1996 CADILLAC DEVILLE tow

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Charging System Indicator Light
I-el
When you turn the key to
RUN, this red light will
come
on briefly to show
that the alternator and
battery charging systems are working.
If this light stays on, you need service and you should
take your Cadillac
to the dealer at once. To save your
battery until you get there, turn off all accessories.
Brake System Warning Light
Your Cadillac’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one
part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
This light should come on
briefly when you turn the
ignition key
to RUN. If it
doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to
warn you
if there’s a
problem.
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.)
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I 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.
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When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will
also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light 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.
Parking Brake Indicator Light
PARK
BRAKE
This light comes on when
the parking
brake is set, and
it will stay on if the parking
brake
does not fully release.
If you try to drive off with
the parking brake
set, this
light will remain on.
This light
should also come on briefly as you start the
vehicle. If
it doesn’t, have the light fixed so it will be
ready to remind
you if the parking brake has not
fully released. For more information
on how to release
the parking
brake, see “Parking Brake” earlier in
this section.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the Light Is Flashing’
The following may prevent more senous damage to
your vehicle:
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
e Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
0 If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as
it is possible. Did you
just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If
so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out.
A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine
may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition.
Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips to
turn the light off.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when
it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. FW your vehicle in PARK (P). Turn the
key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On
Steady” following.
If the light is still flashing follow the
previous steps, and drive
the vehicle to your dealer or
qualified service center for service.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ventilation Tips
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The direction of airflow to the rear seats can also be
adjusted. Move the center lever to direct airflow toward
the upper or floor outlets. To direct aifflow from side to
side, move the lever located in the center
of each vent to
the right or left.
e Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work
far better, reducing the
chance
of fogging the inside of the windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, adjust the
fan to the highest speed for a few moments before
driving
off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow
and moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside
of the windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear
of
objects. This helps circulate air throughout your
vehicle.
Heated Windshield (Option)
The heated windshield will remove ice or frost in cold
weather.
1. Remove snow that is piled up on the windshield.
2. Start your Cadillac and leave it in PARK (P).
3. Press the DE-ICE button. A light will come on to
tell
you it is working. Try not to use other electrical
equipment while the system is working.
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A CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and
injure people in
a sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Wy 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
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A CAUTION:
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, 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.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly car! 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
proper 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 Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
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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 if your trailer will
weigh
2,000 lbs. (900 kg) or less. You should always
use a sway control if your trailer will weigh more
than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
1 ,OOO miles
(1
600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle
or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50 mph (80 kmh) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
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.
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Three important considerations have to do with weight: the trailer, the weight of the trailer tongue and the total
weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
If you have a DeVille without the optional h-ailer towing
package,
the maximum trailer weight is 1,OOO lbs. (450 kg).
If you have a DeVille Concours or a DeVille with the
optional trailer towing package, the maximum trailer weight should never be more than
3,900 lbs. (1 773 kg)
total including the load. But even that can be too heavy.
The optional trailer towing package. provides the
necessary oil cooler for the DeVille to
tow a trailer
heavier than 1,OOO lbs.
(450 kg). The Concours is
equipped with this cooler as standard equipment.
The maximum trailer weight for your vehicle can
be
determined from the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight
(GCVW). The GCVW
= curb weight + passenger’s
weight
+ cargo + trailer weight, should never weigh more
than
8,200 lbs. (3 727 kg) total loaded vehicle and trailer.
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 Customer Assistance Center
Cadillac Motor Car Division
30009 Van Dyke
P.O. Box 9025
Warren,
MI 48090-9025
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine nailer Wiring Harness
If your vehicle is equipped with the 3,000-lb.
(1 360 kg) trailer towing package option, you will have
a wiring harness located under the trunk
trim. The
harness is a five wire, with connector.
These trailer wiring harness color codes should be followed when connecting it to your trailer:
WHITE: Direct trailer ground for trailer lamps.
BROWN: Parking lamps.
YELLOW: Left turn and stoplamps.
GREEN: Right turn and stoplamps.
BLUE: Auxiliary circuit.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of expenence.
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 lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
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