weight OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1997 User Guide

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
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 if your trailer will
weigh
2,000 lbs. (900 kg) or less. You should always
use a sway control if your trailer will weigh more
than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg). 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. 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
2,900 lbs. (1 300 kg) with up to six occupants or up to
3,500 lbs. (1 575 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 may use THIRD (3) (or as you need to a lower
gear) when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle
in
THIRD (3) when towing a trailer will minimize
heat build-up and extend the life
of your transaxle.
4-32
ProCarManuals.com

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 LlH
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
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.
ProCarManuals.com

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
Certification/Tire 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.
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:
0 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.
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.
4-34
ProCarManuals.com

Trailer Brakes
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.
DI a TI iler
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:
0 Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
- 4-35
ProCarManuals.com

Finish Damage ................................. 6-52
FirstGear
..................................... 2-34
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-22
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-62
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-43
FogLamps
.................................... 2-60
Folding Driver's Seatback
......................... 1-3
Foreign Countries. Fuel ........................... 6-4
FrontDoor
..................................... 2-4
Front Parking/Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-34
Front Seat Storage Bin
........................... 2-75
Front Seat Storage Net
........................... 2-76
Front Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement
........... 6-36
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage ...................................... 2-105
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-57
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-98
Fuel
...................................... 2-105
Speedometer ................................. 2-9 1
Tachometer .................................. 2-92
Garage Door Opener Compartment
................. 2-69
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-3 I
GAWR ....................................... 4-29 GloveBox
.................................... 2-68
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-29
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-29
GVWR
....................................... 4-29
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-31
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints ................................. 1-6
Headlamps
.................................... 2-59
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-31
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-53
OnReminder
................................ 2-59
Wiring
..................................... 6-56
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-53
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads ......................... 4-23
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-34
Hood
Checking Things Under ......................... 6-7
Prop
........................................ 6-8
Release ...................................... 6-8
Horn ......................................... 2-51
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-19
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2-26
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-62
9-5
__ . .- ~
ProCarManuals.com

Third Row Solid Bench Seat ...................... 1 . 13
Adjusting ................................... 1-13
Folding the Seatback
.......................... 1 . 13
Removing ................................... 1-14
Replacing
................................... 1-16
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-52
Time, Setting the
................................ 3-9
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-46
Tire Loading
................................... 4-29
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-29
Tires
......................................... 6-39
Alignment
and Balance ........................ 6-44
BuyingNew
................................. 6-42
Chains
..................................... 6-46
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-22
Cleaning
.................................... 6-52
Compact Spare
............................... 5-32
Inflation .................................... 6-40
Inflation Check
............................... 7-37
Inspection
and Rotation ........................ 6-41
Pressure
.................................... 6-40
Storing
a Flat or Spare ......................... 5-3 1
Temperature ................................. 6-44
Traction
.................................... 6-44
Treadwear
................................... 6-43
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-43
Used Wheel Replacement
...................... 6-45
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-42
Loading
.................................... 4-29 Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-44
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-42
TopStrap
..................................... 1-69
TorqueLock
................................... 2-38
Torque, Wheel
Nut ......................... 5-30, 6-62
Towing
a Trailer ................................ 4-31
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Traction Control System
.......................... 4-9
Trailer Traction Control System Warning Light
........ 2-97, 4- 10
Brakes ..................................... 4-35
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-37
Driving
with ................................. 4-35
Hitches
..................................... 4-34
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-38
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-37
Safety Chains
................................ 4-34
Tongue Weight
............................... 4-33
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-34
Towing
..................................... 4-31
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
Weight
..................................... 4-32
Transaxle Fluid. Automatic
....................... 4-17
Transmitters, Keyless Entry ........................ 2-7
Transportation, Courtesy
.......................... 8-6
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-91
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-4
Turn Signal Reminder Chime
..................... 2-53
Turn
Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-53
9-12
...
ProCarManuals.com