trailer CADILLAC ELDORADO 1996 10.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine New Vehicle L6Bre-ak-In’’ Ignition Positions
NOTICE:
Your modern Cadillac doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0 Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
0 Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for more
information.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure it is
all the way in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none
of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
2-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PARK (P): This locks the front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start the engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index. Ensure
the shift lever is fully in PARK
(P) range before
starting the engine. Your Cadillac has a brake-transaxle
shift interlock. You have to fully
apply your regular
brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition key is in the
RUN position. If you cannot
shift out of PARK
(P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
and release the shift lever button on the floor shift
console models
as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever on
floor
shift console models.) See “Shifting Out of PARK (P)”
in this section.
2-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OVERDRIVE (0): This position is for normal driving.
If you need more power for passing, and you’re:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transaxle will shift down to the next gear and
have more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, or
if it doesn’t seem to shift gears
as you accelerate,
something may be wrong with
a transaxle system
sensor. If
you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged.
So if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use SECOND
(2) when you are driving less
than
35 mph (55 km/h) and OVERDRIVE (a)
for higher speeds. THIRD
(3): This
position is also used for noma
driving however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than OVERDRIVE
(03).
Here are examples for using THIRD (3) instead of
OVERDRIVE (03):
0 When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
When going down a steep hill. between gears.
SECOND
(2): This position gives you more power. You
can use SECOND
(2) on hills. It can help control your
speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want
to use your brakes off and on.
I I
I NOTICE:
Don’t shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than
65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Reach under the driver’s side of the instrument panel
and pull
on the manual release lever, which is located
above the parking brake pedal. If the parking brake does
not release, you will have to have your vehicle serviced.
A CAUTION:
-
If your hand or arm is in the way of the pedal,
you could be hurt. The pedal springs back quickly. Keep your hand and arm away when
you use the manual release lever.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brak6 bn’can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
“Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index. This section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
2-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine YYiif“rg Into PARK (P)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You
or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on
fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
Steering Column Shift Lever
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position like this:
I ~~~
Pull the lever toward you.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windows
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake after
you move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK
(P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Power Windows
The controls are
located near each
window. Press the
control forward to
raise the window .and
press rearward to lower. Note that the
second rearward
position on the driver’s
control operates the
express-down
window feature.
Your vehicle has Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).
When you stop your vehicle and turn the ignition key to
OFF, you can still use your power windows. The
electrical power to operate the windows will not shut
off
until you open a door or 10 minutes have passed. If you
want this power for another
10 minutes, turn the key to
RUN and back to OFF.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run
as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition
is on and the engine is not
running.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
0 Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
0 Avoid hard accelerations.
0 Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when
it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). Turn the
key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On
Steady” following. If the light is still flashing follow the
previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your dealer or
qualified service center for service.
2-70

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing a Trailer
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and
injure people in
a sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
'Iky to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
If you don't use the correct equipment and drive
properly,
you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section. Ask your Cadillac dealer for
advice and information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your Cadillac
dealer for important information about towing
a
trailer with your vehicle.
4-31

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
proper towing equipment. To identify what the vehicle
trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you should read
the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears
later in this section. But trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes
in handling, durdbility and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be
used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In
it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as
the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engine
is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
0
0
0
0
0
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having
to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control.
You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
1,000 miles
(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
SO0 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
SO mph (80 h/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps
your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don’t drive faste.r than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or
no more than 55 mph (90 km/h)) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer, the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg)
total, including the load. But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your dealer for
our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at:
Cadillac Customer Assistance Center
Cadillac Motor Car Division
30009 Van Dyke
P.O. Box 9025
Warren, MI 48090-9025
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total capacity
weight of your vehicle. The capacity weight includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in
it
and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if
you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue load
from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too.
See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A B