1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 189

Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle Be sure your vehicle's tires are inflated to the upper and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under tongue the limit for cold tires. You'll find these numbersthe on not Certification labelat the rearedge of the driver's door or of the trailer so that the tongue will drop to the road if it becomes separated from hitch. Instructions the see "LoadingYour Vehicle" in the Index. Thenbe sure about safety chains may provided by the hitch be you don't go over the GVW limit for your vehicle, manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer, Follow the of including the weight the trailer tongue. manufacturer's recommendationfor attaching safety Hitches chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig. It's important to have the correct hitch equipment. on Crosswinds, large trucks going and rough roads are a And, never allow safety chains to drag the ground. by few reasons why you'll need the right hitch. Here are Trailer Brakes some rules to follow: Does your trailer have its brakes? own 0 The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer or hitches. Do not attach rental hitches other brakes so you'll be able to install, adjust and maintain bumper-type hitches to them. Use only a them properly. And because you have anti-lock brakes, frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to do not try totap into your vehicle's brake system. you If the bumper. do, both brake systems won't work well, or all. at Will you have to make any holes the body of your in If you do, vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove the hitch.If you don't seal them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your vehicle (see "Carbon Monoxide" the Index). Dirt in and water can, too. 4-38