trailer CADILLAC FLEETWOOD 1996 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ignition Key Positions
NOTICE:
Your modern Cadillac doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first
500 miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
* Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index for more
information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
C
A E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five different positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things
like the radio and the windshield wipers when the
engine is off.
To use the ACCESSORY position, push in
the key and turn it toward you. Your steering wheel will
remain locked, just
as it was before you inserted the key.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (@): This position
is for normal driving.
If you need more power for
passing, and you’re:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
The transmission will shift down to the next gear.
accelerator pedal
about halfway down.
accelerator all the way down.
THIRD (D or 3) : This position is also used for normal
driving, however it offers more power and lower fuel
economy that AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(@).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (D or 3)
instead of OVERDRIVE (@):
When driving on hilly, winding roads
When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
When going down a steep hill
between gears
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND
(2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you
go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would
also want to use
your brakes
off and on.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power (but
lower fuel economy)
than SECOND (2). You can use it on
very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever
is put in
FIRST (l), the transmission won’t shift into first
gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen
if you were stuck in
very deep sand
or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.
Also,
if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine lhrr Signal and Lane Change Indicator
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the
instrument panel
will flash in the
direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it. As you
signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash
faster than normal, a signal bulb may be burned out and
other drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is
burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident. If the
arrows don’t go on at all when you signal a turn, check
the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index)
and for burned-out bulbs.
If for some reason, your turn signal
is left on, a chime
will sound (after having driven about
a half of a mile) to
remind you to turn if off.
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for
the trailer lamps, a different turn signal flasher
is used.
With this flasher installed, the signal indicator will flash
even if a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front
and rear turn signal lamps regularly to make sure they
are working.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicre with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and service is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may
be required. The following
may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
0 Reduce vehicle speed.
0 Avoid hard accelerations.
0 Avoid steep uphill grades.
0 If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). Turn the
key
off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the engine.
If the light remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On
Steady” following.
If the light is still flashing follow the
previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your dealer or
qualified service center for service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
Towing a Trailer
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. Ask your Cadillac dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
1 NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
proper towing equipment. 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 part. In it
are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Your Cadillac is a passenger vehicle. Trailer towing can
change the way your vehicle performs on the road. The
loads and forces created when trailering subject the
vehicle to significant levels of stress.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transmission, rear axle, 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.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
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There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, 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.
You should always use a weight distributing
(equalizing) hitch if your trailer will weigh more
than 3,000 lbs. (1 362 kg). Consider using sway
control if your loaded trailer will weigh 3,000 lbs.
(1 362 kg) or more. You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Consider using a sway control if your trailer will
weigh 2,000 lbs.
(900 kg) or less. You should always
use a sway control if your trailer will weigh more
than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Trailers that weigh more than
1,000 lbs. (454 kg)
should be equipped with trailer brakes.
Surge brakes may be used on some trailers (e.g., boat
trailers). However, surge brakes do not work well with most sway control devices.
Do not use sway
control devices on trailers equipped with surge brakes.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0
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Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles
(1
600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800 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.
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. Avoid
continuous operation in mountainous areas that
have grades greater than two percent for longer than
5 miles (8 km).
Change axle lubricant annually or every 7,500 miles
(12
500 km) of trailer towing, whichever occurs first.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
0 the weight of the trailer,
0 the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 2,000 lbs.
(900 kg)
including the load or 7,000 lbs. (3 180 kg) if you have
the optional trailer towing package. But even that can be
too heavy.
It also 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:
Consumer Relations 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 Assistance Center 1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1
H 8P7
4-33

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 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.
B A
If you’re using a weight-carrying 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).
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
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.
The Gross Combined Vehicle Weight (GCVW)
= curb
weight
+ passengers’ weight + cargo + trailer weight.
It should never exceed 7,450 lbs.
(3 1 SO kg) for the
standard vehicle
or 12,100 lbs. (5 490 kg) for the
7,000 lb. towing package.
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:
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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 dnving.
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.
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.
Using A Weight-Carrying Trailer Hitch
(Recommended for loaded trailers weighing less than
3,000 lbs. or
1 362 kg.)
The trailer tongue should weigh 10 percent of the
total trailer load (maximum 300 lbs. or 136 kg) or as
specified by the trailer manufacturer to minimize
sway.
Trailers that weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (454 kg)
should be equipped with trailer brakes.
Consider using sway control if your loaded trailer
will weigh 3,000 lbs.
(1 362 kg) or more.
Trailer Hitching Procedure Using A Weight
Distributing (Equalizing) Hitch
(Recommended for loaded trailers weighing 3,000 lbs.
to
7,000 lbs. or 1 362 kg to 3 178 kg.)
Using a weight distributing hitch without disabling the
Electronic Level Control (ELC) system may defeat the
purpose
of the weight distributing hitch. Also, your rear
tires may become overloaded. A weight distributing
hitch should spread the load to all axles. If you use a
weight distributing hitch, always disable the ELC by
following the proper steps.
4-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic Level
Control (ELC) feature. When hooking up a trailer
using a weight distributing hitch, always use the
following procedure:
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Place the vehicle on a level surface without the
trailer hitched. With the ignition off, and all doors
closed, allow the vehicle to level automatically.
Disable the Electronic Level Control (ELC) by
pulling the LEVEL CTRL fuse from the underhood
electrical center located on the passenger-side wheel
housing in the engine compartment. Remove the
cover to gain access.
Attach the trailer to the vehicle. The trailer tongue
should weigh
12 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight.
Level the vehicle with the load-leveling spring
bars (equalizers).
Leave the fuse out while towing your trailer.
Once you have completed towing your trailer, be sure
to
reinstall the Electronic Level Control (ELC) fuse.
In Addlon
a
a
a
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Use two friction sway controls if your trailer is over
5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg) loaded weight, and/or is over
24 feet (7.3 m) long.
Use at least one friction sway control if your
trailer is over
2,000 lbs. (900 kg) loaded weight,
and consider using one for trailers under
2,000 lbs.
(900 kg).
Trailers that weigh more than
1,000 lbs. (454 kg)
should be equipped with trailer brakes.
Surge brakes work with most weight-distributing
hitches as long as all the equipment is properly
installed. Check with the hitch manufacturer for
advice and installation instructions.
If a trailer is over 5,000 lbs. (2 270 kg), adjust
the vehicle's rear tire pressures to
35 psi (240 Pa)
(cold tire pressure).
4-36