1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO weight

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.
How heavy can a trailer safely
be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (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 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
LlH 8P7
e
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.

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. 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.
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. Wse 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 YSU do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CQ) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index).
Dirt
and water can, too.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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.
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.
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Flash-To-Pass Feature ........................... 2-36
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-26
Floor Mats
.................................... 2-58
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-65
Foreign Countries. Fuel ........................... 6-4
French Language Manual
11
Front Towing ............................. 5- 10. 5- 12
Front Turn Signal Lamps. Bulb Replacement ......... 6-34
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Datapanel
.................................. 2-80
Door Lock Release
............................. 6-5
Filling Your Tank .............................. 6-5
Gage ....................................... 2-79
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Level Low Message
........................... 2-87
Fuses and Cirrxit Breakers
....................... 6-58
FogLamps
.................................... 2-44
.. ...........................
ages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-75
Fuel
....................................... 2-79
Tachometer
.................................. 2-69
GarmentHooks
................................ 2-58
GAWR ....................................... 4-31
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-23
GloveBox
.................................... 2-55
Cold Key Courtesy Transportation
.................. 7-8
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-3 1
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-3 1
Guide en Frangais 11 .. .................................
CVWR ....................................... 4-31 alogenBulbs
................................ 6-31 Y
Handles.
Assist ................................. 2-5E
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints ................................. 1-7
Headlamps .................................... 2-42
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-31
HigNLow Beam Changer ...................... 2-35
On Reminder ................................ 2-43
Suggested Message
...................... 2.44. 2.45
Wiper Activated
.............................. 2-43
Wiring
..................................... 6-55
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance .............. 7-4
Heated Seats .................................... 1-4
Heating ........................................ 3-6
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-35
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-24
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-35
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-8
Hooks. Garment ................................ 2-58
Horn ......................................... 2-34
How to Reset the
Oil Life Indicator ................. 6-14
WAC Steering Wheel Controls .................... 3-9
Hydraulic Brake Warning Lights
................... 2-72
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-20
ce Possible Message
........................... 2-87
Ignition Positions
............................... 2-19
Illuminated Entry ............................... 2-47
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirror
.................... 2-58
Inflation, Tire .................................. 6-39
8-

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Traction Control System
................................ 4-9
Control System Warning Light
.............. 2.74. 4.9
OffMessage
................................. 2-90
Ready Message
.............................. 2-90
EngagedMessage ............................. 2-90
SuspendedMessage
........................... 2-90
Brakes
..................................... 4-36
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-37
Driving with
................................. 4-36
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
Weight
..................................... 4- 34
Trans Fluid Reset Message
....................... 2-9 1
Transaxle Fluid Automatic
........................ 6- 18
Transmission Hot Message ....................... 2-91
Transmitter Universal ............................ 2-60
Transmitters, Remote Keyless Entry
................. 2-7
Transportation, Gold Key Courtesy
.................. 7-8
Trip Odometer ................................. 2-68
Trailer
Hitches
..................................... 4-35
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
TrUnk
Automatic Pull-Down Feature .................... 2-4
Lock Release
................................ 2- 13
MountedCDChanger
......................... 3-21
OpenMessage
............................... 2-91
Storage System
............................... 2- 13 TTYUsers
..................................... 7-4
Turn and
Lane Change Signals .................... 2-35
Turn Signal
On Message .................... 2.35. 2.91
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
................... 2-35
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-37
Turn Signal On Chime ........................... 2-35
Twilight Sentinel
............................... 2-45
Underbody Maintenance
........................ 6-52
Universal Transmitter
............................ 2-60
vehicle Control
...................................... 4-6
Damage Warnings
.............................. xii
Dimensions ................................. 6-65
Identification Number
......................... 6-54
Loading
.................................... 4-30
Speed Limited to
XXX MPH (KM/H) Message ..... 2-91
Storage
..................................... 6-30
Vehicle Speed Limiter ........................... 2-69
Ventilation System ............................... 3-7
Very LOW Refrigerant
A/C Compressor Off Message ... 2-91
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-57
W ming . Devices ............................... 5-4
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators 2-70
Washer Fluid. Windshield
........................ 6-25
"
...............
Warranty Information ............................ 7-12
Washing Your Vehicle ........................... 6-50
Weatherstrips .................................. 6-50