Towing the Vehicle
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly transporting a disabled vehicle may cause damage to the vehicle. Use proper tire straps to secure the vehicle to the flatbed tow truck. Do not strap or
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hook to any frame, underbody, or suspension component not specified below. Do not move vehicles with drive axle tires on the ground. Damage is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
The vehicle may be equipped with an electric parking brake and/or a mechanical transmission range select shifter. In the event of a loss of 12-volt battery power, the electric parking brake cannot be released, and the vehicle cannot be shifted to N (Neutral). Tire skates or dollies must be used under the non-rolling tires to prevent damage while loading/unloading the vehicle. Dragging the vehicle will cause damage not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
The vehicle may be equipped with a tow eye. Improper use of the tow eye may cause damage to the vehicle and is not
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Caution (Continued)
covered by the vehicle warranty. If equipped, use the tow eye to load the vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck from a flat road surface, or to move the vehicle a very short distance at a walking pace. The tow eye is not designed for off-road recovery. The vehicle must be in N (Neutral) with the electric parking brake released when using the tow eye.
Contact a professional towing service if the disabled vehicle must be transported. GM recommends a flatbed tow truck to transport a disabled vehicle. Use ramps to help reduce approach angles, if necessary. If equipped, a tow eye may be located near the spare tire or emergency jack. Do not use the tow eye to pull the vehicle from the snow, mud, sand, or ditch. Tow eye threads may have right or left-hand threads. Use caution when installing or removing the tow eye. The vehicle must be in N (Neutral) and the electric parking brake must be released when loading the vehicle onto a flatbed tow truck.
. If the 12-volt battery is dead and/or electric parking brake is not released, the vehicle will not move. Try to jump start the vehicle with a known good 12-volt battery, shift the car into N (Neutral), and release the electric parking brake. Refer to Jump Starting - North America 0 301.
. If unsuccessful, the vehicle will not move. Tire skates or dollies must be used under the non-rolling tires to prevent vehicle damage.
Front Attachment Points
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The vehicle is equipped with specific attachment points to be used by the towing provider. These holes may be used to pull the vehicle from a flat road surface onto the flatbed tow truck.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle, such as behind a motor home. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a dolly. Here are some important things to consider before recreational vehicle towing: . Before towing the vehicle, become
familiar with the local laws that apply to recreational vehicle towing. These laws may vary by region.
. The towing capacity of the towing vehicle. Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.
. How far the vehicle will be towed. Some vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long they can be towed.
. The proper towing equipment. See your dealer or trailering professional for additional advice and equipment recommendations.
. Whether the vehicle is ready to be towed. Just as preparing the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is prepared to be towed.
Caution
Use of a shield mounted in front of the vehicle grille could restrict airflow and cause damage to the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If using a shield, only use one that attaches to the towing vehicle.
Dinghy Towing
For vehicles being dinghy towed, the vehicle should be run at the beginning of each day and at each RV fuel stop for about five minutes. This will ensure proper lubrication of transmission components. To tow the vehicle from the front with all four wheels on the ground: 1. Position the vehicle to be towed and
secure it to the towing vehicle.
2. Put the vehicle in N (Neutral). 3. Shut the engine off (vehicle will remain
in accessory mode). 4. Disconnect the negative (−) terminal
connector from the 12-volt battery. 5. Close the hood of the vehicle.
Caution
If the vehicle is towed without performing each of the steps listed under “Dinghy Towing,” the automatic transmission could be damaged. Be sure to follow all steps of the dinghy towing procedure prior to and after towing the vehicle.
Caution
If 105 km/h (65 mph) is exceeded while towing the vehicle, it could be damaged. Never exceed 105 km/h (65 mph) while towing the vehicle.
Once the destination is reached: 1. Shift the vehicle to P (Park). 2. Reconnect the negative (−) terminal
connector to the 12-volt battery.
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3. Start the engine and let it idle for more
than three minutes before driving the vehicle.
Caution
Too much or too little fluid can damage the transmission. Be sure that the transmission fluid is at the proper level before towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Caution
Do not tow a vehicle with the front drive wheels on the ground if one of the front tires is a compact spare tire. Towing with two different tire sizes on the front of the vehicle can cause severe damage to the transmission.
Dolly Towing
Driving onto a Dolly
1. Park the vehicle on level ground in front
of the dolly and turn the vehicle off. 2. Make sure the parking brake is released. 3. Press and hold ENGINE START/STOP with
your foot off the brake for five seconds. 4. Hold the brake pedal and press the
electric parking brake switch for 15 seconds until the service parking brake light flashes.
5. While the service parking brake light is still flashing, remove your foot from the brake pedal and release the electric parking brake switch.
6. Immediately press and release the electric parking brake switch again while the service park brake light is still flashing.
7. Start the vehicle and drive onto the dolly.
8. Place the vehicle in P (Park). See Shifting Into Park 0 196.
9. Turn the vehicle off. 10. Open the hood. See Hood 0 248. 11. Exit the vehicle and secure the vehicle to
the dolly. 12. Disconnect the negative (−) terminal
connector from the 12-volt battery. 13. Close the hood of the vehicle.
Removing the Vehicle from a Dolly
1. Make sure the vehicle is secured to the
dolly. 2. Open the door and open the hood. See
Hood 0 248. 3. Connect the negative (−) terminal
connector to the 12-volt battery. 4. Press and hold ENGINE START/STOP with
your foot off the brake for five seconds.
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5. Hold the brake pedal and press the
electric parking brake switch for five seconds until the service parking brake light flashes.
6. Turn the vehicle off. 7. Unsecure the vehicle and remove it from
the dolly. 8. Close the hood of the vehicle.
Towing the Vehicle from the Rear
Caution
Towing the vehicle from the rear could damage it. Also, repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Never have the vehicle towed from the rear.
Do not tow the vehicle from the rear.
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