Pontiac Montana SV6 2007, Owner'S Manual

Page: 397 / 574

Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify the
trailering capacity of vehicle, you should read the
information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears
later in this section. Trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, acceleration, braking,
durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to
be used properly.
That is 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. The trailer also 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:
•
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.
•
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.
•
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.
•
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.
397