Trailer Towing (Sedan With V6 Engine Except V-Series); Trailer Towing - Cadillac ATS 2017 Owner's Manual

278 DRIVING AND OPERATING
turning the engine off. If the overheat
warning comes on, see Engine
Overheating 0 304.
Parking on Hills
Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both the
vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not
shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the
wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the regular brakes
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift into a gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Let up on the brake pedal.
6. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
7. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more often
when pulling a trailer. See
Maintenance Schedule 0 368. Things
that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system, and brake system. It is
a good idea to inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing (Sedan With
V6 Engine Except V-Series)
Before pulling a trailer, three
important considerations have to do
with weight:
Weight of the trailer.
Weight of the trailer tongue.
Total weight on your vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
454 kg (1,000 lb). But even that can be
too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades,
outside temperature, and how much
the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are
all important. It can depend on any
special equipment on the vehicle, and
the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See Weight of the
Trailer Tongue following.