2002-2007 Saturn VUE Vehicles Important: Important: This bulletin includes the towing procedure for Saturn VUE vehicles with 3.5L V-6 (L66) engine and supersedes the information found on page 4-47 of the 2004 Saturn VUE Owner s Manual and page 4-51 of the 2005 VUE Owner s Manual. The current towing procedure is already included in the 2006 and 2007 VUE Owner's Manual. This bulletin is to be used in conjunction with Corporate Bulletin Number 03-00-89-033D. Purpose The purpose of this bulletin is to provide updated procedures for towing a 2004-2007 Saturn VUE with a 3.5L V-6 (L66) engine and 5AT automatic transaxle (RPO MJ7/MJ8) behind a recreational vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (dinghy towing). Based upon engineering analysis of field exchange transaxles, it has been determined that inadvertent transaxle damage may occur during dinghy towing if the appropriate steps are not taken during and prior to towing. As a result, the procedure for dinghy towing has been changed. Copies of this bulletin should be made available and inserted into the 2004 and 2005 VUE Owner's Manuals for those customers considering recreational vehicle or dinghy towing. (This information is already included in the 2006 and 2007 VUE Owner's Manual.) The new procedures include additional information regarding: Maximum duration for towing: Due to transaxle fluid drain back, the transaxle lubrication procedure is required every seven hours after the initial procedure has been completed, regardless if vehicle is being towed or parked. Once the procedure is performed, the transaxle is adequately lubricated and can be recreational vehicle towed for seven actual hours prior to repeating lubrication procedure. As an example, if you initially perform the lubrication procedure and tow your vehicle for three hours, then park for four hours, the lubrication procedure will need to be performed again, prior to dinghy towing the vehicle. Failure to observe these time limits may result in transaxle damage. Final shift before towing: Care should be taken to ensure that the final shift during the lubrication procedure must be from "D" (Drive) to "N" (Neutral). Failure to perform this final shift may result in internal damage to the transaxle assembly.
Procedure Dinghy Towing (Front-Wheel-Drive and All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles with 5AT Five- Speed Automatic Transaxle) 1. Position and attach the vehicle behind the recreational vehicle. 2. Turn the ignition key to ACC. 3. Turn fog lamps and all accessories off. Notice: Start the engine and shift through all gear positions. The FINAL shift must be "D" (Drive) to "N" (Neutral). Failure to perform this final shift may cause internal damage to the transaxle assembly. NEVER shift from "R" (Reverse) to "N" (Neutral) as the final shift, to avoid internal damage to transaxle. 4. Perform transaxle lubrication procedure: 4.1. Set the parking brake. 4.2. Start the engine. 4.3. Apply and hold the brake pedal until the end of Step 4.5. 4.4. To ensure proper automatic transaxle lubrication, shift transaxle through "P" (Park), "R" (Reverse), "N" (Neutral), "D" (Drive - Automatic Overdrive), "I" (Intermediate), "L" (Low). 4.5. Shift to "D" (Drive), then to "N" (Neutral) and let the engine run for 3 minutes. If you tow or tow and park the vehicle for more than seven hours in one day, you must repeat the procedure. 4.6. Turn off the engine, and leave the key in the ACC position. 4.7. Release the parking brake.
Important: Before performing dinghy-towing procedures, remove the large IGN fuse from the underhood fuse block. Failure to remove this fuse may result in low battery voltage after towing. 5. Locate and remove the large IGN fuse from the underhood fuse block. Refer to illustration in this bulletin. After seven hours, repeat Step 4 if you intend to continue dinghy towing. Once you have reached your destination, do the following steps: 1. Return the shifter to the "P" (Park) position. 2. Set the parking brake. 3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK and remove the key from the ignition. 4. Reinstall the large IGN fuse. This section of the bulletin summarizes the following towing information: Trailer Weight Information
Recreational Vehicle Towing Information 5AT Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle (MJ7/MJ8) Fluid Check Procedure Disabled 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. Vehicle 2.2L Four Cylinder (L61) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and Manual Transaxle (MG3) 2.2L Four Cylinder (L61) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and VTi Variable Transaxle (M75) 2.2L Four Cylinder (L61) Engine with All-Wheel Drive and VTi Variable Transaxle (M16) 2.2L Four Cylinder (L61) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and Automatic Transaxle (MN5) 2.4L Four Cylinder (LAT) Hybrid with Front-Wheel Drive and Automatic Transaxle (MN5) 3.0L V6 (L81) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and Automatic Transaxle (M09) 3.0L V6 (L81) Engine with All-Wheel Drive and Automatic Transaxle (M45) 3.5L V6 (L66) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and Automatic Transaxle (MJ7) 3.5L V6 (L66) Engine with All-wheel Drive and Automatic Transaxle (MJ8) Maximum Trailer Weight 2,500 lbs. (1134 kg) 2,500 lbs. (1134 kg) 3,500 lbs. (1587 kg) 3,500 lbs. (1587 kg) Recreational Vehicle Towing Information 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"). Not all Saturn VUE vehicles can be "dinghy" or "dolly" towed. Refer to the chart below for information regarding powertrain combination compatibility with dolly and dinghy towing methods. Retailers should refer customers to the appropriate model year Saturn VUE Owner Manual for dolly and dinghy towing procedures.
2002-2007 Saturn VUE Recreational Vehicle Towing Chart Powertrain Combination and Towing Method 2.2L Four Cylinder (L61) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and Manual Transaxle (MG3) 2.2L Four Cylinder (L61) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and 4T45E Four- Speed Automatic Transaxle (MN5) 2.2L Four Cylinder (L61) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and VTi Variable Transmission (M75) 2.2L Four Cylinder (L61) Engine with All-Wheel drive and VTi Variable Transaxle (M16) 2.4L Four Cylinder (LAT) Hybrid Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and 4T45E Four-Speed Automatic Transaxle (MN5) 3.0L V6 (L81) Engine with Front- Wheel Drive and AF33-5 Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle (M09) 3.0L V6 (L81) Engine with All-Wheel Drive and AF33-5 Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle (M45) 3.5L V6 (L66) Engine with Front- Wheel Drive and 5AT Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle (MJ7) 3.5L V6 (L66) Engine with All-Wheel Drive and 5AT Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle (MJ8) Rear Wheels on a Tow Dolly Front Wheels on a Tow Dolly All Four Wheels on the Ground (Dinghy) No Yes Yes No Yes Yes* No Yes No No No No No Yes Yes* No Yes No** No No No** No Yes Yes*** No No Yes*** *Notice: If vehicle is equipped with a 4T45E four-speed automatic transaxle (MN5), 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.
**Towing with all four wheels on the ground is limited to 62 miles (100 km) at maximum speed of 50 mph (80 km/h). This is for disabled towing only. ***Notice: Due to transaxle fluid drain back, the transaxle lubrication procedure is required every seven hours after the initial procedure has been completed, regardless of if the vehicle is being towed or parked. Once the procedure is performed, the transaxle is adequately lubricated and can be recreational towed for seven actual hours prior to repeating the lubrication procedure. Failure to observe these time limits may result in transaxle damage. As an example, if you initially perform the lubrication procedure and tow your vehicle for three hours, then park for four hours, the lubrication procedure will need to be performed again, prior to dinghy towing the vehicle. Failure to observe these time limits may result in transaxle damage. Important: Before performing dinghy towing procedures, remove the large IGN fuse from the underhood fuse block. Failure to remove this fuse may result in low battery voltage after towing. 5AT Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle (MJ7/MJ8) Fluid Check Procedure 1. Park the vehicle on a level surface. 2. Shift the vehicle into PARK (P) and apply the parking brake.
3. Ensure the air conditioning (A/C) is turned "OFF." 4. Warm the engine to normal operating temperature (76-80 C [168-176 F]) until the electric cooling fan mounted on the radiator cycles "ON" at least once). 5. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for a couple of seconds between each shift lever selection. 6. Place the shift lever into PARK (P). 7. Turn the engine OFF. Important: The transaxle dipstick has a black handle. 8. Pull out the transaxle dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag or paper towel. 9. Push transaxle dipstick back in all the way into the transaxle dipstick tube until it seats. Wait 60 seconds, then pull the dipstick out again. 10. Check both sides of the transaxle dipstick and read the lower level. The fluid must be between the upper and lower mark. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the dipstick back in the dipstick tube until it seats. If the fluid level is incorrect, remove or add automatic transaxle fluid as necessary to bring the transaxle to proper fluid level. Always use GM ATF-Z1 automatic transaxle fluid, P/N 22717466. If the required fluid is not available, Dexron III automatic transaxle fluid may be used as a temporary replacement. Continued use of Dexron III, however, can adversely affect shift quality. Have the transaxle flushed and refilled with GM ATF-Z1 automatic transaxle fluid as soon as convenient. Disabled Towing Information The Saturn VUE can be towed with car carrier equipment or wheel lift equipment. When wheel lift equipment is used to raise the rear of the vehicle off the ground, a towing dolly must be installed under the front wheels. When wheel lift equipment is used to raise the front of the vehicle off the ground, a towing dolly must be installed under the rear wheels. Refer to the appropriate model year General Motors Towing Manual for more information regarding disabled towing. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles equipped with the VTi variable transaxle should not be towed with all four wheels on the ground. To tow these vehicles properly, they should be placed on a platform trailer with all four wheels off the ground. Notice: For vehicles equipped with a 2.2L four-cylinder (L61) engine and VTi variable transaxle, disabled towing is allowed with all four wheels on the ground in emergency situations, but is limited to 1 mile (1.6 km) at a maximum speed of 5 mph (8 km/h). Notice: Use the proper towing equipment to avoid damage to the bumper, fascia, or fog lamp areas of the vehicle.