1993 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD towing

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine *_
safety and that of your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transmission, 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.
All of that means changes in:
0 Handling
0 Durability
Fuel economy
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
0
0
0
0
0
0
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 if your trailer will weigh
2,000 pounds
(900 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer
will
weigh more than 2,000 pounds (900 kg).
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
1,000 miles (1600 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. Avoid continuous operation
in mountainous areas that have
grades greater than
2% and are longer than 5 miles.
Change axle
oil annually or every 6,000 miles (9654 km) of trailer towing,
whichever comes first.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
1. Weight of the nailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than
2,000 pounds (907 kg). But, if you have the optional Trailer Towing

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
Package you can increase your vehicle’s trailer towing capability to
7,000 pounds (3175 kg). But even that can be too heavy.
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 our trailering 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.
2. Weight of the nailer Tongue
I
-1
P
‘Li I
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to
measure because it affects the total capacity weight
of your vehicle.
The capacity weight includes the curb weight
of the vehicle, any
cargo
you may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in the
vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue
3
load from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your vehicle will be I
carrying that weight, too. See “Loading Your Vehicle’’ in the Index
for more information about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
210
T

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) loaded, then it
needs its
own brakes -- and they must be adequate. 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, don’t 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
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.
212

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine - 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
I_
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.
1urn 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.
213
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. p__-_.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine - 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
(don’t overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, 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.
rc-.- especially important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid
215

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TOWNG YOUR CXDILLAC
Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing service tow your
Cadillac. The usual towing equipment
is a sling-type, or a wheel-lift, or
car carrier tow truck.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it was factory-new by
adding aftermarket items like fog lamps, aero skirting,
or special tires and
wheels, these instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
-- Before you do anything, turn on the hazard warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
0
0
0
-0
-
That your vehicle cannot be towed from the front or rear with wheel
lift equipment.
That your vehicle has rear-wheel drive.
The make, model, and year
of your vehicle.
Whether you can still move the shift lever.
If there was an accident, what was damaged.
223

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator know that this
manual contains detailed towing instructions and illustrations. The
operator may want to
see them.
I
.. .
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key off. The steering
wheel should be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with a clamping
device designed for towing service.
Do not use the vehicle's steering
column lock for this. The transmission should be in Neutral and the
parking brake released.
Don't have your vehicle towed on the rear wheels, unless you must.
If the
vehicle must be towed on the rear wheels, don't go more than
35 mph (56
krn/h) or farther than 50 miles (80 km) or your transmission will be
damaged. If these limits must be exceeded, then the rear wheels have to
be supported on a dolly.
224

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t properly secured.
This can cause
a collision, serious personal injury and vehicle
damage. The vehicle should be tightly secured with chains
or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps, canvas webbing,
etc.) that can be cut by sharp edges underneath the towed
vehicle.
~ Front Towing Hook-Ups
No 4 x 4 wood beam is required. Position the cross bar just behind the
rear edge of the front bumper.
Attach
“T” hook chains into
the bottom slots on both
frame rails.
I
Attach a separate safety chain
around the outboard end
of
each lower control arm.
225