Pontiac 1996 Grand Prix Owner's Manual page 186

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four 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
fwl
economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That's the reason for this part. 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:
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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
f a
this
information can be state
or
provincial police.
Consider using
a sway
control.
Y o u
can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don't tow a trailer
at
all during
the
first 1,000 miles
(1 600
km)
your new vehicle is
driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the
fkst 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.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don't drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or no more than 55 mph (90
km/h))
to
save wear on your vehicle's parts.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
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the weight of the trailer tongue
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and the total weight on your vehicle's tires.
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Grandprix 1996

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