weight PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 2003 User Guide

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).
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.
4-38

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
Engine Exhaust on
page 2-36. Dirt 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.
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 vehicles 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 on the rear corner of your 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 aajustment.
ii tne rraiier nas
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.
Oiiriiig your trip, check occasicfially tc be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
4-39

Tilt Wheel ................. ............ 3-6
Ti re
Pressure Light
................ .................. 3-46
Tire inflation Check
......................................... 6-18
Ti res ................................... .......... 5.62. 5-87
Buying New Tires
....... ...................... 5-67
Chains
....................................................... 5-71
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-73
Check Tire Pressure System
......................... 5-64
Compact Spare Tire
..................................... 5-81
If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-72
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-62
Inspection and Rotation
................................ 5-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
......................... 5-68
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
................. 5-69
Wheel Replacement
..................................... 5-69
When It
Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-67
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
.................... 2-28
Top
of the Instrument Panel ............................. 5-84
Top Strap
...................................................... 1-37
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................... 1-38
Torque Lock
................................................... 2-34
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
.................. 4-38
Towing
Recreational Vehicle
..................................... 4-32
Towing a Trailer
.......................................... 4-36
Your Vehicle
............................................... 4-32
Control System (TCS)
.................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light
....................... 3-43
Traction Traction
(cont.)
Low Active Light
...................................... 3-44
Trailer Brakes
................................................. 4-39
Trailer Wiring Harness
..................................... 4-39
Transaxle
Fluid. Automatic
........................................... 5-23
Transaxle Operation. Automatic
......................... 2-28
Transmission. Transaxle. Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual
.............................................. 7-9
Transportation Options
...................................... 7-7
Trip Odometer
................................................ 3-38
Trunk
........................................................ 2-16
Trunk Ajar Light
.............................. .... 3-52
Trunk Lock Release
.................................... 2-16
Trunk Security Override
............................... 2-17
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
.......................... 3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-40
Twilight Sentinel@
............................................ 3-15
U
Underbody Flushing Service ............................. 6-21
Understanding Radio Reception
........................ 3-99
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
............................ 5-68
United States
................................................... 7-3
Used Replacement Wheels
.............................. 5-70
Using Cleaner on Fabric .................................. 5-83
Using HomeLink@ ........................................... 2-45
14

v
Vehicle Control
........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings
........................................... iv
Loading
...................................................... 4-34
Service
Soon Light ...................................... 3-53
Symbols
......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data
.................................................. 3-58
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
............................................. 5-90
Service Parts Identification Label
................... 5-90
DIC
........................................................... 3-62
Memory Seat and Mirrors
......................... 2-48
Vehicle Storage
.......................................... 5-46
Ventilation Adjustment
...................................... 3-32
Vinyl
............................................................. 5-84
Vehicle
Personalization
Visor Vanity Mirror
.......................................... 2-20
Visors 2-20
Voltmeter Gage
.............................................. 3-41
...........................................................
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators ...... ~ .... 3-34
DIC Warnings and Messages
........................ 3-60
Hazard ?n.larning Flashers ............................... 3-5
Warnings
Other Warning Devices
.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols
......................................... III ...
Warnings (cont.) Vehicle Damage
.............................................. iv
Washer Fluid. Low Warning Light
...................... 3-51
Washing Your Vehicle
...................................... 5-85
Weight of the Trailer
........................................ 4-37
What Kind of Engine Oil
to Use ........................ 5-18
What to Do with Used
Oil ................................ 5-21
What
to Use .......................................... 5-27, 5-40
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance
.......................... 5-69
Weatherstrip Lubrication
................................... 6-19
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
............................. 4-38
What Kind of Oil to Use
.................................. 5-22
Replacement
............................................... 5-69
When to Add Engine Oil
.................................. 5-17
When to Change Engine Oil
(Vehicles With the GM Oil Life SystemTM)
....... 5-20
When to Change Engine Oil
(Vehicles Without the GM Oil Life SystemTM)
...... 5-20
When to Check
.............................................. 5-21
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
................ 5-40
vvrwrt ‘r’ou Are Fieauy LU ~eavc MILW
Parking on a Hill ......................................... 4-41
When
to Check and Change
............................ 5-23
.... -I ~ 1- I - _. ._ Afr- ..
Where to Put the Restraint ............................... 1-36
Why Safety Belts Work
..................................... 1-8
Window Lock Out
................................... 2-20, 3-65
Windows
....................................................... 2-19
Power
........................................................ 2-20
Windshield and Wiper Blades
........................... 5-86
15