2005 Saturn Relay Owner's Manual - Page 293

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do, here are some important points: • You can use THIRD (3) or, as you need to, a lower gear when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in THIRD (3) when towing a trailer will minimize heat buildup and extend the life of your transaxle. Three important considerations have to do with weight: • 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'll be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. • Consider using a sway control. See "Hitches" later in this section. • Weight of the trailer • Weight of the trailer tongue • Weight on your vehicle's tires • Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle, or other parts could be damaged. Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be? It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature, and how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle. Look in the following chart to find the maximum trailer weight for your vehicle. • 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 throttle. This helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads. 4-39