Oldsmobile Intrigue (2002 year). Manual - part 14

4-31

CAUTION:

Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can’t see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn’t collect there.

Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that’s away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well

-

charged battery to

restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.

Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.

4-32

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:
D What’s the towing capacity of the towing 

vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.

D How far will you tow? Some vehicles have

restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.

D Do you have the proper towing equipment? See your

dealer or trailering professional for additional advice
and equipment recommendations.

D Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you would

prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll want to
make sure your vehicle is prepared to be towed. See
“Before Leaving on a Long Trip” in the Index.

4-33

Dinghy Towing

NOTICE:

Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground will damage drivetrain components.

Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed,
you should use a dolly. See “Dolly Towing” next in this
section for more information.

Dolly Towing

Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:

1. Put the front wheels on the dolly.

2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).

3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.

4. Clamp the steering wheel in a 

straight

-

ahead position.

5. Release the parking brake.

4-34

Loading Your Vehicle

Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire

-

Loading Information label

is inside the trunk lid. The label tells you the proper size,
speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for
the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you important
information about the number of people that can be in
your vehicle and the total weight you can carry. This
includes the weight of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory

-

installed options.

The other label is the Certification label, found on 
the rear edge of the driver’s door. It tells you the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or 
rear axle.

4-35

If you do have a heavy load, spread it out. Don’t carry
more than 167 lbs. (75 kg) in your trunk.

CAUTION:

Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.

CAUTION:

Things you put inside your vehicle can strike 
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in
a crash.
D Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a

trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.

D Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,

inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.

D Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in

your vehicle.

D When you carry something inside the

vehicle, secure it whenever you can.

D Don’t leave a seat folded down unless you

need to.

4-36

Towing a Trailer

CAUTION:

If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, 
the brakes may not work well 

--

 or even at all.

You and your passengers could be seriously
injured. You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Pull a trailer only if you have followed
all the steps in this section. Ask your dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.

Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment. 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
fuel 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.

4-37

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer

If you do, here are some important points:
D 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 for this
information can be state or provincial police.

D Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch

dealer about sway controls.

D 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.

D Then, during the first 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.

D 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:
D the weight of the trailer,
D the weight of the trailer tongue
D and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.

Weight of the Trailer

How heavy can a trailer safely be?

It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg). 
But even that can be too heavy.

It depends on how you plan to use your rig. 
For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.

You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at:

Oldsmobile Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33171
Detroit, MI 48232

-

5171

4-38

In Canada, write to:

General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163

-

005

1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

Weight of the Trailer Tongue

The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or gross
weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be
riding in the vehicle. And if you tow a trailer, you must
add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle
will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index for more information about your
vehicle’s maximum load capacity.

If you’re using a weight

-

carrying hitch or a

weight

-

distributing hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should

weigh 10

-

15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B).

After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.

4-39

Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires

Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Tire

-

Loading Information label inside of the trunk lid or

see “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index. Then be sure
you don’t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle,
including the weight of the trailer tongue.

Hitches

It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
D The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for

hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper

-

type hitches to it. Use only a frame

-

mounted

hitch that does not attach to the bumper.

D Will you have to make any holes in the body of your

vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle. See “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index. 
Dirt and water can, too.

Safety Chains

You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.

Trailer Brakes

Because you have anti

-

lock brakes, do not try to tap into

your vehicle’s brake system. If you do, both brake
systems won’t work well, or at all.

4-40

Driving with a Trailer

Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.

Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.

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

Following Distance

Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.

Passing

You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.

Backing Up

Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.

4-41

Making Turns

NOTICE:

Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.

When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider 
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t 
strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or 
other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. 
Signal well in advance.

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer

When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument panel
will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash,
telling other drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes
or stop.

When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are 
still working.

4-42

Driving On Grades

Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.

On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.

If you have overdrive, you may have to drive in 
THIRD (3) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).

Parking on Hills

CAUTION:

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.

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 to PARK (P).

5. Release the regular brakes.

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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill

1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down

while you:
D start your engine,
D shift into a gear, and
D release the parking brake.

2. Let up on the brake pedal.

3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.

4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.

Maintenance When Trailer Towing

Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, drive belts, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review this information before you start
your trip.

Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts 
are tight.

Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing

Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.

5-

5-1

Section 5

Problems on the Road

Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.

5

-

2

Hazard Warning Flashers

5

-

2

Other Warning Devices

5

-

3

Jump Starting

5

-

10

Towing Your Vehicle

5

-

10

Engine Overheating

5

-

13

Cooling System

5

-

19

If a Tire Goes Flat

5

-

20

Changing a Flat Tire

5

-

30

Compact Spare Tire

5

-

31

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

5-2

Hazard Warning Flashers

Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.

The hazard warning flasher
button is located on the
instrument panel to the right
of the steering wheel, near
the air vents.

The hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn’t in.

Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off. Press the button again to turn the
flashers off.

When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won’t work.

Other Warning Devices

If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up 
at the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.

5-3

Jump Starting

If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Be sure to follow the steps below to do it safely.

CAUTION:

Batteries can hurt you. They can be 
dangerous because:
D They contain acid that can burn you.

D They contain gas that can explode or ignite.

D They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.

NOTICE:

Ignoring these steps could result in costly 
damage to your vehicle that wouldn’t be 
covered by your warranty.

The ACDelco

R

 battery in your vehicle has a

built

-

in hydrometer. Do not charge, test or jump

start the battery if the hydrometer looks clear 
or light yellow. Replace the battery when there 
is a clear or light yellow hydrometer and a
cranking complaint.

Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won’t work, and it could damage your vehicle.