Towing a Tailblazer

[mercerc44]

Now going to tow a trailblazer. After putting the transfer case in neutral, is the Trans left in Neutral or Park??? What position is the key for towing. (Assessory, Lock??) I assume if in the run position, it will drain the battery. Am I correct in that there are 3 positions for the ignition. Lock(off).Asses, Run.

[mercerc44]

Now going to tow a trailblazer. After putting the transfer case in neutral, is the Trans left in Neutral or Park??? What position is the key for towing. (Assessory, Lock??) I assume if in the run position, it will drain the battery. Am I correct in that there are 3 positions for the ignition. Lock(off).Asses, Run.

[Route 66]

Your owners manual has specific instructions for towing.

Most GM SUV's have the xfer case in neutral, transmission in park, and after 2004 key out of the ignation as the steering wheel no longer locks.

Yours may be different, and again check you owner's manual.

[mercerc44]

Well, that's the problem. One section says to leave in park.( The section on how to put the transfer case in neutral) In the section on four down towing it only says to put it in neutral. Mine is an 06. I leave Sunday so I hope to clear this up soon.

[dmason]

I tow a 05 Trailblazer. Your manual has clear instructions for setting it up for tow and taking it out of tow status. Mine says:
Shifting into neutral:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle.
3. Put the transmission in N.
4. Turn the transfer case knob all the way past 4LO and hold it there for a minimum of 10 seconds. The neutral indicator light (red) will come on. It's hard to see!!!
5. Shift the trans to R for one second, then shift the trans to D for one second.
6. Place the trans shift lever in P.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK. Take key.
8. My note: Release the parking brake 'cause it sure helps forward movement!
Shifting out of neutral:
1. Set the braking brake and apply regular brake pedal.
2. Start engine with trans in P.
3. Turn transfer case knob to desired shift position.
4. Put the trans in N.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. After transfer case has shifted out of N the indicator light will go out. Shift the trans level into desire position.
No drain on battery and no miles accumlate on the odometer. I keep a copy in my glove box for senior moments!
Enjoy.
Shifting out of neutral:
1.

[mercerc44]

After about the 5th reading, I think I have figured out the procedures. I see that both sections ultimately end up with the trans in Park. Whew.

[Route 66]

I agree that the two sections could be written better, and referenced to each other better.

Both my '04 and my '08 Yukons and I believe all GM 4x4's with electronic transfer cases require the transmission to be in neutral to shift the transfer case in or out of neutral, but the transmission is placed in park for towing.

I'm not aware of any GM 4x4 that the transmission is left in neutral.

[dmason]

Couldn't agree with you more! Took me six read thrus and several practices and sometimes I still screw it up . . . except for releasing the parking brake!

[GaryKD]

My 05 GMC ENVOY has the same process mentioned in Richard's post. 40K+ miles towing with success.

[mercerc44]

Thanks to all for the responses. I think I'm ready to hit the road. This is my third vehicle to tow. All have been different. Toyota w/ lube pump, and Grand Am with nothing but fuses to pull.