1993 Cadillac Seville Owners Manual

To operate the rear fog lights, first turn on the front fog lights, then push the lower switch. A small indicator light will glow to tell you they are on. To turn them off, press the switch again.

Cornering Lights The cornering lights come on when you signal a turn when the headlights or parking lights are on. This will provide more light for cornering. Underhood Light To operate, turn on your parking lights, then the underhood light will illuminate when the hood is open. Daytims Running Lights (Canada Only) The Canadian Federal Government has decided that “Daytime Running Lights” (DRL) are a useful feature, in that DRL can make your vehicle more visible to pedestrians and other drivers during daylight hours. DRL arc required o n new vehicles sold in Canada. Your DKL n w - k with ;I Ilght sensor on t o p o f thc instrument panel. Don’t covcr i t up.

113

The low beam headlights will come on at reduced brightness when:

in daylight

The ignition is on The headlight switch is off, and The transaxle is not in “P” (Park).

At dusk, if the Twilight Sentinel feature is turned on, the exterior lights will come on automatically and the low beams will change to full brightness. At dawn, the exterior lights will go out and the low beams will change to the reduced brightness of DRL (if the headlight switch is off). Of course, you may still turn on the headlights any time you need to. To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, shift the transaxle into “P” (Park). The DRL will stay off until you shift out of “P” (Park). Reading Lights You have reading lights located in the roof. These lights and the interior courtesy lights will come on when you open a door.

Push the button to turn them on. Push it again to turn them off.

114

MIRRORS Inside DaylNight Rearview Mirror To reduce glare from lights behind you, move the lever like this:

Automatic Inside Rearview Mirror

During the daylight it's like the standard mirror. But at night the system goes to work. During the day the mirror reflects all the light from behind your car. At night, when the glare is too high, it darkens to reflect only part of the light behind you. When the mirror darkens, it holds that position until the glare is no longer present.

115

Settings Your automatic rearview mirror has different positions for light sensitivity. At the "MAX" setting, bright headlights far away will cause the mirror to gradually darken. This is a good setting for rural driving. At the "MIN' setting, bright headlights have to be rather close for the mirror to darken. This Reverse Gear Day Mode

is a good setting for city driving.

off

116

Cleaning Photocells

Front Seat Vanity Mirrors -

Use a cotton swab'and glass cleaner to clean the front and rear photocells that make the mirror work.

To use one, turn the sunshade down. Then lift the cover up to see the mirror. The switch makes the light brighter. Driver side lighted vanity mirror is optional.

IPI

I,

117

Power Remote Control Mirrors

The control on the driver’s door armrest operates both outside rearview mirrors. Move the center switch to the left to select the driver side mirror, or to the right to select the passenger side mirror. Then press the control pad to adjust each mirror so that you can just see the side of your vehicle. To lock the controls leave the selector switch in the middle position. When you operate the rear window defogger, it also warms both outside mirrors to help clear them of fog or ice. CONVEX OUTSIDE MIRROR Your right side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the driver’s seat.

118

A CAUTION:

If you aren’t used to a convex mirror, you can hit another vchicie. A convex mirror can make things (like other vehicles) look farther away than they really are, if you cut tou sharply into the right lane, you cuuld hit a vehicle on your right. Check your inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes,

BREAK-AWAY OUTSIDE MIRROR (EXPORT) The mirrors will collapse in either the forward or rearward direction, and then return to the normal position. ASTROROOF - EXPRESS OPEN If you have this option, the switch is here:

The astroroof includes a sliding glass panel and a sliding sunshade. The control switch only works with the ignition on or in Retained Accessory Power (RAP)mode.

119

To Open: Press the switch rearward to open the glass panel and sunshade. The sunshade can also be opened by hand. If you want to stop the roof in a partially open position, press the switch in either diredtion to stop it. Press the switch again to open it fully. To Close: Press and hold the switch forward to close the glass panel. The sunshade can only be closed by hand. To Vent: Press the switch forward when the glass panel is closed. Open the sunshade by hand. To close the vent press the switch rearward. SUNGLASS COMPRTMENT

If you have the optional Astroroof you will not have this feature. To gain access to this feature located directly above the inside rearview mirror in the headliner, just push up and the compartment will open.

120

ASHTRAYS AND LIGHTERS

OR

If have the full console, push on the cover to reveal the ashtray and lighter.

If you don’t have a center console just pull the ashtray out to reveal the ashtray and lighter.

..

To clean the ashtray, lift it out by pulling on the snuffer. If you don’t have a console, and the ashtray will not come out by pulling on the snuffer, try this: Reach under the ashtray and gently push up on the ashtray bowl and remove it.

121

Rear Ashtray

To open the rear ashtrays lift the lid.

I NOTICE:

Cigarette Lighter It’s near the ashtray. To use the lighter just push it all the way and let go. When it’s ready, it will pop back by itself.

NOTICE: Don’t hold a cigarette tighter in with your hand white it is heating. If you bo, it, won’t be abfe to back away from the heating dement when it’s ready. That can make Woverhea$, damaging the lighter and the heating element.

122

GARAGE DOOR OPENER (OPTION)

This option allows you to open up to three garage doors. The transmitter unit fits the overhead panel.

Your Cadillac dealer can tell you about the hand held power pack unit and the installation you’ll need at home to make this work. If your Cadillac is equipped with an Electriclears heated windshield, you’ll have to be closer to the garage door for the transmitter unit to work. FLOOR MATS If your Cadillac is equipped with rubber-backed front and rear floor mats, keep them clean by vacuuming and using a spot cleaner, if necessary. Do not machine wash. TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (STS) Tour traction control system operates only when the system senses that one or both of the front wheels is spinning or beginning to lose traction while driving. This is especially useful in slippery road conditions. The traction control system works at all speeds. It limits wheel spin by using the antilock and brake systems to apply the front brakes and by shutting off furl injectors to reduce engine torque. You may be able to spin the tires when accelerating from a standstill on dry pavement. This is normal. The “Traction Active” message will display on the drive’s information center when the traction control system is operating. You may feel the system working through slight movement of the accelerator pedal, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal. Your driver information center is an important source of information about your traction control system. See “Driver Information Center” in the Index.

123

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL: YOUR I N F O W T I O N SYSTEM Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your 'Cadillac is running. You'll know how fast you're going, how much fuel you're using, and many of the other things you'll need to know to drive safely and economically.

Analog Cluster (4.9 L)

124

F

Eqort Cluster (4.9 L)

Speedometer and Odometer Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven, in either miles (used in the U.S.) or kilometers (used in Canada).

125

EnglishlMetric Button

You can go back and forth from English (miles) to metric (kilometers) by pushing this button.

The same button also makes other readings (like temperature, fuel and odometer) go between English and metric. Trip Odometer

. . .

You can tell how far you’ve gone since you last set it back to zero. To reset, push and hold the button until it zeros.

If your vehicle is domestic, the trip odometer will return to zero after 999.9 miles (1609 km). If your vehicle is Canadian or Export, the trip odometer will return to zero after 1999.9 km (1242 miles).

126

Odometer You may wonder what happens if a car has to have a new odometer installed. The new one may read the correct mileage. This is because your car’s computer has stored the mileage in memory. If it isn’t stored, then this odometer is set at zero, but a label on the driver’s door must show the old reading and when the new one was installed. WARNING LIGHTS This section describes the warning lights that may De on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them. Warning lights can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to your warning lights could also save you or others from injury. Warning lights go on when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will see in the details on the next few pages, some warning lights come on briefly when you turn the ignition key just to let you know they’re working. If you are familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed when this happens. When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on when you are driving, check the section that tells you what to do about it. Please follow the manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly -- and even dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights. They’re a big help. Your vehicle may also have a driver information system that works along with. . the

,. warning lights. See “Driver Information System” in the Index.

Brake System Warning Light Your Cadillac hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need both parts working well. If the warning light goes on, there could be a brake problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.

This light should come on as you start the vehicle. If it doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.

This light will also come on when you set your parking brake, and will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means you have a brake problem. If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.)

A CAUTION:

Your brake system may not be working properly if the brake warning light is on. Driving with the brake warning light on can lead to an accident. If the light is still on after you’ve pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.

128

Anti-Lock Brake System Warnmg Light

With anti-lock, this light will go on when you start your engine and may stay on for several seconds or so. That’s normal. If the light doesn’t come on, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem. If the light stays on or comes on when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn the key off. Then start the engine to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again while you’re driving, your Cadillac needs service. Unless the regular brake system warning light is also on, you will still have brakes, but not anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also on, see “Brake System Warning Light” earlier in this part. The anti-lock brake system warning light may also come on when you are driving with a compact spare tire. If this happens, the light means you won’t have anti-lock until you replace the compact spare with a full-size tire. I f the warning light stays on after you replace the compact spare with ;I full-six ticc, o r if II corms on uguin when you’re driving, your Cadillac l l b * L ~ J \ yln lib’ I

129

Engine Temperature Warning Light (Export Only)

This light tells you that your engine has overheated. You should stop the car and turn the engine off as soon as possible. A warning chime should also sound if this light comes on. As a check, the light should come on for a few seconds when you start your engine.

HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY! In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index. Service Engine Soon Light

A computer monitors operation of your fuel, ignition and emission control systems. This light should come on when the ignition is on, but the engine is not running, as a check to show you it is working. If it does not come on at all, have it fixed right away. If it stays on, or it comes on

130

while you are driving, the computer is indicating that you have a problem. You should take your vehicle in for service soon.

Battery Charge Light (Export Only) 1 When you turn the key to “Run” or “START”, this light will come on briefly, to show that your alternator and battery charging systems are working.

If a light stays on, you need service, and you should take your Cadillac to the dealer at once. To save your battery until you get there, turn off all accessories.

131

Engine Oil Light (Export Only)

This light tells you if there could be a

j ’ problem with your engine oil pressure.

The light goes on when you turn your key to “Run” or “Start.” It goes off once you start your engine. That’s just a check to be sure the light works. If it doesn’t, be sure to have it fixed so it will be there to warn you if something goes wrong. When the light comes on and stavs on, it means oil isn’t going through your engine properly. You could be low on oil, or you might have some other oil problem.

A CAUTION:

Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If you do, your engine can become so hot that it catches fire. You or others could be burned. Check your oil as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced.

132

Tachometer - Analog Cluster

1 3

\ 2

This gage indicates the engine speed in Revolutions Per Minute (RPM).

Engine Speed Limiter (Northstar) If you have the 4.6 L Northstar engine, you have an Engine Speed Limiter. This feature prevents the engine from operating at too many revolutions per minute (RPM). When your engine RPM's are critically high the fuel supply to the engine is shut off. When the engine speed slows, the furl supply will come on again. This helps prevent damage to the engine.

133

Fuel Gage

Your fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in your tank. It works only when the ignition is in the “RUN” position. Digital Gage If the fuel level is within approximately one gallon (3.9 liters) of being full the letter “F” is shown. If the fuel level is between 1 and 2 gallons (3.9 and 7.6 liters) from being empty the letter “E” is shown. If the fuel supply gets down to approximately 1 gallon (3.9 liter) the “E” will flash, and the “ FUEL LEVEL VERY LOW” message will appear in the Driver Information Center (DIC). (On the analog fuel gage, the “FUEL LEVEL VERY LOW” message will also appear.) Here are a few concerns some owners have had about the fuel gage. All these situations are normal and indicate nothing wrong with the fuel gage*

the gas pump shuts off before the gage reads “F”. gas to fill up than the gage said. For example, the gage said “8 Gallons”, but it took more -- or less -- than the tank’s remaining capacity to fill it. The gage changes when you turn (or stop, or speed up).

..

134

Fuel Data Panel

6 i

Your Fuel Data Panel teUs you all you want to know about your fuel economy and how far you can travel with the fuel remaining. Here’s how it works. DATA: Push this button to toggle between “ INST MPG” (instantaneous miles per gallon) or the “AVG MPG” (average mile per gallon) displays. You can also display it in metric units by pressing the “ENG MET” button. RESET: Push this button to reset the “ AVG MPG” to zero. AVG MPG (Average Fuel Economy): When “ AVG MPG” is selected, the total distance is divided by the total fuel used. INST (Instantaneous Fuel Economy): When “ INST MPG” is selected, you will see what your fuel economy is at that instant. The computer takes a new reading twice every second. It will show economy up to 70 miles per gallon (or 2 liters per 100 Kilometers). RANGE: This display shows how far the computer thinks you can go with the fuel that is in your tank. The computer does not know what driving conditions will be like for the rest of your trip, so the range is estimated based on your previous fuel economy. Therefore, your range reading may change as your driving habits change (going from city to highway driving may increase the range reading). When you get down to 40 miles to go (or, in metric 64 km) the range display will show “Lo”. Your computer needs enough data for the “RANGE” reading to work, however, so it will read “Lo”for a while when your vehicle is brand new (under 25 miles). Also, it will show “Lo” for a while if your battery has been disconnected.

135

Driver Information Center

..

Your Driver Information Center (DIC) display gives you the status of many of your vehicle systems. The DIC is used to display driver selectable information and warninustatus messages. If more than one problem is detected, messages will automatically appear in priority succession with the higher priority messages displayed first. Driver Information Center Control Buttons INFORMATION Pressing this button successively will display the ENGINE RPM (Digital Cluster only), ENGINE COOLANT TEMP, B A m R Y VOLTAGE, OIL LIFE INDEX and FUEL USED. STORE/RECALL Pressing this button will store any currently displayed message that is indicating a system problem. Once a message has been stored the next message of normal information is displayed. When a message is stored it is saved in the computer, but once the ignition is turned off the message is lost. All messages stored when your engine is running can be viewed one at a time by pressing "STORE/RECALE' button. FUEL USED RESET Display the fuel used, then press and hold the STORE/RECALL button until 0 is displayed.

. c

. .

136

DISPLAY ON/OFF Pressing this button will turn off the Driver Information Center, Electronic Climate Control and Fuel Data Center displays. While displays are off, pressing the “INFORMATION” button will turn on only the Driver Information Center. If any other button is pressed or a driving warning message needs to be displayed, or fuel level falls below 4 gallons, all the displays will come back on. TRIP SET Press and hold this button to set the Trip Odometer back to zero. ENG/MET (English/Metric) Press this button to switch from English (miles) to metric (kilometers). Driver Information Center Messages These messages will appear if there is a problem sensed in one of your vehicle’s systems. Vehicles that are first sold in Canada or are export vehicles will have a number after each message. This number helps to identify that message, which is only displayed in English. APPLY BRAKE TO SHIFT This message will appear if your vehicle is in “P” (Park) for about 5 seconds and the brake is not depressed. If you do not want this message to appear, you can cancel this message by pressing the OFF and the Blue (cooler) button on the Electronic Climate control panel. Push the same 2 buttons again to have this message displayed again. A/C OVERHEATED - A/C COMPRESSOR OFF If the refrigerant system ever reaches an over-pressure condition, this message will appear to tell you that the air conditioning compressor has been turned off. Air conditioned air will not be delivered to cool your vehicle. If the pressure returns to a normal operating range, you must select “AUTO”, “DEFOG” , or Defrost to start the compressor. If this message continues to appear, have the system repaired as soon as possible to avoid compressor damage. BATTERY NO CHARGE This message will appear if your battery is not being charged. Have your electrical system checked by your Cadillac dealership at your earliest convenience.

137

BATTERY VOLTS HIGH This message shows that the electrical charging system is overcharging, (more than 16 volts). To avoid being stranded have the electrical system checked by your Cadillac dealership at your earliest convenience. You can reduce the charging overload by using the accessories. Turn on the lights, radio, set the Climate Control on “AUTO” and the fan speed on “HI” and turn the rear window defogger on. You can monitor battery voltage on the Driver Information Center by toggling the “INFORMATION” button. When the engine is running, the normal range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts. BATTERY VOLTS LOW This message will appear when the electrical system is charging less than 10 volts, or if the battery has been drained. If this message appears immediately after starting it is possible that the generator can still recharge the battery. The battery should recharge after driving a few miles and the message should go out. If this message appears while driving or after starting your vehicle and stays on, have it checked immediately to determine the cause of this problem. To help the generator recharge the battery quickly, you can reduce the load on the electrical system by turning off your accessories. You can monitor battery voltage on the Driver Information Center by toggling the “INFORMATION’’ button. The normal range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts. CHANGE TRANS FLUID (Northstar Only) This message will appear when it is time to replace the transaxle fluid. See your maintenance booklet for the proper fluid and change intervals. CHECK BRAKE FLUID This message is displayed to inform the driver that the brake reservoir fluid level is low. Check the brake reservoir level and add as needed. Have the brake system serviced by a Cadillac technician as soon as possible. If the brake warning light is on, follow the directions in that section. CHECK COOLANT LEVEL (Northstar Only) This message will appear when there is a low level of engine coolant. Have the cooling system serviced by a Cadillac technician as soon as possible.

I .

-’

138

CHECK FUEL GAGE This message will appear when your fuel supply is less than 4 gallons and your display is turned off. CHECK OIL LEVEL (Northstar Only) This message will appear when your engine oil is approximately a quart low. If this message is displayed, check the oil and add as needed. CHANGE OIL SOON This message will appear when your engine oil is less than 10 percent or the mileage since the last oil change is more than 6750 miles. CHANGE ENGINE OIL This means that the life of your engine oil has expired and it should be changed immediately. See engine oil and filter recommendations in the Maintenance Schedule. After an oil change, the Oil Life Index must be reset. See “Oil Life Indicator” in the index on how to reset it. ENGINE COOLANT HOT IDLE ENGINE This message will appear when your engine coolant temperature is over 126°C (248°F). To avoid added strain on a hot engine, turn off your Climate Control system and stop and allow your vehicle to idle until it cools down or the message is removed. If it does not cool down, turn off your engine and have it serviced before driving it again. Severe engine damage can result from an overheated engine. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index. ENGINE HOT - A/C COMPRESSOR OFF This message will appear when the Climate Control is in “Auto” or Defrost and the engine coolant is hotter than the normal operating temperature. To avoid added strain on a hot engine the air conditioning compressor is automatically turned off. When that happens, air conditioned air is not delivered. If the coolant temperature returns to normal, you must select “AUTO”, “DEFOG” or Defrost to return to a normal A/C compressor operation. FUEL LEVEL VERY LOW This message serves as a warning that the fuel level in your tank is critically low. It means you s h w l d stop for fuel immediately.

139

LOW A/C REFRIGERANT - SERVICE A/C SOON This message will appear when the A/C refrigerant is so low that it no longer can cool well. This message shows that some of the refrigerant has leaked out of the system, and that the A/C needs recharging. If you do not have it recharged, the system may not cool at all. CHECK WASHER FLUID This message shows that the washer fluid reservoir is nearly empty. REDUCE ENGINE POWER (Northstar Only) This message will appear if the engine starts to cut cylinders to reduce power. If this message is ever displayed, have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. SERVICE A/C SYSTEM A/C COMPRESSOR OFF This message appears when the electronic sensors that control the A/C and heating system are no longer working. You may notice a drop in heating and A/C efficiency when this message appears. Have your Climate Control system serviced if this message appears. STARTING DISABLED DUE TO THEFT SYSTEM REMOVE IGNITION KEY This message will appear when the Personalized Automotive Security System (PASS Key I1 TM ) senses that an improper ignition key is being used to try to start the vehicle. Check the ignition key for damage. If it is damaged, it may need to be replaced. If you see no damage, clean the pellet contacts with a soft cloth or napkin. Remove the ignition key and wait for the Driver Information Center to display “WAIT 3 MINUTES”. The Instrument Panel Cluster will then run a timer and change the messages to “WAIT 2 MINUTES”, “ WAIT 1 MINUTE”, and then “START CAR”. When the “START CAR” message is displayed, try again to start the engine. SERVICE NOW - REFER TO OWNERS MANUAL This message appears if you have a problem with the Electronic Control Module (ECM). To correct this problem have your vehicle serviced at your Cadillac dealership.

t.

140

SERVICE RIDE CONTROL This message is displayed to indicate that the Suspension System is not operating properly. To correct this problem have your vehicle serviced at your Cadillac dealership at your earliest convenience. STOP ENGINE ENGINE OVERHEATING This message will appear when your engine has overheated. Stop and turn your engine off immediately to avoid severe engine damage. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index. SERVICE VEHICLE SOON This message will appear if there is a problem with your Emission Control System. If the “SERVICE ENGINE SOON” light on the instrument panel and this message appear and then turns off, it is an indication that a temporary problem has cleared itself. Have your vehicle checked at your earliest convenience. STOP ENGINE LOW OIL PRESSURE If this message appears while the engine is running, stop the engine and do not operate it until the cause of low oil pressure is corrected. Severe damage to the engine can result. SERVICE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT If this message appears, there is a problem with your Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (Air Bag) system. Let only a qualified technician work on your vehicle. See your Cadillac dealer for service at once. THEFT SYSTEM PROBLEWCAR MAY NOT RESTART This message means there is atroblem in the Personalized Automotive Security System (PASS Key I1 ). PASS Key I1 TM will prevent the vehicle from restarting if it is turned off, so you should take the vehicle to a proper service center before turning the engine off. Never leave an unattended vehicle with the engine running. Once you are where you can get service, turn the engine off and then try to restart it. If the vehicle does not restart, the PASS Key I1 TM system will need servicing. TRACTION ACTIVE If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control, this message will be displayed if Traction Control is being used to reduce wheel slippage.

141

TRACTION DISABLED If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control, this message will be displayed if a problem is noted in the Traction Control System. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. TRANS FLUID RESET (Northstar Only) With the engine not running and the ignition ON, press and hold the OFF and REAR DEFOG buttons until the TRANS FLUID RESET message appears in the Information Center (between S and 20 seconds).

This message is a reminder, after driving about a mile that you have your turn signal on. TRUNK OPEN This message indicates that your trunk is open when the Ignition is ON. VERY LOW REFRIGERANT This message means that the Air Conditioning system detects a refrigerant level that is low enough to cause damage to the N C compressor. To avoid damage, the A/C compressor automatically turns off and the Electronic Climate Control will automatically switch from “AUTO” to “ECON” and remain there. Have vour A/C system serviced if this message appears. Speed Sensitive Steering (SSS) This system varies the amount of steering effort proportionate to your vehicle speed. Steering is easier at a lower speed for increased maneuverability and parking ease. As your vehicle speed increases, the steering effort is also increased proportionately. At highway speeds the amount of steering effort is greatly increased to provide a manual like steering feel for maximum control and enhanced vehicle stability.

Li

142

is

Road Sensing Suspension (Northstar Only) The Road Sensing Suspension automatically controls the ride of your in the shock absorbers and vehicle. The system controls damping forces struts in response to various road and driving conditions. The system capable of making these changes within milli-seconds. The Road Sensing Suspension controller is a computer used to control and monitor the system. The computer receives inputs from vertical acceleration sensors, wheel to body position sensors, vehicle speed sensor, lift and dive signals, and determines optimum strut valving or (suspension stiffness) for your current operating conditions. The computer also receives feedback from the various components to determine proper system operation. If the computer receives an incorrect feedback from the system, an error code will be set in memory and a SERVICE RIDE CONTROL message will display on the Driver Information Center. If this message should appear, have your vehicle serviced at your Cadillac dealer at your earliest convenience. Oil Life Indicator Your Cadillac has a Driver Information Center with an Oil Change Indicator feature. This tells you when you need to change your engine oil. It's based upon the engine oil temperatures and your driving patterns.

To see the display, press the Information button several times until " OIL LIFE INDEX" appears.

143

that the way you’re

if driving conditions, such as

You’ll see how much oil life you have left, as a percentage. So, if you see “95 OIL LIFE INDEX,” for example, that means driving your car, 95% of your current oil life is still left. The “OIL LIFE INDEX’ may say to change the oil sooner than your maintenance schedule. This can happen short trips in cold weather, cause shorter oil life. Always keep a written record of the mileage and date when you last changed your oil. For more information on when to change your oil, see the “Maintenance Schedule.” If you see “CHANGE OIL SOON,” it means that you have less than 10% of your oil life left, and you should consider changing your engine oil. If you see “CHANGE ENGINE OIL,” it means the oil life is gone and you should change the oil right away (certainly within 200 more miles [320 km]). The system probably will say to change the oil between 3000 miles (5000 km) and 7500 miles (12500 km), but it may even say to change it before 3000 under very severe conditions. It all depends on your driving patterns. If it’s been 7500 miles (12500 km) it will say to change oil. There are two things the system doesn’t do:

It can’t sense heavy dust in the places where you drive. If you drive in a dusty area, you should change your oil every 3000 miles (5000 km) or 3 months (whichever comes first), unless the display says it even sooner than that. It doesn’t check how much oil you have, so you’ll still have to check for that. To see how, see Index under “Engine Oil.”

to change

Also, for the system to work right, it is important that you use SG oil, as discussed earlier. when You’ve Changed the Oil When new oil is put in, you’ll need to reset your system. To do it, display the “OIL LIFE INDEX’ by pressing the “Information” button. Then press and hold the “STORE/RECALC’ buttons until the display shows “100.”

144

y.

struts to determine proper

Speed Sensitive Suspension The Speed Sensitive Suspension automatically controls the firmness of your Cadillac’s ride. An actuator in each of the four struts will change ride firmness depending on vehicle speed and other driving conditions. As the vehicle speed increases, the firmness of the suspension changes to one or three damping modes “Comfort”, for speeds less than 40 mph, “Normal” for speeds between 40 and 60 mph, and “Firm” for speeds greater than 60 mph. The system also stiffens damping during hard acceleration, braking and cornering for increased control. A computer is used to control and monitor the system. The computer receives speed, acceleration and determines optimum mode strut valving (or suspension stiffness) for your current operating conditions. The computer also receives feedback from the system operation. If the computer receives an incorrect feedback from the system, an error code will be set in memory and a message “SERVICE RIDE CONTROC‘ will be displayed until the problem is corrected. If this message should appear, have your vehicle serviced at your Cadillac dealer at your earliest convenience. Electronic Level Control This keeps your car level. The ignition has to be “ON” for the level control to work. When you turn the ignition off, you may hear the level control exhausting. The system consists of an electronic height sensor, a small electric air compressor, and air adjustable shock absorbers mounted on If the system has a slight leak, the air compressor will run frequently for a few seconds each time. For a massive air leak, the air compressor will stay on for approximately 7 minutes. You should see your dealer for service, but you can keep driving your Cadillac, though.

the rear of the vehicle.

145

3 SECTION 3

COMFORT CONTROLS AND AUDIO SYSTEMS In this section you'll find out how to operate the comfort control systems and audio systems offered with your Cadillac. Be sure to read about the particular system supplied with your vehicle. YOUR CADILLLACAIR SYSTEM Outside Air The outside air always flows through your Cadillac when it is moving. It enters your vehicle through an inlet at the base of the windshield. Keep this area clear a debris. Even if the vehicle is not moving, you can always get outside air . If you are traveling in the 60" F (16 C ) AUTO setting, a door will close to stop the flow of outside air, recirculating only the interior air to cool your vehicle.

Air Outlets -

outlets.

146

Electronic Climate Control (ECC)

Your vehicle has strategicaly placed electronic sensors, that feed information to the vehicle’s computer systems. Your vehicle can control the ventilation, heating, and air conditioning automatically year round. The outside temperature, inside temperature setting, fan speeds, and the ECC selection are displayed on a digital screen. OFF: Nothing is on, but air will flow through your vehicle if you’re moving. The system will try to keep the air at the but it might not be able to maintain it if it’s hot, or cold, outside. “OUTSIDE” Temperature: The outside temperature is always displayed when your vehicle is running. You can change it from Celsius to Fahrenheit by pushing the ENG/MET(English/Metric) button.

selected temperature,

147

Temperature

To select the temperature you want, push the blue button for a cooler setting and the red button for a warmer setting. The temperature setting will be displayed on the digital screen.

You can select temperatures from 65OF (18OC) to 85°F (69OC). And, at each end, you may choose 60" F (16OC), for maximum cooling, and 90°F (33OC), for maximum heating.We recommend when first getting familiar with your vehicle, select 75OF (24OC). You may find that your own personal comfort requires a slightly higher or lower setting. Once you set the temperature, the system will automatically maintain the set temperature. ECON With this setting it's all automatic, but the air conditioning compressor does not operate and it won't remove humidity from the air. However, the system will try to keep the air at the selected temperature. Use this setting in cold or cool weather to save fuel. If it's warm outside and you need to cool the air, use the next choice. AUTO With this setting, the air conditioning compressor runs and it's all automatic. In cold weather when the system senses the need for heat, the air flow will be directed out the floor ducts. As the interior temperature approaches the desired setting, the blower speed will decrease and the air flow could be directed through the defroster and floor ducts. To maintain interior comfort, the air flow may move to the air outlets and floor ducts (Bi-level). On bright sunny days in cold weather, the air come out the A/C outlets to maintain comfort.

flow could even

148

-.

Electronic Climate Control Features A/C Purge If your vehicle is sitting out on a hot day and you have it set on AUTO, the air will first flow out the floor air ducts for a few seconds. That is normal. This is to expel hot air in the air ducts. As the air is cooled, the flow will move through the A/C outlets. Cold Weather Purge On cold days when your system is first turned on, at any setting other than Defroster, DEFOG or OFF a small amount of air will flow through the defroster duct preventing your windshield from fogging. Automatic Defog When using your wipers or rear window defogger for several minutes, the system senses that a humid condition exists. When this happens, air flow will be directed to the windshield and floor ducts to keep your side glass and windshield clear. Manually Recirculate Inside Air There may be times, when you don’t want air from the outside. To recirculate the air from the inside only, just set the temperature to 60°F (16°C) and adjust your fan speed. DEFOG Push this button to divide the air between the windshield and the heater ducts. This is useful when fog appears on the windshield or side glass due to a sudden rain.

149

Fan Speeds

Push the (symbol) button until “AUTO” is displayed on the screen. At this setting, the fan speed is controlled automatically. If it is cold outside, the blower may not run in the maximum high fan speed. That is normal.

If you want the blower fan to run only at a fixed high speed, push the (upper) button until you see “HI” on the display. If you want the fan speed to be automatic, but you like the fan speed to be higher than the AUTO setting, just push the buttons until “HI/AUTO” is shown on the display. If you want the blower to run only at a fixed low speed, push the (low) button until “LO” is shown on the display. If you want the fan speed to run lower than the “AUTO” setting, push the button until “AUTO LO” is shown on the display. DEFROSTER

Push this button to remove fog or ice from the windshield.

The fan speed will work automatically or you can choose another fan speed if you want. It will help a lot if you first clear any ice and snow from the hood and the air inlet (it’s between the hood and the windshield).

150

Ip

I"

WAR DEFOGGER

Push this button to turn on the rear defogger. With it, your rear window and both outside rearview mirrors are heated. The system will automatically shut off after 10 minutes. If further defrosting is desired, simply push the button again.

Ekctronic Solar Sensor The Electronic Solar Sensor is part of the Electronic Climate Control System.

The sensor monitors the sun's solar radiation by telling the Electronic Climate Control system at what angle and intensity the sun is. The Electronic Climate Control uses this information to automatically make the necessary temperature and air flow adjustments.

151

Rear Seat Air Outlet

Move the switch to adjust the blower speed from “LO” to “HI.” Move the “VENT” lever to direct air flow from either the upper or floor outlets.

Heated Windshield (Option) Front De-Ice Here’s how to use your heated windshield in cold weather to remove ice or frost quickly: 1. If any snow is piled up on the windshield, brush it away. 2. Start your Cadillac and leave it in P (“Park”).

3. Push the switch. A light will come on to tell you it is working.

152

4. Try not to use other electrical equipment while the system is working. The system will go off after a four minute heating cycle. If you shift out of “P7’ (Park), the system will only cycle for two minutes. If you want it to cycle again, push the switch. It will go on for two minute cycles after that. If it has cleared your windshield before the cycle is over, you can turn it off try just pushing the switch again. Use the defroster to clear the windshield. In warm weather the heated windshield system helps keep the vehicle’s interior cool by blocking much of the sun’s heat producing radiation. The system’s solar control properties also help reduce interior fading. There is a metal film in the windshield which will block out some radio or microwave signals. Therefore, the heated windshield will reduce the useful range of devices such as garage door openers and radar detectors. (In certain states radar detectors are SOUND SYSTEMS Your Delcoa sound system has been designed to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure. But you will get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it first. Find out what your Delcos system can do and how to operate all its controls, to be sure you’re getting the most out of the advanced engineering that went into it. FM Stereo FM stereo will give you the best sound. But FM signals will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). And, tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the sound to come and go.

legal.)

The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night. The longer range, however, can cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.

153

I

This means your radio can produce quality AM sound comparable to FM stereo. A M A X @ reduces noise without reducing the high frequencies you need for the best sound. In addition to improved sound quality, AMAX@ includes more station on the AM band. You don't have to do anything in your radio because A M A X @ is automatic. AM Stereo

A CAUTION:

Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by agjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe sound level before your hearing adapts to it. To help avoid hearing loss or damage: 0 Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.

Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably and clearly.

I.

154

How To Operate Your Sound System Your Cadillac will have one of these Delco Radio Systems.

n e

TUNE

155

I

........................

.... *%.... ...r+,...m

+-*, ":-.

,..F"..,?,.._l m. ,..t. .............

...................... j.l~ -,-,,.,,

I"

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

:i

. . . . . . .

..

.. -1

(.

Please read the following to operate the radio portion of your Delco radio system. The Upper h o b The upper knob does these five things:

It turns the radio on and off. It controls the volume.

156

li

It lets you see what station you nave. (When the radio is on, push the knob to display the station). It tells you the time. (When the ignition is off, push the upper knob to display the time.)

0 Push the knob to change direction of tape play. Behind the upper knob is a balance control. It moves the sound between the left and right speakers. If you have the Delco Bose System you do not have this balance control. The Lower Knob Turn the lower knob to choose radio stations. Push the knob to switch from Ah4 or FM. If you have the Delco Bose Gold Series Music System, it lets you switch from CD (Compact Disc) to TP (Tape player). The control behind the lower knob moves the sound between your front and rear speakers.

SCAN When you push this button either up or down, the SCAN indicator in the display will light and the radio will find the next station and stay there about 5 seconds. Then it will go to the next station and pause, and keep doing that until you push either the SCAN or upper knob. SEEK This button selects stations, but it doesn’t keep moving as SCAN does. When you push SEEK up or down, the radio will automatically go to the next strongest station and stay there. Export Radio Only The SCAN and SEEK function selects station only in one direction.

157

Push Buttons You can set the push buttons to get up to ten favorite stations (Five on AM and five more on FM). Just:

Choose either AM or FM Tune in the station. Push the SET button. Within 5 seconds, push one of the five push buttons. Repeat these steps for each of the five push buttons.

BASS The slide control increases or decreases the bass response tone. Moving the control to the right increases bass while moving it to the left decreases it.

TREBLE The slide control increases or decreases the treble response tone. Moving the control to the right increases the treble while moving it to the left decreases it. Your Cassette Tape Phyer Your cassette tape player works best with tapes that are 30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer than that are so thin that they may not work well in this player. If you look at the tape, or on its label or box, it should say whether its bias, (“equalization” is 70 microseconds (70 p ) or 120 microseconds (120 p ). Chrome and metal tapes are 70 p sec and standard iron tapes are 120 p sec. Your tape player will adjust automatically for either type of cassette tape.

CI

158

To Play A Cassette Tape 0 Turn the radio on. 0 Insert the cassette through the tape door. (The “TAPE” indicator in

the display will light.)

If you hear nothing or hear just a garbled sound, the cassette may not be in squarely. Push the EJCT button to remove the tape and start over. The tape equalization is automatically sensed and set. Inserting the cassette also automatically disables DNR@* and activates DOLBY@ noise reduction. DNR@ is the Dynamic Noise Reduction. It helps remove background hiss noise from the radio.

Once the tape is playing, use the upper and lower knobs to adjust the volume and balance, just as you do for the radio. Push the upper knob to change tape direction. The arrow in the display show which direction the tape is being played.

FWD (Forward) Push the FWD button to move forward rapidly to another part of the tape. The radio will play during fast forward. To stop the tape push the same button and the tape will start to play again.

REV (Reverse) Push the REV button to move the tape rapidly backward. To stop the tape, push the same button lightly or any of the other buttons. The radio will play during this reverse function. To go from one side of the tape to the other, push in the upper knob on your radio. To remove the tape, push EJCT. The tape can be ejected when the ignition is turned off.

*DNR@ is a registered trademark of National Semiconductor Corporation.

159

that point. If the player is

NEXT Push the NEXT button up to jump quickly to the next selection. If the selection is at the end of the tape, the tape will reverse directions and begin playing at a normal speed. PREY Push the PREV button up to quickly go to the beginning of the last selection. If the player has played less than 10 seconds into the current selection, depressing the PREV button will cause the player to find the beginning of the previous selection and resume play from more than 10 seconds into the current selection, pressing PREV button will cause the player to find the beginning of the current selection and resume play from that point. If PREV is issued while the first selection on the tape is being played, the player will return to the beginning of that side of the tape. STfPL (St~p-Play) Press STPL to switch back to the radio without ejecting the tape. Press a second time to start playing it again. EJCT (Eject Tape) Press this button to remove the tape. The Delco Bose Gold Series Music System This optional sound system combines an AM/FM stereo radio with a cassette tape player and a compact disc player in a single unit. To operate the radio and cassette tape player portion of this music system, please read the beginning of this section. “How To Operate Your Sound System” and “Your Cassette Tape Player.”

it

160

To Play the Disc Player Before you begin, please note: don’t use the mini-discs that are called “singles” (even with an adapter). They won’t eject. Use full-size compact discs only.

Turn the radio on. Insert a disc (label side up) partway into the slot. The player will pull it in. Wait a few seconds and the disc will play. Then only the time of day and “CD” will display.

If the disc comes back out, check to see if

The disc is upside down. The disc is dirty, scratched, or wet. There’s too much moisture in the air. (If there is, wait about one hour and try again).

“Err” (Error Detection) If this message is displayed, you have a condition of either extreme temperature, moisture, or an incorrect disc. The disc will automatically be ejected. When conditions are back to normal, the disc should play again. RCLIPROG (RecalllProgram)

Press once to see what track is being played. Within 5 seconds press it a second time to see how long the disc has been playing. Press it a third time to see the time of day.

Rev (Reverse) Push and hold REV to return rapidly within a track. Release it to play the passage. The elapsed time will be displayed to show the reverse progress of the CD. FWD (Fast Forward) Press and hold FWD to advance quickly within a track. Release it to resume playing. Elapsed time will be displayed to show the forward progress of the CD.

161

u

Prev (Previous) Push this button to go back to the beginning of the track or push it again to a favorite track. Next Push this button to advance to the next track. STiPL (StopfPlay) Press this button and the disc or tape will stop without ejecting it and the radio will start to play. Press it again and the disc or tape will start to play again. EJCT (Eject) Press this button to eject the disc or tape. If you have both a CD and a tape in the player, then the other playback media will start to play. Press it again and the other media will eject. Comp (Compression) Pressing COMP makes soft and loud passages more nearly equal in volume. For example, playing classical or jazz music with very quiet and very loud passages in the same tune. The COMP display will light as long as COMP is on. Setting The Clock Turn the ignition on. Then: To Set the Hour:

Press SET, and within 5 seconds, Press and hold SEEK. When the clock gets to the correct hour, let go.

To Set the Minutes:

Press SET, and within 5 seconds, Press and hold SCAN. When the clock gets to the correct minute, let go.

Your clock is set.

162

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes, or a damaged mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight, and extreme heat. If they aren't, they may not operate properly or cause failure of the tape player. Your tape player should be cleaned regularly each month or after every 15 hours of use. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a known good cassette to see if the tape or the tape player is at fault. If this other cassette has no improvement in sound quality, clean the tape player. Clean your tape player with a wiping-action, non-abrasive cleaning cassette, and follow the directions provided with it. Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may degrade over time. Always make sure that the cassette tape is in good condition before you have your tape player serviced. Care of Your Compact Discs Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and clean it, wiping from

the center to the edge.

Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.

163

Power Antenna Mast Care Your power antenna will look its best and work well if it’s cleaned from time to time. To Clean the Antenna Mast: 1. lbrn on the ignition and radio to raise the antenna to full mast

extension.

2. Dampen a clean cloth with mineral spirits or equivalent solvent. 3. Wipe cloth over the mast sections, removing any dirt. 4. Wipe dry with clean cloth before retracting. 5. Make the antenna go up and down by turning the radio or ignition on

and off.

6. Then repeat if necessary.

NOTICE:

I Don’t lubricate the power antenna. Lubrication could damage

164

YOUR DRIVING AND THE ROAD

Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and

in varying weather conditions. We’ve also included many other useful tips I on driving. RORD SIGNS The road signs you see everywhere are coded by color, shape and symbols. It’s a good idea to know these codes so that you can quickly grasp the basic meaning or intent of the sign even before you have a chance to read it.

165

Color of Road Signs

WRONG

WAY

RAILROAD ADVANCE CROSSING

NO PASSING

ZONE

.. -

NARROW BRIDGE

YELLOW indicates a general warning. Slow down and be careful when you see a yellow sign. It may signal a railroad crossing ahead, a no passing

166

zone, or some other potentially dangerous situation. Likewise, a yellow solid line painted on the road means “Don’t Cross.’’

LOW

SHOULDER

WORKERS

AHEAD

FLAGGER

AHEAD

ORANGE indicates road construction or maintenance. You’ll want to slow down when you see an orange sign, as part of the road may be closed off or torn up. And there may be workers and maintenance vehicles around, too.

GREEN is used to guide the driver. Green signs may indicate upcoming freeway exits or show the direction you should turn to reach a particular place.

~

HOSPITAL

INFORMATION

BLUE signs with white letters show motorists’ services.

‘

CANOEING

SWIMMING

BROWN signs point out recreation areas or points of historic or cultural interest. Shape of Road Signs The shape of the sign will tell you something, too.

168

STOP

An OCTAGONAL (eight-sided) sign means STOP. It is always red with white letters.

A DIAMOND-shaped sign is a warning of something ahead - for example, a curve, steep hill, soft shoulder, or a narrow bridge.

A TRIANGLE, pointed downward, indicates YIELD. It assigns the right-of-way to traffic on certain approaches to an intersection.

169

A TRIANGULAR sign also is used on two-lane roads to indicate a NO PASSING ZONE. This sign will be on the left side of the roadway.

KEEP RIGHT

LEFT OR THROUGH

ONLY

RIGHT TURN

ONLY

RECTANGULAR (square or oblong) signs show speed limits, parking regulations, give directions, and such information as distances to cities.

170

Symbols on Road Signs

There are many international road signs in use today. The basic message of many of these signs is in pictures or graphic symbols. A picture within a circle with a diagonal line across it shows what not to do.

171

TRAFFIC LZGHTS

c i

We’re all familiar with traffic lights or stop lights, Often green arrows are being used in the lights for improved traffic control. On some multilane roads, green arrows light up, indicating that traffic in one or more lanes can move or make a turn. Green arrows don’t mean “go no matter what.” You’ll still need to proceed with caution, yielding the right of way to pedestrians and sometimes to other vehicles. Some traffic lights also use red arrows to signify that you must stop before

turning on red. r

REVERSIBLE LANE ON MULTI- LANE

ROADWAY

172

Many city roads and expressways, and even bridges, use reversible-lane traffic control during rush hours. A red X light above a lane means no driving in that lane at that time. A green arrow means you may drive in that lane. Look for the signs posted to warn drivers what hours and days these systems are in effect. PAKEMENTlMARKlNGS

NO

1 ZONE

PASSING

Pavement markings add to traffic signs and signals. They give information to drivers without taking attention from the roadway. A solid yellow line on your side of the road or lane means “don’t cross.’’ YOUR OWN SIGNALS Drivers signal to others, too. It’s not only more polite, it’s safer to let other drivers know what you are doing. And in some places the law requires driver signals. Turn and lane change signals. Always signal when you plan to turn or change lanes. If necessary, you can use hand signals out the window: Left arm straight out for a left turn, down for slow or about-to-stop, and up for a right turn. Slowing down. If time allows, tap the brake pedal once or twice in advance of slowing or stopping. This warns the driver behind you. Disabled. Your four-way flashers signal that your vehicle is disabled or is a hazard. See “Hazard Warning Flasher” in the Index.

173

TRAFFIC OFFICER The traffic police officer is also a source of important information. The officer’s signals govern, no matter what the traffic lights or other signs say. The next section discusses some of the road conditions you may encounter. D E F E N S m D m N G The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start with a very important safety device in your Cadillac: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts” in the Index.) Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.” On city streets, rural roads, or freeways, it means “always expect the unexpected.” Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do. Be ready for their mistakes. Expect children to dash out from behind parked cars, often followed by other children. Expect occupants in parked cars to open doors into traffic. Watch for movement in parked cars -- someone may be about to open a door. Expect other drivers to run stop signs when you are on a through street. Be ready to brake if necessary as you go through intersections. You may not have to use the brake, but if you do, you will be ready. If you’re driving through a shopping center parking lot where mere are well-marked lanes, directional arrows, and designated parking areas, expect some drivers to ignore all these markings and dash straight toward one part of the lot. Pedestrians can be careless. Watch for them. In general, you must give way to pedestrians even if you know you have the right of way. Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following distance. It’s the best defensive driving maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.

Here’s a final bit of information about defensive driving. The most dangerous time for driving in the U.S. is very early on Sunday morning. In fact, GM Research studies show that the most and the least dangerous times for driving, every week, fall on the same day. That day is Sunday. The most dangerous time is Sunday from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. The safest time is Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Driving the same distance on a Sunday at 3 a.m. isn’t just a little more dangerous than it is at 10 a.m. It’s about 134 times more dangerous! That leads to the next section. DRUNKEN DRn/lNG Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every year. Alcohol takes away three things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle:

Judgment

0 Muscular Coordination

Vision

Police records show that half of all motor vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol - a driver, a passenger or someone else, such as a pedestrian, had been drinking. In most cases, these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving. Over 25,000 motor vehicle-related deaths occur each year because of alcohol, and thousands of people are injured. Just how much alcohol is too much if a person plans to drive? Ideally, no one should drink alcohol and then drive. But if one does, then what’s “too much”? It can be a lot less than many might think. Although it depends on each person and situation, here is some general information on the problem. The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of someone who is drinking depends upon four things:

How much alcohol is in the drink.

0 The drinker’s body weight. 0 The amount of food that is consumed before and during drinking. 0 The length of time it has taken the drinker to consume the alcohol.

175

According to the American Medical Association, a 180-pound (82 kg) person who drinks three 12-ounce (355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the same BAC by drinking three 4-ounce (120 ml) glasses of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1-1/2 ounces (45 ml) of a liquor like whiskey, gin or vodka. It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person’s BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person who consumes food just before or during drinking will have a slightly lower BAC level.

c.

176

r - -------la THAT WILL

A BAC OF .85%

R--

3 HOURS

2 HOURS

1 HOUR

180 200 220 240

100 120 140 160

BODY WEIGHT IN POUNDS

The law in most US. states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0.10 percent. In Canada the limit is 0.08 percent, and in some other countries it’s lower than that. The BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we’ve seen, it depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them. But it’s very important to keep in mind that the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills of many people are impaired at a BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are worse at night. All drivers are impaired at BAC levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics show that the chance of being in an accident increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent (three beers in one hour for a 180-pound or 82 kg person) has doubled his or her chance of having an accident. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of that driver having an accident is six times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chances are twenty-five times greater! And, the body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. “I’ll be careful” isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an emergency, a need to take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street? A

177

I F

1 . .

I-

I- !

person with a higher BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision. There’s something else about drinking and driving that many people don’t know. Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s system can make crash injuries worse. That’s especially true for brain, spinal cord and heart injuries. That means that if anyone who has been drinking -- driver or passenger -- is in a crash, the chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if that person had not been drinking. And we’ve already seen that the chance of a crash itself is higher for drinking drivers.

A CAUTION: Drinking and then driving i s very dangeroucr. h u r rt(lrw%. perceptions, and judgment will be aNecled by even a smrl? amount of alcohol. You could have a serious -- or even fatal -- accident if you drive after drinking. Please don’t drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you’re with a group, designate a driver who will not drink.

CONTROL OF A PEHICLE You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at the places where the tires meet the road.

178

Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control of your vehicle.

Braking action involves perceDtion time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. That's perceDtion

- time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That's reaction time.

Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But that's only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping cnough space between your vehicle and others is impclrtmt.

o t LAWN*.

. h J IIK IO.^ ( u t ~ i l t ~ k ~ l ( U L ' I . d r ? , ~ i )

.ILIU.II q q w g di\l,mccb vary grcatly with the surface of

I I p a i ~ - l l ~ ~ * l ~ t

) . IIIC 1rc.d. J I ~

ttrc L X ~ ~ I ~ I O I

o f your brakes.

or gr,t\cl); the condition of the road

0 ALclid nccdlchs hca\y braking. Somc: people drive in spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking -- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool

179

3

- 4

between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. Don’t “ride” the brakes by letting your left foot rest lightly on the brake pedal while driving.

A CAUTION:

“Riding” your brakes can cause them to overheat to the point that they won’t work well. You might not be able to stop your vehicle in time to avoid an accident. If you “ride” your brakes, they will get so hot they will require a lot of pedal force to slow you down. Avoid “riding” the brakes.

180

If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life.

If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Your Cadillac has an advanced electronic braking system that will help prevent skidding.

This light on the instrument panel will go on when you start your vehicle.

Once the vehicle speed reaches about 5 mph (8 krnh), you may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise and you may even notice that your brake pedal moves a little while this is going on. This is the ABS system testing itself. If there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake system, the anti-lock brake system warning light will stay on. See “Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light” in the Index.

181

Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS. A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. The computer separately works the brakes at each front wheel and at the rear wheels. The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is programmed to make the most of available tire and road conditions.

You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard. As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.

182

P

A CAUTION

Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal. If you get too close to the vehicle in fkont of you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes.

To Use Anti-Lock: Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel the brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal. Disc Brake Wear Indicators Your Cadillac has four-wheel disc brakes. Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).

The brake wear warning sound means that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to an accident, When you hear the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.

183

Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes. Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets. Brake Pedal Travel See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble. Brake Agustment Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate or heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly. If you drive in that way, then -- very carefully -- make a few moderate brake stops about every 1000 miles (1600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly. Braking in Emergencies Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking. STEERING Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because fails to function, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Steering Tips Driving on Curves It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.

the engine stops or the system

184

A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here’s why: Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road the vehicle to change its path when you turn surface makes it possible for the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this. The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. Those two control systems -- steering and acceleration -- can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose control. What should you do if this ever happens? Let up on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower. If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. When you drive into a curve at night, it’s harder to see the road ahead of you because it bends away from the straight beams of your lights. This is one good reason to drive slower. Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between in front of you. You can avoid these problems parked cars and stops right

185

by braking -- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s the time for evasive action -- steering around the problem. Your Cadillac can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available. An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object. You must then be prepared to steer back to your original lane and then brake to a controlled stop. Depending on your speed, this can be rather violent for an unprepared driver. This is one of the reasons driving experts recommend that you use your safety belts and keep both hands on the steering wheel.

The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times. OFF-ROAD RECOKERY You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving.

. I

186

If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to 1/4 turn until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

If the shoulder appears to be about four inches (100 mm) or more below the pavement, this difference can cause problems. If there is not enough room to pull entirely onto the shoulder and stop, then follow the same procedures. But if the right front tire scrubs against the side of the pavement, do NOT steer more sharply. With too much steering angle, the vehicle may jump back onto the road with so much steering input that it crosses over into the oncoming traffic before you can bring it back under control. Instead, ease off again on the accelerator and steering input, straddle the pavement once more, then try again. PASSING The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver? Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same

187

lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the worst of all traffic accidents -- the head-on collision. So here are some tips for passing:

to pass

“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for situations that might affect your passing patterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait for a better time. Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken center line usually indicates it’s all right (providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane or a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of approaching traffic. If you suspect that the driver of the vehicle you want to pass isn’t aware of your presence, tap the horn a couple of times before passing. Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also, you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance. When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t get too close. Time your move so you will be increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a “running start” that more than makes up for the distance you would lose by dropping back. And if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass, you need only slow down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity. If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot. Check your mirrors , glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your

188

-.-

rc

inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back into the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to be farther away from you than it really is.)

0 Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads.

Reconsider before passing the next vehicle.

0 Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the

brake lights are not flashing, it may be slowing down or starting to turn. If you’re being passed, make it easy for the following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.

LOSS OF CONTROL Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger. Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three types of skids correspond to your Cadillac’s three control systems. In the braking skid your wheels aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If your vehicle starts to slide (as when you turn a corner on a wet, snow- or ice-covered road), ease your foot off the accelerator pedal as soon as you feel the vehicle start to slide. Quickly steer the way you want to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle will straighten out. As it does, straighten the front wheels.

189

\

Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited. While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues -- such as enough water, ice 01 packed snow on the road to make a “mirrored surface” -- and slow down when you have any doubt. Remember: Any anti-lock braking system ( A B S ) helps avoid only the braking skid. Steer the way you want to go. DRM.NG AT NIGHT

Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired -- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue. Here are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively. Remember, this is the most dangerous time.

190

Don’t drink and drive. (See “Drunken Driving” in the Index for more on this problem.) Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlights behind you. Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles. It’s hard to tell how fast the vehicle ahead is going just by looking at its taillights. Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlights can light up only so much road ahead. In remote areas, watch for animals. If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.

Night Vision No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old. What you do in the daytime can also affect your night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on glare from headlights, but they also make a lot of things invisible that should remain visible - such as parked cars, obstacles, pedestrians, or even trains blocking railway crossings. You may want to put on your sunglasses after you have pulled into a brightly-lighted service or refreshment area. Eyes shielded from that glare may adjust more quickly to darkness back on the road. But be sure to remove your sunglasses before you leave the service area. You can be temporarily blinded by approaching lights. It can take a second or two, or even several seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlights), slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the approaching lights. If there is a line of opposing traffic, make occasional glances over the line of headlights to make certain that one of the vehicles isn’t starting to move into your lane.

191

Once YOU are past the bright lights, give your eyes time to readjust before resuming speed. High Beams If the vehicle approaching you has its high beams on, signal by flicking