2003 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 201

2003 Pontiac Sunfire Manual

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Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires Be sure your vehicle's tires are inflated to the upper limit for cold tires. You'll find these numbers on the Tire-Loading Information label at the rear edge of the driver's door, or see Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-33. Then be sure you don't go over the GVW limit for your vehicle, includ: lg the weight of the trailer tongue. Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground with your rig. Hitches It's important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a few reasons why you'll need the right hitch. Here are some rules to follow: Trailer Brakes Does your trailer have its own brakes? Be sure to read and follow instructions for the trailer brakes so you'll be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly. Do not try to tap into your vehicle's brake system. If you do, both brake systems won't work well, or at all. The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to the bumper. Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do, 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 Engine Exhaust on page 2-31. Dirt and water can, too. Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself 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 a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself. 4-38

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Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated
to
the upper limit
for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on
the
Tire-Loading Information label at
the rear edge of the
driver’s door, or see
Loading
Your
Vehicle on page
4-33.
Then
be sure you don’t go over the
GVW
limit for
your vehicle, includ:
lg
the weight of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It’s
important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a
few
reasons
why you’ll need the right hitch. Here
are some rules
to
follow:
The rear bumper
on your vehicle is not intended for
hitches.
Do
not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches
to
it.
Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach
to
the
bumper.
Will you
have
to
make
any holes
in the body of
your vehicle when
you install a trailer hitch?
If
you do, 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
Engine Exhaust on
page
2-31.
Dirt and water can,
too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between
your
vehicle
and your trailer. Cross
the safety chains under
the
tongue
of
the trailer
so
that
the
tongue
will
not drop to
the road
if
it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains may
be provided by
the
hitch manufacturer or by
the trailer manufacturer.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them
to
the bumper.
Always leave just enough
slack
so
you
can
turn
with your rig. And,
never
allow safety chains
to
drag on
the ground with your
rig.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes? Be
sure
to
read
and follow instructions for
the trailer brakes
so
you’ll
be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly. Do
not try
to
tap into your vehicle’s brake system.
If
you
do, both brake systems
won’t
work
well, or at all.
Driving
with a Trailer
Towing
a trailer requires
a
certain amount of experience.
Before setting out
for
the
open road, you’ll
want
to
get
to
know your rig. Acquaint
yourself
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 a good deal longer and
not
nearly
as
responsive as your vehicle
is
by itself.
4-38