Vectoring A Vue
Q: I recently purchased a Saturn Vue to use as a towed vehicle. Prior to the purchase, I checked your magazine (the January 2006 article on towing), and also with the dealership sales manager and the salesman who sold me the vehicle. All indicated that with the Vue, all I had to do to tow the vehicle was to hook it up, put it in “Neutral,” unlock the steering wheel, and go. This is not true. According to the owners manual, several specific steps must be performed prior to towing, and at intervals during the tow. Failure to perform these steps could cause damage to the transmission.
Everyone who buys a vehicle to tow behind their motorhome should carefully read the owners manual and not rely on non-technical folks at the dealership for their towing information.
James Willick, F302286
Jacksonville, Florida
A: I’m very glad you read your owners manual before towing the Vue. In our annual towed vehicles article we strongly suggest that folks always consult the owners manual for towing instructions. But because the specific towing procedures for individual vehicles may be different, we don’t list them for each vehicle in the article.
Chevy’s Cool Compact SUV
Q: Any word yet on whether the Chevy HHR with an automatic transmission is towable four wheels down?
Jimmy Ross, F195214
Austell, Georgia
A: According to information from Chevrolet that appears in the “Towables For 2006” article in the January 2006 issue of FMC (page 66), the 2006 HHR with either the automatic or the manual transmission is towable four wheels down without modification.