towing CADILLAC CTS V 2007 1.G User Guide

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
You should turn the traction control system
off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) (CTS) on
page 293orTraction Control System (TCS)
(CTS-V) on page 295. Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
or with a manual transmission, between FIRST (1)
or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R), spinning
the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator pedal when the transmission
is in gear. By slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions, you will cause
a rocking motion that may free your vehicle.
If that does not get your vehicle out after a few
tries, it may need to be towed out. If your vehicle
does need to be towed out, seeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 326.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label, and the Certication
label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
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4. The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed nor intended to
tow any trailer.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant and
Cargo Weight =700 lbs (317 kg) Example 1
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If you put things inside your vehicle, like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else, they will go as
fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION:
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. Try 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.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Service on page 488.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind
a motorhome), see Recreational Vehicle Towing
following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as “dinghy
towing” (towing your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground) and “dolly towing” (towing your
vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
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With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
Here are some important things to consider before
you do recreational vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
you would prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on
a Long Trip on page 312.
Dinghy Towing
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, the drivetrain
components could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground.
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with
all four wheels on the ground. If your vehicle
must be towed, you should use a dolly.
See “Dolly Towing” following for more information.
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Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow
your vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the rear wheels on the dolly.
2. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow vehicle.3. Put the vehicle in PARK (P) for an automatic
transmission or in NEUTRAL for a manual
transmission.
4. Set the parking brake and then remove
the key.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for
towing.
6. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is neither designed nor intended to
tow any trailer.
328

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To
help keep the engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, GM recommends the use
of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN) shows the code letter or number that
identies your vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the
top left of the instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identication Number (VIN) on page 445.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 2.8L V6 engine (VIN
Code T), use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane
rating is less than 87, you may notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service.
If your vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine (VIN
Code 7), use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 87 or higher. For best
performance or trailer towing, you may choose to
use middle grade 89 octane unleaded gasoline.
If the octane rating is less than 87, you may notice
an audible knocking noise when you drive,
commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon
as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking,
your engine needs service.
334

If you get the Engine Coolant Hot - Idle Engine
warning with no sign of steam, try this for a minute
or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is safe to do
so, pull off the road, shift to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle.
2. Set the climate controls to the highest heat
setting and fan speed and open the windows,
as necessary.
If you no longer have the Engine Coolant
Hot - Idle Engine warning, you can drive. Just to
be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes. If
the warning does not come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues and you have not
stopped, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the
engine for three minutes while you are parked.
If you still have the warning,turn off the engine
and get everyone out of the vehicleuntil it
cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be
driven to a safe place in an emergency. Should an
hot engine condition exist, an overheat protection
mode which alternates ring groups of cylinders
helps prevent engine damage. In this mode, there
is a loss in power and engine performance.
Driving extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer
in the overheat protection mode should be
avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss and change the oil. SeeEngine Oil on
page 346.
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(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as high performance operation.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require
changing.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system.
This service can be complex; you should have
your dealer perform this service. See Engine
Coolant on page 356 for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
(j)If using DOT-4 brake uid only: Drain, ush,
and rell brake hydraulic system at a regular
maintenance service (IorII) every two years.
This service can be complex; you should have
your dealer perform this service. See Brakes
on page 371.(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could
indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired and the uid level checked. Add uid
if needed.
(l)Change uid if the vehicle is used for high
performance operation.
(m)Change uid whenever the vehicle has been
driven for 3,000 miles (5 000 km) with the
transmission temperature at 290°F (143°C) or
higher without using an auxiliary uid cooler.
See Message Center (CTS-V) on page 215 and
Transmission Fluid Hot Message on page 219.
(n)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
(p)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
468

Cadillac Owner Privileges™
Roadside Service provides several Cadillac Owner
Privileges™ at “no charge,” throughout your
Cadillac Warranty Period — 48 months/
50,000 miles (80 000 km).
Emergency Road Service is performed on site for
the following situations:
Towing Service:Emergency towing from a
public roadway or highway to the nearest
dealership/retailer for warranty service or
in the event of a vehicle-disabling accident.
Winch-out assistance when the vehicle
is mired in sand, mud, or snow.
Battery Jump Starting:No-start occurrences
which require a battery jump start will be
covered at no charge.
Lock Out Assistance:To ensure security,
the driver must present the vehicle registration
and personal ID before lock-out service is
provided. Lock-out service will be covered at
no charge if you are unable to gain entryinto your vehicle. If your vehicle will not start,
Roadside Service will arrange to have
your vehicle towed to the nearest authorized
dealership/retailer. In the United States,
replacement keys made at the customer’s
expense will be delivered within 10 miles.
Fuel Delivery:Delivery of enough fuel for the
customer to get to the nearest service station
(approximately $5 in the United States and
10 litres in Canada).
Flat Tire Change (Covers change only):
Installation of your spare tire, in good
condition, will be covered at no charge.
The customer is responsible for the repair or
replacement of the tire if not covered by a
warrantable failure.
Trip Interruption:If your trip is interrupted
due to a warranty failure, incidental expenses
may be reimbursed during the 48 months/
50,000 miles (80 000 km) warranty period.
Items covered are hotel, meals, and rental car.
489

Additional Services for Canadian
Customers
Trip Routing Service:Upon request, Cadillac
Roadside Service will send you detailed,
computer-personalized maps, highlighting your
choice of either the most direct route or the
most scenic route to your destination,
anywhere in North America, along with any
helpful travel information we may have
pertaining to your trip. To request this service,
please call us toll-free at 1-800-268-6800.
We will make every attempt to send your
personalized trip routing as quickly as
possible, but it is best to allow three weeks
before your planned departure date.
Trip routing requests will be limited to
six per calendar year.
Alternative Service:There may be times
when Roadside Service cannot provide
timely assistance. Your advisor may authorize
you to secure local emergency road service,
and you will be reimbursed up to $100 upon
submission of the original receipt to Cadillac
Roadside Service
®.
Cadillac Technician Roadside Service
(U.S. only)
Cadillac’s exceptional Roadside Service is more
than an auto club or towing service. It provides
every Cadillac owner in the United States with the
advantage of contacting a Cadillac advisor and,
where available, a Cadillac trained dealer/retailer
technician who can provide on-site service.
A dealer/retailer technician will travel to your
location within a 30 mile (50 km) radius of
a participating Cadillac dealership/retailer.
If beyond this radius, we will arrange to have
your car towed to the nearest Cadillac
dealership/retailer. Each technician travels with a
specially equipped service vehicle complete
with the necessary Cadillac parts and tools
required to handle most roadside repairs.
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