If you have an automatic transmission, you should use
DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer. Operating your
vehicle
in
DRIVE
(D)
when towing a trailer will
minimize heat buildup and extend the life of your
transmission. Or, if
you
have a manual transmission,
it’s better not
to
use FIFTH
(5)
gear, just drive in
FOURTH
(4)
gear (or, as you need
to,
a
lower gear).
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn
your engine
off
immediately after towing at high altitude
on
steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating.
To
avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission
in
PARK (P) (or the
manual transmission out of gear and the parking brake
applied) for a few minutes before turning the engine off.
If you do get the overheat warning, see “Engine
Overheating” in
the
Index.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle,
with
a
trailer
attached,
on
a
hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have
to
park your rig on a
hill,
here’s
how
to
do it:
1.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK
(P)
yet, or into gear for a manual
transmission. Then turn your wheels into the curb
if
facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
2.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3.
When the wheel chocks are
in
place, release the
regular brakes
until
the
chocks absorb the load.
4.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift
into
PARK
(P),
or
REVERSE
(R)
for a manual transmission.
5.
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a
manual transfer case
shift
lever, be sure the transfer
case
is
in
a drive gear
--
not
in
NEUTRAL
(N).
6.
Release the regular brakes.
When
You
Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on
a
Hill
1.
Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into
a
gear; and
0
Release the parking brake.
4-49
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