towing capacity PONTIAC VIBE 2009 Owners Manual

Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1.Locate the statement
“The combined weight
of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s
placard.
2.Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight
of the driver and passengers
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting gure equals
the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs
and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available
cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs
(1400−750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, the load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo
and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 9-77for important
information on towing a trailer,
towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
A.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1=1,000 lbs
(453 kg).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×2=300 lbs
(136 kg).
C.Available Occupant and
Cargo Weight=700 lbs
(317 kg).
Example 1
Driving and Operating 8-33
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled
vehicle should be towed with all
four wheels off the ground. Consult
your dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service if the disabled vehicle
must be towed. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 12-5.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes
(such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing”
following.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing your vehicle behind another
vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common
types of recreational vehicle towingare known as “dinghy towing” (towing
your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels
on the ground and two wheels up on
a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and
equipment, many vehicles can be
towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,”
following.
Here are some important things to
consider before you do recreational
vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity
of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow
vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some
vehicles have restrictions on how
far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing
equipment? See your dealer/
retailer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed?
Just as you would prepare your
vehicle for a long trip, you will
want to make sure your vehicle
is prepared to be towed. See
“Before Leaving On A Long Trip”
in the Index.
Dinghy Towing
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, it cannot be dinghy
towed. See “Dolly Towing” for
more information regarding
towing your vehicle.
If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, it can be dinghy
towed.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-75
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual

4. Clamp the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position with a
clamping device designed
for towing.
5. Remove the key from the
ignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well or even at all. The driver and
passengers could be seriously
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have
been followed. Ask your
dealer/retailer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it
is equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. To identify the
vehicle trailering capacity of your
vehicle, you should read the
information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving
your vehicle by itself. Trailering
means changes in handling,acceleration, braking, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment,
and it has to be used properly.
That is 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, transmission, 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.
In addition, the trailer adds
considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-77
2009 - Pontiac Vibe Owner Manual