trailer CADILLAC SEVILLE 1994 4.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, or if it seems not
to shift gears
as you go faster, something may be wrong with a
transaxle system sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged.
So, if this happens, have your vehicle
serviced right
away. Until then, you can use “2” (Second Gear)
when you
are driving less than 35 mph (56 km/h) and @
(Overdrive) for higher speeds.
3 (Third Gear)
This is like
@, but you never go into Overdrive.
Here are some times
you might choose “3” instead of 0:
- When driving on hilly, winding roads
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears
- When going down a steep hill
2 (Second Gear)
This position gives
you more power but lower fuel economy. You can
use
“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.
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in “2” (Second Gear) for more than 5 miles (8 km),
or at speeds over 55 mph (88 km/h), or you can damage your
transaxle. Use
“@” or “3” as much as possible.
Don’t shift into
“2” unless you are going slower than 65 mph
(105 km/h), or you can damage your engine.
I
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you move out
of “P” (Park) or
“N”
(Neutral), if your
engine is running,
your parking brake
should go
off. If it
doesn’t, you have a
parking brake
problem and should
have it fixed.
In the
meantime, you can
still release your
parking brake. Just pull on the manual
release lever, as
shown.
I NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause your rear brakes to
overheat. You may have
to replace them, and you could also
damage other parts
of your vehicle.
If you are on a hill: See “Parking on Hills” in the Index. That section
shows how to
turn your front wheels.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill: See “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index. That section shows what to
do first to keep the
trailer from moving.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine RUNNING YOUR ENGINE WHILE YOU’RE
PARKED
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to,
here are some things
to know.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting
Into
‘P’ (Park)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a trailer, also see “Towing
a Trailer’’ in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TOWNG A TMLER
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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 section.
Your Cadillac is a passenger vehicle. It was not designed for many of the
demands that trailer towing can add. Trailer towing can change the way
your vehicle performs on the road. It brings new forces into play and can
add plenty
of strain and stress to your vehicle.
Load pulling components such as the engine, transaxle, 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. Trailer towing adds considerably to
wind resistance increasing the pulling requirements.
All of that means changes in:
Handling
Durability
Fuel Economy
You may decide not to pull a trailer but meet your load carrying needs in
some other way.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ifyou Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
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a
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a
a
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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.
You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls.
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
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.
When towing a trailer, close all windows and set the Electronic
Climate Control System to “ECON”,
“AUTO”, “DEFOG” or
Defroster to assure that the fan is running.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
1. Weight of the Fully Loaded nailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
1,000 pounds (450 kg) total,
including the load.
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 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.
--
L -e
c-
-4
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Weight of the mailer Tongue
When a trailer is connected to your vehicle, the trailer tongue adds
to the weight your vehicle is carrying.
So, remember to subtract the
weight of the trailer tongue from your vehicle’s capacity weight.
A B
The trailer tongue (A) should weigh 7-10% 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 Index under “Tire Loading”). 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:
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
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
NOTICE:
-
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other bumper-type hitches to them. I-
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. 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
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so you’ll
be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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.
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 lights 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 check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
207

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 km/h) or less to reduce the possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 Kg) and you have an
automatic transaxle with Overdrive, you may want to drive in
66 3 ¶? 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:
Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into “P” (Park).
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until
0 Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into “P” (Park) firmly and
the
chocks absorb the load.
apply your parking brakes.
Release the regular brakes.
when You Are Ready to Leave A@er 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.
208

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 grades steeper than 4% at ambient temperatures above
90 Fahrenheit (32O Celsius) with a loaded vehicle and trailer.
I_ Stopping after high-speed driving.
0 Idling for long periods in stop and go traffic.
If “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 “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
the engine or increase engine speed above a normal idle. Within
two or
three minutes the system should cool sufficiently to allow A/C operation
normal driving after
10 minutes if the “ENGINE COOLANT HOT
IDLE ENGINE” message is not displayed.
-
-
transaxle selector to P (Park) and allow the engine to idle. Do not turn off
__ to resume. At that time resume driving at a reduced speed. Return to
__
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer.
especially important
in trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid
(don’t overfill), engine oil, belts, cooling system, and brake wear 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.
~ See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that are
- Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
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