Towing equinox

[jheppner]

We are towing a 2014 Equinox for the first year. When towing, the owner's manual says the vehicle has to be run for 5 minutes in the morning and five minutes every time we stop to re-fuel. Does anyone know whether the manual is basing this on the length of time (hours) you have been driving or on the number of miles you have driven? Also, when preparing the car to be towed, we have to pull out a certain fuse. Is there a way to simplify pulling the fuse; like some type of switch?

[jheppner]

Thank you, Old Blue. Good info.

[Old_Blue]

We towed our Equinox and when traveling maybe 10 hour days I would start it first thing in morning and again after stopping, next day the same thing
never went thru the gears, auto, but did what the car manual said to do. When
you stop at night it is nice to run the car maybe 10 minutes than take the keys
out and lock it up, in the morning run the car, remove the fuse, put it in "N"
and away you go...this is what we did anyway.

Bill

[KenMast]

Hey jheppner,

I don't run through the gears. Just run it in park.

I use a Patriot brake system made by BlueOx. I can leave it in position while I run the Equinox.

[jheppner]

Thank you, KenMast. That clarifies one of my questions.

The next question is: do you put the Equinox through the gears when you run it? The owner's manual doesn't say anything about a shifting sequence.

We are using a Brake Buddy system for the first time, also. Can we leave it in position while we start and run the Equinox?

We bought a fuse puller and some spare fuses (in case we misplace #32) and are going to try this method before thinking about installing a switch for the fuse.

[KenMast]

Hi jheppner,

Sometimes yes. It all depends on how long my travel day is going to be. Sometimes my fuel stop is at or very near my last stop of the day, so I just run it when I'm done traveling that day.

My main point is that I don't overly worry about it. Once in the morning, once in the evening, and play it by ear during the day, depending on how long I travel that day. My original comment may not have been clear. Sorry.

[jheppner]

So, KenMast, what you're saying is that you run it in the morning before towing and in the afternoon after towing. Then you say you run it at your daily fuel stop. Does this mean you're running it three times a day?

[KenMast]

I'm towing a 2012 Equinox with a BlueOx towing package. At the time of installation, I had a fuse bypass switch installed. Works great and I don't have to pull a fuse and then re-insert it every time.

I run it before and after towing. Since I I only travel about 5 hours a day, I run it at my daily fuel stop and don't worry about hours or mileage.

[Ava]

Hi, check Roadmaster site and they have a fuse disconnect switch that will work great.

[Old-Biscuit]

Speed towing (65mph) is stated so if time/miles was a limitation the manual should have stated it.........running the engine for 5 mins. is to lubricate the transmission.

Ignition key is in ACC position so pulling fuse is to keep battery from being drained. YES you can install a switch (same as pulling fuse). Just need to properly ID wiring to/from the fuse for the 'ignition logic', install switch where convenient to use but out of the way of knees/legs etc. and wire it into circuit.