Trailer Towing Maintenance

Your vehicle will require maintenance more often when you tow a trailer regularly. Important items to be careful to include are engine oil, transmission fluid, axle lubricant, and cooling system fluid. Brake condition is another important item to check often. If you tow a trailer, it is a good idea to inspect these items before you start your trip. Do not forget to also maintain your trailer and hitch. Follow the maintenance schedule that accompanied your trailer and inspect it periodically. Inspect it at the start of each day of driving. Most importantly, all hitch nuts and bolts must be tight.

NOTICE

To avoid damage to the vehicle:

• Due to the higher load during trailer operation, overheating may occur on hot days or when driving uphill. If the coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating, turn off the air conditioning and stop the vehicle in a safe place to cool the engine.
• Do not turn off the engine while the coolant temperature gauge indicates overheating. (Keep the engine idling to let the engine cool down.)
• When towing, check the transmission fluid more often.
• If your vehicle is not equipped with air conditioning, you should install a condenser fan to improve engine performance when towing a trailer.