Driving with a Trailer

WARNING
When towing a trailer, exhaust gases may collect at the rear of the vehicle and enter if the liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most window is open.

Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.

To maximize safety when towing a trailer:

• Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks and make necessary repairs before starting a trip.

• Never drive with the liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most window open.

• Fully open the air outlets on or under the instrument panel.

• Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting that brings in only outside air and set the fan speed to the highest setting. See Climate Control System in the Index.

For more information about Carbon Monoxide, see Engine Exhaust on page 9‑36.

Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. The combination you are driving is longer and not as responsive as the vehicle itself. Get acquainted with the handling and braking of the rig before setting out for the open road.

Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts and attachments, safety chains, electrical connectors, lamps, tires, and mirrors. If the trailer has electric brakes, start the combination moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes work.

During the trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure and the lamps and any trailer brakes still work.

    See also:

    Engine Compartment Fuse Block
    If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the Duramax Diesel supplement for more information. If the vehicle is a hybrid, see the hybrid supplement for more information. The Engine Compartment Fuse Bl ...

    Clearing the System
    Unless information is deleted out of the in-vehicle Bluetooth system, it will be retained indefinitely. This includes all saved name tags in the phone book and phone pairing information. For informati ...

    Cruise Control
    WARNING Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not use the cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic. Cruise control can be dangerous on sl ...