1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
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.
0 When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
0 Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
.I# ‘-a ...-,- ._ .. * . ..l_.
This feature keeps the rear of your vehicle level as the
load changes. It’s automatic -- you don’t need to
adjust anything.
Towing, a
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.
I NOTICE.:
Pulling a trailer improperly can 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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer 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 TQ Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
8
9
9
8
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.
You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
1,000 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 kmk) 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.

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 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. TQ move the trailer to the right, move your
hand
to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible,
have someone guide you. When
you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need
a
different turn signal flasher andor extra wiring. Check
with your Cadillac dealer. 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
Making very sharp turns while trailerring could
cause
the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle.
Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
behind you are seeing your signal wheithey are mot. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
-
making very sharp turns while traillering.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
shoulders, curbs, road
signs, trees or other objects. they would get hot and no longer work well.
Avoid jerky
or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance. speed to around
45 mph (70 kdh) or less to reduce the
On
a long
uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
possibility
of engine and transaxle overheating.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if
you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P).
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until
the chocks absorb the load.
PARK (P) firmly and apply your parking brake.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into
Release the regular brakes.
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
e Shift into a gear; and
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.
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.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts
and bolts
are tight.

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