1993 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD brakes

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better
braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake normally but
don’t pump your brakes.
If you do, the pedal may get harder to push
down.
If your engine stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up, it
may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
This feature is deleted on Coach Builder limousines and funeral coach
packages.
Your Cadillac has an advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent skidding.
This light on the
instrument panel will
go
on when you start
your vehicle.
Once the vehicle speed reaches about
5 mph (8 km/h), you may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise. And you may even notice that your
brake pedal moves a little while this is going on. This is the
ABS system
testing itself. If there’s
a problem with the anti-lock brake system, the
anti-lock brake system warning light will stay on. See “Anti-lock Brake
System Warning Light” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 rear wheels.
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The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver 7 could. The computer
and road conditions. is programmed to make the most of available tire u
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You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard. .-
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine r As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and
controls braking pressure accordingly.
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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.
To Use Anti-Lock:
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock
feel the brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
-- work for you. You may hear the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Traction Control System
~ This feature is deleted
on Coach Builder
limousines and
funeral coach
packages. I
TRACTION
ENGAGED
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits wheel spin. This is
especially useful in slippery road conditions. The traction control system
works at all speeds. It limits wheel spin by reducing engine torque by
closing the throttle and applying the rear brakes. You may feel the system
working, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal. You may also
feel the accelerator pedal push back against your foot.
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TRACTION
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The “Traction Control” warning light lets you know when there is a
problem with your traction control system, unless your system is turned
off. When this light is on,
you have no automatic wheel spin protection.
Adjust your driving accordingly. If you can’t get the light off after
recycling the ignition, have your car serviced.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave your traction control system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off
if you ever need to.
TRACTION
CONTROL
DISABLE
SWITCH
3
To turn the system off, press this switch. The “Traction Control” light will
come on and stay on. To turn the traction control system back on, you
must stop and turn off the ignition. Then restart the engine. The traction
control system automatically comes on whenever you start your vehicle.
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Disc Brake Wear Indicators
Your Cadillac has front disc brakes and rear drum 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).
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A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well. That could lead to an accident. When
you hear the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced. I

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine IY OTICE:
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Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads could result in
costly brake repair.
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Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with your brakes.
Rear Drum Brakes
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Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if you ever hear a
rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake linings inspected.
Also, the
rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each time the tires
are removed for rotation or changing. When you have the front brakes
replaced, have the rear brakes inspected,
too.
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Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if c r
there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake
trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for
wear.
If you rarely make a moderate or heavier stop, then your brakes might
not adjust correctly. If you drive in that way, then
-- very carefully -- make
a few moderate brake stops about every
1000 miles (1600 km), so your -i
brakes will adjust properly.
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If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your rear drum
brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them
by backing up and firmly
applying the brakes a few times.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine c 1
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.
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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. -
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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. I,
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 ‘ i’
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
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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 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
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Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three
control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough
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friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
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In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek
an escape route or area
of less danger.
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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
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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.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
If your traction control system is off or disabled, an acceleration
skid is best handled in the same way.
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
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