1997 Cadillac DeVille Owner's Manual - Page 234

Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what the vehicle trailering capacityis for your vehicle,you should read the information in "Weightof the Trailer'' that appears later in this section.But trailering is different than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering meanschanges in handling, durability and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly. That's thereason for this part. In are many it time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. important for your safety and that of Many of these are your passengers.So please read this section carefully before you pulla 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 relatively higher speeds and under at greater loads, generating extra heat. What'smore, the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements. If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do, here are some important points: 0 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 driving. A good sourcefor this be information can be state or provincial police. Consider using a sway controlif your trailer will weigh 2,000 lbs. (900 kg) or less.You should always use a sway controlif your trailer will weigh more than 2,000 lbs. (900 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls. Don't tow a trailer at all duringthe first 1,000 miles (1 600 k ) m your new vehicleis driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could damaged. be Then, during the first 500 miles (800 k ) m that you tow a trailer, don't drive over mph (80 km/h) and 50 don't make starts full throttle. This helps your at engine and other parts your vehicle wear in at the of heavier loads. 0 0 0 0 a Obey speed limit restrictions when towingtrailer. Don't drive faster than the maximum posted speed for trailers (or no more than mph (90 km/h)) to 55 save wear on your vehicle's parts. 4-33