1995 Cadillac DeVille Owner's Manual - Page 229

You can ask a hitch dealer aboutsway controls. Don't tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles ( 1 600 krn) 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 trailcr, 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 than55 mph (90 kndh)) to save wear on your vehicle's parts. Three important considerationshave to do with weight: Weight o the Trailer f How heavy can a trailer safely bc? It should never weigh more t h a n 1.000 pounds (450 kg) total, including the load. But even that can be too hcavy. It depends 011 how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outsidc tcmperatureand how mrrch your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any spccial equipment thatyou have on yourvehicle. In Canada, write to General Motors of Canada Limited, Cilstomer Assistance Center, 1908 Colonel Sam Drive. Ochawa, Ontario LlH SP7. Weight of the frailer Tongue The tongue load (A) o f any trailer is a n important weight to measure because it affects the total capacity weight of your vehiclc. The capacity weight includes the curb weight o f the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and the people who w i l l be riding it1 the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer: you must subtract the tongueload 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. 4-36