Vehicle - Trailer/RV and Disabled Vehicle Towing
Bulletin No.: 07-00-89-054
Date: November 01, 2007
INFORMATION
Subject: Trailer, Recreational and Disabled Vehicle Towing Information Models: 2003-2007 Saturn ION 2005-2007 Saturn Relay 2002-2007 Saturn VUE
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide retailers with a summary of trailer, recreational, and disabled towing information for 2003-2007 Saturn vehicles. Important changes to Owner Manual information will be described as well.
2005-2007 Saturn Relay
This section of the bulletin summarizes the following towing information:
Trailer Weight Information
Recreational Vehicle Towing Information
Disabled Towing Information
Trailer Weight Information
For all powertrain combinations, the trailer should never weigh more than 2,000 lbs. (907 kg) (3,500 lbs [1,588 kg] if equipped with trailer towing provisions [RPO V92]). The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR), the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversion, should never exceed 7,000 lbs. (3,175 kg) (8,500 lbs [3,856 kg] if equipped with trailer provisions [RPO V92]). Other important considerations include speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how often the vehicle is used to pull a trailer. Special equipment present on the vehicle may also affect trailer towing capacity. Retailers should refer customers to the appropriate model year Saturn Relay Owner Manual for important trailering tips, vehicle maintenance, and safety rules before towing a trailer.
To help prevent transmission fluid overheating with a 3.9L engine, do not tow a 2,500 lb (1,135 kg) or heavier trailer on long or steep grades at temperatures over 109°F (43°C) or a 3,500 lb (1,589 kg) trailer on long or steep grades above 95°F (35°C).
Recreational Vehicle Towing Information
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle-such as behind a motorhome. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as "dinghy towing" (towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and "dolly towing" (towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a "dolly"). Not all Saturn Relay vehicles can be "dinghy" or "dolly" towed.
Refer to the chart for information regarding powertrain combination compatibility with dolly and dinghy towing methods. Retailers should refer customers to the appropriate model year Saturn Relay Owner Manual for dolly and dinghy towing procedures.
To avoid vehicle damage, never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing Saturn Relay vehicles.
Towing an all-wheel drive vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain components. DO NOT tow an all- wheel drive vehicle if any of its wheels will be on the ground.
Disabled Towing Information
Saturn Relay vehicles equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD) can be towed with a carrier 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. To avoid vehicle damage, only a platform or flatbed trailer (carrier) should be used to transport Relay vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). Consult a Saturn retailer or professional towing service for more information regarding disabled towing. 2003-2007 Saturn ION
This section of the bulletin summarizes the following towing information :
Trailer Weight Information
Recreational Vehicle Towing Information
Disabled Towing Information
Trailer Weight Information
For all powertrain combinations, the trailer should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg). Other important considerations include speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how often the vehicle is used to pull a trailer. Special equipment present on the vehicle may also affect trailer towing capacity. Retailers should refer customers to the appropriate model year Saturn ION Owner Manual for important trailering tips, vehicle maintenance, and safety rules before towing a trailer.
Recreational Vehicle Towing Information
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle-such as behind a motorhome. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as "dinghy towing" (towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and "dolly towing" (towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a "dolly"). Not all Saturn ION vehicles can be "dinghy" or "dolly" towed.
Refer to the chart shown for information regarding powertrain combination compatibility with dolly and dinghy towing methods. Retailers should refer customers to the appropriate model year Saturn ION Owner Manual for dolly and dinghy towing procedures.
Only Saturn ION vehicles equipped with a manual transaxle or four-speed automatic transaxle may be dinghy towed (towed with all four wheels on the ground). Refer to the chart. Saturn ION Red Line vehicles can be dinghy towed (all four wheels on the ground) or dolly towed (front wheels on a dolly). However, due to reduced ground clearance, be sure that towing equipment is clear of fascias/side cladding to avoid vehicle damage.
If the vehicle is equipped with a 4T45E four-speed automatic transaxle, it can be dinghy towed from the front for unlimited miles at 65 mph (105 km/h). To avoid vehicle damage, never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing Saturn ION vehicles. The repairs would not be covered by the warranty.
Towing with all four wheels on the ground is limited to 62 miles (100 km) at maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). This is for disabled towing only.
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.
Before performing dinghy towing procedures, remove the large Body Control Module (BCM) 2 (IP Battery 2) fuse 40 amp (# 41) from the engine compartment fuse block (refer to the Engine Compartment Fuse Block label for more information.) Failure to remove this fuse may result in low battery voltage after towing.
Disabled Towing Information
The Saturn ION can be transported with car carrier equipment only. Consult a Saturn retailer or professional towing service for more information regarding disabled towing. Saturn vehicles are not designed for sling towing. To avoid vehicle damage, do not sling tow a Saturn vehicle.
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid damage to the bumper, fascia or fog lamp areas of the vehicle.
2002-2007 Saturn VUE Vehicles
Additional information regarding 2004-2006 Saturn VUE vehicles with 3.5L V6 (L66) engines can be found in Corporate Bulletin Number 05-00-89-014C.
This section of the bulletin summarizes the following towing information:
Trailer Weight Information
Recreational Vehicle Towing Information
5AT Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle (MJ7/MJ8) Fluid Check Procedure
Disabled Towing Information
The chart shows how much the trailer can weigh, based on the vehicle powertrain combination. Retailers should refer customers to the appropriate model year Saturn VUE Owner Manual for important trailering tips, vehicle maintenance, and safety rules before towing a trailer.
Recreational Vehicle Towing Information
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle-such as behind a motorhome. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as "dinghy towing" (towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and "dolly towing" (towing the 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 for information regarding powertrain combination compatibility with dolly and dinghy towing methods. Retailers should refer customers to the appropriate model year Saturn VUE Owner Manual for dolly and dinghy towing procedures.
Due to transaxle fluid drain back, the transaxle lubrication procedure is required every seven hours after the initial procedure has been completed, regardless of if the vehicle is being towed or parked. Once the procedure is performed, the transaxle is adequately lubricated and can be recreational towed for seven actual hours prior to repeating the lubrication procedure. Failure to observe these time limits may result in transaxle damage.
As an example, if you initially perform the lubrication procedure and tow your vehicle for three hours, then park for four hours, the lubrication procedure will need to be performed again, prior to dinghy towing the vehicle. Failure to observe these time limits may result in transaxle damage.
Before performing dinghy towing procedures, remove the large IGN fuse from the underhood fuse block. Failure to remove this fuse may result in low battery voltage after towing.
5AT Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle (MJ7/MJ8) Fluid Check Procedure
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Shift the vehicle into PARK (P) and apply the parking brake.
Ensure the air conditioning (A/C) is turned "OFF."
Warm the engine to normal operating temperature (76°-80°C [168°-176°F]) until the electric cooling fan mounted on the radiator cycles "ON" at least once).
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.
Place the shift lever into PARK (P).
Turn the engine OFF.
The transaxle dipstick has a black handle.
Pull out the transaxle dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag or paper towel.
Push transaxle dipstick back in all the way into the transaxle dipstick tube until it seats. Wait 60 seconds, then pull the dipstick out again. Check both sides of the transaxle 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 ATF-Z1 automatic transaxle fluid, P/N 22717466. If the required fluid is not available, Dexron(R)III automatic transaxle fluid may be used as a temporary replacement. Continued use of Dexron(R)III 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
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. When wheel lift equipment is used to raise the front of the vehicle off the ground, a towing dolly must be installed under the rear wheels. Refer to the appropriate model year General Motors Towing Manual for more information regarding disabled towing.
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.
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).
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid damage to the bumper, fascia, or fog lamp areas of the vehicle.