Get Driving -> Towing a Trailer Guide for Honda Jazz 4 Door Second Generation (2009-2015)

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Towing a Trailer (European models)

Your vehicle has been designed

primarily to carry passengers and

their luggage. You can use it to tow a

trailer if you carefully observe the

load limits, use the proper equipment,

and follow the guidelines in this

section.

Load Limits

The total weight of the trailer and

towbar (with/without brakes) plus

its luggage must not exceed the

maximum towing weight. See page

389 .

The trailer nose load should never

exceed 70 kg (155 lbs). This is the

amount of weight the trailer puts

on the towbar when it is fully-

loaded. As a rule of thumb for a

trailer weights of less than 700 kg

(1,550 lbs), the trailer nose load

should be 10 percent of the total

trailer package.

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Towing a Trailer (European models)

For example, if the trailer and its

load weigh 225 kg (500 lbs), the

trailer nose load should be 22.5 kg

(50 lbs). Adjust trailer’s luggage to

change the trailer nose load. Start

by putting approximately

60 percent of the luggage toward

the front and 40 percent toward

the rear. With a trailer package of

more than 700 kg (1,550 lbs), you

may need to adjust the luggage

weight toward the rear. Never

load the trailer so the back is

heavier than the front. This takes

weight off your vehicle’s rear axle

and reduces traction.

The maximum towing weight

must not exceed the specified limit

as shown on page 389 .

Exceeding load limits or

improperly loading your

vehicle and trailer can cause

a crash in which you can be

seriously injured or killed.

This weight will be estimated on

normal driving below 1,000 meters

elevation.

If you tow a trailer in mountainous

conditions, remember to reduce

10% of the combined vehicle and

trailer weights from the maximum

towing weight for every 1,000

meters of elevation.

Check the loading of your

vehicle and trailer carefully

before starting to drive.

Please consider that the instal-

lation of optionals (and trailer nose

load when towing a trailer) will

reduce the loading capacity.

The maximum permissible weight

must not exceed the specified limit

as shown on page 389 .

Towing a load that is too heavy can

seriously affect your vehicle’s

handling and performance. It can

also damage the engine and

drivetrain.

The maximum permissible weight

is total weight of the vehicle,

driver, passengers, luggage and

towbar.

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Towing a Trailer (European models)

Checking Loads

Towing Equipment and

Accessories

Towbars

The best way to confirm that vehicle

and trailer weights are within limits

is to have them checked at a public

scale.

Any towbar used on your vehicle

Towing can require a variety of

equipment, depending on the size of

your trailer, how it will be used, and

how much load you are towing.

must be properly bolted to the

underbody.

Refer to page 388 for the towbar

mounting points.

Using a suitable scale or a special

trailer nose load gauge, check the

total weight, the weight at each axle

and the trailer nose load the first

Discuss your needs with your trailer

sales or rental agency, and follow the

guidelines in the rest of this section.

Safety Chains

Always use safety chains. Make sure

they are secured to both the trailer

and towbar, and that they cross

under the trailer nose so that they

can catch the trailer if it becomes

unhitched. Leave enough slack to

allow the trailer to turn corners

easily, but do not let the chains drag

on the ground.

time you set up a towing combination Also make sure that all equipment is

(a fully-loaded vehicle and trailer),

then recheck the loads whenever the

conditions change.

properly installed and that it meets

the country’s regulations where you

are driving.

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Towing a Trailer (European models)

Trailer Brakes

Trailer Lights

Since lighting and wiring vary in

trailer type and brand, you should

also have a qualified technician

install a suitable connector between

the vehicle and the trailer.

If you are thinking of getting a trailer

that has brakes, be sure they are

electronically actuated. Do not

attempt to tap into your vehicle’s

hydraulic system. No matter how

successful it may seem, any attempt

to attach trailer brakes to your

vehicle’s hydraulic system will lower

braking effectiveness and create a

potential hazard.

Your vehicle has a connector to

install an optional trailer lighting

connector. It is located in the

luggage area by the right tail-lights.

You can get an optional trailer

lighting connector for your vehicle

from your dealer.

Always consult your dealer before

connecting the trailer lights to your

vehicle’s lighting system.

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Towing a Trailer (European models)

Additional Trailer Equipment

There may be laws requiring special

outside mirrors when you are towing

a trailer. Check the local laws in the

country. Even if there are no legal

requirements, you should install

special mirrors if you cannot clearly

see behind you, or if the trailer

creates a blind spot.

Pre-Tow Checklist

The lights and brakes on your

When preparing to tow, and before

driving away, be sure to check the

following:

vehicle and the trailer are working

properly.

Your vehicle tyres and spare are

properly inflated, and the trailer

tyres and spare are inflated as

recommended by the trailer

maker.

The vehicle has been properly

serviced, and the tyres, brakes,

suspension, and cooling system

are in good operating condition.

Ask your trailer sales or rental

agency if any other items are

recommended or required for your

towing situation.

If you tow frequently, follow the

Severe Conditions maintenance

schedule.

Be sure to check regulations

concerning the maximum speed or

driving restrictions for vehicles

towing trailers. If you are driving

across several countries, check

each country’s requirements

before leaving home, because

regulations may vary.

The trailer has been properly

serviced and is in good condition.

All weights and loads are within

limits (see pages 269 and 270 ).

Operating speed when towing a

trailer is restricted to 100 km/h

(62 mph).

The towbar, safety chains, and any

other attachments are secure.

All items on and in the trailer are

properly secured and cannot shift

while you drive.

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Towing a Trailer (European models)

Driving Safely With a Trailer

The added weight, length, and

height of a trailer will affect your

vehicle’s handling and performance,

so driving with a trailer requires

some special driving skills and

techniques.

Towing Speeds and Gears

For some types

Drive slower than normal in all

When driving uphill and downhill,

driving situations, and obey posted

use the 7-speed manual shift mode to

speed limits for vehicles with trailers. provide the proper engine power and

If you have an automatic

engine braking on each position.

Select seventh, sixth, fifth, fourth,

third, second or first position;

depending on the vehicle speeds and

road conditions.

transmission (CVT), use the ‘‘D’’

position or 7-speed manual shift

mode (for some types) when towing

a trailer on level roads. You can

select ‘‘S’’ position or 7-speed manual

shift mode (for some types) when

towing a trailer in hilly terrain. (See

‘‘Driving on Hills’’ in the next page

for additional gear information.)

For your safety and the safety of

others, take time to practice driving

manoeuvres before heading for the

open road, and follow the guidelines

discussed below.

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Towing a Trailer (European models)

Making Turns and Braking

Driving on Hills

If you must stop when facing uphill,

Make turns more slowly and wider

than normal. The trailer tracks a

smaller arc than your vehicle, and it

can hit or run over something the

vehicle misses. Allow more time and

distance for braking. Do not brake or

turn suddenly as this could cause the

trailer to jackknife or turn over.

When climbing hills, closely watch

your high temperature indicator. If

the indicator remains on, turn the air

conditioning off, reduce speed and, if

necessary, pull to the side of the

road to let the engine cool.

use the foot brake or parking brake.

Do not try to hold the vehicle in

place by pressing on the accelerator,

as this can cause the automatic

transmission (CVT) to overheat.

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Towing a Trailer (European models)

On vehicles with manual transmission

When driving down hills, reduce

your speed and shift down to 2nd

gear (manual). Do not ‘‘ride’’ the

brakes, and remember it will take

longer to slow down and stop when

towing a trailer.

Handling Crosswinds and Buffeting

Parking

Crosswinds and air turbulence

caused by passing trucks can disrupt

your steering and cause trailer

swaying. When being passed by a

large vehicle, keep a constant speed

and steer straight ahead. Do not try

to make quick steering or braking

corrections.

Follow all normal precautions when

parking, including firmly setting the

parking brake and putting the

transmission in park (automatic) or

in 1st or reverse (manual). Also,

place wheel chocks at each of the

trailer’s tyres.

Driving on an uphill road of more

than 12% slope is not recommended

for your vehicle.

Towing a Trailer

(Except for European models)

Your vehicle is not designed to tow a

Backing Up

Always drive slowly and have

We recommend that you tow a

trailer on the road recommended by

the trailer association.

someone guide you when backing up. trailer.

Grip the bottom of the steering

wheel; then turn the wheel to the left

to get the trailer to move to the left,

and turn the wheel right to move the

trailer to the right.

On vehicles with automatic

transmission (CVT), use Low (L) or

7-speed manual shift mode (for some

types) to provide engine braking

when going down a steep hill.

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