Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine CRUISE CONTROL
With Cruise Control, you can maintain a speed of about 25 mph (40
kmih) or more without keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can
really help on long trips. Cruise Control does not work at speeds below
about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the Cruise Control shuts off.
Cruise Control can be dangerous where you can’t drive safely
at a steady speed.
So, don’t use your Cruise Control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise Control can be dangerous on slippery roads. On such
roads, fast changes in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and
you could lose control. Don’t use Cruise
Control on slippery roads.
To Set Crucse Control
1. Move the Cruise
Control switch
to
“ON ”
101
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 C I I
Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. You’re driving
safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front
of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with
ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. The computer
separately works the brakes at each front wheel and at the re\
ar wheels.
The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver
could. The computer is programmed to make the most of available tire
and road conditions.
You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and
controls braking pressure accordingly.
180
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
A CAUTION:
Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to
the brake pedal. If you get too close
to the vehicle in front of
you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes.
I
To Use Anti-Lock:
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock
work for you.
You may hear the anti-lock pump or motor operate. and
feel the brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
Your Cadillac has four-wheel disc 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).
UJTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner or later YL-,
brakes won’t work well. That could lead to an accident. When
you hear the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
NOTICE:
181
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news
happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of
us is subject to the same laws of
physics when driving on curves. The traction
of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path
when you turn
the front wheels. If there’s
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going
in the same direction.
If you’ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice,
you’ll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition
of your tires
and the road surface,
the angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you’re steering through
a sharp curve. Then you suddenly
accelerate.
Those two control systems -- steering and acceleration -- can overwhelm
those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Let up on the accelerator
pedal, steer the vehicle the way
you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed.
Of
course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before
you enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead.
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.
183
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0
a
0
a
0
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But
take care that someone isn’t trying to pass you as you pull out to pass
the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors
, glance over your shoulder, and start your left
lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When
you are far enough ahead
of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back
into the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror is
convex. The vehicle
you just passed may seem to be farther away from
you than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads.
Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
Don’t overtake
a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the
brake lights are not flashing, it may be slowing down or starting to
turn.
If you’re being passed, make it easy for the following driver to get
ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.
LOSS OF CONTROL
Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three
control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what
the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek
an escape route or area
of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid
most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by
not “overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types
of skids correspond to your Cadillac’s three control
systems. In the braking skid your wheels aren’t rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed
or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best handled by easing your
foot
off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide (as when you turn a corner on a wet, snow-
or ice-covered road), ease your foot off the accelerator pedal as soon as
you
feel the vehicle start to slide. Quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go.
If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle will
straighten out. As it does, straighten the front wheels.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety, you’ll want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid
sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking (including engine braking by
shifting to
a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is
skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues
-- such as enough water, ice or
packed snow
on the road to make a “mirrored surface” -- and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock braking system
(ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid. Steer the way you want to go.
DIWTNG AT NIGHT
188
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0
0
0
0
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important
to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the
tread good enough for long-distance driving? Are
the tires all inflated
to the recommended pressure‘?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid
a major storm
system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
ON THE ROAD
Unless you are the only driver, it is good to share the driving task with
others. Limit turns behind the wheel
to about 100 miles (160 km) or two
hours at a sitting. Then, either change drivers or stop for some
refreshment like
coffee, tea or soft drinks and some limbering up. But do
stop and move around. Eat lightly along the way. Heavier meals tend to
make some people sleepy.
On two-lane highways or undivided multilane highways that do not have
controlled access, you’ll want
to watch for some situations not usually
found on freeways. Examples are: stop signs and signals, shopping centers
with direct access to the highway,
no passing zones and school zones,
vehicles turning left and right
off the road, pedestrians, cyclists, parked
vehicles, and even animals.
HIGWAY mPlVOSIS
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just
plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack
of
awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with the same scenery,
along with the hum
of the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and
the rush
of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t
let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less than
What
can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be aware that it can
happen. and
you could crash and be injured.
200