Towing; Towing Your Vehicle; Recreational Vehicle Towing - Pontiac 2004 Sunfire Owner's Manual

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear
the area around your front wheels. Then shift back and
forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear (or with
a manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or SECOND (2)
and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you shift,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the
transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the
forward and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking
motion that may free your vehicle. If that does not get you
out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you
do need to be towed out, see Towing Your Vehicle on
page 4-31.

Towing

Towing Your Vehicle

Consult your dealer or a professional towing service
if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see "Recreational Vehicle Towing" following.

Recreational Vehicle Towing

Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle — such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as "dinghy towing" (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and "dolly towing"
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a "dolly").
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See "Dinghy
Towing" and "Dolly Towing," following.
Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
•
What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
•
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
•
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
•
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you would
prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you will want to
make sure your vehicle is prepared to be towed. See
Before Leaving on a Long Trip on page 4-23.
4-31