Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
Saturn has issued a revised procedure for dinghy-towing the VUE V6 model, per the bulletin below. Anyone towing a VUE should read this and act accordingly. I don't know if Saturn will make any attempt to notify Vue owners of this change, but I suspect not, so let your Vue owning friends know about this Service Bulletin.
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Updated Recreational Vehicle Towing Information and Procedures for 2004-2005 Saturn VUE Vehicles #05-00-89-014 - (Mar 8, 2005)
Updated Recreational Vehicle Towing Information and Procedures for 2004-2005 Saturn VUE Vehicles
2004-2005 Saturn VUE Vehicles with 3.5L V-6 (VIN 4 -- RPO L66)
Sales Manager, Fixed Operations Manager, and Technician
Important: This bulletin includes the newly released 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. This bulletin is to be used in conjunction with Corporate Bulletin Number 03-00-89-033.
Purpose
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide updated procedures for towing a 2004-2005 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 Owner's Manuals for those customers considering recreational vehicle or dinghy towing.
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)
Position and attach the vehicle behind the recreational vehicle.
Turn the ignition key to ACC.
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.
Perform transaxle lubrication procedure:
Set the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Apply and hold the brake pedal until the end of Step 4.5.
To ensure proper automatic transaxle lubrication, shift transaxle through "P" (Park), "R" (Reverse), "N" (Neutral), "D" (Drive - Automatic Overdrive), "I" (Intermediate), "L" (Low).
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.
Turn off the engine, and leave the key in the ACC position.
Release the parking brake.
*************************************************************************************
Updated Recreational Vehicle Towing Information and Procedures for 2004-2005 Saturn VUE Vehicles #05-00-89-014 - (Mar 8, 2005)
Updated Recreational Vehicle Towing Information and Procedures for 2004-2005 Saturn VUE Vehicles
2004-2005 Saturn VUE Vehicles with 3.5L V-6 (VIN 4 -- RPO L66)
Sales Manager, Fixed Operations Manager, and Technician
Important: This bulletin includes the newly released 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. This bulletin is to be used in conjunction with Corporate Bulletin Number 03-00-89-033.
Purpose
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide updated procedures for towing a 2004-2005 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 Owner's Manuals for those customers considering recreational vehicle or dinghy towing.
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)
Position and attach the vehicle behind the recreational vehicle.
Turn the ignition key to ACC.
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.
Perform transaxle lubrication procedure:
Set the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Apply and hold the brake pedal until the end of Step 4.5.
To ensure proper automatic transaxle lubrication, shift transaxle through "P" (Park), "R" (Reverse), "N" (Neutral), "D" (Drive - Automatic Overdrive), "I" (Intermediate), "L" (Low).
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.
Turn off the engine, and leave the key in the ACC position.
Release the parking brake.
