CADILLAC ELDORADO 1995 10.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls.
0 Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1000 miles (1 600 km) your
new vehicle
is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
drive over
50 mph (80 km/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.
Then, during the first SO0 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, don’t
0 Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer. Don’t drive faster
than the maximum posted speed for trailers (or no more
than 55 mph
(90 km/h)) to save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have to
do with weight:
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 pounds
(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 Consumer Relations Center, Cadillac Motor Car
Division, 30009 Van Dyke,
PO. Box 9025, Warren, MI 48090-9025.
In Canada, write
to: General Motors of Canada Limited. Customer
Assistance Center,
1908 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa, Ontario LlH 8P7.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine n
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
A
vehicle’smaximum load capacity.
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
:LO% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you have a
“weight-distributing” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
12% 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Total Weight on Your khicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the recommended pressure for
cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the Certification 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.
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 Will you have to makc 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
whcn
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 thc 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 manufacturcr’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.
Be sure to read and follow thc instructions for the trailer brakes so you’ll
be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving with a Trailer
n 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 lights 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 trailer. 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.
Backing Up
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.
To move the trailer to
the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and,
if
possible, have someone guide you.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer
to come in contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. DO this
so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other
objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have a different turn signal
flasher and extra wiring. 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 behind you are seeing your
signal when they are not. It’s
important to
che.ck occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down a long or
steep downgrade.
If you don’t shift down, you might have to use your
brakes
so much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
c
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.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into PARK (P) firmly and apply
5. Release the regular brakes.
your parking
brake.
When You Are Ready to Leave Afier Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
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.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Cooling When Trailering
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during severe operating
conditions such as:
Climbing gradcs steeper than 4% at ambient temperatures above
90" F (32" C) with a loaded vehicle and trailer.
0 Stopping after high-speed driving.
Idling for long periods in stop and go traffic.
If the
ENGINE HOT-A/C COMPRESSOR OFF message appears on the
Driver Information Center,
do not be alarmed. This is a normal function
designed to reduce the load
on the engine and cooling system. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If the ENGINE COOLANT HOT-IDLE ENGINE message appears on
the Driver Information Center, pull off to the side of the road as soon as
it
is safe to do so. When the vehicle is at a complete stop, shift the
transaxle selector
to PARK (P) and allow the engine to idle. Do not turn
off the engine
or increase engine speed above a normal idle. After several
minutes, resume driving at
a reduced speed. Return to normal driving
after
1.0 minutes if the ENGINE COOLANT HOT-IDLE ENGINE
message is not displayed.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the
road.
HAZARD WMING FLASHERS
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.
5- 1.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Press the button in to
make your front and rear turn signal lamps
flash
on and off.
A
HAZARD
The light on your
instrument panel will
flash indicating
that
the hazard warning
flashers are
on.
HAZARD A
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Your hazard warning flashers will work once the button is pressed in
regardless
of the key position.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OTHER WMING DEUCES
To turn off the flashers,
pull
out on the collar.
When
the hazard
warning flashers are on, your turn signals
won't work since
they
are already flashing.
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at the side of the road
about
300 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle.
JUMP STARTING
If your battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and
some jumper cables to start your Cadillac. Please follow
the steps below
to
do it safely.
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