2011 CADILLAC DTS Owners Manual

Black plate (19,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
The Tire and Loading Information label also
shows the tire size of the original equipment
tires (C) and the recommended cold tire inflation
pressures (D). For more information on tires and
inflation seeTires
on page 6‑48andInflation - Tire
Pressure
on page 6‑57.
There is also important loading information on the
Certification label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle;
see “Certification Label” later in this section.
If you have a Professional Vehicle, a Tire and
Loading Information label specific to your vehicle
will be provided and installed by the final body
manufacturer. The Tire and Loading Information
label, should be attached to the B‐pillar of your
vehicle. See the final stage manufacturer's
manual or contact them directly. The label shows
the original tires installed on your professional
vehicle and the recommended cold tire inflation
pressures for those tires. The label also tells you
the professional vehicle's capacity weight.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1.Locate the statement “The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle's placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the“XXX”amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400 −750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
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Black plate (20,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, see“Towing a
Trailer” for important information on towing a
trailer, towing safety rules, and trailering tips.
Example 1
Item Description Total
A Vehicle Capacity
Weight for
Example 1 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
B Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 150 lbs
(68 kg) × 2 = 300 lbs (136 kg)
C Available Occupant
and Cargo Weight =
700 lbs (317 kg)
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Black plate (21,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Example 2
Item DescriptionTotal
A Vehicle Capacity
Weight for
Example 2 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
B Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 150 lbs
(68 kg) × 5 = 750 lbs (340 kg)
C Available Cargo
Weight =
250 lbs (113 kg)
Example 3
Item Description
Total
A Vehicle Capacity
Weight for
Example 3 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
B Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 200 lbs
(91 kg) × 5 = 1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
C Available Cargo
Weight =
0 lbs (0 kg)
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Black plate (22,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Refer to your vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information label for specific information about
your vehicle's capacity weight and seating
positions. The combined weight of the driver,
passengers, and cargo should never exceed your
vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification Label
A vehicle specific Certification label is attached
to the rear edge of the driver's door. This label
shows the gross weight capacity of your vehicle,
called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, and cargo. Never exceed the
GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
If your vehicle is a Professional Vehicle,
the vehicle specific Certification label is
provided by the final stage manufacturer. The
coach‐builder should be consulted if the final
stage manufacturer's label is not present. The
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR label should
be on the driver's door edge.
If you do have a heavy load, you should spread it
out. See
“Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit” earlier in this section.
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Black plate (23,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
{WARNING:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on the vehicle can break, and it
can change the way the vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control and
crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of the vehicle.
Notice:Overloading the vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not overload the vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle, like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else, they
will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
{WARNING:
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.
.Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that some
of them are above the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
.When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
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Black plate (24,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Automatic Level Control
This feature keeps the rear of your vehicle level
as the load changes. It is automatic, you do not
need to adjust anything.
This type of level control is fully automatic and will
provide a better leveled riding position as well as
better handling under a variety of passenger and
loading conditions. An air compressor connected
to the rear shocks will raise or lower the rear of
the vehicle to maintain proper vehicle height. The
system is activated when the ignition key is turned
to ON/RUN and will automatically adjust vehicle
height thereafter. The system may exhaust (lower
vehicle height) for up to ten minutes after the
ignition key has been turned to LOCK/OFF. You
may hear the air compressor operating when the
height is being adjusted.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
the disabled vehicle must be towed. SeeRoadside
Service on page 8‑7.
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle
behind another vehicle–such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing.
Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with
two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
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Black plate (25,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Here are some important things to consider before
recreational vehicle towing:
.What's the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
.How far will the vehicle be towed? Some vehicles
have restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
.Does the vehicle have the proper towing
equipment? See your dealer or trailering
professional for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing
the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a
Long Trip on page 5‑13.
Dinghy Towing
Notice: If the vehicle is towed with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could be
damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not tow the vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground.
The vehicle was not designed to be towed with all
four wheels on the ground. Use a dolly if the vehicle
must be towed. See “Dolly Towing”later in this section
for more information.
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Black plate (26,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Dolly Towing
The vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow the
vehicle 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-ahead position 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.
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 for advice and information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
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