weight OLDSMOBILE AURORA 2003 User Guide

Weight of the Trailer
rlow heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 Ibs
(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:
Oldsmobile Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33171
Detroit,
MI 48232-51 71
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
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
on page
4-34 for more information about your vehicle’s
maximum load capacity.
A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should
weigh 10-15 percent of the total loaded trailer
weight (B).
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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
trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper limit
for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Tire-Loading Information label at the rear edge of the
driver’s door or see
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for
your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here
are some rules to follow:
The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for
hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to the
bumper.
0 Will you have to make any holes in the body OT
your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If
you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get
into your vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust on
page 2-33. Dit-! and water can also enter the
vehicle.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. 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 attaching
safety chains and do not attach them
to the bumper.
Always leave just enough slack
so you can turn
with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on
the ground.
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Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes?
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap
into your vehicle’s brake system.
If you do, both brake
systems won’t work well, or at all.
Trailer Wiring Harness
All of the electrical circuits required for your trailer
lighting system can be accessed at the driver’s side rear
lamp connector. This connector is located under the
carpet
in the rear corner of the trunk compartment.
Driving with a Trailer
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.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
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T
Tachometer ............................. ........ 3-33
Taillamps Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
.... 5-58
TCS Active Light
............................................. 3-38
TCS Warning Light
.......................................... 3-37
Testing the Alarm
............................................ 2-20
Theater Dimming
............................................ 3-1 9
Theft-Deterrent Systems
.................... .... 2-19
PASS-Key@
Ill Operation ... .... .... 2-21
Throttle System Inspection
............................... 6-14
Theft-Deterrent,
Radio
.................. .... 3-73
PASS-Key@
Ill .......................... .... 2-21
Universal Theft-Deterrent
.............................. 2-1 9
Tilt Wheel ........................................................ 3-5
Tire Inflation Check
........................................... 6-9
Tires
..................................................... 5-60, 5-86
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-66
Chains
....................................................... 5-70
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-71
Check Tire Pressure System
......................... 5-62
If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-70
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-60
Inspection and Rotation ................................ 5-63
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
......................... 5-67
Compact Spare Tire
..................................... 5-81 Tires (cont.)
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
..... ..... 5-68
Wheel Replacement
......................... ..... 5-68
When It
Is Time for New Tires .................. 5-65
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
................ 2-25
Top of the Instrument Panel
............................. 5-83
Top Strap
...................................................... 1-38
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................... 1-39
Torque Lock
................................................... 2-31
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
.................. 4-39
Towing Recreational Vehicle
..... ..... 4-33
Towing a Trailer
...................... ..... 4-36
Your Vehicle
.............................. ......... 4-33
Control System Active Light
...................... 3-38
Control System (TCS)
.................................... 4-8
Control System Warning Light
....................... 3-37
Trailer Brakes
................................................. 4-40
Trailer Wiring Harness
..................................... 4-40
Transaxle Fluid, Automatic
...................... ............. 5-22
Transaxle Operation, Automatic
......................... 2-26
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual
............................................ 7-10
Transportation Options
........ ................... 7-7
Traction
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Trip Odometers .............................................. 3-32 Vehicle Personalization
Trunk
............................................................ 2-14 DIC ........................................................... 3-52
Trunk Lock Release
........................................ 2-15 Memory Seat and Mirrors ............................. 2-48
Trunk Release Lockout
.................................... 2-15 Vehicle Storage .............................................. 5-43
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
.......................... 3-6 Ventilation Adjustment ...................................... 3-27
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
........................... 3-6 Vinyl ............................................................. 5-83
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-41 Visors ........................................................... 2-18
U
Underbody Flushing Service ............................. 6-1 2
Understanding Radio Reception
........................ 3-74
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
............................ 5-67
United States
................................................... 7-4
Used Replacement Wheels
.............................. 5-69
Using HomeLink@
........................................... 2-44
Using RDS
.................................................... 3-62
v
Vehicle
Cnntrc\! ........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings ........................................... iv
Loading
...................................................... 4-34
Symbols
......................................................... iv
Number
(VIN) ............................................. 5-90
Service Parts Ideniification Label ................... 5-90
Vehicle Identification Warning
Lights. Gages and Indicators
................ 3-30
Warnings DIC Warnings and Messages
........................ 3-50
Hazard Warning Flashers
............................... 3-4
Safety and Symbols
......................................... III
Vehicle Damage .............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle
................................... 5-85
Other Warning
Devices
.................................. 3-5 ...
Weatherstrip Lubrication ..... .................... 6-10
Weight of the Trailer
......................... .... 4-38
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
............................. 4-38
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
........................ 5-18
What to Do with Used Oil ................................ 5-20
What to Use .................................. 5-25, 5-37, 5-38
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance
.......................... 5-68
Replacement
............................................... 5-68
LVher; to Add Efigine Oil 1747 ..................................
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