towing PONTIAC G5 2007 Owner's Manual

Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer will not
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
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring.
Check with your dealer. The arrows on your
instrument panel will ash whenever you
signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other
drivers you are about to turn, change lanes
or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It is important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous
grades exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended,
higher than normal engine and transaxle
temperatures may result and damage your
vehicle. Frequent stops are very important to
allow the engine and transaxle to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbefore
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
do not shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and
no longer work well.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage. If the
indicator is in the red area, turn off the air
conditioning to reduce engine load. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 290.
262

When towing under severe conditions such as hot
ambient temperatures or steep grades, your
vehicle may experience more transaxle shifting.
A COOLING MODE ON message may also appear
in the DIC. This alerts the driver that the shifting
mode is in progress and is aiding engine cooling.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 177
DIC Warnings and Messages for more information.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
here is how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P) for an automatic transaxle, or into
gear for a manual transaxle. When parking
uphill, turn your wheels away from the
curb. When parking downhill, turn your wheels
into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release
the regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift into PARK (P) for
an automatic transaxle or REVERSE (R) for a
manual transaxle.
5. Release the regular brakes.
263

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the
chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you are pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 375for more on this.
Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle uid (do not
overll), engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and
brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you nd them quickly. If you
are trailering, it is a good idea to review this
information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 290.
264

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter 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.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require
changing.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This
service can be complex; you should have
your dealer perform this service. See Engine
Coolant on page 287 for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired and the uid level checked. Add uid if
needed.(k)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
the lter may require replacement more often.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be
performed at the intervals specied to help
ensure the safety, dependability, and emission
control performance of your vehicle. Your
GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you with
these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at
once. Whenever any uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 385.
380

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.
Gather the important information you will
need from the other driver. Things like name,
address, phone number, driver’s license
number, vehicle license plate, vehicle make,
model and model year, Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN), insurance company and
policy number, and a general description of
the damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance company from
the scene of the accident. They will walk you
through the information they will need. If
they ask for a police report, phone or go to
the police department headquarters the
next day and you can get a copy of the report
for a nominal fee. In some states/provinces
with “no fault” insurance laws, a report may not
be necessary. This is especially true if there
are no injuries and both vehicles are driveable.
Choose a reputable collision repair facility
for your vehicle. Whether you select a
GM dealer or a private collision repair facility
to x the damage, make sure you are
comfortable with them. Remember, you will
have to feel comfortable with their work
for a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully
and make sure you understand what work
will be performed on your vehicle. If you have
a question, ask for an explanation. Reputable
shops welcome this opportunity.
407

Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts...... 21
R
Radios........................................................ 185
Care of Your CD Player........................... 216
Care of Your CDs.................................... 216
Radio with CD................................189, 194
Setting the Time..............................186, 187
Theft-Deterrent......................................... 214
Understanding Reception......................... 215
Rear Door Security Locks............................. 96
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides.................. 35
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts.............. 32
Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®...................... 125
Rearview Mirrors......................................... 125
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.......... 385
Recreational Vehicle Towing........................ 254
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System............ 86Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation................................................... 87
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................ 344
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools............ 339
Replacement Bulbs..................................... 318
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government............................. 409
General Motors........................................ 409
United States Government....................... 409
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems................. 80
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash......................................... 81
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ................ 110
Right Front Passenger Position,
Safety Belts............................................... 31
Roadside
Assistance Program................................. 399
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.............. 248
Routing, Engine Drive Belt.......................... 388
Running the Engine While Parked............... 124
423

Tires (cont.)
Removing the Flat Tire............................. 344
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools......... 339
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools..... 349
Tire Sidewall Labeling.............................. 321
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 324
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.................... 333
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance........... 334
Wheel Replacement................................. 335
When It Is Time for New Tires................. 330
Towing
Recreational Vehicle................................. 254
Towing a Trailer..............................256, 257
Your Vehicle............................................. 254
Traction
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)............. 226
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light....................................... 166Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic....................................... 286
Fluid, Manual........................................... 286
Transaxle Operation, Automatic................... 113
Transaxle Operation, Manual....................... 116
Transmission
Up-Shift Light........................................... 164
Trunk............................................................ 98
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................... 140
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................... 139
U
Understanding Radio Reception................... 215
Uniform Tire Quality Grading....................... 333
Up-Shift Light.............................................. 164
426