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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
I
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.
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
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so
until help comes.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine e 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.
e 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.
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
Does your trailer have its own 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. Because you have anti-lock brakes, do not 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
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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;
0 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.
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
especially important in trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid
(don’t overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I 8. Then replace the
pressure cap. Be sure the arrows on
the pressure cap
line up like this.
IF A TIRE GOES FLAT
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly. If air goes out
of a tire, it’s much more likely
to leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake
to a stop well out
of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout,
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under
control by steering the way you want the vehicle to go.
It may be very
bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off
the road if possible.
If your tire goes flat, the next section shows how to use your jacking
equipment to change a flat tire safely.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What about gasoline with blending materials that contain oxygen, such as
MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.” Fuel that is
no more than 15%
MTBE is fine for your car.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel that is no more
than
10% ethanol is fine for your car.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
Gasolines for Cleaner
Air
Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help prevent deposits
from forming in your engine and fuel system. That helps keep
your
engine in tune and your emission control system working properly. It’s
good for your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are
now blended with materials called oxygenates.
General Motors recommends that you use gasolines with these blending
materials, such as
MTBE and ethanol. By doing so, you can help clean
the air, especially in those parts of the country that have high carbon
monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated
gasolines. These gasolines are specially designed to reduce vehicle
emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated
gasoline.
By doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in those parts
of the country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators if their gasolines contain
detergents and oxygenates, and if they have been reformulated to reduce
vehicle emissions.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine AUTOMATIC TRAS.E FLUID
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to change your fluid. See "Scheduled Maintenance Services"
in the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have
this done
at a 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.
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).
0 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 normal operating
temperature, which is
180°F to 200" F (82 " C to 93 " C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles (24 km) when
outside temperatures are above
50°F (10°C). If it's colder than 50°F
(10" C), you may have to drive longer.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level. The fluid
level must be in the cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is where it should be, push the dipstick back in all the
How to Add Fluid:
way.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind
of transaxle
fluid to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the
level into the cross-hatched area on the dipstick. It doesn’t take much
fluid, generally less than a pint. Don’t overfill. We recommend you use
only fluid labeled
DEXRONWIE, because fluids with that label are
made especially for your automatic transaxle. Damage caused
by fluid
other than DEXRONWIE is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under “How to
Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way.
Page 321 of 406
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Check Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. Simply looking at the tires will not tell you the pressure,
especially if you have radial tires
-- which may look properly inflated even
if they’re underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back on. They help
prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have them inspected and rotated at the
mileages recommended in your Maintenance Schedule. See “Scheduled Maintenance Service” in the Index.
FRONT Use this rotation pattern.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear inflation
pressure as shown on the Tire-Loading Information label. Make certain
that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the
Index.