1993 CADILLAC DEVILLE belt

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do this.
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Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can’t
properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the
two children
can be crushed together and seriously injured.
A belt must be I
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Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt, but the child is so
small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck?
A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but be sure that the
shoulder belt still is
on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the
child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide.
If the
child
is so small that the shoulder belt is still very close to the child’s
face or neck, you might want to place
the child in the center seat
position, the one that has only a lap belt.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ’ A CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in
a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but
the shoulder part is behind the child.
If the child wears the belt
in this
way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen.
T’ It <: dd cause serious or fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion
of the belt should be worn low
and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This applies belt
force to the child’s pelvic bones
in a crash.
- SAFETYBELT EXTENDER
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If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. The
automatic lap-shoulder belt has plenty of extra length built in,
so it will
fasten around almost all people. -

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your dealer will order you
an extender. It’s free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat
you will wear,
so the extender will be long enough for you. The extender
will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that you choose.
Don’t
let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to fit.
To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt.
CHECKING YOUR RESTMNT SYSTEMS
Now and then, make sure all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors,
anchorages and reminder systems are working properly.
Look for any
loose parts or damage. If you see anything that might keep a restraint
system from doing its job, have it repaired.
REPLACING SAFETYBELTSAFTER A
CRASH
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary. But
if the belts
were stretched, as they would be
if worn during a more severe crash, then
you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision damage also may
mean you will have to have safety belt parts, like
the retractor, replaced
or anchorage locations repaired
-- even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the special part
of the
safety belt that goes through the seat to the adjuster may need to be
replaced.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 7 Q: What’s wrong with this?
A: The belt is torn.
CAUTION:
Tom or frayed belts may not protect you in a crash. They can
rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get a
new one right away.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine DOOR LOCKS
A CAUTION:
I
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
I
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily open the doors
and fall out. When
a door is locked, the inside handle won’t I
open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked door when you
slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be
so obvious: You increase the chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors aren’t locked.
Wear safety belts properly, lock your doors, and you
will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
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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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Be sure the parking brake has released.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear
of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer.
See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid
(don’t overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system, and brake
adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review
these sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
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