1995 CADILLAC ELDORADO trailer

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Total Weight on Your khicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the recommended pressure for
cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the Certification 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.
Hitches
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:
0 Will you have to makc 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
whcn
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.
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 thc 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 manufacturcr’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.
Trailer Brakes
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 thc instructions for the trailer brakes so you’ll
be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving with a Trailer
n 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 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
the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and,
if
possible, have someone guide you.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer
to come in contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns while trailering.
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 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 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
che.ck 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
c
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
5. Release the regular brakes.
your parking
brake.
When You Are Ready to Leave Afier 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
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Cooling When Trailering
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during severe operating
conditions such as:
Climbing gradcs steeper than 4% at ambient temperatures above
90" F (32" C) with a loaded vehicle and trailer.
0 Stopping after high-speed driving.
Idling for long periods in stop and go traffic.
If the
ENGINE HOT-A/C COMPRESSOR OFF message appears on the
Driver Information Center,
do not be alarmed. This is a normal function
designed to reduce the load
on the engine and cooling system. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If the ENGINE COOLANT HOT-IDLE ENGINE message appears on
the Driver Information Center, pull off to the side of the road as soon as
it
is safe to do so. When the vehicle is at a complete stop, shift the
transaxle selector
to PARK (P) and allow the engine to idle. Do not turn
off the engine
or increase engine speed above a normal idle. After several
minutes, resume driving at
a reduced speed. Return to normal driving
after
1.0 minutes if the ENGINE COOLANT HOT-IDLE ENGINE
message is not displayed.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ENGINE OKEMEATING
The Driver Information Center will display either ENGINE COOLANT
HOT-IDLE ENGINE or
STOP ENGINE ENGINE OVERHEATING.
In addition you will find the warning light about a hot engine on your
instrument panel on Canadian vehicles.
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
Should a low coolant condition exist and the message STOP ENGINE
ENGINE OVERHEATING is displayed, an overheat protection mode
which alternates firing groups of four cylinders helps prevent engine
damage. 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 may be severely degraded.
Change the oil and reset the
oil life indicator. See “Engine Oil,
When
to Change” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If No Steam Is Coming From Your 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 hili on a hot day.
0 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 and open the
window,
as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N); otherwise, shift to
the highest gear wh.ile driving
-- AUTOMATIC 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 for two or three
minutes while you’re parked,
to see if the warning stops. But then, if you
still have the warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of the vehicle
until it cools down. Also, See “Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode’’ listed previously
in this section.
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You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service help right away.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Check
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:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32'C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 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 (82OC 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
(lO"C), you may have to drive longer.
To check the fluid level
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each
gear range,
pausing €or about three seconds in each range. Then,
position the shift lever in PARK (P).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
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