1994 CADILLAC SEVILLE ESP

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As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speea ana
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.
Traction Control System
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits wheel spin. This is
especially useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates only if
it senses that one or both
of the front wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, the system works the front brakes and
reduces engine power (by shutting off fuel injectors) to limit wheel spin.
The “TRACTION ACTIVE” message will display on the Driver
Information Center when the traction control system is limiting wheel
spin. See “Driver Information Center Messages” in the Index. You may
feel the system working, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction control system begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. When
road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on. (See “Cruise Control” in the Index.)
The “TRACTION DISABLED” message will display on the Driver
Information Center
if there’s a problem with your traction control system.
See “Driver Information Center Messages” in the Index. When this
message is displayed, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
181

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re
awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces
your area
of vision, especially if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also,
you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or
stops. Keep back
a reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate
but stay in the right lane and don’t get too close. Time your move
so
you will be increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other
lane.
If the way is clear to pass, you will have a “running start” that
more than makes up for the distance you would lose by dropping back.
And if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass, you need
only slow
down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity.
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.
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But
0 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If you have the traction control system, remember: It helps avoid only the
acceleration skid.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot
off the accelerator pedal and
quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering
quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid
if it occurs.
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
187

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
DRIUNG AT NIGHT
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that
some drivers are likely
to be impaired -- by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
0 Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlights
behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more
space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlights can light
up only
so much road ahead.
188

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
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.
0 Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See “Tires” in the Index.)
CITYDWNG
192

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine when you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your vehicle (see
Index under “Carbon Monoxide”). Dirt and water can, too.
NOTICE:
-
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other bumper-type hitches to them. I-
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. 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
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so you’ll
be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting
out for the open road, you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel
of handling and braking with the added weight of
the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly
so responsive as your vehicle is by
itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety chains,
electrical connector, lights, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the
trailer brake controller
by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This
lets you check your electrical connection at the same time.
206

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Cooling When Trailering
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during severe operating
conditions such as;
Climbing grades steeper than 4% at ambient temperatures above
90 Fahrenheit (32O Celsius) with a loaded vehicle and trailer.
I_ Stopping after high-speed driving.
0 Idling for long periods in stop and go traffic.
If “ENGINE HOT A/C COMPRESSOR
OFF” message appears on the
Driver Information Center, do not be alarmed. This is a normal function
designed to reduce the load
on the engine and cooling system. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If “ENGINE COOLANT HOT IDLE ENGINE’’ message appears on
the Driver Information Center, pull off to the side of the road as soon as
it is safe to do
so. When the vehicle is at a complete stop, shift the
the engine or increase engine speed above a normal idle. Within
two or
three minutes the system should cool sufficiently to allow A/C operation
normal driving after
10 minutes if the “ENGINE COOLANT HOT
IDLE ENGINE” message is not displayed.
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transaxle selector to P (Park) and allow the engine to idle. Do not turn off
__ to resume. At that time resume driving at a reduced speed. Return to
__
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer.
especially important
in trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid
(don’t overfill), engine oil, belts, cooling system, and brake wear Each of
.- these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help you find them
quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these sections
before
you start your trip.
~ See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things that are
- Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
209

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. Then replace the
pressure cap. Be
sure the arrows on
the pressure cap
line up
like this.
Start the engine and allow it to warm up. If the “ENGINE COOLANT
LOW” message does not appear on the Driver Information Center,
coolant is at the proper fill level. If an “ENGINE COOLANT
LOW”
message does appear, repeat steps 1 to 3 or see your dealer.
IF A TIRE GOES FLAT
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely
to leak out slowly. But
if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer
to maintain lane position, then gently brake
to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction you’d use in a skid. In any rear blowout,
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under
control by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very
bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well off
the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next section shows how to use your jacking
equipment to change a flat tire safely.