1997 CADILLAC CATERA weight

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (454 kg).
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 Customer Assistance Center
Cadillac Motor Car Division
30009 Van Dyke
P.O. Box 9025
Warren, MI 48090-9025
In Canada, write to:
ueneral 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.
A B
4-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B). If you have a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12 percent 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 Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Tire-Loading Information 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:
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.
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.
4-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 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 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 your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, don’t try to
tap into the 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.
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,
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.
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.
4-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electrmic Level Control ......................... 4-32
Emergency
Trunk Release ........................ 2-10
Compartment Relay Center
..................... 6-61
Caolant Heater
............................... 2- 17
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-68
Coolant Temperature Warning
Light .............. 2-68
Identification
................................ 6-55
Overheating ................................. 5-14
Running
While Parked ......................... 2-29
Spscificatio
ns ................................ 6-62
Smg YOU ................................ 2-16
Engine
......................................... 6-9
..................................... CoOltUlt
6-19
Exh~
st ..................................... 2-29
Engine Oil
.................................... 6-10
Adding 6-11
Additives 6- 13
Checking
................................... 6- 11
Used 6-14
.....................................
...................................
.......................................
When to Change .............................. 6-13
Engine
Speed Limiter ............................ 2-61
FmglishMetric Display
........................... 3-3
Ethan01
........................................ 6-4
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-29
Exteri~ Frat Bulbs ............................. 6-30
Exterior
Lamps ................................. 2-38
Exterior
RW Bulbs ............................. 6-34
Fabric
cleaning .......................... 6.46. 6.47
Fan Button. Climate Control System
................. 3-2
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air 6-15 .....................................
Filter Replacement. Passenger Compartment Air ...... 6- 17
Finish Care 6-51 ....................................
Fish Damage ................................. 6-52
First Gear. Automatic Transmission ................ 2-21
Flashers.
Hazard Warning ......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-23
Fog Latsps .................................... 2-42
Folding the Rear Seat
............................. 1-10
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
French Language Manual
........................... ii
Front Turn Signal Lamp. Bulb Replacement .......... 6-30
Filling
Your Tank .............................. 6-5
Gage .................................. . ., ... 2-75
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-57
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature .................... 2-63
Flash-To-PassFeature
........................... 2-33
Floor Mats 2-51
....................................
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
DoorLock ................................... 6-6
....................................... Fuel 2-75 OilPressure
................................. 2-72
GarmentHooks
................................ 2-51
GAM 4-30
Glove Box 2-48
.......................................
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission ............. 2-19
Gold
Key Courtesy Transportation .................. 7-8
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-30
....................................
8-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tires ......................................... 6-38
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-43
Buying New
................................. 6-41
Chains
..................................... 6-45
ChangingaFlat
.............................. 5-23
Cleaning
.................................... 6-52
Inflation
.................................... 6-38
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-40
Loading Information Label
..................... 4-30
Pressure
.................................... 6-38
Temperature
................................. 6-43
Traction
.................................... 6-42
Treadwe ar
................................... 6-42
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-42
Wear Indicators .............................. 6-41
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-43
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-41
TopStrap
..................................... 1-38
TorqueLock
................................... 2-2 6
Torque, Wheel Bolt
........................ 5-31, 6-63
Towing a Trailer
................................ 4-32
Towing Your Catera
.............................. 5-8
Control System ................................ 4-9
Control System Warning Light
.............. 2-67. 4-9
Traction Engaged
............................... 2-67
Brakes
..................................... 4- 36
Driving on Grades ............................ 4-37
Traction
Trailer Driving with
................................. 4-36
Hitches
..................................... 4-35
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-38
Parking
on Hills .............................. 4-38
Safety Chains
................................ 4-36
Tongueweight
............................... 4-34
Total Weight
on Tires .......................... 4-35
Towing
..................................... 4-32
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
Weight
..................................... 4-34
Transmission Fluid. Automatic
.................... 6-18
Transmitter. Universal
........................... 2-54
Transportation. Gold Key Courtesy
.................. 7-8
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-61
Ajar Light ................................... 2-74
Mounted CD Changer
......................... 3-17
Release
..................................... 2-10
TTYUsers
..................................... 7-4
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.................... 2-32
Turn SignaUMultifunction Lever ................... 2-32
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-37
Twilight Sentinel
............................... 2-43
Transmitters. Remote Keyless Entry System
........... 2-6
Trunk
Underbody Maintenance
........................ 6-53
Understanding
Radio Reception ................... 3-21
Universal Transmitter
............................ 2-54
8-10