towing CADILLAC ELDORADO 1997 10.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine e 99
~~~~~~~~ ~
Your modern Cadillac doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in? But
it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
cb
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 508 miles ($05 hm).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops
for the first
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.
Donst tow a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more
information.
si s
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and YOU canst
turn it, be sure you’are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, them turn the
steering wheel left and right while
you turn the
bey hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it odd break the key OF the
ignition switch.
If none OF this works, then your
vehicle needs service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Move your shift lever to PARK (B) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
a e
Don9$ try t0 shift &O (P) if YOUr CadihC
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key
to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will1 go down as your
engine gets warm.
2. If ,it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts.
Wait about 15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to thc
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.
e 0
Your engine is designed 80 work with the
electronics
in your vehicle. Hf YOU add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If YOU don’t,
your enginme might not perform properly.
the part of this manual that teh how t~ do it
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
IF you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Cadillac dealer in the area where you’ll be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for
that particular area.
The automatic transaxle may have either a shift lever
located on the steering
column or on the console
between
the seats.
There are several different positions for the
shift lever.
P
R
N
Dl
3
2
1
HRN@321
Console Shifter Collnmn Shifter 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
leveI 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.
2-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OVERDRIVE (@): 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 halfivay down.
a 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 happ,ens, 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 (@)
for higher speeds.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving however, it offers more power
and lower fuel
economy than OVERDRIVE (GB).
Here are examples for using THIRD (3) instead of
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
0 When towing a trailer, so there is less shihing
0 When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power. You
can use SECOND (2) on hills. It canhelp control your
speed as you
go down,steep mountain roads, but then
you would
also want to use your brakes off and on.
OVERDRIVE (@):
between gears.
Don’t shift into SECOND (2) unless YOU are going
slower
than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can

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 should either drive to the nearest service
station
or have YOU~: vehicle towed.
and or ann 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.
Driving
with the parking brake 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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine . , .. (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.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position like this:
J
e Pull the lever toward you

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 ydve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly.
You or others cou%d be injured. TQ be sure your
vehicle move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake after
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.
:rat~~~~~j,~.~.~.~~~:..i .I... . , .. :-., 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 BQ
RUN and back to OFF.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine sake System
Your Cadillac’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If
one part isn’t working, the other part can
still
work and stop you. For good braking though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
RUN. If it
doesn’t come on then, have
it
fixed so it will be ready to
warn you if there’s a
problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder
to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It
may take longer to stop. Tf the light is still on, have the
vehicle
towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle’’
in the Index.)
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system
warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light
is still on after you’ve
pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed
for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come
on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing
vehicle speed.
9 Avoiding hard accelerations.
e Avoiding steep uphill grades.
@ If you are 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. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is Qn 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.
You may
be able to correct the emission system
malfunction
by considering the following:
Did you just drive through a deep puddle
of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing
a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure
to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If
so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel” in
the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice
this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear,
misfiring, hesitation on acceleration
or stumbling
on acceleration. (These conditions may go
away once the engine is warmed
up.) This will be
detected
by the system and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use.
It will require at least one
full
tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools
to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine , 1 II
L
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips on driving.
i 4-2
4-3
4-6
4-6
4-10
4- 13
4-13
4- 14
4-
16 I
.
Defensive Driving Drunken Driving
Control
of a Vehicle
Braking
Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss of Control
Driving at Night
,’% ., , ,. ’
4-1 8
4-2 1
4-22
4-23
4-24
4-24
4-26
4-30
4-32
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
City Driving
Freeway Driving
Before Leaving
on a Long Trip
Highway Hypnosis
Hill and Mountain
Roads
Winter Driving
Loading
Your Vehicle
Towing
a Trailer