Black plate (71,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081525) -
2014 - Second Edition - 1/22/14
Driving and Operating 9-71
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer or another
vehicle.
For information on towing a disabled
vehicle, seeTowing the Vehicle on
page 10-76. For information on
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing on
page 10-78.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always check with your
dealer before adding electrical
equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
When adding electrical equipment, it
should only be connected using the
accessory power outlets. The
maximum power that can be
supplied by one accessory power
outlet, or spread across all power
outlets, is 200 watts or 15 amps. Exceeding 200 watts or 15 amps
may cause erratic vehicle operation.
See
Power Outlets on page 5-6.
Black plate (2,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081525) -
2014 - Second Edition - 1/22/14
10-2 Vehicle Care
Wheel Alignment and TireBalance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-60
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-61
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Jump Starting
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-70
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 10-76
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-78
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-80
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-85
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-88
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
Black plate (76,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081525) -
2014 - Second Edition - 1/22/14
10-76 Vehicle Care
2. Disconnect the black negative(−) jumper cable from the ELR.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) jumper cable from the ELR. Do
not let the other end of the cable
touch anything until after the
next step.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) jumper cable from the other
vehicle.
5. Return the positive (+) and negative (−) terminal covers to
their original positions.Towing the Vehicle
{Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled
vehicle may cause damage to the
vehicle. The disabled vehicle
should be towed on a flatbed car
carrier. Use care when there is
low ground clearance and/or
special equipment. Attempting to
pull the vehicle onto a flatbed
without following the proper steps
could damage the vehicle.
Consult your dealer or a
professional towing service if the
disabled vehicle must be towed.
To load a vehicle onto a flatbed
carrier:
1. The vehicle must be on a flat surface.
2. The front tires must be properly inflated. If necessary, move a
rear tire to the front to replace a
flat or damaged tire.
3. Place the tow chain hooks (2)
into one of the torque box
openings (1) behind the front
wheels.
Black plate (78,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081525) -
2014 - Second Edition - 1/22/14
10-78 Vehicle Care
If the vehicle is parked off the
shoulder of the road, at an angle
that it cannot be pulled onto a
flatbed, a hook/chain can be placed
into either of the front torque box
openings to pull the vehicle onto a
flat surface. Make sure that the
chains do not come in contact with
the rocker panel (1) or the front
fascia (2).{Caution
When using tow straps to move
the vehicle, damage may occur if
the tow straps contact the rear
fascia. Do not let the tow straps
contact the rear fascia.
If you cannot access the front
torque box openings, wrap a tow
strap through one, or both of the
rear trailing arms (1) between the
bushing and torque tube, and pull
the vehicle onto a flat surface. Do
not wrap the tow strap around the
rear torque tube (2).
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing refers to
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home. 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.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.The towing capacity of the
towing vehicle. Read the tow
vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
.How far the vehicle can be
towed. Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
.Whether the vehicle has 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.
Black plate (79,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081525) -
2014 - Second Edition - 1/22/14
Vehicle Care 10-79
Dinghy Towing
{Caution
If the vehicle is towed with all four
wheels on the ground, the drive
unit could be damaged. 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. If the vehicle must be towed, a dolly should be used. See
the information on dolly towing
following.
Dolly Towing from the Front
The vehicle can be towed from the
front using a dolly. To tow the
vehicle using a dolly:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow
vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
3. Put the shift lever in P (Park). 4. Set the parking brake and
remove the key.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with a
clamping device designed for
towing.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
8. Check for adequate rear fascia to ground clearance.
Dolly Towing from the Rear
Black plate (80,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081525) -
2014 - Second Edition - 1/22/14
10-80 Vehicle Care
{Caution
Towing the vehicle from the rear,
with the front wheels on the
ground, could damage the drive
unit, and front fascia. Do not tow
the vehicle from the rear with the
front wheels on the ground.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish,
wash it often and out of direct
sunlight.
{Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
products can be obtained from
your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions, and
appropriate disposal of any
vehicle care product.
{Caution
Avoid using high-pressure
washes closer than 30 cm (12 in)
to the surface of the vehicle. Use
of power washers exceeding
8,274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result
in damage or removal of paint
and decals.
This symbol
eis on any
underhood compartment electrical
center that should not be power
Black plate (2,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081525) -
2014 - Second Edition - 1/22/14
11-2 Service and Maintenance
Because of the way people use
vehicles, maintenance needs vary.
There may need to be more
frequent checks and services. The
Additional Required Services -
Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargo
within recommended limits on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. SeeVehicle Load Limits
on page 9-12.
.Are driven on reasonable road
surfaces within legal driving
limits.
.Use the recommended fuel. See
Fuel on page 9-66.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -
Severe are for vehicles that are:
.Mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather.
.Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
.Frequently towing a trailer.
.Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
.Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service.
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work on page 10-5.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 10-9.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure on
page 10-48.
.Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection on page 10-54.
.Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10-19.
.Engine, power electronics, and
high voltage battery pack
coolant level checks. See
Cooling System (Engine) on
page 10-14 orCooling System
(High Voltage Battery) on
page 10-15 orCooling System
(Power Electronics and Charger
Modules) on page 10-16.
Black plate (6,1)Cadillac ELR Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081525) -
2014 - Second Edition - 1/22/14
13-6 Customer Information
option of being towed to the
nearest charging station or
home, whichever is closest, if a
mobile charging unit is not
available or if the wait for mobile
charging is considered to be
excessive. (U.S. only)
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
.Lock-Out Service:Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out. A remote unlock may
be available if you have OnStar.
For security reasons, the driver
must present identification
before this service is given.
.Emergency Tow from a Public
Road or Highway: Tow to the
nearest Cadillac dealer for
warranty service, or if the vehicle
was in a crash and cannot be
driven. Assistance is also given
when the vehicle is stuck in the
sand, mud, or snow.
.Flat Tire Change: Service to
change a flat tire with a spare
tire. The spare tire, if equipped,
must be in good condition and
properly inflated. It is your
responsibility for the repair or
replacement of the tire if it is not
covered by the warranty.
.Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
.Trip Interruption Benefits and
Service: If your trip is
interrupted due to a warranty
failure, incidental expenses may
be reimbursed during the
Powertrain warranty period.
Items considered are hotel,
meals and rental car.
Cadillac Technician Roadside
Service (U.S. Only)
Cadillac's exceptional Roadside
Service is more than an auto club or
towing service. It provides every
Cadillac owner in the United States
with the advantage of contacting a
Cadillac advisor and, where available, a Cadillac trained dealer
technician who can provide on-site
service.
A dealer technician will travel to
your location within a 30-mile radius
of a participating Cadillac
dealership. If beyond this radius, we
will arrange to have your car towed
to the nearest Cadillac dealership.
Each technician travels with a
specially equipped service vehicle
complete with the necessary
Cadillac parts and tools required to
handle most roadside repairs.
Services Not Included in
Roadside Service
.Impound towing caused by
violation of any laws.
.Legal fines.
.Mounting, dismounting,
or changing of snow tires,
chains, or other traction devices.
.Towing or services for vehicles
driven on a non-public road or
highway.