weight CADILLAC DEVILLE 1998 7.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total
or gross
weight of your vehicle. The
Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) 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 tow a trailer, you must
add the tongue load to the
GVW 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
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you have a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
12 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper.
If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper limi\
t
for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Tire-Loading Information label at the rear edge
of the
driver’s door or
see “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Then be sure
you don’t go over the GVW limit for your
vehicle, including the weight
of the trailer tongue.
4-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
0
0
0
The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for
hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a frame-mounted
hitch that does not attach to the bumper.
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg), be sure to use a
properly mounted, weight-distributing hitch and
sway control of the proper size. This equipment is
very important for proper vehicle loading and good
handling when you’re driving.
Will you have to make any holes in the body
of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index). Dirt
and water can, too.
Safety Chains
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.
Trailer Brakes
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. If you tow
more than
1000 lbs. (450 kg), use trailer brakes. Be sure
to follow the instructions that come with the trailer or
from brake manufacturer.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes
so you’ll be able to maintain them properly.
4-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Trailer Wiring Harness
If your vehicle is equipped with the 3,000-lb. (1 360 kg)
trailer towing package option, you will have
a wiring
harness located under the
trunk trim. The harness is a
five-wire harness, with connector.
These trailer-wiring harness color codes should be
followed when connecting it
to your trailer:
WHITE: Direct trailer ground for trailer lamps.
BROWN: Parking lamps.
0 YELLOW Left turn and stoplamps.
GREEN: Right turn and stoplamps.
0 BLUE: Auxiliary circuit.
Driving with a Trailer
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.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a tr$ler. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
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.
4-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tires (Continued) Loading
.................................... 4-29
Pressure
.................................... 6-4 1
Temperature ................................. 6-46
Traction
.................................... 6-46
Treadwe
ar ................................... 6-46
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-45
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-44
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-47
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-44
Top Speed Fuel Off Message
...................... 2-88
Top Strap
..................................... 1-42
Torque Lock
................................... 2-30
Torque, Wheel Nut
......................... 5 -3 1, 6-66
Towing a Trailer
.................................. 4-3 1
Towing Your Vehicle ............................. 5-8
Traction Control System
................................ 4-9
Control System Warning Light
.............. 2-72, 4-9
EngagedMessage
............................. 2-89
OffMessage
................................. 2-89
ReadyMessage
.............................. 2-89
SuspendedMessage
........................... 2-89
Brakes
..................................... 4-35
DrivingonGrades
............................ 4-37
Hitches
...................................... 4-35
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-38
ParkingonHills
.............................. 4-38
Trailer
Drivingwith
................................. 4-36 Safety Chains
................................ 4-35
Tongue Weight
............................... 4-34
Total Weight on Tires .......................... 4-34
Towing
..................................... 4-31
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
Weight
..................................... 4-33
Wiring Harness
............................... 4-36
Trans Fluid Reset Message
....................... 2-89
Transaxle Fluid Automatic
................................... 6-18
Transmission Hot Message
....................... 2-89
Transmitter. Universal
........................... 2-59
Transmitters. Remote Keyless Entry
................. 2-7
Transportation. Gold Key Courtesy
.................. 7-8
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-66
TrUnk Automatic Pull-Down Feature
................... 2-13
Lock Release
................................ 2-11
OpenMessage
............................... 2-89
Storage System
............................... 2-11
Trunk Mounted CD Changer ...................... 3-32
TTYUsers
..................................... 7-4
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.................... 2-35
Turn Signal On Chime ...................... 2-35. 2-89
Turn Signal On Message ......................... 2-89
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
................... 2-35
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-37
Twilight Sentinel
............................... 2-44
8-12