1998 Chevrolet Astro Owner's Manual - Page 219

Making Turns NOTICE: Making very sharp turns while trailering could to cause the trailer come in contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns while trailering. When you're turning witha trailer, make widerturns than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strikesoft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance. When towing atrailer, the arrows on your instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important to check occasionallyto be sure the trailer bulbs are still working. Driving On Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lowergear before you start down a long or steep downgrade. you don't shift If down, you might have to use your brakes so much that they would get hot and no longer work well. On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your speed to around 45 mph (70 k d h ) to reduce the possibility of engine and transmission overheating. When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades, consider the following: Engine coolant boil at a will lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades, your 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 PARK (P) for a few minutes before turning the engine If you do get the off. overheat warning, see "Engine Overheating" in the Index. Turn Signals When Towinga Trailer When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra wiring (included in the optional trailering package). The arrowson your instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash,telling other drivers you're about to turn, change lanesor stop. 4-35