weight OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1996 User Guide

Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
1,400 lbs. (630 kg)
with up to six occupants or more than
2,000 lbs.
(900 kg) with up to two occupants. If you have the
optional trailer towing package, your vehicle can tow up
to
2,400 lbs. (1 090 kg) with up to six occupants or up
to 3,000 lbs.
(1 360 kg) with up to two occupants. 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 retailer for our trailering information
or advice, or you can write
us at:
Oldsmobile Customer Assistance
P.O. Box 30095
Lansing, MI 48909
In Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
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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 weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh
10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you’re using a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight
(B).
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 Yo Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the limit for
cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
CertificationEire label at the rear edge of the driver’s
door or see “Tire Loading”
in the Index. Then be sure
you don’t
go over the GVW limit for your vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer tongue.
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hes Safety Chains
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 bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for
hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach
to
the bumper.
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg), be sure to use a
properly mounted, weight-distributing hitch and
sway control of the proper size. This equipment is
very important for proper vehicle loading and good
handling when you’re driving.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of 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 “Carbon Monoxide” in the
Index). Dirt and water can, too.
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.
Tra I! -- rake:_
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (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.
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.
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Driving with a Trailer
A -CAUTION:
I
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull
a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.)
To
maximize your safety when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting
on your trip.
0 Keep the rear-most windows closed.
0 If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle.
Do not use
RECIRC because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.)
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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FogLamps .................................... 2-49
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-3
Four-Way Manual Seat
........................... 1 - I
FrontDoor ..................................... 2-3
Front Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement
........... 6-30
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
.......... 6-30
Fuel
.......................................... 6-2
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-83
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-3
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-53
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-76
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-80
Fuel
....................................... 2-83
Speedometer
................................. 2-71
Tachometer
.................................. 2-71
Voltmeter
................................... 2-74
Garage Door Opener
............................ 2-54
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-27
GloveBox
.................................... 2-57
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-27
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-27
GAWR
....................................... 4-27
GVWR
....................................... 4-27 Halogen
Bulbs
................................ 6-29
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints ................................. 1-4
Headlamps
.................................... 2-48
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-29
HighLow Beam Changer
...................... 2-40
OnReminder
................................ 2-48
Wiring
..................................... 6-52
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heating
........................................ 3-3
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-40
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-21
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-33
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-6
Prop
........................................ 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-6
Horn ......................................... 2-38
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-17
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2-23
Illuminated Entry
.......................... 2- 1 1. 2-50
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-36
Inflator. Air
................................... 2-66
Injector Fuse
................................... 6-57
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-52
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Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-33
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-65
Sunglasses Storage
.............................. 2-57
Supplemental Restraint System
.................... 1-25
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. v
Tachometer .................................. 2-7 1
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-33
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-24
Temperature and Compass Display
................. 2-55
Temperature Control, Climate Control System
......... 3-2
Theft
......................................... 2-21
Theft-Deterrent Feature, CD Player
................ 3- 19
Third Gear 2-29
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-39
Time, Setting the
................................ 3-9
Tirechains
.................................... 6-42
TireLoading
................................... 4-27
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-27
Tires
......................................... 6-35
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-40
Buying New
................................. 6-38
Chains
..................................... 6-42
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-22
Cleaning
.................................... 6-48
Compact Spare
............................... 5-32
Inflation
.................................... 6-36
Thermostat
.................................... 6-22
....................................
Inflation Check ............................... 7-34
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-37
Pressure
.................................... 6-36
Temperature
................................. 6-40
Traction
........ ' ............................ 6-39
Treadwear
................................... 6-39
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-39
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-38
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-40
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-38
Loading
.................................... 4-27
TopStrap
..................................... 1-48
TorqueLock
................................... 2-34
Torque, Wheel
Nut ......................... 5-30. 6-59
Towing a Trailer
................................. 4-29
Towing Your Vehicle
.............................. 5-7
Trailer
Brakes
..................................... 4-33
Hitches
..................................... 4-33
ParkingonHills
.............................. 4-36
Tongueweight
............................... 4-32
Towing
..................................... 4-29
Turnsignals
................................. 4-35
Weight
..................................... 4-31
Driving
on Grades ............................ 4-36
Driving with
................................. 4-34
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-37
Safety Chains
................................ 4-33
Total Weight
on Tires .......................... 4-32
9-11
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