Trailer, Recreational and Disabled Vehicle Towing Information

This bulletin is being revised to add the 2009 model year and information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 03-00-89-033J (Section 00 - General Information).

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide retailers with a summary of trailer, recreational, and disabled towing information for 2007-2009 Saturn vehicles. Important changes to Owner Manual information will be described as well.

This section of the bulletin summarizes the following towing information:

Trailer Weight Information

The following 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.

*The Saturn VUE Red Line should not be used to tow a trailer.

Recreational Vehicle Towing Information

Important: Vehicles with a 6-speed automatic transmission that are "dinghy towed" must be run at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for a minimum of five minutes. This will ensure proper lubrication of transmission components.

Important: Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn VUE Owner Manual for towing preparation guidelines and dolly and dinghy towing procedures.

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"). With the proper preparation and equipment, many vehicles can be towed in these ways. Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn VUE Owner Manual for towing preparation guidelines and dolly and dinghy towing procedures. The Towing Chart below summarizes powertrain combination compatibility with dolly and dinghy towing methods.

All 2008-2009 Saturn VUE vehicles can be dinghy towed from the front with all four wheels on the ground.

*Notice: If the vehicle is equipped with a 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission, 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 VUE vehicles. The repairs would not be covered by the warranty.

Dinghy Towing Procedure

Notice: If you tow your vehicle without performing each of the steps listed under "Dinghy Towing," you could damage the automatic transmission. Be sure to follow all steps of the dinghy towing procedure prior to and after towing your vehicle.

Notice: 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 transmission.

1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.
2. Shift the transmission to Park (P) and turn the ignition to OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY.
5. Shift your transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
6. To prevent your battery from draining while the vehicle is being towed, remove the 2 amp ignition switch fuse from the I/P fuse block and store in a safe location.
7. Release the parking brake.

Once you have reached your destination, do the following steps:

1. Set the parking brake.
2. Reinstall the ignition switch fuse.
3. Shift the transmission to Park (P), turn the ignition key to OFF and remove the key from the ignition.
4. Release the parking brake.

Disabled Towing Information

To avoid vehicle damage, a platform or flatbed trailer (carrier) should be used to transport this vehicle. Consult a Saturn retailer or professional towing service for more information regarding disabled towing.

This section of the bulletin summarizes the following towing information:

Important: For additional information on trailer wiring accommodations for non-V92 equipped vehicles, please refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 07-00-89-021.

Trailer Weight Information

The following chart shows how much the trailer can weigh, based on the vehicle powertrain combination. Retailers should refer customers to the appropriate model year Saturn OUTLOOK Owner Manual for important trailering tips, vehicle maintenance, and safety rules before towing a trailer.

Recreational Vehicle Towing Information

Important: Vehicles with a 6-speed automatic transmission that are "dinghy towed" must be run at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for a minimum of five minutes. This will ensure proper lubrication of transmission components.

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"). With the proper preparation and equipment, many vehicles can be towed in these ways. Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn OUTLOOK Owner Manual for towing preparation guidelines and dolly and dinghy towing procedures. The Towing Chart below summarizes powertrain combination compatibility with dolly and dinghy towing methods.

*Notice: If the vehicle is equipped with a 6T75 six-speed automatic transmission, 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 OUTLOOK vehicles. The repairs would not be covered by the warranty.

Dinghy Towing Procedure

Notice: If you tow your vehicle without performing each of the steps listed under "Dinghy Towing," you could damage the automatic transmission. Be sure to follow all steps of the dinghy towing procedure prior to and after towing your vehicle.

Notice: 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 transmission.

Important: Saturn OUTLOOK vehicles may only be dinghy towed from the front, with all four wheels on the ground.

1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.
2. Shift the transmission to Park (P) and turn the ignition to OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY.
5. Shift your transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
6. To prevent your battery from draining while the vehicle is being towed, remove the 50 amp BATT1 fuse in the UBEC, and store in a safe location.
7. Release the parking brake.

Once you have reached your destination, do the following steps:

1. Set the parking brake.
2. Reinstall the BATT1 fuse.
3. Shift the transmission to Park (P), turn the ignition key to OFF and remove the key from the ignition.
4. Release the parking brake.

Disabled Towing Information

To avoid vehicle damage, a platform or flatbed trailer (carrier) should be used to transport this vehicle. Consult a Saturn retailer or professional towing service for more information regarding disabled towing.

This section of the bulletin summarizes the following towing information:

Trailer Weight Information

For all V-6 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 AURA Owner Manual for important trailering tips, vehicle maintenance, and safety rules before towing a trailer.

Saturn AURA Green Line models are neither designed nor intended to tow a trailer. Do not tow a trailer if the vehicle is equipped with the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine (LAT).

Recreational Vehicle Towing Information

Important: Vehicles with a 6-speed automatic transmission that are "dinghy towed" must be run at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for a minimum of five minutes. This will ensure proper lubrication of transmission components.

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"). With the proper preparation and equipment, many vehicles can be towed in these ways. Refer to the appropriate model year Saturn AURA Owner Manual for towing preparation guidelines and dolly and dinghy towing procedures. The Towing Chart below summarizes powertrain combination compatibility with dolly and dinghy towing methods.

*Notice: If the vehicle is equipped with a 4T45E four-speed automatic transaxle, a 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission or a 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission , 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 AURA vehicles. The repairs would not be covered by the warranty.

Before performing dinghy towing procedures, remove the IGN SENSOR fuse from the instrument panel fuse block. (Refer to Instrument Panel Fuse block label to locate this fuse.) Failure to remove this fuse may result in low battery voltage after towing. Reinstall the fuse once the vehicle has reached its destination.

Disabled Towing Information

To avoid vehicle damage, a platform or flatbed trailer (carrier) should be used to transport this vehicle. Consult a Saturn retailer or professional towing service for more information regarding disabled towing.

This section of the bulletin summarizes the following towing information:

Trailer Weight Information

The 2007-2009 Saturn SKY is neither designed nor intended to tow a trailer.

Recreational Vehicle Towing Information

Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle -- such as behind a motorhome. The Saturn SKY was not designed to be towed behind another vehicle with any of its wheels on the ground; therefore, dinghy towing is not recommended. If a Saturn SKY needs to be towed, the vehicle should be placed on a platform trailer with all four wheels off the ground. The Towing Chart below summarizes powertrain combination compatibility with different towing methods.

* To avoid vehicle damage, use a platform trailer or a flatbed trailer (carrier) to transport SKY vehicles. All four wheels MUST be off the ground.

Disabled Towing Information

To avoid vehicle damage, only a platform or flatbed trailer (carrier) should be used to transport SKY vehicles. All four wheels MUST be off the ground. Consult a Saturn retailer or professional towing service for more information regarding disabled towing.

This section of the bulletin summarizes the following towing information:

Trailer Weight Information

The 2008-2009 Saturn ASTRA is neither designed nor intended to tow a trailer.

Recreational Vehicle Towing Information

Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle -- such as behind a motorhome. The Saturn ASTRA was not designed to be towed behind another vehicle with any of its wheels on the ground; therefore, dinghy towing is not recommended. If a Saturn ASTRA needs to be towed, the vehicle should be placed on a platform trailer with all four wheels off the ground. The Towing Chart below summarizes powertrain combination compatibility with different towing methods.

* To avoid vehicle damage, use a platform trailer or a flatbed trailer (carrier) to transport ASTRA vehicles. All four wheels MUST be off the ground.

Disabled Towing Information

To avoid vehicle damage, only a platform or flatbed trailer (carrier) should be used to transport ASTRA vehicles. All four wheels MUST be off the ground. Consult a Saturn retailer or professional towing service for more information regarding disabled towing.