2003 Buick Rendezvous Owner's Manual - Page 304

Your 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 fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly. That's the reason for this section. 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. Consider using a sway control if your trailer will weigh 2,000 Ibs. (900 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer will weigh more than 2,000 Ibs. (900 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls. e Don't tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged. Then, during the first 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. 0 Yo! can use TH!!?D (3) (nr, as you need to, a !ower gear) when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in THIRD (3) when towing a trailer will minimize heat buildup and extend the life of your transaxle. Three important considerations have to do with weight: 0 the weight of the trailer, the weight of the trailer tongue and the weight on your vehicle's tires. If You Do Decide To Puil A lraiier If you do, here are some important points: There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure 1 ~ m - I nnt nn1\1 r h n r n li\,a YUUI ~ ; v v ; I I bc; Icyal, l l w L wI Ily v \ l l G l G y w u I r v \ r y but also where you'll be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. x r n m n warn r \snm r\ I I 4-37