1993 CADILLAC DEVILLE Owners Manual

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
L
.-.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 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
th.e 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
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Your vehicle has bulb warning lights. When you plug trailer lights into
your vehicle’s lighting system, its bulb warning lights may not let you
know if one
of your lights goes out. So, when you have trailer lights
plugged in, be sure to check your vehicle and trailer lights
from time to
time to be sure they’re all working. Once you disconnect the trailer lights,
the bulb warning lights again can tell you if one of your vehicle lights is
out.
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 to “3” (Drive) and reduce your speed
to
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of engine and transaxle
overheating.
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:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into “P” (Park) yet.
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 “P” (Park) firmly and
apply your parking brake.
5. Release the regular brakes.
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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.
223

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD
"
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the
road.
224

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine _HAZARD WMING FLASHERS
'/
..
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They also let police
know you have a problem. Your front and rear turn signal lights will flash
on and
off.
Press the button in to
make your front and
rear turn signal lights
flash on and
off.
I
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what position your key is in,
and even if the key isn't in.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
'*
m- - - To turn off the
flashers, pull out
on
the collar. When the
hazard warning
flashers are
on, your
work.
.L 5;$+ ~ turn signals won't .&A'<,,,
OTHER WMING DEWCES
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at the side of the road
about
300 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle.
JUMP STARTING
If your battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and
some jumper cables
to start your Cadillac. But please follow the steps
1 below to do it safely.
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous because:
a They contain acid :- at can b7 n you.
0 They contain a that can explode or ignite.
a They contaih enough electricitv to burn you.
If you don't follow these steps exactly, some or all of these things
can hurt you.
-
c -Y
-
Cr
-
c- c
226

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine loring these steps could rt Llt in costly damage to YOU
rehicle that wouldn’t bt lvered bv vow warranh
Trying to start your Cadillac by pushing or pulling it won’t work, and it
could damage your vehicle.
TO JUMP STAlzT YOUR CADILLAC:
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative
ground system.
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 Cadillac, and the bad grounding could damage the electrical
systems.
A CAUTION:
You could be injured if the vehicles roll. Set the parking brake
firmly on each vehicle. Put an automatic transaxle in
“P”
(Park).
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all lights that aren’t
needed, and radios.
This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries.
And it could save your radio!
227