trailer PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 Owners Manual

New Vehicle 66Break-InS’ Ignition Positions
Your modern Pontiac doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t
yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time
you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in, See
‘‘Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index for more
information.
C
A i E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can twn
the switch to five positions.
ACC (A): This position lets you use things like the
radio and windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To
use ACC (Accessory), push in the key and turn it toward
you. Your steering wheel will stay locked.
LOCK (B): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch
is in the LOCK position. It’s also the
only position in which you can remove your key.
This
position locks your ignition, steering wheel and
transaxle. It’s a theft-deterrent feature.
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Automatic Transaxle Operation
Yom automatic transaxle may have a shift lever on the
steering
column or on the console between the seats.
Maximum engine speed is limited
on automatic
transaxle vehicles, when you’re in
PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N), to protect driveline components from
improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
/I CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not
fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave
your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine
running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could
be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground,
always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see LCTo~ing a Trailer” in
the Index.
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DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving.
If you vehicle has overdrive, DRIVE (D) is the
overdrive position. If you need more power for passing,
0 Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
0 Going about 35 mph (55 kmk) or more, push the
You'll shift down to the next
gear and have more power.'
and you":
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
accelerator pedal all the way down.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, but
it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than
DRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of DRIVE (D):
0 . When driving on hilly, winding roads.
0 When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
0 When going down a steep hill.
between gears.
NOTICE:
'If your vehicle seems to startup rather slowly, or
if it seems
not to.sMft gears is you go faster,
something may be wrong with
a transaxle system
,sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can
be damaged. So, if this happens; have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until'then,
you
can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than
35 mph (55 kmh) and DRn7E (D) for
higher speeds.
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Shifting Into PARK (P)
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If
you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see "Towing a Trailer" in the Index. That section shows
what to do first
to keep the trailer from moving.
L
e dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift. lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly
set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly.
You or others could be
injured.
TO be sure your vehicle won't move, even
when you're on
fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
If you're pulling a trailer, see
"Towing a Trailer'' in the Index.
Column Shift
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the
parking brake.
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Running Your Engine While
You’re Parked
It’s bewr not to park with the engine ruanhig. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
:- I .. .,
Idling the engine. with the air system control
off could allow dangerous exhaust into yo,ur
vehide (see the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhalast”).
Also, idling in
a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch
is at the highest setting. \One place
this an happen is a garage. Exhanst -- with
CO -- can come in easily. park in a
garage with. the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard: (See
‘CBlizzard”
in the Index.)
It can be. dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To besure your
vehicle
won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
.move the shift lever to Pm (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
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If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
If the Light Is On Steady
0 Reduce vehicle speed.
0 Avoid hard accelerations.
0 Avoid steep uphill grades.
0 If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo ,being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains
on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If
the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). Turn the
key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On
Steady” following.
If the light is still flashing, follow the
previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your dealer or
qualified service center for service.
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you just put fuel into your vehicle?
If
so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed.
This will
allow
fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If
so, your electrical system,.may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light
off.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to
run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since
small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can
detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.
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the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or
if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
Towing a Trailer
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
0 Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops
of the seats.
0 Don’t leave an unsecured chilb restraint in
your vehicle.
0 When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
0 Never’stack heavier things, like suitcases,
CAUTION:
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull
a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps
in this section. Ask your Pontiac dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your Pontiac
dealer for important information about towing
a
trailer with your vehicle.
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four vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information
in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability, and
fwl economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that
of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull
a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag
of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
0
0
0
0
0
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 fa this
information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using
a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer
at all during the first 1,000 miles
(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle
or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the
fkst 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.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h)) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
0 the weight of the trailer tongue
0 and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
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Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (450’ kg). 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 dealer ’for our trailering information or
advice,
or you can write us at:
Customer Assistance Center
Pontiac Division
One Pontiac Plaza
Pontiac,
MI 48340-2952
In Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center 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 bec.ause it affects the total capacity
weight
of your vehicle. The capacity weight 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 subtract
the tongue
load
from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about
your vehcle’s maximum load capacity.
A B
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If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh
10% of the total loaded trailer
weight
(B). If you have a weight-distributing hitch, the
trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12% of the total loaded
trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh
the trailer and
then &e 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
recommended pressure 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
0 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.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for
hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches
to tlfem. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to
the bumper.
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