1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO parking brake

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It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine
is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake after
you move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into PARK
(P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
Power Windows
The controls are
located near each
window. Press the
control forward to
raise the window .and
press rearward to lower. Note that the
second rearward
position on the driver’s
control operates the
express-down
window feature.
Your vehicle has Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).
When you stop your vehicle and turn the ignition key to
OFF, you can still use your power windows. The
electrical power to operate the windows will not shut
off
until you open a door or 10 minutes have passed. If you
want this power for another
10 minutes, turn the key to
RUN and back to OFF.

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A CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working.properly
'if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
1
When the ignition is on, the brake-system warning light
will
also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will. stay
on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released,
it means you have a brake problem.
Parking Brake Indicator Light
PARK
BRAKE
This light come's on when
the parking brake is set, and
it will stay on if the parking
brake does not
fully release. ,.
If you try to drive off with
the parking brake set, this
light
will remain on.
This light should also come on briefly as you start the
vehicle. If it doesn't, have the light fiied so it will be
ready to remind you if the parking brake has not fwlly
released. For more information on how to release
the parking brake, see "Parking
Brake" earlier in
this section.
2-66

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Steering
Power Stewing
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
MAGNASTEER * (ETC Only)
Your vehicle may be equipped with GM MAGNASTEER,
a system that continuously adjusts the effort you feel when
steering at all vehicle speeds.
It provides ease when
parking yet a firm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Speed Sensitive Steering (SSS)
(Eldorado Only)
This system varies the amount of steering effort
proportionate to your vehicle speed. Steering is easier at
a lower speed for maneuvering and parking ease.
As
your vehicle speed increases, the steering effort also
increases. At highway speeds, the amount of steering
effort
is increased to provide manual-like steering for
maximum control and stability.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each
of us is subject to
the same laws
of physics when driving on curves. The
traction
of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the l‘ront wheels.
If there’s no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever
tried to steer
a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this.
4-10

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P).
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks
are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into
PARK
(P) firmly and apply your parking brake.
Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 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.
4-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the front T-hook slots or
R-hooks inserted in the
rear R-hook slots.
Never use J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain
and suspension components.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key
turned to the
OFF position. The steering wheel should
be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with a clamping
device designed for towing service.
Do not use the
vehicle’s steering column lock for this. The transaxle
should be in NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake
released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the drive wheels
unless you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the
drive wheels, be sure to follow the speed and distance
restrictions later in this section or your transaxle will be
damaged.
If these limitations must be exceeded, then the
drive wheels have to be supported on a dolly.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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, and 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.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
A CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip
off the jack and roll over you or other
people.
You and they could be badly injured.
Find
a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
2. Set the parking brake firmly.
3. ”urn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t move,
you can put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire on the other side
of the
vehicle, at the opposite end.
5-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180" F to 200" F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you may have
to drive longer.
C hec 1 the Fluid Le7
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK
(P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three to five minutes.
Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow these steps: The
black transaxle fluid cap is located next to the
radiator hose and below the air cleaner assembly on
the driver's side of the engine. Remove the air
cleaner assembly
so you can reach the transaxle fluid
cap. The assembly
is attached to the vehicle by two
fasteners. Simply lift up on the air cleaner assembly
to remove
it. Find the transaxle fluid cap and turn it
counterclockwise to remove. Pull out the dipstick
and wipe
it with a clean rag or paper towel.
Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull
it back out again.
1.
2.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine BBB Auto Line ................................. 7-8
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 7-8
Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-27
Fluid
....................................... 6-25
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-25
Parking
..................................... 2-22
PedalTravel
................................. 6-27
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-28
System Warning Light
......................... 2-65
Trailer
...................................... 4-35
Transaxle Shift Interlock
....................... 2-27
Wear
....................................... 6-27
Brake Vacuum Problem Message
.................. 2-79
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking
in Emergencies .......................... 4- 10
Break-In. New Vehicle .......................... 2- 14
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-43
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-29
BTSI
......................................... 2-27
Capacities and Specifications
............... 6.64. 6.65
Carbon Monoxide
.................... 2.28.4.28. 4.34
Cassette Tape Player
.................. 3.16.3.20. 3.27
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-35
Cassette Tape Player Errors
............. 3.16. 3.20. 3.28
Cellular Telephone
.............................. 2-54 Center Console
Storage Area
...................... 2-51
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-33
Center Rear Passenger Position
.................... 1-31
Certificationnire Label
.......................... 4-30
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-34
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-44
Change Engine Oil Message
...................... 2-79
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-25
Chargmg System Indicator Light
................... 2-65
Check Brake Fluid Level Message
................. 2-80
Check Coolant Level Message
..................... 2-80
Check Fuel Gage Message
........................ 2-80
Check Oil Level Message
........................ 2-80
Check %&her Fluid Message
..................... 2-80
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-45
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-51
Child Restraints
................................ 1-34
Securing in
a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-36
Securing
in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-38
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-40
TopStrap
................................... 1-35
WheretoPut ................................ 1-34
Chrome Wheels. Cleaning
........................ 6-50
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-55
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-13
Central Door Unlocking System
.................... 2-3
Change Trans Fluid Message
...................... 2-79
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-52