-Out Service:Vehicle
registration is required.
Trip Routing Service:Limit of
six requests per year.
Trip Interruption Benets and
Assistance:Pre-authorization,
original detailed receipts, and a
copy of the repair orders are
required. Once authorization has
been received, the Roadside
Assistance advisor will help you
make arrangements and explain
how to receive payment.
Alternative Service:If
assistance cannot be provided
right away, the Roadside
Assistance advisor may give you
permission to get local emergency
road service. You will receive
payment, up to $100, after
sending the original receipt to
Roadside Assistance. Mechanical
failures may be covered, however
any cost for parts and labor for
repairs not covered by the
warranty are the owner
responsibility.
7-8 Customer Assistance Information

Many insurance policies provide
reduced protection to your GM
vehicle by limiting compensation for
damage repairs by using aftermarket
collision parts. Some insurance
companies will not specify
aftermarket collision parts. When
purchasing insurance, we
recommend that you assure your
vehicle will be repaired with GM
original equipment collision parts. If
such insurance coverage is not
available from your current insurance
carrier, consider switching to another
insurance carrier.
If your vehicle is leased, the leasing
company may require you to
have insurance that assures repairs
with Genuine GM Original
Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
parts or Genuine Manufacturer
replacement parts. Read your lease
carefully, as you may be charged
at the end of your lease for
poor quality repairs.If a Crash Occurs
Here is what to do if you are
involved in a crash.
Try to relax and then check to
make sure you are all right. If
you are uninjured, make sure that
no one else in your vehicle, or
the other vehicle, is injured.
If there has been an injury, call
emergency services for help.
Do not leave the scene of a crash
until all matters have been
taken care of. Move your vehicle
only if its position puts you in
danger or you are instructed to
move it by a police officer.
Give only the necessary and
requested information to
police and other parties involved
in the crash. Do not discuss
your personal condition, mental
frame of mind, or anything
unrelated to the crash. This will
help guard against post-crash
legal action.
If you need roadside assistance,
call GM Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Service on
page 7-6for more information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven,
know where the towing service
will be taking it. Get a card from
the tow truck operator or write
down the driver’s name, the
service’s name, and the phone
number.
Remove any valuables from your
vehicle before it is towed away.
Make sure this includes your
insurance information and
registration if you keep these
items in your vehicle.
7-12 Customer Assistance Information

Parking
Over Things That Burn......2-31
Parking Your Vehicle............2-31
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................3-26
Passenger Sensing System . . . 1-54
Passing..............................4-12
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer......................2-13
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation........2-14
Passlock
®...........................2-12
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California...... 5-4
Phone
Bluetooth
®.......................3-52
Power
Door Locks........................ 2-6
Electrical System..............5-91
Lumbar Controls................. 1-4
Retained Accessory...........2-17
Seat................................. 1-3
Steering Fluid...................5-29
Windows.........................2-10Privacy...............................7-16
Event Data Recorders.......7-16
Navigation System............7-17
OnStar............................7-17
Radio Frequency
Identication.................7-17
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks........................ 2-6
R
Radio Frequency Identication
(RFID), Privacy.................7-17
Radio(s).............................3-42
Radios
Navigation/Radio System,
see Navigation Manual . . . 3-52
Reception........................3-62
Setting the Clock..............3-41
Theft-Deterrent.................3-62
Reading Lamps...................3-16
Rear Axle...........................5-38
Locking............................. 4-8
Rear Door Security Locks....... 2-6
Rear Storage Area...............2-49
Rear Vision Camera.............2-36Rear Windshield Washer/
Wiper............................... 3-8
Rearview Mirror, Automatic
Dimming ..........................2-33
Reclining Seatbacks............... 1-5
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants........................6-12
Recovery Loops...................4-34
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . 4-40
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System............................. 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System, Operation.............. 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire.....5-72
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools................5-68, 5-69
Replacement Bulbs..............5-43
Replacement Parts,
Maintenance....................6-14
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government.......7-14
General Motors................7-15
United States
Government..................7-14
i-8 INDEX