1998 GMC Jimmy Owner's Manual - Page 230

If you have an automatic transmission,you should use DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer will minimize heat buildupand extend the life of your transmission. Or, if you have a manual transmission, it's better not to use FIFTH ( 5 ) gear, just drive in FOURTH (4) gear (or, as you need to, a lower gear). When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades, consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a 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) (or the manual transmission out of gear and the parking brake applied) for afew minutes before turning the engine off. If you do get the overheat warning, see "Engine Overheating" in the Index. But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here's how to do it: 1. Apply your regular brakes, but don't shift into PARK (P) yet, or into gear for a manual transmission. Then turn your wheels into the curb if facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill. 2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load. 4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking brake, and then shift into PARK (P), or REVERSE (R) for a manual transmission. 5 . If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a manual transfer caseshift lever, be sure the transfer case is in a drive gear-- not in NEUTRAL (N). 6. Release the regular brakes. Parking on Hills You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig could start to move. People can be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged. When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill 1 . Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you: Start your engine; Shift into a gear; and 0 Release the parking brake. 4-49