1995 CADILLAC ELDORADO ESP

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
c
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 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 displayed, the system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
Braking in Emergencies
Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. With anti-lock, you
can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can
help you more than even the very best braking.
4-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0
0
c
0
0
0
0
0 0
0
“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for
situations that might affect your passing patterns.
If you have any doubt
whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait for a better time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see a
sign up ahead that might indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your
pass.
A broken center line usually indicates it’s all right to pass
(providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line
on your
side of the lane or a double solid line, even
if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
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.
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But
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.
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.
4-13

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 is best handled by casing your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system 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
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 brake system (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.
4- 14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3RIWNG 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.
Adjust
your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps
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 headlamps can
light up only
so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.
a
0
0
a
0
0
a
4-15 c-

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
Turn on your low-beam headlamps -- not just your parking lamps -- to
help make you more visible to others.
0 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.)
4- 19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving with a Trailer
n 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 as responsive as your vehicle is by
itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments),
safety chains, electrical connector, lamps, 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.
. During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and
that the lights and any trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when
driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re towing a trailer.
And, because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll need to
go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the
trailer to the left, just move that hand to the left.
To move the trailer to
the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and,
if
possible, have someone guide you.
4-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
c
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into PARK (P).
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until
the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into PARK (P) firmly and apply
5. Release the regular brakes.
your parking
brake.
When You Are Ready to Leave Afier Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Be sure the parking brake has released.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer.
See the Maintenance Schedule
for more on this. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, belt, cooling system, and brake adjustment. 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.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
4-39

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine .. i
k
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 part shows how to use your jacking equipment
to change a flat tire safely.
5-2 1