Page 136 of 406
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine - tire. If the warning light stays on after you replace the compact spare with
a full-size tire, or if it comes
on again when you’re driving, your Cadillac
needs service.
Traction Control System Warning Light (Option)
WER
When your traction
control system
is
working, the message
“TRACTION
ACTIVE”
will appear
in your information
center. This means
that slippery road
conditions may exist.
The “TRACTION
OFF” warning light
means that the system
is not working. This
warning light may
come on for the
following reasons:
If your transaxle overheats, the traction control system automatically
shuts
off for about three minutes. The warning light will come on and
stay on during that time.
If your brakes overheat, the traction control system will shut off and
the warning light
will come on until your brakes cool down.
Page 137 of 406
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ‘f the “TRACTION OFF” warning light comes on and stays on for an
:&ended
period of time, your vehicle needs service.
A CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed when the “TRACTION
OFF” warning light is on, they can explode and you or others
could be injured. And, spinning your tires with the “TRACTION
OFF’’ warning light on can cause the transaxle to overheat or
can cause other problems. That could cause an engine fire or
other damage. When you’re stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Don’t spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown
on the speedometer.
-.
I,
YOTICE: I-
Spinning your wheels when the “TRACTION OFF” warning 7
light is on can destroy parts of your vehicle as well as the tir ,
If you spin your wheels too fast while shifting your transaxlf
back
and forth, you can destroy your transaxle. when you’rt
-tuck, spin the wheels
as little as possible.
c
-.
I,
124
Page 138 of 406

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine - Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
r
This light tells you that
your engine coolant has overheated or your
radiator cooling fans
are not working. If you
have been operating
your vehicle under
normal driving
conditions, you should
pull
off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn
-1 the engine off as soon
as possible.
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to do. See “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
Engine Temperature Warning Light
I This light tells you that
your engine has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions,
you should pull
off the road, stop the car and turn the engine off as soon
as possible.
A warning chime should also sound if you drive with this light
on. The chime will continue to sound until the ignition is turned
“off” or
the light goes out.
As a check, the light should come on for a few seconds
when you start your engine.
125
Page 188 of 406

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine - YOUR OWN SIGNALS
Drivers signal to others, too. It’s not only more polite, it’s safer to let
requires driver signals.
- other drivers know what you are doing. And in some places the law
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 Flashers” in the Index.
- 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.
DEFENSIKE DmNG
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.
175
~ -.
Page 195 of 406
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
I
Lr
See “Anti-lock Brake System Warning Light” in the Index.
Page 198 of 406
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine r
.-
You may feel the system working, or you may notice some noise, but this
is normal.
The “TRACTION
OFF” warning light
lets you know if your
traction control
I
system is not working.
See “Traction Control
System Warning
, , ,, . I , -1
Light” in the Index.
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
Your Cadillac has front disc brakes and rear drum 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).
A CAUTION
The brake wear waming sound means thgt 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. 5-
., I
185
Page 213 of 406

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I I
Start your windshield wipers and washer, to help clear accumulated road
dirt. Slow down carefully.
Tips on Driving in Fog
If you get caught in fog, turn your headlights on low beam, even in
daytime. You’ll see -- and be seen -- better.
Don’t use your high beams. The light will bounce off the water droplets
that make up fog and reflect back at you.
Use your defogger.
In high humidity, even a light buildup of moisture on
the inside
of the glass will cut down on your already limited visibility. Run
your windshield wipers and washer occasionally. Moisture can build up
on the outside glass, and what seems to be fog may actually be moisture
on the outside of your windshield.
Treat dense fog as an emergency.
Try to find a place to pull off the road.
Of course you want to respect another’s property, but you might need to
put something between you and moving vehicles
-- space, trees, telephone
poles, a private driveway, anything that removes you from other traffic.
If visibility is near zero and you must stop but are unsure whether you are
away from the road, turn your lights on, start your hazard warning
flashers, and sound your horn at intervals or when you hear approaching
traffic.
Pass other vehicles in fog only if you can see far enough ahead to pass
safely. Even then, be prepared to delay your pass if you suspect the fog is
worse up ahead.
If other vehicles try to pass you, make it easy for them.
Page 214 of 406
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine CITYDlUPTNG
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on
them. You’ll want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and
pay attention to traffic signals.
Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
0
0
0
Know the best way to get to where you are going. Try not to drive
around trying to pick out a familiar street or landmark. Get
a city map
and plan your trip into an unknown part
of the city just as you would
for a cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You’ll
save time and energy.
(See the next section, “Freeway Driving.”)
Treat a green light as a warning signal.
A traffic light is there because
the corner is busy enough to need it. When a light turns green, and
just before you start
to move, check both ways for vehicles that have
not cleared the intersection
or may be running the red light.