2005 Saab 9-3 Owner's Manual - Page 189

Starting and driving Checks before driving Make sure that the car and trailer are in good working order. This is essential since towing a trailer increases the strain on the car. • Check and if necessary adjust the tire pressure of the car and trailer. • Make sure all wheel bolts are properly tightened. • Make sure that the equipment joining the car and trailer is properly secured and adjusted. • Make sure the trailer's electrical cable is properly connected and is not so long that it drags along the ground. Also, make sure the cable is not too short and risks breaking when turning a corner. • Check all bulbs. • Check the car and trailer brakes. • Make sure that all items on or in the camper or trailer are properly secured. • Make sure that the trailer's jockey wheel is raised and locked. • Check the distribution of the load so that the car and trailer are well balanced. • Check that the rearview mirrors provide the best possible rearward vision. • Make sure the trailer's safety cable is correctly attached. 187 Driving considerations Always take extra care when towing a trailer, as the car's handling will be different and its braking performance reduced. The trailer's braking system and suspension also have a considerable effect on these characteristics. See also "Driving with a load" on page 189. Drive carefully: • descending hills • on uneven roads • over railway crossings • when meeting large vehicles If the car has automatic transmission, select gear M1 when ascending or descending steep hills. Reversing Get someone to help you keep an eye out behind the trailer as the door mirrors do not always provide sufficient rearward vision when reversing.