trailer CADILLAC SEVILLE 1997 4.G User Guide

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A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(Bj. 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. Use 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 you do,
then be sure
to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch.
If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide
(COj 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 IOU 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.
3-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine L
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.
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or 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
instrulnent panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned
out. Thus, you may think drivers NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with t,he
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
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.
making very sharp turns while trailering.
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 weil
in advance. 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.

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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK
(P).
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into
PARK (P) firmly and apply your parking brake.
Release the regular brakes. 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.
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
(DIC). There is also an engine temperature
warning light and/or gage on the instrument panel.
See “Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light”
or “Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” in the Index
Should a low coolant condition exist and the message
STOP ENGINE ENGINE OVERI-IEATED 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. Kcpair
the cause
of coolant loss, change the oil and reset
the
oil life indicator. See “Engine Oil, lli’hcn 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:
0 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 steam,
try
this for a minute or so:
1.. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Dial temperature control to the highest heat setting
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
and open the window, as necessary.
otherwise, shift
to the highest gear while
driving
-- OVERDRIVE (@) or THIRD (3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 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
€or
two or three minutes while you’re parked, to see if
the warning stops. But then,
if you still have the
warning.
tcrm off the engine urzd get evenorze ow of the
vehide 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.

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P
A CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flames
if the
engine backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned.
Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the
air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
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
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. regularly reaches
90°F (~32°C) or higher.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting
a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading
if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:
0 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 not-mal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200'F
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10OC). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may have
to drive longer.
(820~ to 93"~).
$:iiaeckirrg &he Fluid LJ4397CI
0
0
0
0
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the
shift lever
in PARK (PI.
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.
--
-4
.1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving City
........................................ 4-21
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4- 3
Freeway .................................... 4-22
In
a Blizzard ................................. 4-28
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
IntheRain
.................................. 4-18
Night
...................................... 4-1 6
On
Curves .................................. 4- 1 1
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-37
On
Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-24
On Snow and Ice ............................. 4-27
Throughwater
............................... 4-20
WetRoads
.................................. 4-18
Winter
...................................... 4-26
With s1 Trailer ................................ 4-36
DRL ......................................... 2-46
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-3
Ecc ......................................... 3-2
Electrical Equipment . Adding ........... 2-22 . 3-26, 6-55
Electrochromic Dayh'ight Rearview Minor
..... 2-52, 2-53
Electronic Climate Control
........................ 3-2
Electronic Level Control ......................... 4-32
Electronic Solar Sensor
........................... 3-6
Engine
........................................ 6-9
Coolant
..................................... 6-21
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-23
Coolant Hot-Idle Engille Message ................ 2-51
Coolant Temperature Gage ..................... 2-80
Coolant Temperature Warning Light .............. 2-79
Electrical System ............................... 6-55
Compartment Fuse Block
....................... 6-58 Exhaust
..................................... 2-33
Identification
................................ 6-54
Misfire
.. Ease Off Gas Pedal Message ........... 2-92
Overheating ................................. 5-16
Running While Parked ......................... 2-34
Specifications
................................ 6-64
StartingYour
................................ 2-21
Engineoil .................................... 6-10
Adding
..................................... 6-11
Additives
................................... 6-13
Checking ................................... 6-11
Used
....................................... 6-14
What Kind
of Oil to Use ....................... 6-12
Whentochange .............................. 6-13
Engine Speed Limiter ............................ 2-74
English/Metric Display
.......................... 2-73
Ethanol
........................................ 6-4
Exhaust.Engine
................................ 2-33
Express-Down Window
........................... 2-35
Exterior Lighting
............................... - 7-10
E.xterior Lighting Battery Saver
.................... 2-49
Fabric Cleaning
.......................... 6-46.6-47
Fan Button
..................................... 3-2
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-5
Filter.Air
..................................... 6-14
Finish Care
.................................... 6-51
Finish Damage
................................. 6-52
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-27
Flash-To-Pass Feature
........................... 2-38
Flashers, Hazard Warning ......................... 5-2
Flat Tire, Changing ............................. 5-26
FloorMats .................................... 2-62
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-63

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FogLamps .................................... 2-47
Foreign Countries . Fuel ........................... 6-4
French Language Manual
11
FrontTowing ............................. 5-10. 512
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
DataPanel .................................. 2-84
Door Lock Release
............................. 6-5
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-83
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Level
Low Message ........................... 2-92
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-58
.. ...........................
Front Turn Signal Lamps . Bulb Replacement ......... 6-33
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature .................... 2-80
Tachometer
.................................. 2-73
GarmentHooks
................................ 2-62
Gear Positions
. Automatic Transaxle ................ 2-24
GloveBox
.................................... 2-57
Gold Key Courtesy Transportation .................. 7-8
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-31
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-31
Guide en FranGais 11
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-31
Handles, Assist ................................. 3-62
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints ................................. 1-6
Headlamps
.................................... 2-45
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-3 1
HigNLow Beam Changer ...................... 2-37
Fuel ....................................... 2-83
CAWR ....................................... 4-31
.. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-31
On Reminder ................................ 2-45
Suggested Message ...................... 2-46.3-;+ <- :
Wiper Activated ................................ 7-4<
Wiring 6-33
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 7-4
Heatedseats .................................... 1-4
Heating ........................................ J-/ 9-
High-Beam Headlamps .......................... 2-37
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-34
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-24
Hitches . Trailer ................................. 4-35
Hood
Checking Things Under ......................... 6-7
Release ...................................... 6-8
Hooks, Garment
................................ 2-62
Horn ......................................... 2-36
How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator ................. 6-14
HVAC Steering Wheel Controls
.................... 3-9
Hydraulic Brake Warning Lights ................... 2-76
.. .....................................
Hydroplaning .................................. 4-20
Ice Possible Message
........................... 2-92
Ignition Positions ............................... 2-20
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-50
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirror
.................... 2-61
Inflation
. Tire .................................. 6-38
Instrument Panel ............................... 2-68
Brightness Control ............................ 1 3-45
Cleaning the Top ............................. 6-48
Clusters
............................... 2-70.2-71,
Interior
Lamps ................................. 2-49
Jack . Tire .................................... 5-29
Jump Starting ................................... 5-4