towing SATURN VUE 2005 User Guide

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want to
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as rocking
can help you get out when you are stuck, but you
must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
And, the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle
can overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment re or other damage. When you
are stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible.
Do not spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h)
as shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transaxle back
and forth, you can destroy your transaxle. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-44.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
seeTire Chains on page 5-68.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That
will clear the area around your front wheels. If your
vehicle has traction control, you should turn the system
off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10.
Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a
forward gear, or with a manual transaxle, between
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R), spinning
the wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. By
slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may
free your vehicle. If that does not get you out after a few
tries, you may need to be towed out. Or, you can use
the recovery hook if your vehicle has one. If you do need
to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-50.
Vehicles Equipped with VTi Variable
Transmission
If you press too hard on the accelerator pedal, you may
not be able to shift into DRIVE (D) or REVERSE (R).
If this happens, release the accelerator pedal, then shift
to the gear you want.
4-44
ProCarManuals.com

Recovery Hook
Contact your retailer if you would like to have a recovery
hook installed on your vehicle.
The recovery hook is located at the rear of your vehicle.
It can only be used for pulling your vehicle out if it is
stuck, not for towing the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
The recovery hook, when used, is under a lot
of force. Always pull the vehicle straight out.
Never pull on the hook at a sideways angle.
The hook could break off and you or others
could be injured from the chain or cable
snapping back.
Notice:Never use the recovery hook to tow the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged and it would
not be covered by warranty.
4-45
ProCarManuals.com

There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certication/Tire label. It tells you the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle.
See “Certication/Tire Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX pounds” 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 kilograms or XXX pounds.
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.SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-55for important
information on towing a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant and
Cargo Weight =700 lbs (317 kg) Example 1
4-47
ProCarManuals.com

Ask your retailer to help you load your vehicle correctly
if you are using these components.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle – like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else – they will go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.
If you want to tow your 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
towing are 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 in this section.
4-50
ProCarManuals.com

Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s 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 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’ll
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be
towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip on
page 4-36.
Dinghy Towing (All-Wheel Drive with
VTi Transaxle)
All-wheel-drive vehicles with the VTi transaxle should
not be towed with all four wheels on the ground.
To properly tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle with the VTi
transaxle, it should be placed on a platform trailer
with all four wheels off of the ground.
Dinghy Towing (Front-Wheel-Drive with
Manual Transaxle, Four-Speed
Automatic Transaxle or Five-Speed
Automatic Transaxle, and All-Wheel
Drive with Five-Speed Automatic
Transaxle)
Front-wheel-drive vehicles equipped with a manual
transaxle, four-speed automatic transaxle or ve-speed
automatic transaxle may be dinghy towed from the
front. These vehicles may also be towed by putting the
front wheels on a dolly. See “Dolly Towing” later in
this section.
All-wheel-drive vehicles with the ve-speed automatic
transaxle can be dinghy towed from the front. You
can also tow these vehicles by placing them on
a platform trailer with all four wheels off of the ground.
These vehicles cannot be towed using a dolly.
4-51
ProCarManuals.com

To tow your vehicle from the front with all four wheels
on the ground, do the following:
1. Position and attach the vehicle to tow it behind the
recreational vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
3. Turn fog lamps and all accessories off.4. If your vehicle has the manual transaxle, shift your
transaxle to NEUTRAL and let the engine run for
three minutes, then turn it off.
If your vehicle has the ve-speed automatic
transaxle, shift your transaxle from AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) to NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine run for three minutes. Then turn it off.
Notice:Towing your vehicle after shifting the
automatic transaxle (four-speed or ve-speed) from
anything other than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D)
to NEUTRAL (N) can cause internal damage to
the automatic transaxle. Always shift the automatic
transaxle (four-speed or ve-speed) from
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) to NEUTRAL (N) as the
last shift before towing.
5. Locate and remove the large IGN fuse from the
underhood fuse block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 5-96.
Notice:If you tow your vehicle without performing
each of the steps listed under “Dinghy Towing,”
you could damage the automatic transaxle. Be sure
to follow all steps of the dinghy towing procedure
prior to and after towing your vehicle.
4-52
ProCarManuals.com

Notice:If your vehicle has a four-speed automatic
transaxle, it can be dinghy towed from the front
for unlimited miles at 65 mph (105 km/h). If you
exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing your vehicle,
it could be damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Never exceed 65 mph
(105 km/h) while towing your vehicle.
Notice:If your vehicle has a ve-speed automatic
transaxle and it is towed for more than eight
hours per day or at speeds greater than 65 mph
(105 km/h), you could damage the automatic
transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not tow your vehicle for extended
periods of time or at speeds greater than 65 mph
(105 km/h).
After eight hours of towing, repeat Step 4 above for
ve-speed automatic transaxle.Once you have reached your destination, do the
following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Shift the transaxle to FIRST (1) for manual
transaxle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK and remove the key
from the ignition.
4. Reinstall the large IGN fuse.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage the
transaxle. Be sure that the transaxle uid is at the
proper level before towing with all four wheels
on the ground.
Notice:Don’t tow a vehicle with the front drive
wheels on the ground if one of the front tires is a
compact spare tire. Towing with two different
tire sizes on the front of the vehicle can cause
severe damage to the transaxle.
Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)
All-wheel-drive vehicles should not be towed with two
wheels on the ground. To properly tow these vehicles,
they should be placed on a platform trailer with all
four wheels off of the ground.
4-53
ProCarManuals.com

Dolly Towing (Front-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles)
To tow your front-wheel-drive vehicle from the front with
two wheels on the ground, do the following:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. If you have a ve-speed automatic transaxle,
four-speed automatic transaxle or VTi variable
transaxle, move the shift lever to PARK (P). If you
have a manual transaxle, move the shift lever
to SECOND (2).3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Release the parking brake.
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
Notice:Towing your vehicle from the rear could
damage it. Also, repairs would not be covered by the
warranty. Never have your vehicle towed from
the rear.
4-54
ProCarManuals.com

Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not 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. You may also damage your
vehicle; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Pull a trailer only if
you have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your 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 retailer for
important information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is equipped with the
Red Line package. You can damage your vehicle. If
you are not sure if your vehicle is equipped with the Red
Line package, contact your retailer.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment. 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, acceleration, braking, durability
and fuel 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,
transmission, rear axle, 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.
4-55
ProCarManuals.com

If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
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 for
this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches” later
in this section.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(805 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (805 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.
If you have an automatic transaxle, you can use
INTERMEDIATE (I) or as you need to, a lower
gear which will minimize heat buildup and extend
the life of your transaxle.
If you have a VTi variable transaxle, you can use
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or as you need to
INTERMEDIATE (I).
If you have a manual transaxle, you should not use
FIFTH (5) gear. Drive in FOURTH (4) gear or as
you need to a lower gear.
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.
Don’t tow a trailer when the outside temperature is
above 100°F (38°C).
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires
4-56
ProCarManuals.com