
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of 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?
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.
If you have a DeVille or a DeVille d’Elegance without
the optional trailer towing package, the maximum trailer
weight is
1,000 lbs. (450 kg).
If you have a DeVille Concours, DeVille or a DeVille
d’Elegance 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 or the DeVille
d’Elegance to tow a trailer heavier than
1,000 lbs.
(450 kg). The DeVille 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 weight + trailer weight. The GCVW
should never weigh more than
8,100 lbs. (3 677 kg) total
loaded vehicle and trailer.
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
4-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
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.
4-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hitches Safety Char I
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.
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:
e
e
e
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.
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg), be sure to use a
properly mounted, weight-distributing hitch and sway control of the proper size. This equipment
is
very important for proper vehicle loading and good
handling when you’re driving.
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.
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 maintain them properly.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Trailer- Wiring Harness
If your vehicle is equipped with the 3,666-&. (1 360 kg)
trailer towing package option, you will have a wiring
harness located under the trunk trim. The harness is a
five wire harness, with connector.
These trailer-wiring harness color codes should be
followed when connecting it to your trailer:
0 WHITE: Direct trailer ground for trailer lamps.
0 BROWN: Parking lamps.
0 YELLOW Left turn and stoplamps.
0 GREEN: Right turn and stoplamps.
BLUE: Auxiliary circuit.
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.
4-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ethanol ........................................ 6-4
Express-Down Window
.......................... 2-36
Exterior Lighting
............................... 2- 10
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver .................... 2-50
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-34
Fabric Cleaning
.......................... 6-49, 6-50
Fan Button
................................. 3-2, 3-6
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-5
Finish Care
.................................... 6-54
Finish Damage
................................. 6-55
First Gear, Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-28
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flash-To-Pass Feature
........................... 2-38
Flat Tire, Changing
............................. 5-25
Floor Mats
.................................... 2-63
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-69
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
Front Storage Armrest
........................... 2-59
Front Towing
.............................. 5-9, 5-11
Front Turn Signal Lamps, Bulb Replacement ......... 6-36
Door Release
............................. 6-5, 6-6
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Level Low Message
........................... 2-91
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-62
FogLamps
.................................... 2-47
FrenchLanguageManual
........................... ii
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
DataPanel
.................................. 2-84
Gage
....................................... 2-83 Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-79
Fuel
....................................... 2-83
Gear Positions, Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-25
Gold Key Courtesy Transportation
.................. 7-8
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-31
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-31
GVWR
....................................... 4-31
Handles, Assist
................................. 2-63
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-7
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-31
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-37
Suggested Message
...................... 2-47, 2-48
Wiper Activated
.............................. 2-46
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 7-4
Heatedseats
.................................... 1-5
Heating ....................................... 3-11
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-37
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-24
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-36
Tachometer
.................................. 2-73
GAWR
....................................... 4-31
GloveBox
.................................... 2-59
Guide
en FranGais 11 .. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-31
Headlamps
.................................... 2-46
Aiming
..................................... 6-33
OnReminder
................................ 2-46
Wiring
..................................... 6-59

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Trailer Brakes
..................................... 4-36
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-38
Driving with
................................. 4-37
Parking on Hills
.............................. 4-39
Safety Chains
................................ 4-36
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-35
Turnsignals
................................. 4-38
Wiring Harness
............................... 4-37
Trans Fluid Reset Message
....................... 2-95
Transaxle Fluid, Automatic
....................... 6- 18
Transmission Hot Message ....................... 2-95
Transmitter, Universal
........................... 2-65
Transmitters, Remote Keyless Entry
................. 2-7
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-72
Hitches
..................................... 4- 36
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-39
Tongueweight
............................... 4-35
Towing
..................................... 4-32
Weight
..................................... 4-34
Transportation, Gold Key Courtesy
.................. 7-8
Trunk
........................................ 2-13
Automatic Pull-Down Feature
................... 2- 15
LockRelease
................................ 2-13
OpenMessage
............................... 2-95
Storage System
............................... 2-14
TrunkMountedCDChanger
...................... 3-26 TTYUsers
..................................... 7-4
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.................... 2-37
Turn Signal On Chime
........................... 2-37
Turn Signal On Message
.................... 2.37. 2.95
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
................... 2-37
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-38
Twilight Sentinel
............................... 2-48
Umbrella Holder
............................... 2.63
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-56
Underhood Lamp
............................... 6-10
Universal Transmitter
............................ 2-65
Control
...................................... 4-6
Dimensions
................................. 6-70
Identification Number
......................... 6-58
Loading
.................................... 4-30
Speed Limited
to XXX MPH (K") Message ..... 2-95
Storage
..................................... 6-30
Damage Warnings
.............................. xii
Vehicle Speed Limiter
........................... 2-73
Ventilation System
.............................. 3-11
Visor Vanity Mirror
............................. 2-62
Visors, Sun
.................................... 2-62
Very Low
Refrigerant A/C Compressor Off Message
... 2-96