1998 Cadillac Eldorado Owner's Manual - Page 230

Towing a Trailer fuel economy. Successful, safetrailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly. That's the reason for this part. In it aremany time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety and that of your passengers. So please read this section carefully before you pull a trailer. Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle, wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder against the drag of the added weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under greater loads,generating extra heat. What's more, the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements. A CAUTION: If you don't use the correct equipment and drive properly, you can lose control when you pull a trailer. For example,if the trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not work well or even at all. You and your passengers could seriously injured. be You may also damage your vehicle; the resulting repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you have followed all the steps in this section. Ask your dealer for advice and information about towingtrailer with a your vehicle. -- If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do, here aresome important points: There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where you live but also where you'll be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch dealer aboutsway controls. Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you should read the information in "Weight of the Trailer'' that appears later in this section. But trailering is different than just drivingyour vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in handling, durability and 4-32