2006 Saab 9-2X Owner's Manual - Page 213

Driving tips 8-17 Never drill the frame or under-body of your vehicle to install a commercial trailer hitch. If you do, dangerous exhaust gas, water or mud may enter the passenger compartment through the drilled hole. Exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which is dangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled. Also, drilling the frame or underbody of your vehicle could cause deterioration of strength of your vehicle and cause corrosion around the drilled hole. If use of a non-genuine hitch is unavoidable, be sure the hitch is suited to your vehicle and trailer. Consult with a professional hitch supplier to assist you in choosing an appropriate hitch for your vehicle. Be sure to follow all of the hitch manufacturer's instructions for installation and use. Never use a hitch that mounts only to the rear bumper. The bumper is not designed to handle that type of load. For all types of hitches, regularly check that the hitch mounting bolts and nuts are tight. Please ask your Saab dealer and professional trailer supplier for more information about the trailer's brake system. ¢ Connecting a trailer q Trailer brakes If your trailer's total weight (trailer weight plus its cargo weight) exceeds 1,000 lbs (453 kg), the trailer is required to be equipped with its own brake system. Electric brakes or surge brakes are recommended, and must be installed properly. Check that your trailer's brakes conform with Federal, state/province and/or other applicable regulations. Your Saab's brake system is not designed to be tapped into the trailer's hydraulic brake system. — Adequate size trailer brakes are required when the trailer and its cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg) total weight. — Do not directly connect your trailer's hydraulic brake system to the hydraulic brake system in your vehicle. Direct connection would cause the vehicle's brake performance to deteriorate and could lead to an accident. q Trailer safety chains In case the trailer hitch connector or hitch ball should break or become disconnected, the trailer could get loose and create a traffic safety hazard. For safety, always connect the towing vehicle and trailer with trailer safety chains. Pass the chains crossing each other under the trailer tongue to prevent the trailer from dropping onto the ground in case the trailer tongue should disconnect from the hitch ball. Allow sufficient slack in the chains taking tight-turn situations into ac- CONTINUED - — Do not modify the vehicle exhaust system, brake system, or other systems when installing a hitch or other trailer towing equipment. — Do not use axle-mounted hitches as they can cause damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires. The use of a genuine Saab trailer hitch is recommended. A genuine Saab hitch is available from your Saab dealer.