towing SATURN VUE HYBRID 2009 Owner's Manual

Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the
tongue weight the vehicle can carry,
which will also reduce the trailer
weight the vehicle can tow. If towing
a trailer, the tongue load must be
added to the GVW because
the vehicle will be carrying that
weight, too. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 4-18for more information
about the vehicle’s maximum
load capacity.For a weight-carrying hitch, the
trailer tongue (A) should weigh
10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B).
After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Trailering may be limited by the
vehicle’s ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue weight cannot
cause the vehicle to exceed the
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) or the RGAWR (Rear
Gross Axle Weight Rating).The effect of additional weight
may reduce the trailering capacity
more than the total of the additional
weight.
Consider the following example:
A vehicle model base weight
is 5,500 lbs (2 495 kg); 2,800 lbs
(1 270 kg) at the front axle and
2,700 lbs (1 225 kg) at the rear
axle. It has a GVWR of 7,200 lbs
(3 266 kg), a RGAWR of 4,000 lbs
(1 814 kg) and a GCWR (Gross
Combination Weight Rating)
of 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg). The
trailer rating should be:
Expect tongue weight to be at least
10 percent of trailer weight (850 lbs
(386 kg)) and because the weight
is applied well behind the rear axle,
the effect on the rear axle is greater
than just the weight itself, as
much as 1.5 times as much.
4-28 Driving Your Vehicle
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Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If so, be
sure to seal the holes when the
hitch is removed. If they are not
sealed, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from the engine’s
exhaust can get into the vehicle.
SeeEngine Exhaust on
page 2-26. Sealing the holes will
also prevent dirt and water from
entering the vehicle.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue
from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains
may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailermanufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation
for attaching safety chains and do
not attach them to the bumper.
Always leave just enough slack so
the rig can turn. Never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 1,000 lbs (900 kg) needs
to have its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted
and maintained properly. Because
the vehicle has StabiliTrak
®,do
not try to tap into the vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system. If you do,
both brake systems will not
work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION
When towing a trailer, exhaust
gases may collect at the rear of
the vehicle and enter if the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most window
is open.
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
To maximize safety when towing
a trailer:
Have the exhaust system
inspected for leaks and make
necessary repairs before
starting a trip.
Never drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most
window open.
Fully open the air outlets on or
under the instrument panel.
(Continued)
4-30 Driving Your Vehicle
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CAUTION (Continued)
Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-26.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Get to know
the rig before setting out for the open
road. Get acquainted 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 longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustments.If the trailer has electric brakes,
start the vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This checks
the electrical connection at the
same time.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind
the vehicle ahead as you would
when driving the vehicle without
a trailer. This can help to avoid
situations that require heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because
the rig is longer, it is necessary
to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before returning
to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, 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.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause
the trailer to come in contact with
the vehicle. The vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this
so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-31
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Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel
ash whenever signaling a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps also ash, telling
other drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument panel ash for
turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. For this reason
you may think other drivers
are seeing the 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
transmission temperatures
may result and damage the
vehicle. Frequent stops are very
important to allow the engine
and transmission to cool.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear
if the transmission shifts too
often under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions. Reduce speed and
shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade.
If the transmission is not shifted
down, the brakes might have to be
used so much that they would
get hot and no longer work well.On a long uphill grade, shift down
and reduce the vehicle’s speed
to around 45 mph (70 km/h)
to reduce the possibility of the
engine and the transmission
overheating.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider
the following: Engine coolant will
boil at a lower temperature than at
normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing
at high altitude on steep uphill
grades, the vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To
avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the automatic
transmission in P (Park) for a few
minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-23.
4-32 Driving Your Vehicle
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Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet.
Turn the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
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 brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal
while you:
Start the 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
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-3for more information.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission uid, engine oil,
axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good
idea to inspect these before and
during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-23.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-33
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Maintenance Footnotes
(a)Visually inspect brake lines
and hoses for proper hook-up,
binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc.
Inspect disc brake pads for wear
and rotors for surface condition.
Inspect other brake parts, including
calipers, parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts
or signs of wear.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have
them replaced if they are cracked,
swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, fittings, and clamps;
replace with genuine parts as
needed. To help ensure proper
operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure
cap and cleaning the outside of the
radiator and air conditioning
condenser is recommended at least
once a year.(d)Inspect wiper blades for wear,
cracking, or contamination.
Clean the windshield and wiper
blades, if contaminated. Replace
wiper blades that are worn or
damaged. See Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement on page 5-38
and Windshield and Wiper
Blades on page 5-71 for more
information.
(e)Make sure the safety belt
reminder light and safety belt
assemblies are working properly.
Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired. Have any
torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also see Checking the Restraint
Systems on page 1-56.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
door hinges and latches, hood
hinges and latches, glove box
hinges, sunroof (if equipped), and
any folding seat hardware. More
frequent lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosiveenvironment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer,
seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)Check system for interference
or binding and for damaged or
missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any
components that have high effort or
excessive wear.
(h)Severe service is when 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.
(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system. This service can be
complex; you should have your
dealer/retailer perform this service.
Maintenance Schedule 6-7
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Model, year, color, and license
plate number of the vehicle
Odometer reading, Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN), and
delivery date of the vehicle
Description of the problem
Coverage
Services are provided up to 5 years/
100,000 miles (160 000 km),
whichever comes rst.
In the U.S., anyone driving the
vehicle is covered. In Canada, a
person driving the vehicle without
permission from the owner is
not covered.
Roadside Assistance is not a part of
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Saturn and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
make any changes or discontinue
the Roadside Assistance program at
any time without notication.
Saturn and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
limit services or payment to anowner or driver if they decide the
claims are made too often, or
the same type of claim is made
many times.
Services Provided

Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for
the vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
Lock-Out Service:Service is
provided to unlock the vehicle
if you are locked out. A remote
unlock may be available if
you have OnStar
®. For security
reasons, the driver must
present identication before this
service is given.
Emergency Tow From a Public
Road or Highway:Tow to the
nearest Saturn retailer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is also
given when the vehicle is stuck
in sand, mud, or snow.
Flat Tire Change:Service is
provided to change a at tire
with the spare tire. The spare tire,
if equipped, must be in good
condition and properly inated. It
is the owner’s responsibility
for the repair or replacement of
the tire if it is not covered by
the warranty.
Battery Jump Start:Service is
provided to jump start a dead
battery.
Trip Interruption Benets and
Assistance:If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
failure, incidental expenses may
be reimbursed during the 5 years/
100,000 miles (160 000 km)
Powertrain warranty period. Items
considered are hotel, meals, and
rental car.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Assistance

Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
Legal nes.
7-6 Customer Assistance Information
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Mounting, dismounting or
changing of snow tires, chains,
or other traction devices.
Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.
Services Specic to Canadian
Purchased Vehicles

Fuel delivery:Reimbursement is
approximately $5 Canadian.
Diesel fuel delivery may
be restricted. Propane and other
fuels are not provided through
this service.
Lock-Out Service:Vehicle
registration is required.
Trip Routing Service:Detailed
maps of North America are
provided when requested either
with the most direct route or
the most scenic route. There is a
limit of six requests per year.
Additional travel information
is also available. Allow three
weeks for delivery.
Trip Interruption Benets and
Assistance:Must be over
250 kilometres from where
your trip was started to
qualify. General Motors of
Canada Limited requires
pre-authorization, original
detailed receipts, and a copy
of the repair orders. Once
authorization has been received,
the Roadside Assistance
advisor will help you make
arrangements and explain how
to receive payment.
Alternative Service:If
assistance cannot be provided
right away, the Roadside
Assistance advisor may give
you permission to get local
emergency road service. You will
receive payment, up to $100,
after sending the original receipt
to Roadside Assistance.
Mechanical failures may be
covered, however any cost for
parts and labor for repairs
not covered by the warranty are
the owner responsibility.
Scheduling Service
Appointments
When your vehicle requires warranty
service, contact your dealer/retailer
and request an appointment. By
scheduling a service appointment
and advising your service consultant
of your transportation needs, your
dealer/retailer can help minimize
your inconvenience.
If your vehicle cannot be scheduled
into the service department
immediately, keep driving it until it
can be scheduled for service,
unless, of course, the problem is
safety-related. If it is, please
call your dealership/retailer, let them
know this, and ask for instructions.
If the dealer/retailer requests
you to bring the vehicle for service,
you are urged to do so as early
in the work day as possible to allow
for the same day repair.
Customer Assistance Information 7-7
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If you need roadside assistance,
call GM Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-5for more
information.
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 policynumber, and a general
description of the damage to the
other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance
company from the scene of
the crash. 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 dealer/
retailer 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.
Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process
In the event that your vehicle
requires damage repairs, GM
recommends that you take an active
role in its repair. If you have a
pre-determined repair facility
of choice, take your vehicle there, or
have it towed there. Specify to the
facility that any required
replacement collision parts be
original equipment parts, either new
Genuine GM parts or recycled
original GM parts. Remember,
recycled parts will not be covered
by your GM vehicle warranty.
Customer Assistance Information 7-11
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P
Paint, Damage.....................5-73
Park
Shifting Into.....................2-23
Shifting Out of..................2-25
Park Brake..........................2-22
Parking
Over Things That Burn......2-25
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................3-26
Passenger Sensing System . . . 1-49
Passing..............................4-11
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer......................2-12
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation........2-12
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California...... 5-4
Phone
Bluetooth
®.......................3-72
Power
Door Locks........................ 2-6
Electrical System..............5-75
Retained Accessory...........2-15
Seat................................. 1-4
Windows........................... 2-9Privacy...............................7-14
Event Data Recorders.......7-14
Navigation System............7-15
OnStar............................7-15
Radio Frequency
Identication.................7-15
R
Radio Frequency Identication
(RFID), Privacy.................7-15
Radio(s).............................3-58
Radios
Reception........................3-83
Setting the Clock..............3-56
Theft-Deterrent.................3-82
Rainsense™ II Wipers............ 3-8
Reading Lamps...................3-14
Rear Door Security Locks....... 2-7
Rear Seat Armrest...............2-38
Rear Windshield Washer/
Wiper............................... 3-9
Rearview Mirror, Automatic
Dimming ..........................2-27
Rearview Mirrors..................2-27
Reclining Seatbacks............... 1-5Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants........................6-11
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . 4-23
Regenerative Braking............2-23
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System............................. 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System, Operation.............. 2-4
Replacement Bulbs..............5-37
Replacement Parts,
Maintenance....................6-12
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government.......7-12
Saturn.............................7-13
United States
Government..................7-12
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint
Systems.......................1-56
Replacing Restraint System
Parts After a Crash........1-57
Retained Accessory Power....2-15
Roadside
Assistance Program............ 7-5
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get
it Out ..............................4-17
i-8 INDEX
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