1998 CADILLAC ELDORADO weight

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles
(1 600 kmj your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
0 Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts
of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
0 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/hj) to
save wear on
your vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have
to do with weight:
0 the weight of the trailer,
0 the weight of the trailer tongue
0 and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg) if
you have an Eldorado or
3,760 lbs. (1 709 kg) if you
have an Eldorado ETC. These
are total maximum weights
including
the load. But even that can be too heavy.
If you tow more than 1000 lbs. (450 kg), use trailer
brakes.
Be sure to follow the instructions that come with
the trailer or from brake manufacturer.
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.
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 7,900 lbs. (3 591 kg) total
loaded vehicle and trailer.
4-33

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
P.O. Box 436004
Pontiac, MI 48343-6004
In Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight
to measure because it affects the total gross
weight
of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) 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 tow a trailer, you must
add the tongue load to the
GVW 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 weiiht-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.
4-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for
hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches
to it. Use only a frame-mounted
hitch that does not attach to
the bumper.
0 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.
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.
4-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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. If you
tow more than
1000 lbs. (450 kg), use trailer brakes. Be
sure to follow the instructions that
come with the trailer
or from brake manufacturer.
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 sithations 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 Fabric cleaning ............................... 6-48
FanButton
..................................... 3-2
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-5
Filter.Air
..................................... 6-15
Finish Care
.................................... 6-5 1
Finish Damage ................................. 6-52
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-24
Flash-To-Pass Feature ........................... 2-33
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-23
Floor Mats .................................... 2-52
Fluid Capacities ................................ 6-64
FogLamps
.................................... 2-41
Foreign Countries. Fuel ........................... 6-5
French Language Manual 11
Front Towing .............................. 5-9.5-1 1
Fuel .......................................... 6- 3
Data Display ................................. 2-69
Door Lock Release ............................. 6-6
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-69
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Level Low Message ........................... 2-74
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-58
Flashers . Hazard Warning ......................... 5-2
.. ...........................
Front Turn Signal Lamps . Bulb Replacement ......... 6-35
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-65
Fuel
....................................... 2-69
Speedometer
................................. 2-59
Tachometer .................................. 2-60 GarmentHooks
................................ 2-51
Gear
Positions . Automatic Transaxle ................ 3-21
GloveBox .................................... 2-49
Gold Key Courtesy Transportation .................. 7-8
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-30
Gross Vehicle Weight Ratlng ...................... 4-30
Guide en Franpis ................................. 11 ..
GVWR ....................................... 4-30
GAWR
....................................... 4-30
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-32
Handles
. Assist ................................. 2-51
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-2
Head Restraints ................................. 1-5
Headlamps .................................... 2-39
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-32
HighLow
Beam Changer ...................... 2-33
On Reminder
................................ 2-40
Wiper Activated
.............................. 2-39
Headlamps Suggested
Message .................... 2-74
Wiring
..................................... 6-56
Hearing
. Damage ............................... 3-35
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 7-4
Heating ........................................ 3-6
Heatedseats
.................................... 1-4
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-33
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads ......................... 4-24
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-35
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Temperature ................................. 6-44
Traction
.................................... 6-44
Treadwe
ar ................................... 6-44
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-43
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-42
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-45
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-42
Top Speed Fuel
Off Message ...................... 2-78
TopStrap
..................................... 1-38
TorqueLock
................................... 2-28
Torque, Wheel
Nut ......................... 5-32.6-64
TowingaTrailer
................................ 4-32
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Traction
Control System
................................ 4-9
Control System
Warning Light .............. 2-64, 4-9
EngagedMessage
............................. 2-78
OffMessage
................................. 2-78
Ready Message
.............................. 2-78
Suspended Message
........................... 2-78
Brakes
..................................... 4-36
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-37
Driving with
................................. 4-36
Hitches
..................................... 4-35
Maintenance When Towing ..................... 4-38
ParkingonHills
.............................. 4-38
Safety Chains
................................ 4-35
Tongueweight
............................... 4-34
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-35
Trailer Towing
..................................... 4-32
Turnsignals
................................. 4-37
Weight
..................................... 3-33
Trans Fluid Reset Message ....................... 2-78
Transaxle Fluid Automatic
................................... 6-18
Transmission
Hot Idle Engine Message .............. 2-78
Transmitter. Universal
........................... 2-52
Transmitters. Remote Keyless Entry ................. 2-6
Transportation. Gold Key Courtesy
.................. 7-8
Trip Odometer ................................. 2-59
Trunk
Automatic
Pull-Down Feature ................... 2-12
LockRelease
................................ 2-10
Storage System
............................... 2-10
TrunkMounted CD Changer ...................... 3-28
TTYUsers
..................................... 7-4
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.................... 2-32
Turn Signal On Chime
........................... 2-32
Turn Signal On Message .................... 2-32.2-78
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
................... 2-32
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer ................ 4-37
Twilight Sentinel
............................... 2-41
OpenMessage
............................... 2-78
Underbody Maintenance
........................ 6-53
Universal Transmitter
............................ 2-52
8-11