2009 Pontiac G8 Owner's Manual - Page 294

9-90 Vehicle Service and Care If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do, here are some important points: throttle. This helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads. Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly. That is the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety and that of your passengers. So please read this section carefully before you pull a trailer. Load-pulling components such as the engine, transmission, wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder against the drag of the added weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under greater loads, generating extra heat. Also, the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements. • Use the Sport Shift mode and the cruise control when towing. The Active Select (A/S) may also be used under light load conditions. • There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where you live but also where you will be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. • Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer. Do not drive faster than the maximum posted speed for trailers, or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear on your vehicle's parts. Three important considerations have to do with weight: • Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls. • Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles (1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged. • The weight of the trailer. • The weight of the trailer tongue. • The total weight on your vehicle's tires. • Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and do not make starts at full