CADILLAC ELDORADO 1997 10.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the
hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by
the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation
for attaching safety
chains and do
not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag
on the ground.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, don’t
try to tap into
your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system.
If you do, both
brake systems won’t work well, or at all.
Be
sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly.
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount
of experience.
Before setting out for
the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your
rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep
in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive
as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving
and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that
the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
You’ll need more passing distance
up ahead when
you’re towing
a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to
go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. TQ move the trailer to the right, move your
hand
to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible,
have someone guide you. When
you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need
a
different turn signal flasher andor extra wiring. Check
with your Cadillac dealer. The green
arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing
a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
Making very sharp turns while trailerring could
cause
the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle.
Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
behind you are seeing your signal wheithey are mot. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
-
making very sharp turns while traillering.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
shoulders, curbs, road
signs, trees or other objects. they would get hot and no longer work well.
Avoid jerky
or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance. speed to around
45 mph (70 kdh) or less to reduce the
On
a long
uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
possibility
of engine and transaxle overheating.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start
to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if
you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P).
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until
the chocks absorb the load.
PARK (P) firmly and apply your parking brake.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into
Release the regular brakes.
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
e Shift into a gear; and
Be sure the parking brake has released.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Your vehicle will need service
more often when you’re
pulling
a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill),
engine oil, belt, cooling system and brake adjustment.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and
the Index
will help
you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s
a good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts
and bolts
are tight.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine c
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5 -4
5-4
5-9
5-16
Hazard Warning Flashers
Other
Warning Devices
Jump Starting
Towing Your
Vehicle
Engine Overheating
’ 5-26
5-26
5-36
5-37
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing
a Flat Tire
Compact Spare
Tire
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine . ... . ''.I
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine This light on the instrument
I panel will flash, indicating
The hazard warning flashers will work once the button
is pressed in regardless
of the key position.
hll out on the collar to turn the flashers off. When the
hazard warning flashers are on, the turn signals won’t
work since they are already flashing.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you carry. reflective .triangles, you can set one up at
the- side of the road about 300 feet (100 rn) behind
your vehiicle. c .&. ., . .
Jump Starting . ’
, .,-; b: .; k?,. .u ~,~ & - - 3 a- P
If your battery has run down, .you may want to use
another vehicle and
some jumper cables to start your
Cadilkc. Please follow the steps below to do it safely.
I NO~TICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Trying
to start your Cadillac by pushing or
pulling it won’t work and it could damage
your vehicle. Batteries
can hurt
you. They can be dangerous
because:
@ They contain acid that can bum’.you.,
e They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain, enough electricity
to
burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative
ground, both vehicles can be damaged.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2.
3.
4.
Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure
the vehicles aren’t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your Cadillac and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter.
Turn off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as radios. This will
avoid sparks and help save both
batteries.
In addition, it could save your radio!
Open
the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
clothhg and tools away from any underhood
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
electric fan.
5. Start by removing the red positive (+)
terminal cover.
CAUTION: