How Long And How Fast?
I tow a 2008 all-wheel-drive Saturn VUE XR that’s equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. When preparing the vehicle to be towed, I place the transmission in “neutral” with the ignition key in the accessory position and pull the ignition fuse so the battery doesn’t go dead. I use a Roadmaster Even Brake supplemental braking system inside the car. The RV shop installed a bypass switch, which I believe provides the 12-volt-DC power to the brake assist. I run the engine before each day’s trip and at fuel stops, as recommended in the owners manual.
The owners manual also states that VUEs equipped with the four-speed automatic transmission can be towed for unlimited miles at 65 mph “” with a warning to never exceed 65 mph while being towed. However, there is no reference in the manual about vehicles equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission. Do you know how fast and for what distance VUEs with the six-speed automatic transmission can be towed?
Also, at the end of the last two trips, when I first drove the VUE for a few miles, I could smell something like rubber burning. There was no smell while the vehicle was being towed. The smell went away after a few miles of driving. Any idea where the burning rubber smell is coming from or what’s causing it?
Bob Grimes, F397213
Visalia, California
According to information we received from Saturn representatives while compiling information for our “Towables For 2008″ article that appeared in the January 2008 issue of Family Motor Coaching, the 65 mph speed restriction applies to all VUE vehicles. To make sure this was accurate, your question was sent to a General Motors rep who indicated that Saturn VUE models equipped with the 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission (XE AWD and XR FWD/AWD) should not be towed at speeds in excess of 65 mph. There are no distance limitations when towing these models.
The burning rubber smell is likely being caused by extremely tiny bits of tire compound from the motorhome tires that are thrown up onto the exhaust system while the vehicle is being towed. When the vehicle is then driven, the exhaust system becomes hot enough for the rubber to burn off. The reason you don’t smell the burning rubber during normal driving is because the bits are so tiny you can’t smell them as they strike the exhaust. But when the vehicle is being towed, enough rubber accumulates on the exhaust to produce a burning smell.
Turn Signals
I have a 2005 Tiffin Allegro Open Road on a Workhorse chassis. I’m having trouble with the four-way flashers. The individual turn signals work fine, but the four-way flashers do not. When the brakes are applied with the flasher switch engaged, both indicator lights illuminate but no outside bulbs light up. We have checked the harness and fuses.
Norman La Joie, F204565
Reedley, California
I sent this question to the product support manager with Workhorse Custom Chassis, and here is his response:
“From the description Mr. La Joie noted in his e-mail, I believe we need to evaluate the four-way flasher. If the customer looks under the dash and finds the chassis fuse box (which will be black and about 5 inches by 5 inches in size), the same harness that drops to this fuse box retains not only the turn signal flasher but also the four-way flasher. It is possible that the flasher may have 12-volt-DC power going into the flasher but no 12-volt power coming out. There are only two wires, so he will need to check for voltage on both terminals. If there is voltage coming in but not going out, the flasher would be the concern. If the four-way flasher checks out okay, then there is potential that the multifunction switch could have failed for the four-ways. However, the customer did say that when the four-way switch is depressed and the brakes are applied, the indicators light up on the cluster. This would mean that the contacts to the cluster have good conductivity. I would recommend finding the flasher under the dash (driver side) and checking the power at both terminals. If the left and right turn signal and brake lights work fine, this eliminates any potential wiring problem from the column to the rear lamps.
The flashers can be found within 10 inches from the fuse box for the first, which is taped to the outside of the harness following the harness from the fuse box up toward the steering column mounting bracket. The second is within the next six inches in the same direction, also taped to the outside of the harness.”
Fuel Tanks
I seem to remember that years ago, the fuel lines on vehicles had a problem with blended gas, and that it would cause the fuel lines to deteriorate. I have a motorhome built on a 1997 Ford chassis, as do two of my friends, and all three of us have experienced leaking filler lines when fueling the motorhomes. Each coach has a different filling location. Mine is in the rear of the coach; the others are on the side. Two of the motorhomes were made by Newmar. Do you think this problem is caused by using the blended gas or from overfilling the tank? I remember hearing that you should stop filling the tank when the automatic fill on the fuel pump shuts off.
Paul May, F243341
Kemp, Texas
With motorhomes that are 13 years old, the problem is more likely an age-related issue rather than a result of using blended gas. Texas weather also could be a contributing factor to the deterioration of your fuel filler lines, especially if you’re not using your motorhomes. Use your motorhomes, even if the trips are just short weekend jaunts, and they’ll last longer.
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