
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine GM vehicles is between 9 and 14 mph. However, this velocity threshold
depends on the vehicle design and may be several miles-per-hour faster
or slower. In addition, this threshold velocity
will be considerably higher if
the vehicle strikes an object such as a parked car which will move and
deform
on impact. The air bag is also not designed to inflate in rollovers,
side impacts, or rear impacts where the inflation would provide
no
occupant protection benefit.
In any particular crash, the determination
of whether the air bag should
have inflated cannot be based solely on the level
of damage on the
vehicle(s). Inflation is determined by the angle
of the impact and the
vehicle’s deceleration,
of which vehicle damage is only one indication.
Repair cost is not a good indicator
of whether an air bag should have
deployed.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In a frontal or near-frontal impact of sufficient severity, sensors
strategically located
on the vehicle detect that the vehicle is suddenly
stopping as a result
of a crash. These sensors complete an electrical
circuit, triggering a chemical reaction
of the sodium azide sealed in the
inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen gas, which inflates a cloth bag.
The inflator, cloth bag, and related hardware are all part
of the air bag
inflator modules packed inside the steering wheel and in the instrument
panel in front of the passenger
if there is a passenger air bag.
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument pane\
l. The air
bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags
distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags would not
provide protection
in many types of collisions, including rollovers and
rear and side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not
toward the air bag. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more
than a supplement to safety belt protection in moderate to severe frontal
and near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflation?
After the air bag has inflated, it will then quickly deflate. This occurs so
quickly that some people may not even realize that the air bag inflated.
The air bag
will not impede the driver’s vision or ability to steer the
30

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Light Sensor
The light sensor for
the twilight sentinel is
located in the center of
-
the front defogger tfi
grille. If you cover the
sensor, it will read
"dark" and your lights
will
come on. D
Interior Lights
Turn the headlight switch passed HI to turn on the interior lights.
Fog Lights (Eldorado Touring Coupe)
Use your fog lights for better vision in foggy or misty conditions. When
you press the upper fog light switch, a small indicator light will glow to
tell you the fog lights are on.
To turn them off, press the switch again.
108
L

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your DRL work with a light sensor on top of the instrument panel.
Don’t cover
it up.
The low beam headlights will come on at reduced brightness in daylight
when:
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 the door.
Push the button
to
turn them on. Push it
again to turn them off.
110

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SERVICE A/C SYSTEM A/C COMPRESSdR OFF
This message appears when the electronic sensors that control the A/C
and heating system are no longer working.
You mav notice a drop in
heating and A/C efficiency when this message appkars. 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 rM ) 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.
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.
137

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TURN SIGNAL ON
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 opcn 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 A/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 your
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
an enhanced vehicle stability.
Road Sensing Suspension (Northstar Only)
The Road Sensing Suspension automatically controls the ride of your
vehicle.
The system controls damping forces in the shock absorbers and
struts in response to various road and driving conditions. The system is
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 CONTROC’ message will display on the Driver
139

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 the rear of the vehicle.
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.
142

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electronic Climate Control (ECC)
Your vehicle has strategicaly placed clectronic 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 selected temperature,
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.
144

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine REAR 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.
“‘OTICE:
Scraping the inside of your rear window could cut and damage
the heating grids.
Your warranty would not cover this damage.
And don’t put decals there;
you might ha1 ocrap hem off.
L
Electronic Solar Sensor
The Electronic Solar Sensor is part of the Electronic Climate Control
System.
148