1995 CADILLAC DEVILLE traction control

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine This rich tradition continues
into the
'90s as Cadillac became the
first automobile manufacturer
to bc
awarded the prestigious Malcolm
Baldrige National Quality A\vard.
The 1992 SeviIle STS was the
first car ever to win all three major
automotive awards:
Car of the Year,
Motor Trend; Ten Best List,
Car &
Driver; Car of the Year, Automobile
Magazine.
L
A 1993 Cadillac Allanti m stock
technical
configuration; was selected
a: the pace car for the 76th Indianap-.
oii:? 5011. The demandlnE pact: car.
pertormancr and handling require-.
rncnts were met because of' such
advances as the Northstar sysrem.
The system Includes the 32 ITal
e.
dual overhead camshaft, Northstar
4.6 liter Vti engine, 4THO E clectroni-
call,: controlled automatic transask,
road sensing suspension. speed sew
sitiirc steering, antilock brakes and
traction control.
For more than nine decades
Cadillac
has been a leader in quality
and technical innovation. Now more
than
ever, substance takes shape
c
L.
c

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come on when you start
your engine and may stay on for several seconds. That‘s normal. If the
light doesn’t come on, hiwe it fixed so it will be ready to war11 you if there
is a problcm.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition off. Or, if’ the light comes on when
you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then
start the engine again
to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you’re driving. your Cadillac needs setvicc. If the
regular brake system warning light isn’t on, vou still have brakes. but you
don‘t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular biake systm warning light is
also on,
you don’t have anti-lock brakes and thcrc’s a problem with yo~u
regular brakes. See “Brake System Warning Light” earlier in this part.
Traction Disabled Message
If this message is displayed. there‘s a problem with vo~~r traction control
system and your vehiclc needs service. When this message is displayed,
the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
2-7s
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Truction Control System Active Message
When your traction control svstem is limiting wheel spin, the TWCTION
ACTIVE message will be displayed. Slippery road conditions may exist if
this message is displayed. so adjust vour driving accordingly. This message
will stav on for a few seconds after the traction control system stops
lirnitini
wheel spin.
Engine Temperature Warning Light (Can.udian Only)
This light tells you that
your engine has
overheated.
You
~ should stop the car and
turn the engine
off as
~ soon as possible. A
~ warning chime should
also sound if this light
comes on.
As a check, the light should come on for a few seconds when you start
your engine.
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY!
In the section “Problems on the Road,” this manual explains what to do.
See ”Engine Overheating“ in thc Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine STOP ENGINE ENGINE OVERHE'4TED - 42
This message will appear whcn your engine has overheated. Stop and turn
your engine off imrnediatcly to ;woid severe engine damage. See "Engine
Ovcrhcating" in thc Index.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON - 03
This message will appcar if therc is a problem with vour Emission Control
Svstem.
If tho SERVICE ENGINE SOON light on& instrument panel
appears
and then turns off, it is an indication that a temporarv problem
has cleared itself. Have your vehicle checked at your earliest convenience.
STOP ENGINE LOW OIL PRESSURE - 35
If this messagc appears whilc thc engine is running. stop the engine and
do not operate it until the cause of low oil pressure is corrected. Severe
damage
to the engine can result.
SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM - 83
If this message appears, therc is a problem with vour Supplemental
Inflatable Restraint (Air Rag) svstern. Lct only aqualificd technician
work
on your vst~ic~e. ~ec your tadillac dca~er for service at once.
THEFT SYSTEM PROBLEkl/CAR MAY NOT RESTART - 34
This message means there is a problem in the Personalized Automotive
Security
System (PASS-Key"'I1). PASS-Key '' I1 will prevent the vehicle
from restarting L if it is turnid off, so you should take the vehicle to a
propcr service center beforc turning the engine off. Never leave (117
unattended vchicle with the engine running. Oncc vou are wherc you can
L get ssrvicc, turn the engine off and then try to restart it. If the ve1;icle
does not restart, the PASS-Key:% system will need scnricing.
TRACTION ACTIVE - 91
This nlcssage will bc displayed if Traction Control is being used to reduce
whcel slippage.
TRACTION DISABLED - 88
This message will be displayed if 21 problcm is noted in the Traction
Control System.
Haw your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Traction Control System
c
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 ihc 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 svstem begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. When
road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may re-engage the
cruise control. (See “Cruise Control”
in the Index.)
The TRACTION DISABLED message will display on the Driver
Information Center to
let you know if there‘s a problem with your traction
control system. See “Driver Information Center Messages”
in the Index.
When this message is displaved, the system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on whenever you start
your vehicle.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions,
you should always leave the svstem on. But you can turn the traction
control system
off if you ever-need to. (You should turn the system off if
your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow. See “Rocking Your
Vehicle’’
in the Index.)
4-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3
Steering Tips
The traction vou can get in a CUI-VC depcnds on the condition of your tires
and the roaddsurfacc, the angle at which thc cun~ is banked, and your
speed. Whilc
you'rc in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you're steering
through c a sharp curve. Then you suddenly
accelerate.
Both control systems -- stccring and acceleration -- have to do
their work where the tircs meet the road. Unless you have traction control
and the system is on, adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
muck of those places. You can lose control.
What should you
do if this ever happens'? Ease 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the
brake lamps are not flashing,
it may be slowing down or starting to turn,
0 If you're being passed, make it easv for the following driver to get
ahead
of you. Perhaps you can easi a little to the right.
LOSS OF CONTROL
Let's review what driving experts sav about what happens when the three
control svstems (brakes, steering an> 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.
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 is best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only the acceleration skid.
If your traction control system
is off? then an acceleration skid is also best
handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
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.
4-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine IF Y0UX.E STUCK: IN SAND, MUD, ICE OR
SNOW
What you don't want to do when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your
wheels too fast. The method known as .*rocking" can help you get out
when you're stuck, but you must use caution.
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NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your vehicle as well
as the tires. If you spin the wheels too Fast while shifting your
transaxle back and forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle, see "Tire Chains"
in the Index.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear the area
around your
front wheels. You should turn your traction control system
off. (See "Traction Control System" in the Index.) Then shift back and
forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels as
little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. if that
doesn't get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you
do need to be towed aut, see '*Towing Your Vehicle" in the Index.
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