2010 CADILLAC DTS Owners Manual

Dinghy Towing
Notice:If the vehicle is towed with all four wheelson the ground, the drivetrain components couldbe damaged. The repairs would not be covered bythe vehicle warranty. Do not tow the vehicle with allfour wheels on the ground.
The vehicle was not designed to be towed with all fourwheels on the ground. Use a dolly if the vehiclemust be towed. See “Dolly Towing” later in this sectionfor more information.
Dolly Towing
The vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow thevehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the gear shift lever in P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-aheadposition with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Remove the key from the ignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
5-25

Towing a Trailer
The Cadillac Professional Vehicle cannot tow a trailer.
{WARNING:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not work well — or
even at all. The driver and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage thevehicle and result in costly repairs not coveredby the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,follow the advice in this section and see yourdealer/retailer for important information abouttowing a trailer with the vehicle.
The vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with theproper trailer towing equipment. To identify the traileringcapacity of the vehicle, read the information in “Weightof the Trailer” that appears later in this section. Traileringis different than just driving the vehicle by itself.Trailering means changes in handling, acceleration,braking, durability and fuel economy. Successful, safetrailering takes correct equipment, and it has to beused properly.
The following information has many time-tested,important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of theseare important for the safety of the driver and thepassengers. So please read this section carefully beforepulling a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,transmission, axles, wheel assemblies and tires areforced to work harder against the drag of the addedweight. The engine is required to operate at relativelyhigher speeds and under greater loads, generating extraheat. The trailer also adds considerably to windresistance, increasing the pulling requirements.
5-26

Pulling A Trailer
Here are some important points:
•There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make surethe rig will be legal, not only where you live butalso where you will be driving. A good source forthis information can be state or provincial police.
•Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles
(1600 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,transmission or other parts could be damaged.The repairs would not be covered by thevehicle’s warranty.
•Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)and do not make starts at full throttle. This helpsthe engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in atthe heavier loads.
•Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission
to a lower gear if the transmission shifts too oftenunder heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
•Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Do not drive faster than the maximum postedspeed for trailers, or no more than 55 mph(90 km/h), to save wear on the vehicle’s parts.
•Do not tow a trailer when the outside temperature is
above 100°F (38°C).
•If the vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system and it doesn’t seem to be working properlywhile pulling a trailer, turn the system off. SeeSideBlind Zone Alert (SBZA) on page 3-43for moreinformation.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
•The weight of the trailer
•The weight of the trailer tongue
•The total weight on the vehicle’s tires
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 the rig is used. For example, speed,altitude, road grades, outside temperature and howmuch the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are allimportant. It can depend on any special equipment onthe vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the vehiclecan carry. See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue” later inthis section for more information.
5-27

Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only thedriver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the requiredtrailering equipment. The weight of additional optionalequipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehiclemust be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
Ask your dealer/retailer for trailering information oradvice, or write us at our Customer Assistance Offices.SeeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 8-6formore information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weightto measure because it affects the total gross weightof the vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargocarried in it, and the people who will be riding in thevehicle. If there are a lot of options, equipment,passengers or cargo in the vehicle, it will reduce thetongue weight the vehicle can carry, which will alsoreduce the trailer weight the vehicle can tow. If towing atrailer, the tongue load must be added to the GVWbecause the vehicle will be carrying that weight, too.SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 5-18for moreinformation about the vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
Using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer tongue (A)should weigh 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded trailerweight (B).
After loading the trailer, weigh the trailer and then thetongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper.If they are not, adjustments might be made by movingsome items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on the Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure the vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper limitfor cold tires. These numbers can be found on theCertification/Tire label. SeeLoading the Vehicle onpage 5-18. Make sure not to go over the GVW limit for thevehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.
5-28

Hitches
It is important to have the correct hitch equipment.Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are afew reasons why the right hitch is needed. Here are somerules to follow:
•The rear bumper on the vehicle is not intended for
hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or otherbumper-type hitches to it. Use only a frame-mountedhitch that does not attach to the bumper.
•Will any holes be made in the body of the vehicle
when the trailer hitch is installed? If there are, thenbe sure to seal the holes later when the hitch isremoved. If the holes are not sealed, dirt, water, anddeadly carbon monoxide (CO) from the exhaust canget into the vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust onpage 3-34for more information.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the vehicle and thetrailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of thetrailer to help prevent the tongue from contactingthe road if it becomes separated from the hitch.Instructions about safety chains may be provided by thehitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer.Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attachingsafety chains and do not attach them to the bumper.Always leave just enough slack so the rig can turn.Never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Because the vehicle has StabiliTrak®, do not tap intothe vehicle’s hydraulic brake system. If you do,both brake systems will not work well, or at all.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailerbrakes so they are installed, adjusted and maintainedproperly.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.Get to know the rig before setting out for the openroad. Get acquainted with the feel of handling andbraking with the added weight of the trailer. And alwayskeep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is nowlonger and not as responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts andattachments, safety chains, electrical connectors, lamps,tires and mirror adjustments. If the trailer has electricbrakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving andthen apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be surethe brakes are working. This checks the electricalconnection at the same time.
During the trip, check occasionally to be sure that theload is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakesare still working.
5-29

Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead asyou would when driving the vehicle without a trailer. Thiscan help to avoid situations that require heavy brakingand sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer.Because the rig is longer, it is necessary to go muchfarther beyond the passed vehicle before returning tothe lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that handto the left. To move the trailer to the right, move yourhand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while traileringcould cause the trailer to come in contact with thevehicle. The vehicle could be damaged. Avoidmaking very sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns thannormal. Do this so the trailer will not strike softshoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well inadvance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel flash wheneversignaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, thetrailer lamps also flash, telling other drivers the vehicleis turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrumentpanel flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer areburned out. For this reason you may think otherdrivers are seeing the signal when they are not. It isimportant to check occasionally to be sure thetrailer bulbs are still working.
5-30

Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous gradesexceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higherthan normal engine and transmission temperaturesmay result and damage the vehicle. Frequentstops are very important to allow the engine andtransmission to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestartingdown a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission isnot shifted down, the brakes might have to be used somuch that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce thevehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reducethe possibility of the engine and the transmissionoverheating. If the engine does overheat, seeEngineOverheating on page 6-27.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always park the rig on a
flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park)yet. Turn the wheels into the curb if facing downhillor into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under thetrailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release thebrake pedal until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parkingbrake and shift the transmission into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
5-31

Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
•start the engine,
•shift into a gear, and
•release the parking brake.
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 storethe chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling atrailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 7-3for moreinformation. Things that are especially important in traileroperation are automatic transmission fluid, engine oil,belts, cooling system and brake system. It is a good ideato inspect these before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and boltsare tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat duringsevere operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating onpage 6-27.
Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing
If the vehicle gets a flat tire while towing a trailer,be sure to secure the trailer and disconnect it from thevehicle before changing the tire.
5-32