1997 Buick Century Owner's Manual - Page 217

Your vehicle cantow a trailer if it isequipped with the proper trailertowing equipment. To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is for vehicle, you your should read the information in "Weight of the Trailer" that appears later in this section. But trailering is different than just driving vehicle by itself. your Trailering means changes in handling, durabilityand fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly. That's the reason for this part. it are many In time-tested, importanttrailering 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 operateat relatively higher speeds under and 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 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 orprovincial police. Consider using a sway control. You can ask ahitch 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, duringthe first 500 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, don't drive over 50 mph (80 kmh) and don't make starts at full throttle. This helpsyour engine and other partsof your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads. Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer. Don't drive fasterthan the maximum posted speed for trailers (or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h)) to save wear on your vehicle's parts. 0 0 0 0 4-31