1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
surge tank, but only when the engine is cool.
I
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on
a hot engine.
~ ~~
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
1 NOTICE:
The surge tank cap is a 15 psi (105 kPaj
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows
on the cap
line up.
If the surge tank pressure cap needs to be replaced, a
General Motors cap
is recommended.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
If your thermostat needs to be replaced, a General
Motors thermostat is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid
reservoir is located next to
the coolant surge tank on
the passenger’s side of the
engine.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten
it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL
COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up
to the mark.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Maintenance Schedule booklet.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufact.urer’s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use
a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
idding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer tluid reservoir is located next to
the air filter on the driver’s side of the engine.
Open the cap labeled
WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer
fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:
a
a
a When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system.
Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only 3/4 full
when it’s very cold. This allows
for
expansion, which could damage the tank if
it
is completely full.
Don’t
use radiator antifreeze in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level
in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid
is
leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should
have your brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t
work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are
worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
I
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is
hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work
is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come
on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such.as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing
it.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause
a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid,.
NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For (example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
0 If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s. .,
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in F.
the Index.
,. .. 7 ., ..
6-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Wear
Your Cadillac has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well.
That could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
~~~~~
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result
in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does
not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there
is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modem vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts
in them, as your Cadillac does when it is new.
When
you replace parts of your braking system -- for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
have
to have new ones put in -- be sure you get new
genuine GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your
brakes may no longer work properly. For example,
if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle,
the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you’ve come to expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new Cadillac has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have
to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom@
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take off the black, negative
(-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
I
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See
“Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around
a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
6-28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Bulb Replacement
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your Cadillac dealer service department.
Halogen Bulbs
Headlamps
A CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop
or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
1. Remove the cover by turning the lock tabs in the
direction
of the arrows as shown on the cover.
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