
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine LL
CL
- _-
c-
But the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent.
Research shows that the driving skills
of many people are impaired at a
BAC approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are worse at night. All
drivers are impaired at BAC levels above
0.05 percent. Statistics show that
the chance of being in a collision increases sharply for drivers who have a
BAC
of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent
has doubled his or her chance
of having a collision. At a BAC level of
0.10 percent, the chance of this driver having a collision is twelve times
greater; at a level of
0.15 percent, the chance is twenty-five times greater!
The body takes about an hour to rid itself
of the alcohol in one drink. No
amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. “I’ll be
careful’’ isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an emergency, a need to
take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street?
A person with
even a moderate
BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid
the collision.
There’s something else about drinking and driving that many people don’t
know. Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s system can make
crash injuries worse, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord or heart.
This means that when anyone who has been drinking
-- driver or
passenger
-- is in a crash, that person’s chance of being killed or
permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been drinking.
4-5

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.
The TRACTION ACTIVE message will display on the Drivef
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.
4-1 1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine IL.4 PASSING
--
-1
-c
The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits
for just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead,
then goes back into the right lane again.
A simple maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle
on a two-lane highway is a
potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same
lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds.
A miscalculation, an error in
judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put
the passing driver face to face with the worst
of all traffic accidents -- the
head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
a
a
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 vehic1.e 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.
4- 15

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 easing your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
Remember:
Any traction control system helps avoid only the acceleration
skid.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine h-
DRIPTNG 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.
0 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.
0 In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.

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
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
- .. surface, there could be hydroplaning.
I - .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.
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.)
4-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine - 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 as responsive as your vehicle is by
itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments),
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.
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.
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.
4-45

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adahtenance 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.
Engine Coding When Trailering
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during severe operating
conditions such as:
Climbing grades steeper than 4% at ambient temperatures above
90°F (32" C) with a loaded vehicle and trailer.
Stopping after high-speed driving.
Idling for long periods in stop-and-go traffic.
If the 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 the 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
transaxle selector to PARK
(P) and allow the engine to idle. Do not turn
off the engine or increase engine speed above a normal idle. After several
minutes, resume driving at a reduced speed. Return
to normal driving
after
10 minutes if the ENGINE COOLANT HOT-IDLE ENGINE
message is not displayed.
4-48