CADILLAC FLEETWOOD 1993 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle. This can cause
deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You can’t see it or smell it,
so you
might not know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base
of your vehicle , especially any that is blocking
your exhaust pipe. And check around again from time to time to
be sure snow doesn’t collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side
of the vehicle that’s away
from the wind. This will help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run
the engine, make it go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it
keeps the battery charged. You
will need a well-charged battery to restart
the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later
on with your headlights. Let
the heater run for awhile.
207
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all the way to
preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But
do it as little as possible.
Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so
until help comes.
If You’re Stuck in Deep Snow
You should turn your Traction Control System off if you’re stuck in deep
snow.
This manual explains how
to get the vehicle out of deep snow without
damaging it. See “Rocking Your Vehicle” in the Index.
TOWING A TMLER
A CAUTION:
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive properly, you
can lose control when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not work well
-- or even at
all.
You and your passengers could be seriously injured. Pull a
trailer only if you have followed all the steps in this section.
I
~~ ~ ~~ id
7
\. i
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result
in costly repairs not covered by your warranty.
To pull a trailer -
c*
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the vehicle trailering ;
capacity is for your vehicle, you should read the information in “Weight
of the Trailer” that appears later in this section. But trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in
handling, durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
-
That’s the reason for this section. In it are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your m .> d
c-
.J ~
208

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine *_
safety and that of your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transmission, wheel
assemblies, and tires are forced to work harder against the drag
of the
added weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds
and under greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the trailer
adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements.
All of that means changes in:
0 Handling
0 Durability
Fuel economy
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
0
0
0
0
0
0
There are many different laws having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but also where you’ll be
driving.
A good source for this information can be state or provincial
police.
Consider using a sway control if your trailer will weigh
2,000 pounds
(900 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer
will
weigh more than 2,000 pounds (900 kg).
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(800 km) your new
vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
1,000 miles (1600 km) that you tow a trailer, don’t
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. Avoid continuous operation
in mountainous areas that have
grades greater than
2% and are longer than 5 miles.
Change axle
oil annually or every 6,000 miles (9654 km) of trailer towing,
whichever comes first.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
1. Weight of the nailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than
2,000 pounds (907 kg). But, if you have the optional Trailer Towing

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
Package you can increase your vehicle’s trailer towing capability to
7,000 pounds (3175 kg). 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.
In Canada, write to General Motors
of Canada Limited, Customer
Assistance Center,
1908 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa, Ontario L1H
8P7.
2. Weight of the nailer Tongue
I
-1
P
‘Li I
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
3
load from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your vehicle will be I
carrying that weight, too. See “Loading Your Vehicle’’ in the Index
for more information about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
210
T

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine r
r
c-
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should
weigh
10% 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).
If your vehicle
is equipped to tow up to 7,000 pounds (3178 kg), and
you should use a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should
weigh
10% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). Or, 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.
3. Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the limit for cold tires.
You’ll find these numbers on the Certification label at the rear edge
of the driver’s door (or see “Tire Loading” in the Index). Then be
sure you don’t go over the
GVW limit for your vehicle.
- 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
r
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will weigh more than
2,000 pounds (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
Index under “Carbon Monoxide”). Dirt and water can, too.
Don’t let the steel in a hitch contact the aluminum on your bumper. If
you do, the
two will corrode. You can use something like paint or
plastic tape to separate the steel and aluminum. The same steel to
aluminum problem can happen with fasteners,
too.
21 1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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. Always leave just enough
slack
so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag
on the ground.
-
,-
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) loaded, then it
needs its
own brakes -- and they must be adequate. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions for the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install,
adjust and maintain them properly.
Because
you have anti-lock brakes, don’t try to tap into your vehicle’s
brake system. If you do, both brake systems won’t work well, or at all.
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
so responsive as your vehicle is by
itself.
-
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety chains, ..
electrical connector, lights, 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.
212

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine - 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
I_
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.
Making Turns
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.
1urn 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 lights will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn, -
- change lanes or stop.
213
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 check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working. p__-_.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your speed to around 45
mph (70 kmih) to reduce the possibility of engine and transmission
overheating.
19 1
d l
n 1, ia
and you have an automatic transmission with Overdrive, you may prefer
to drive in
“D” instead of Overdrive
Parking on Hills
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 don’t shift into “P” (Park) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into “P” (Park) firmly and
apply your parking brake.
5. Release the regular brakes.
the
chocks absorb the load.
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 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.
r .t
-1
L
e_i
u
,. .
214

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine - 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
(don’t overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, 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.
rc-.- especially important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid
215

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3
PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD n
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the
road.
-
216