4-35
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section. 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, transaxle,
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. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
D 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.
D Consider using a sway control if your trailer will
weigh 2,000 lbs. (900kg) or less. You should always
use a sway control if your trailer will weigh more
than 2,000 lbs. (900kg). You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
D Don’t 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.
D Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
D 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.
Summary of Contents for 2002 Venture
Page 1: ......
Page 6: ...v These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle ...
Page 38: ...1 32 Put someone on it Get it up to speed Then stop the vehicle The rider doesn t stop ...
Page 206: ...2 98 The Instrument Panel Your Information System ...
Page 434: ...6 62 GM Vehicle Care Appearance Materials ...
Page 453: ...Scheduled Maintenance 7 7 ...
Page 454: ...Scheduled Maintenance 7 8 ...
Page 471: ...7 25 Maintenance Record DATE ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ...
Page 472: ...7 26 Maintenance Record DATE ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ...
Page 473: ...7 27 Maintenance Record DATE ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ...
Page 474: ...7 28 Maintenance Record DATE ODOMETER READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ...