weight PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1998 User Guide

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, found on the inside
of the
trunk lid, or see “Loading Your Vehicle” 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 Your vehicle may have nonmetallic, composite
bumpers. 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.
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.
4-36

Trailer Brakes Following Distance
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.
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. 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.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal \
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer
to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and,
if
possible, have someone guide you.
4-37

Tachometer ................................ 2-63
Taillamp Bulb Replacement
....................... 6-42
TapePlayerCare
............................... 3-31
Theft
......................................... 2-13
Theft-Deterrent Feature. CD Player
................ 3-27
THEFTLOCK”
................................ 3-27
Themostat .................................. 6-30
Tilt Steering Wheel
. . .................... 2-34
Time. Setting the
............................... 3-10
Tire Chains
.................................... 6-51
TireLoading ................................... 4-31
Tire-Loading Information Label
................... 4-3 1
Tires ......................................... 6-44
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-50
BuyingNew
................................. 6-48
Chains
..................................... 6-51
Changing a Flat
.............................. 5-27
Cleaning .................................... 6-58
Compact Spare ............................... 5-37
Inflation
.................................... 6-45
Inflation Check
............................... 7-14
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-46
Loading
.................................... 4-31
Pressure
.................................... 6-45
Temperature
................................. 6-50
Traction
........................ ........ 6-49
Treadwear
................................... 6-49
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-49
Used Replacement Wheels
...................... 6-51
Wear Indicators .............................. 6-47
Wheel Replacement ........................... 6-50
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-47 When to Check
............................... 6-46
TopStrap
..................................... 1-58
Torque Lock ................................... 2-30
Torque. Wheel Nut
.............................. 5-34
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-33
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Traction Control System
.......................... 4-9
Traction Control System Warning Light
............. 2-67
Trailer
Brakes
..................................... 4-37
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-39
Driving With
................................ 4-37
Engine Cooling When Towing
................... 4-40
Following Distance
........................... 4-37
Hitches
..................................... 4-36
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-40
MakingTurns
................................ 4-38
Parking on Hills .............................. 4-39
Safety Chains ................................ 4-36
Tongueweight
............................... 4-35
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
.............. 4-36
Towing
..................................... 4-33
Turnsignals
................................. 4-38
Weight
..................................... 4-35
Automatic
............................... 6-22
HowtoAdd
................................. 6-26
How to Check
............................... 6-22
When to Check and Change ..................... 6-22
Transportation Error Courtesy ...................... 8-8
Trip Computer ............................ 2.78. 2.79
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-63
Transaxle Fluid
9-11