1995 CADILLAC SEVILLE Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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,
EO. Box 9025, Warren, MI 48090-9025.
In Canada, write to General Motors
of Canada Limited, Customer
Assistance Center, 1908 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7.
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
vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
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A B
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
10% 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.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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:
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.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for hitches. Do not
attach rental hitches or other bumper-type hitches to them. Use
only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to the bumper.
Safety Chains
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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
.-c.
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
the 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
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, 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.
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.
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 check 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
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
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it:
0 Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into PARK (P).
0 Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
0 When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until
0 Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into PARK (P) firmly and apply
Release the regular brakes.
__ injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
the chocks absorb the load.
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;
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adahtenance 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.
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Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Coding When Trailering
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during severe operating
conditions such as:
Climbing grades steeper than 4% at ambient temperatures above
90°F (32" C) with a loaded vehicle and trailer.
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
10 minutes if the ENGINE COOLANT HOT-IDLE ENGINE
message is not displayed.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the
road.
HAZARD WNING FLASHERS
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Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They also let police
know you have a problem. Your front and rear turn signal lamps will flash
on and
off. I
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