1995 CADILLAC ELDORADO Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
LOmING YOUR VEHICLE
~~
( TIRE-LOADING INFORMATION
OCCUPANTS VEHICLE CAP.
WT.
FRT. CTR. RR. TOTAL LBS. KG
MAX. LOADING
& GVWR SAME AS VEHICLE
CAPACITY WEIGHT XXX
COLD TIRE
TIRE SIZE SPEED PRESSURE
RTG PSVKPa
F
RT.
RR.
SPA.
IF TIRES ARE HOT. ADD 4PSV28KPa SEE
OWNER’S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
-_ - - - GEN GME,
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly carry.
The Tire-Loading Information label found
on the driver’s door tells you
the proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation pressures for the
tires
on your vehicle. It also gives you important information about the
number
of peoplc that can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you
can carry. This weight
is called the Vehicle Capacity Weight and includes
the weight
of all occupants, cargo, and all options not installed in the
factory.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine MfD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP
DATE GVWR GAWR FRT GAWR RR

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLI-
CABLE U.S. FEDERAL
MOTOR VEHICLE
TION STANDARDS
IN EFFECT ON THE
DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.
SAFETY, BUMPER, AND THEFT
PREVEN-
GEN GME 1
The other label is the Certification label, found on the rear edge of the
driver’s door. It tells you
the gross weight capacity of your vehicle, called
the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the
weight
of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Never exceed the
GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
either the front or rear axle.
If you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out. Don’t carry more
than
176 pounds (80 kg) in your trunk.
If you put things inside your vehicle
-- like suitcases, tools, packages, or
anything else
-- they will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop
or turn quickly, or
if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and injure people
in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash.
0 Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a trunk, put them
as far forward as you can. ‘Ry to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases, inside the vehicle
so that some of them are above the tops of the seats.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the vehicle, secure it
whenever you can.
TOWING A TRAILER
A CAUTION:
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive properIy, you
can lose control when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer
is too heavy, the brakes may not work well -- or even at
all. You and your passengers could be seriously injured. Pull a
trailer only if you have followed all the steps in this section. Ask
your Cadillac dealer for advice and information about towing a
trailer with your vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result
in costly repairs not covered by your warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this part, and see your Cadillac
dealer for important information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the Northstar 4.6L
engine and proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what the vehicle
trailering capacity
is for your vehicle, you should read the information in
“Weight of the Trailer” 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 nailer
If you do, here are some important points.
e 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls.
0 Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1000 miles (1 600 km) your
new vehicle
is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be
damaged.
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.
Then, during the first SO0 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, don’t
0 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.
Three important considerations have to
do with weight:
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 pounds
(450 kg) total, including
the load. 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 Consumer Relations Center, Cadillac Motor Car
Division, 30009 Van Dyke,
PO. Box 9025, Warren, MI 48090-9025.
In Canada, write
to: General Motors of Canada Limited. Customer
Assistance Center,
1908 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa, Ontario LlH 8P7.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine n
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
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 load from your vehicle’s capacity
weight because your vehicle will be carrying that weight,
too. See
“Loading Your Vehicle”
in the Index for more information about your
A
vehicle’smaximum load capacity.
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
:LO% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you have a
“weight-distributing” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
12% of
the total loaded trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to
see if the weights are proper. If they aren’t, you may be able
to get them right simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
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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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