You slam on the brakes. Here's what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is
about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at
each front wheel and at the rear 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.
Remember: 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
work for
you. You may hear the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and
feel the brake pedal pulsate, but this
is normal.
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Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires
that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen
if the road is wet
enough and you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning,
it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can
if your tires haven’t much
tread or
if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of
water is standing on the road. If you can see reflections from trees,
telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the water’s
surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just isn’t a hard
and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when it
is raining.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
0 Turn on your low-beam headlights -- not just your parking lights -- to
help make you more visible to others.
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be
especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more
clear room ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted by
road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See “Tires” in the Index.)
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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?
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After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then the
tongue separately to see if the weights are proper. If they aren’t,
you may be able to change them simply by moving some items in
the trailer.
3.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle Tires
Be sure your vehicle tires are inflated to maximum recommended
cold tire pressure. You’ll find these numbers on the Certification
label at the rear edge
of the driver’s door (or see “Tire Loading’’ in
the Index).
Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCvmC)
GCVWR = Curb Weight + 2 Passengers + Cargo + Trailer
WHERE: Vehicle Curb Weight
= 4,368 lbs.
2 Passengers = 150 lbs. (Each)
Cargo
= 200 lbs.
+ Safety Factor
How Equipped GCWR
Standard Vehicle Up to 2,000 lbs. (908 kg)
With 5,000 lbs. (2270 kg)
With 7,000 lbs. (3178 kg) Trailer
................................... .7,450
lbs. (3178 kg)
Trailer Tow Option (V92)
.................... 10,800 lbs. (3382 kg)
Trailer Tow Option (V4P)
.................... 12,100 lbs. (5493 kg)
To determine how your Fleetwood is equipped, see the Service Parts
Identification label on the underside
of the trunk lid.
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NOTICE:
Do not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your
vehicle.
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r Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large
trucks going by, and rough roads are a few reasons
why you need the right
hitch. Here are some rules to follow:
If you pull a fully loaded trailer that will weigh more than 2,000
pounds
(900 kg), be sure to use a properly mounted,
weight-distributing hitch and sway control of the proper size. This
equipment is very important for proper vehicle loading and good
handling when you’re driving.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you
install a trailer hitch?
If you do, be sure to seal the holes to prevent
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust from entering into
your vehicle (see Index under “Carbon Monoxide”).
Don’t let the steel in a hitch contact the aluminum on your bumper. If
you do, the
two will corrode. You can use a insulator such as paint or
plastic tape to separate the steel and aluminum. The same steel to
aluminum corrosion can happen with fasteners, too.
Using A Dead Weight Trailer Hitch
The trailer tongue should weigh 10% of the total trailer load
(maximum 300
lbs.) or as specified by the trailer manufacturer to
minimize sway.
Trailer brakes of adequate size are required on trailers over 1,000 lbs.
(450 kg) loaded weight.
0 If the trailer is over 5,000 lbs. (2270 kg) adjust vehicle rear tire
pressure to (35 psi cold tire pressure).
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NOTICE:
Surge brakes do not function properly if used with most
equalizer hitches.
r
NOTICE:
Do not use sway control devices on trailers equipped with surge
brakes, i.e. boat trailers. Surge brakes do not function proper\
ly
when used with most sway control devices.
0 Trailer brakes of adequate size are recommended on trailers over
1,000 lbs loaded weight.
If trailer is over 5,000 lbs. (2270 kg), adjust vehicle rear tire pressure
to (35 psi. cold tire pressure).
Use a Reese custom made weight distributing hitch or the equivalent
for your Cadillac Fleetwood. (Reese product part number 36042)
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer.
Cross the safety chains under the. tongue of the trailer
so that the
tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch.
Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer’s
recommendation for attaching safety chains. Always leave just enough
slack
so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag
on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) loaded, it needs to
be equipped with adequate brakes. Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to maintain them
properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, don’t try to tap into your vehicle
hydraulic brake system. If you do, both brake systems won’t work well, or
at all.
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Align the upper
locator pins and insert
the pins into the holes. I
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Push the handles up to lock the skirt in place.
I COMPACT SPARE TIRE
Although the compact spare was fully inflated when your vehicle was
new, it can lose air after a time. Check the inflation pressure regularly. It
should be
60 psi (420 Pa). The compact spare is made to go up to 3,000
miles (5000 km), so you can finish your trip and have your full-size tire
repaired or replaced where you want.
Of course, it’s best to replace your
spare with a full-size tire as soon
as you can. Your spare will last longer
and be in good shape in case you need it again.
Your anti-lock brake system warning light may come on when you are
driving with
a compact spare. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
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Even though these figures are adjusted, they still represent what the
average driver will get. Your
fuel economy may be significantly higher or
lower, depending on how, when, and where your vehicle is driven. Here
are some things you can do to increase fuel economy;
Combine errands into one trip.
Turn the engine off rather than letting it idle for more than a minute.
Have your Cadillac serviced as described in the maintenance booklet.
Keep tires inflated to recommended pressures.
Anticipate traffic stops.
Here are some things that will lower fuel economy:
Quick acceleration.
Traveling at higher speeds. Traveling at 65 mph instead of 55 mph
Carrying unnecessary weight in the vehicle.
lowers fuel economy
by
15 percent.
Rewing the engine. This is not necessary for your vehicle.
Operating your vehicle with the suspension out of alignment or with
the wheels and tires out
of balance.
Use of electrical accessories which require high amperage when they
are not needed.
Even things beyond your control such as weather conditions affect your
fuel economy. Driving up steep hills, in rain or snow, and into a strong
wind will lower fuel economy. In the lower left corner of the fuel
economy window sticker from your vehicle is the range
of city and
highway fuel economy you can expect to get from your Cadillac. If you
are doing everything to raise your fuel economy, but are still not within
this range, your vehicle may need service. Collect as much information
about your fuel economy as you can find, (miles driven, gallon’s of fuel
used, etc.) and provide it your dealership for their review and assistance.
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