Vehicle - Recreational/Disabled Vehicle Towing
Bulletin No.: 03-00-89-033Date: October 15, 2003
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Recreational and Disabled Vehicle Towing Information for 2004 Saturn VUE Vehicles
Models:
2004 Saturn VUE Vehicles
Supercede:
The information in this bulletin supersedes the information found on pages 4-47 and 5-26 of the 2004 Saturn VUE Owner's Manual.
Purpose
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide recreational and disabled towing information for 2004 Saturn VUE vehicles. This bulletin contains the following information:
^ Recreational Vehicle Towing Information
^ Dinghy Towing Procedure (Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.)
^ Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle Fluid Check Procedure
^ Disabled Towing Information
Important:
Only vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle or five-speed automatic transaxle may be towed with all four wheels on the ground. Refer to the "Saturn VUE Recreational Vehicle Towing Chart" shown.
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". Not all Saturn VUE vehicles can be "dinghy" or "dolly" towed. Refer to the chart.
Front-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive Saturn VUE Vehicles Equipped with a VTi Variable Transaxle
Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles equipped with the VTi variable transaxle should not be towed with all four wheels on the ground. To tow these vehicles properly, they should be placed on a platform trailer with all four wheels off the ground. Front-wheel drive vehicles equipped with the VTi variable transaxle may be towed from the front by putting the front wheels on a dolly.
Note:
Dinghy towing is limited to 8 hours of towing per day at speeds below 65 mph (105km/h) for five-speed automatic transaxles. To avoid internal automatic transaxle damage, perform the Automatic Transaxle portion of the "Dinghy Towing" procedure prior to Dingy towing your vehicle. Perform the Automatic Transaxle portion of the "Dinghy Towing" procedure after every 8 hours of towing to ensure proper transaxle lubrication.
Note:
Too much or too little fluid can cause damage to the automatic transaxle. Ensure that transaxle fluid is at the proper level before towing with all four wheels on the ground. Refer to "Checking the Fluid Level" in this bulletin.
Note:
Don't 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 transaxle.
Dinghy Towing Procedure (Manual or Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle)
To tow your vehicle from the front with all four wheels on the ground, perform the following procedure:
1. Position and attach the vehicle behind the recreational vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
3. Turn fog lamps and accessories off.
4. Perform appropriate transaxle procedure.
^ If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transaxle, perform the following steps:
4.0.1. Set the parking brake.
4.0.2. Shift transaxle to (N) NEUTRAL.
4.0.3. Release the parking brake.
4.0.4. Proceed to step 5 of "Dinghy Towing" procedure.
^ If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, perform the following steps:
4.0.1. Set the parking brake.
4.0.2. Start the engine.
4.0.3. Apply and hold the brake pedal until the end of steps.
4.0.4. To ensure proper automatic transaxle lubrication, shift transaxle through (P) PARK, (R) REVERSE, (N) NEUTRAL, (D) AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE, (I) INTERMEDIATE, and (L) LOW.
4.0.5. Shift to D, then to N and let the engine run for 3 minutes. If you tow the vehicle for more than 8 hours in one day, you must repeat the procedure.
4.0.6. Turn off the engine, and leave the key in the ACC position.
4.0.7. Release the parking brake.
4.0.8. Proceed to step 5 of "Dinghy Towing" procedure.
5. Locate and remove the BCM/Cluster fuse from the instrument panel fuse block.
Note:
Always shift the five-speed automatic transaxle from OVERDRIVE (D) to NEUTRAL to avoid internal damage to the automatic transaxle. Towing your vehicle after shifting the five-speed automatic transaxle from anything other than OVERDRIVE (D) to NEUTRAL can cause internal damage to the automatic transaxle.
6. Ensure shift lever is in NEUTRAL position before towing the vehicle.
Once you have reached your destination, perform the following procedure.
1. Detach vehicle from recreational vehicle.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transaxle, place the shift lever in First (1). If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transaxle, place the shift lever in (P) PARK.
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK and remove the key from the ignition.
5. Install the BCM/Cluster fuse.
VTi Variable Transaxle Fluid Check Procedure
Performing this procedure requires special tools and training. Contact the service department of your Saturn retailer for service or information. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to perform this procedure properly and safely.
Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle Fluid Check Procedure
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Shift vehicle into (P) PARK and apply parking brake.
3. Ensure air conditioning (A/C) is turned "OFF."
4. Warm the engine to normal operating temperature (until the electric cooling fan mounted on the radiator cycles "ON" at least one time).
5. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for a couple of seconds between each shift lever selection.
6. Place shift lever into (P) PARK.
Important:
The transaxle dipstick has a black handle.
7. Turn engine Off.
8. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag or paper towel.
9. Push dipstick back in all the way into the transaxle dipstick tube until it seats. Wait 60 seconds, then pull the dipstick out again.
10. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level. The fluid must be between the upper and lower mark.
^ If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in the dipstick tube until it seats.
^ If the fluid level is incorrect, remove or add automatic transaxle fluid as necessary to bring the transaxle to proper fluid level. Always use GM [1][2]ATF-Z1 automatic transaxle fluid. If it is not available, you may use Dextron III(R) automatic transaxle fluid as a temporary replacement. Continued use of Dextron III(R) however, can adversely affect shift quality. Have the transaxle flushed and refilled with GM ATF-Z1 automatic transaxle fluid as soon as convenient.
Disabled Towing Information
Note:
For vehicles equipped with a 2.2L four cylinder (L61) engine and VTi variable transaxle, disabled towing is allowed with all four wheels on the ground in emergency situations, but is limited to 1 mile (1.6 km) at a maximum speed of 5 mph (8 km/h).
Note:
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid damage to the bumper, fascia, or fog lamp areas of the vehicle.
With current trends in automotive styles and design, it is essential that the correct towing equipment be used to tow a vehicle. The Saturn VUE can be towed with car carrier equipment or wheel lift equipment. When wheel lift equipment is used to raise the rear of the vehicle off the ground, a towing dolly must be installed under the front wheels.
Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles equipped with the VTi variable transaxle should not be towed with all four wheels on the ground. To tow these vehicles properly, they should be placed on a platform trailer with all four wheels off the ground.
Front-wheel drive vehicles equipped with the VTi variable transaxle may be towed from the front by putting the front wheels on a dolly.
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