engine CADILLAC SEVILLE 2000 5.G Repair Manual

4-32
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you should
read the information in ªWeight of the Trailerº 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.
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. 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:

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.

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.

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.

4-37 Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a different
turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check with your
dealer. The 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 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.
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 long uphill grades, reduce speed to 45 to 50 mph
(70 to 90 km/h) and avoid prolonged use of SECOND (2)
gear and engine speeds above 3800 rpm.
Climbing grades steeper than four percent at temperatures
above 90
F (32
C) with a loaded vehicle and trailer is
not recommended. The cooling system may temporarily
overheat. See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Parking on Hills
CAUTION:
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.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into
PARK (P) firmly and apply your parking brake.
5. Release the regular brakes.

4-38 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

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.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule booklet
for more on this. Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don't
overfill), engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and brake
system. If you're trailering, it's a good idea to review
this information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

5-
5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-3 Other Warning Devices
5
-3 Jump Starting
5
-8 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-9 Engine Overheating5
-12 Cooling System
5
-17 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-18 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-27 Compact Spare Tire
5
-28 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

5-4
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn't a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren't touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don't want. You wouldn't be able
to start your vehicle and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
3. To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump starting procedure. Put the transaxle
in PARK (P).4. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn off all lamps that aren't needed as well
as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. In addition, it could save your radio!
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
5. Open the hoods and locate the battery on the
other vehicle and the remote positive (+) terminal,
located on the passenger's side of the engine, on
your vehicle. (You will not see the battery under
the hood of your vehicle, since it is located under
the rear seat on the passenger's side.) Find the
positive (+) and negative (
-) terminals on the
battery in the other vehicle.

5-5
CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
6. Start by lifting and
moving the red
positive (+)
remote terminal
cover away from
the relay center.
CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You
don't need to add water to the ACDelco

battery installed in every new GM vehicle.
But if a battery has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to
take care of that first. If you don't, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don't get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.

5-6
7. Check that the jumper cables don't have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could also be damaged.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) and negative (
-) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part. Don't connect
positive (+) to negative (
-) or you will get a short
that would damage the battery and maybe other
parts, too. Also, don't connect the negative (
-) cable
to the negative (
-) terminal on the dead battery.
CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
8. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the remote
positive (+) terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery.

5-7
9. Don't let the other end
of the positive (+) cable
touch metal. Connect it
to the positive (+)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
10. Now connect the black
negative (
-) cable to
the good battery's
negative (
-) terminal.Don't let the other end of the negative (
-) cable
touch anything until the next step. The other end of
the negative (
-) cable doesn't go to the dead battery.
It goes to a heavy, unpainted metal engine part
(on your vehicle, you may use the windshield washer
bottle stud as shown). Don't allow the red and black
handles on the jumper cable to touch each other.
11. Attach the cable at least
18 inches (46 cm) away
from the dead battery,
but not near engine
parts that move.
The electrical connection
is just as good there,
but the chance of sparks
getting back to the battery
is much less.
If the SECURITY light flashes, wait until the light
stops flashing before starting the engine.
12. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for awhile.

5-8
13. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it
won't start after a few tries, it probably needs service.
14. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent electrical
shorting. Take care that they don't touch each other
or any other metal. Replace the red positive (+) remote
terminal cover to its original position.
A. Remote Positive (+) Terminal
B. Good Battery
C. Windshield Washer Bottle Stud
(not shown in picture
--located on the passenger's
side corner of the engine compartment)
Towing Your Vehicle
CAUTION:
To help avoid serious personal injury to you
or others:

Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.

Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.

Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.

Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.

Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.

Use only the correct hooks.
NOTICE:
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid
damage to the bumper, fascia or fog lamp areas
of the vehicle.

5-9
With current trends in automotive styles and design, it
is essential that the correct towing equipment is used to
tow a vehicle. Your vehicle can be towed with wheel
-lift
or car
-carrier equipment.
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find an ENGINE COOLANT HOT, IDLE
ENGINE message or an ENGINE OVERHEATED,
STOP ENGINE message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). There is also an engine temperature
warning light and/or gage on the instrument panel.
See ªEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Lightº or
ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
Should an overheated engine condition exist and the
message ENGINE OVERHEATED, STOP ENGINE is
displayed, an overheat protection mode which alternates
firing groups of 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 ªEngine Oilº in the Index.