Do the following if the trailer begins to
sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and
steer as straight ahead as the road
conditions allow. This combination will
help stabilize the vehicle.
- Do not correct trailer sway by
steering or applying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently
apply the brakes and pull to the side
of the road in a safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is
balanced as described earlier in this
section.
O
Be careful when passing other ve-
hicles. Passing while towing a trailer
requires considerably more distance
than normal passing. Remember the
length of the trailer must also pass
the other vehicle before you can safely
change lanes.
O
Down shift the transmission to a lower
gear for engine braking when driving
down steep or long hills. This will help
slow the vehicle without applying the
brakes.
O
Avoid holding the brake pedal down
too long or too frequently. This could
cause the brakes to overheat, re-
sulting in reduced braking efficiency.
O
Increase your following distance to al-
low for greater stopping distances
while towing a trailer. Anticipate stops
and brake gradually.
O
Do not use cruise control while towing
a trailer.
O
Some states or provinces have spe-
cific regulations and speed limits for
vehicles that are towing trailers. Obey
the local speed limits.
O
Check your hitch, trailer wiring har-
ness connections, and trailer wheel
lug nuts after 50 miles (80 km) of
travel and at every break.
O
When stopped in traffic for long pe-
riods of time in hot weather, put the
vehicle in the P (Park) position.
O
When launching a boat, don’t allow
the water level to go over the exhaust
tail pipe or rear bumper.
O
Make sure you disconnect the trailer
lights before backing the trailer into
the water or the trailer lights may burn
out.
When towing a trailer, change fluid in the
transmission more frequently.
For additional information, see the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground is sometimes called flat
towing. This method is sometimes used
when towing a vehicle behind a recre-
ational vehicle, such as a motor home.
CAUTION
O
Failure to follow these guidelines can re-
sult in severe transmission damage.
O
Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
O
DO NOT tow any automatic transmission
vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground (flat towing). Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts due
to lack of transmission lubrication.
O
For emergency towing procedures, see
9-26
Technical and consumer information
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