1994 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manual - Page 148

Your Driving and the Road When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on thetrailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It's important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working. something goes wrong, your rig could start to move. People can be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged. 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 P (Park) yet, or into gear for a manual transaxle. 2.Have someone place choclts under the trailer wheels. 3 When the wheel choclts are inplace, . release the regular brakes until the chocla absorb the load. 4.Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking brake, and then shift to P (Park), or R (Reverse) for a manual transaxle. 5. Release the regular brakes. 2 Let up on the brake pedal. . 3 Drive slowly until the trailer is clear . of the choclts. 4.Stop andhave someone pick up and store the choclts. Maintenance When Trailer Towing Your vehicle will need service more often when you're pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that areespecially important in trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don't overfill), engine oil, belt, cooling system, and brake adjustment. Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly. If you're trailering, it's a good idea to review these sections before you start your trip. Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight. Driving On Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift down, you might have to use your brakes so much that they would get hot and no longer work well. On a long uphill grade, use the highest gear possible. If you cannot maintain posted speeds, driving at a lower speed may help avoid overheating your engine and transaxle. If you have a manual transaxle with fifth gear, it's better not to use fifth gear. Just drive in fourth gear (or, as you need to, a lower gear). When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill 1. Apply your regular brakes and hold Parking on Hills You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill. If 146 the pedal down while you: Start your engine; Shift into a gear; and Release the parking brake.