trailer CADILLAC ELDORADO 1997 10.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight
of the trailer,
the weight
of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
How heavy can a trailer safely
be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (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 Customer Assistance Center
Cadillac Motor Car Division
30009 Van Dyke
P.O. Box 9025
Warren, MI 48090-9025
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
e
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 vehicle’s maximum load capacity.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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. Be sure
your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper
limit 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.
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:
The bumpers on your vehicle are
not intended for
hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them. Wse only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to the
bumper.
Will
you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?
If YSU do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CQ) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index).
Dirt
and water can, too.

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 . -.-
You will find an ENGINE COOLANT HOT-IDLE
ENGINE message or a STOP ENGINE ENGINE
OVERHEATED message on the Driver Information
Center
(IDIC). There is also an engine temperature
warning light andor gage on
the instrument panel.
See “Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light” or
“Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Should a low coolant condition exist and the message
STOP ENGINE ENGINE OVERHEATED is displayed,
an overheat protection mode which alternates firing
groups
of four cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a loss in power and engine
performance.
This operating mode allows your vehicle
to be driven to
a safe place in an emergency; you may
drive up to
50 miles (80 km). 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, change the
oil and reset
the
oil life indicator. See “Engine Oil, When to
Change” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam,
the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a
little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow
a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of stem,
try this for
a minute or so:
I. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Dial temperature control to the highest heat setting
and open the window, as necessary.
otherwise, shift
to the highest gear while
driving
-- OVERDRIVE (@) or THIRD (3).
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about IO minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, YOU can idle the engine
for two
or three minutes while you’re parked, to see if
the warning stops. But then, if you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of the
vehicle until it cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode” listed previously in
this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood
but to get service
help right away.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ic
ange
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level
is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both
the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83
000 km) 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 O C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such
as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Maintenance Schedule booklet. Because this
operation can be
a little difficult, you may
choose
to have this done at your Cadillac dealership
service department.
If’ you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get
a false reading on the dipstick.
ICE:

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid Bevel
if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90" F (32 " C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.
While pulling
a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which
is 180°F to 200" F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F ( 10°C), YSU may
have to drive longer.
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
With the parhng brake applied, place the shift
lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in
PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes. Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow these steps:
1.
2.
The
black transaxle fluid cap is located next to the
radiator hose and
below the air cleaner assembly on
the driver's side of the engine. Remove the air
cleaner assembly
so you can reach the transaxle fluid
cap. The assembly
is attached to the vehicle by
two fasteners. Simply lift up on the air cleaner
assembly to remove it.
Find the transaxle fluid cap
and
turn it counterclockwise to remove. Pull out the
dipstick and wipe it with
a clean rag or paper towel.
Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine attery ...................................... 6-30
Charging System Indicator Light
................. 2-7 1
Jump Starting
................................. 5-4
No Charge Message ........................... 2-85
Replacement, Remote Keyless Entry
.............. 2- 10
Volts High Message ........................... 2-85
Volts
Low Message ........................... 2-85
Battery Guard Storage
........................... 2-48
Battery Saver
.................................. 2-47
Exterior Lighting
............................. 2-47
Inadvertent Power
............................ 2-48
BBB Auto Line
................................ 7- 11
Better Business Bureau Mediation
.................. 7-1 1
Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-29
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-27
Replacing System
Parts ........................ 6-30
System Warning Light ......................... 2-72
Trailer
...................................... 4- 36
Transaxle Shift Interlock
....................... 2-3 1
Vacuum Problem Message ...................... 2-85
Wear
....................................... 6-2 9
Brakes, Anti-Lock ............................... 4-7
Braking ........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
.......................... 4- 10
Break-In, New Vehicle
.......................... 2-19
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-47
BTSI ......................................... 2-31
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-3 1
Warnings ................................ 5-4, 5-6
Fluid ....................................... 6-27
Parking
..................................... 2-26
Peddlravel ................................. 6-29
Capacities and Specifications .................... 6-45
Carbon Monoxide
.................... 2.32.4.29. 4.35
Cassette Tape Player
.................. 3.10.3.13. 3.17
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-26
Cellular Telephone
.............................. 2-58
Center Console Storage Area
...................... 2-56
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-30
Central Door Unlocking System
.................... 2-4
Certitication Label
.............................. 4-31
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-36
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-45
Change Engine
Oil Message ...................... 2-85
Change Trans Fluid Message
...................... 2-85
Changing a Flat Tire ............................. 5-26
Charging System Indicator Light
................... 2-71
Check Brake Fluid Level Message
................. 2-86
Check Coolant Level Message ..................... 2-86
Check Fuel Gage Message
........................ 2-86
Check Oil Level Message ........................ 2-86
Check Washer Fluid Message ..................... 2-86
Checking Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-43
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-52
Child Restraints
................................ 1-33
Securing in
a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-34
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position
.......... 1-36
Securing in
the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-38
Wheretoput
................................ l-33
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp. Bulb Replacement ... 4-35
. TopStrap ................................... 1-34
Chrome Wheels. Cleaning
........................ 6-51
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-57
CHMSL ...................................... 6.35
Circuit Breakers
and Fuses ....................... 6-58
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