1993 CADILLAC ELDORADO belt

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A CAUTION:
Never do this.
I
IC
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.
That could 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.
59

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SAFETYBELT EXTENDER
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it.
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 SAFETYBELTS AFTER 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.
60

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A: The belt is torn.
A CAUTION:
Torn 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.
61

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine DOOR LOCKS
The
A CAUTION
Unlocked doom can be dangerous.
Passengers - especially children -- can eamy 01 I the doors
and fd out. When a door is locked, the inside handle won't
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 are more likely to be thrown *
out of the vehicle in a crash if the doors aren't locked. Weap
safety belts properly, lo& your doors, and you will be far better
offwhenever
you drive your vehicle.
.re are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle:
L
From the outside: Use
your door key.
If your vehicle has a theft deterrent system and it is armed, unlock the
doors only with the key
or Keyless Entry System. This will avoid setting
off the alarm.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
DEFENSIVE 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.
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 there are
well-marked lanes, directional arrows, and designated parking are\
as,
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 wh.en
the vehicle in front
of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.
172

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
The fact that such emergency situations are always possible
is a good
reason to practice defensive driving at all times.
184

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need scrvice 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.
217

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at the Tire-Loading
Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had a Tire
Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec) number on each tire’s
sidewall. When you
get new tires, get ones with that same TPC Spec
number. That way, your vehicle will continue to have tires that are
designed to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating, traction, ride
and other things during normal service on your vehicle. If your tires have
an all-season tread design, the TPC number will be followed by a
“MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a TPC Spec number,
make sure they are the same size, load range, speed rating and
construction type (bias, bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
A CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while driving. If you
mix tires of different sizes or types (radial and bias-belted
tires), the vehicle may not handle properly, and you could have
a
crash. Be sure to use the same size and type tires on all four
wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare, though. It was
developed
for use on your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system developed by the United
States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which grades tires
by treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This applies only
to vehicles sold in the United States.)