Trailer Towing Safety Precautions

The additional mass and increased dimensions of the trailer combination noticeably affect the handling and traction capability of the vehicle. Therefore, when towing a trailer, you must have certain special skills and driving techniques.

For your safety and the safety of others, practice driving with a trailer in a safe location before driving on public roads. Follow the recommendations described in this section of the Owner's Manual.

Driving Speed and Gear Shifting When Towing a Trailer

When towing a trailer, under any conditions, drive at a lower speed than you would under the same conditions without a trailer.

Observe all speed limits established for a vehicle towing a trailer.

If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, place the shift lever in the D position when driving on level roads. When driving in hilly terrain, select D3 mode.

When towing a trailer, observe the speed limits established by traffic regulations. At high driving speeds, lateral sway of the trailer may develop, making it difficult to control the vehicle (for more information, see the section "Driving in Hilly Terrain" on the following page).

For vehicles with a manual transmission: The illumination of the gear shift indicator for the next higher or lower gear means that the optimal moment has come to shift up or down for better fuel economy.

The indicator does not provide recommendations for downshifting to first gear. When downshifting to first gear to increase engine braking, rely on your own judgment.

Avoid sudden engine braking.

Depending on road conditions and traffic, it may be necessary to shift gears regardless of the indicator recommendations.

Cornering and Braking

When making a turn, drive more slowly and use a wider turning radius than you are used to.

Note that when the vehicle combination turns, the trailer follows a path of smaller radius than the vehicle and may run over or strike an obstacle that the vehicle passed freely. When towing a trailer, maintain a greater following distance from the vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking and sharp turns, as this may cause the vehicle combination to jackknife or the trailer to overturn.

Driving in Hilly Terrain

When climbing long grades, closely monitor the engine temperature using the temperature gauge on the instrument panel. If the gauge needle approaches the engine overheating zone (red zone of the scale), switch off the air conditioner and reduce speed. If necessary, stop on the side of the road and allow the engine to cool down.

On long downhill grades, reduce speed and select a lower gear to use engine braking. If your vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, select third gear for engine braking when descending steep slopes.

If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, reduce speed and select D3 mode when driving in hilly terrain. On steep downhill grades, select 2nd gear to increase the effectiveness of engine braking.

Avoid continuous use of the brake system, and remember that when driving downhill with a trailer, the braking distance increases.

Towing a trailer on roads with a grade of more than 12% is not recommended.

It is recommended to operate a vehicle with a trailer only on paved roads.

If you stop a vehicle towing a trailer on an uphill grade, press the brake pedal or apply the parking brake. Do not hold the vehicle in place by pressing the accelerator pedal, as this may cause the automatic transmission to overheat.

To make it easier to start moving on a slope, be sure to apply the parking brake.

Crosswind Control

Crosswinds and turbulent airflow caused by large trucks may make the vehicle difficult to control or cause lateral sway of the trailer.

If a large vehicle overtakes you at high speed, try to keep driving straight at a constant speed. Avoid sudden steering and braking.

Reverse Driving

Be careful, and ask someone to help you when reversing.

When reversing, it is recommended to hold the steering wheel rim from below, since this grip preserves the familiar correspondence between the direction of steering wheel rotation and the movement of the trailer:

moving your hand to the left turns the trailer to the left, and vice versa.

Parking

When parking the vehicle combination for a long period, fully apply the parking brake and move the automatic transmission shift lever to P (Park). On vehicles with a manual transmission, engage first gear or reverse gear.

Place wheel chocks under both trailer wheels.

For diesel engine vehicles only

Before switching off the engine, let it idle for approximately 2 minutes. (In some countries, engine idling is prohibited.

Observe the laws in effect in the country where you are located.)