1995 CADILLAC ELDORADO tow

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the road and stop
carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal
may go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle’’ in the
Index.)
A CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still on
after
you’ve pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have the
vehicle towed
for service.
The brake system warning light will also come on when you set your
parking brake, and
it will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
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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 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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