Page 151 of 398
Charge Light
When you turn the key
to “Run” or “Start”,
this light
will come on
briefly, to show that
your alternator and
battery charging
systems are working. n
Cf
n
-1
If a light stays on, you need service, and you should take your Cadillac to
the dealer at once.
To save your battery until you get there, turn off all
accessories, and set your Electronic Climate Control system to
“OFF.”
Low Oil Level Light
If it doesn’t come on, have it repaired. If the light comes on and stays on,
your engine oil level is too low. Check your oil level and add enough oil
to bring the engine oil level
up to the proper level. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
138
-
1
Page 205 of 398

I
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a
reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in
advance.
If you miss your exit do not, under any circumstances, stop and
back up. Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not to your sense of
motion. After driving for any distance at higher speeds, you may tend to
think you are going slower than you actually are.
BEFORE LEAWNG ONA LONG TMP
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when
you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s work -- don’t plan to make too
many,miles that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and
shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long.trip? If you keep it serviced and
maintained, it’s ready to go.
If it needs service, have it done before
starting out. Of course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts
in
Cadillac dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready and
willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, EnEine Oil. Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
inside
and outside?
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?
Ql
cl‘ I
GI
192
Page 267 of 398
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on properly. Then
just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
ENGINE OIL
If the LOW OIL LEVEL light on the instrument panel comes on, it
means you need to check your engine oil level right away.
For more.
information, see Low Oil Level light in the Index.
You should check your-
engine oil level regularly; this is .an, added reminder.
It's
a good idea to check your engine oil every time you get fuel. In order
to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
om level ground.
t
E
-4
254
Page 268 of 398
To Check Engine Oil
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to drain back into the
oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
I Pull out the dipstick
slightly. Pinch the end
of the dipstick tube as
you remove the
dipstick to wipe the oil
from it. Then push it
all the way back in.
Now remove it without
pinching the tube,
keeping the tip lower.
Page 269 of 398
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need to add some oil.
But you must use the right kind. This section explains what kind
of oil to
use.
For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the
Index.
I
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the
oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
256
Push the dipstick all
the way back in when
you’re through. :f
Page 272 of 398
0 0
0 SH or SG
“SH”or “SG” must be on the oil container, either by itself or
combined with other quality designations, such as “SWCD,”
“SH,SG,CD,” etc. These letters show American Petroleum Institute
(MI) levels of quality.
SAE 5W-30
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included in a doughnut shaped logo
(symbol) on most containers. If you cannot find oils with the “starburst”
symbol, you should look for oils with the doughnut shaped symbol,
containing the three things noted above.
I NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have either the “starburst” symbol or
an
API SH designation, you can cause engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil) meets all the
requirements for your vehicle.
259
Page 275 of 398

-NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a damaging engine
fire:And, dirt can easily get into your engine, which will damage
it. Always have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving. I
I AUTOAUTIC .TRANsIMISSION FLUID
‘When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to change your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have
this done at .a Cadillac dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you
cou.ld get a false reading on the dipstick.
I I Too NOTICE: much or too little fluidcan damage your. transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall
on hot engine parts or exhaust system, starting
a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading
if you check your transmission fluid. i
I
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if
you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32OC).
At high speed for. quite a while.
tll
il
3‘ I
CI)
262
Page 287 of 398

I
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap. Just look at the
windows on the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid levels should be above
“MIN.”
If they aren’t, have your brake system checked to see if there is a
leak.
After work is done
on the brake hydraulic system, make sure the levels
are above “MIN” and below the top
of each window.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake fluid -- such as
Delco Supreme
ll@ (GM Part No.1052535). Use new brake fluid from a
sealed container only, and always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap
.before removing it.
NOTICE:
DOT-5 silicone brake fluid can damage your vehicle. Don’t
use it.
Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind of fluid. For
example, just
a few drops of mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in your brake system can damage brake system
parts so badly that they’ll have to be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so be careful not to spill brake
fluid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care” in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your Cadillac has front-wheel 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).
274
131
I