
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 L
If you damage the cove Dr ! righ roI-- I Ssenger’ ir baL,
it may not work properly. You may have to redace both the air
ag and le
i trument panel. non’t onen (1 weak the sir hw
cover
-
Sewicing Your Cadillac with the Air Bag System
Please tell or remind anyone who works on your Cadillac that it has the
air bag system. There are parts
of thc air bag system in several places
around your vehicle.
You don’t want thc systcm to inflate while someonc
is working on your vchicle.Tl1e air bag system docs not need regular
maintenance. Your Cadillac dcalcr and the
1993 Cadillac Service Manual
have information about the air bag system, including repair or disposal.
A CAUTION:
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned off and the
battery disconnected, an air bag can still inflate during
improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an air
bag when it inflates. Be sure to follow the proper service
nrocedu -
When electrical work is done under the hood or inside your vehicle, the
ignition should be
in “Lock” if possible. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow
tape,
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of the air bag system.
Your vehicle has the driver’s air
bag only. The driver’s air bag must be
disconnected
if the ignition has to be on for electrical work or if the the
steering column is
to be disassembled. Disconnect the driver’s air bag like
this:
Turn off the ignition.
Remove the SIR (air bag) fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in
the Index).
Disconnect the yellow connector at the base of the steering column.
32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle also has the right-front passenger’s air bag. Both the driver’s
air bag and the right-front passenger’s air bag must
be disconnected if the
ignition
has to be on for electrical work, or if thc steering column or
instrument panel
is to be disasscmbled.
Your vehicles with both a driver’s air bag and
a right-front passenger’s air
bag, you must disconnect both air bags. Follow the procedure above for
the driver’s air bag,
then disconnect the right-front passenger’s air bag
like this:
Turn off ignition.
Remove the SIR (air bag) fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers” in
the Index).
Remove the trap door located inside the glove
box.
Disconnect the yellow connector.
When the work is complete,
if the air bag system was disconnected, be
sure to reattach everything and replace the fuse. before turning the
ignition
on. When you turn the ignition key on, be sure you see the
inflatable restraint light on the instrument panel. If you don’t see this
light
flash and then go out as usual, have your air bag system repaired.
SAFETYBELT USE DURING PREGNANCY
Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all
occupants, they are more likely
to be seriously injured if they don’t wear
safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion
should be worn
as low as possible throughout the pregnancy.
33

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

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ENGINE EXHAUST
I A CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill, It contains the gas carbon monoxide
(CO), which
you can't see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
* Your exhaust system sounds strange or different.
8 Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
0 Your :ehiQe was damaged in a .collision.
Your vehick was damaged when driving over high points on
the road or over road debris.
- 0 Repairs weren% .- .done: coirectly. -
6- .'*
,.
0
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been modified
improperl'
-.-- -I -- . . ~ . ., . :-
. *., .,:,t:.- ' * . .* ,_ - . -< .--, ,: .
... .- . If you &r Ispeq 'ihaust is coming intp your vehicle:
* Drive- it.only '_-- ali the windows down to .blow out any CO;
and
Have it fixed immediately.
..
. ..
E
91

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
gonc 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 WIII 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).
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 be 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,
123

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
BRAKE
(0) BRAKE
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.)
124

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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.
134