1997 CADILLAC DEVILLE traction control

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The electronics and computerization which were
pioneered by Cadillac in the
’70s came of age in the
’80s with Digital Fuel Injection and On-Board
Diagnostics in 1980, four wheel Anti-lock Brakes on 1986 models and Traction Control in the fall
of 1989.
The 1992 Seville 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.
The year
1993 saw the introduction of the Northstar
system. The state
of the art system includes the 32 valve,
dual overhead camshaft, Northstar
4.6 liter V8 engine,
4T80-E electronically controlled automatic transaxle,
road sensing suspension, speed sensitive steering, anti-lock brakes and traction control. For more than nine decades Cadillac has been a leader
in
quality and technical innovation. Now more than ever,
Cadillac is “Creating a Higher Standard.”
X

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Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can’t drive safely
at a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. (See “Traction
Control System” in the Index.) When road conditions
allow you
to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on. Setting Cruise Control
A
/!1 CAUTION:
If you
leave your cruise control switch on when
you’re not using cruise, you might hit
a button
and go into cruise when you don’t want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep
the cruise control switch
off until you want to
use it.
I

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine don’t have anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with
your regular brakes. See “Brake System Warning Light”
earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to
RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
I Control System Warning Light
TRACTION
CONTROL
This warning light should
come on briefly as you start
the engine. If the warning
light doesn’t come on then,
have
it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there’s
a problem. If
it stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, there
may be a problem with your traction control system and
your vehicle may need service. When this warning light
is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
The traction control system warning light may come
on
for the following reasons:
If there’s a brake system problem that is specifically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system is affected by an engice
related problem, the system will turn
off and the
warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine PCM FAULT - 110: The circuit in the Powertrain
Control Module (PCM) has shorted or is loose when this
message appears. Have your Cadillac serviced by your
dealership at once.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER - 41: This message
informs the driver, that due to wheel slippage, your vehicle
is reducing engine power to compensate for the loss of
traction. Accelerating too fast, causing the tires to spin,
is
an example of when this message would display.
REMOVE KEY - 70: This message will appear when
the Personalized Automotive Security System
(PASS-Key 11) is unable to read the pellet on the
ignition key or an improper key pellet has been inserted.
Wait for the DIC to display STARTING DISABLED
DUE TO THEFT SYSTEM REMOVE IGNITION
KEY. The instrument panel cluster will then run a timer
and change the messages to WAIT
3 MINUTES, WAIT
2 MINUTES, WAIT 1 MINUTE and then START CAR.
When the REMOVE KEY message is displayed, remove
the ignition key. Check the ignition key for damage. If it
is damaged, it may need to be replaced. If you
see no
damage, clean the pellet contacts with a soft cloth or
napkin before inserting the key back into the ignition. Have your vehicle serviced if the message still appears.
SERVICE A/C SYSTEM A/C COMPRESSOR
OFF - 14: This message appears when the electronic
sensors that control the air conditioning and heating systems
are no longer working. Have the climate control
system serviced if you notice a drop in heating and air
conditioning efficiency.
SERVICE AIR BAG - 83: There is a problem with the
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (air bag) system when
this message appears. Let only a qualified technician
work on your vehicle.
See your Cadillac dealership for
service at once.
SERVICE BRAKE FLUID SWITCH - 37: A defect
in the brake fluid detection circuit causes this message
to display if the ignition is in the
RUN position. Have
the brake system serviced by a Cadillac technician as soon
as possible. If the brake warning light is on, refer
to the directions listed in that part.
SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM - 102: This
message will display when a problem with the charging system has been detected. Have your vehicle serviced at
your Cadillac dealership.
SERVICE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - 106: This
message will display if an electrical problem has
occurred within the PCM. Have your vehicle serviced
by your Cadillac dealership.
SERVICE EMISSIONS SYSTEM - 104: A problem in
the emissions system has occurred when
this message
appears. Have your Cadillac dealership service your vehicle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TRACTION ENGAGED - 91: When your traction
control system is limiting wheel spin, the TRACTION
ENGAGED message will be displayed. Slippery road
conditions may exist
if this message is displayed, so
adjust your driving accordingly. This message will stay
on for a few seconds after the traction control system
stops limiting wheel spin.
TRACTION OFF - 89: This message will be displayed
after the traction control has been turned off.
TRACTION READY - 91: This message informs the
driver that the traction control system is available. This
occurs when the traction
ordoff button in the glove box
has been returned to an on position (pressing the button
once turns the traction control system off: pressing the
button again turns the system back on). This message
also self cancels after
five seconds.
TRACTION SUSPENDED - 56: This message
displays when the traction control system has been
temporarily shut off because your vehicle’s brakes have
overheated. This message does not indicate a problem
with your vehicle’s traction control system. After
a few
minutes, the traction control system will be available
again and the TRACTION READY message
will appear.
TRANS FLUID RESET - 48: With the engine not
running and the ignition on, press and hold the OFF and
rear defog buttons until the TRANS FLUID RESET
message appears on the DIC (between five and
20 seconds).
TRANSMISSION HOT - 112: This messages indicates
that the transaxle fluid in your vehicle is
too hot. Stop
and allow your vehicle to idle until it cools down or
until this message is removed.
TRUNK OPEN - 24: This message indicates that the
trunk
is open when the ignition is in RUN.
TURN SIGNAL ON - 20: This message is a reminder,
after driving about
a mile, that you have the turn signal
on. A multiple chime will also sound when this message
is displayed.
VEHICLE SPEED LIMITED TO XXX MPH
(KM/H) - 113: A failure in the suspension control
system has occurred when this message appears. The
PCM determines the speed your vehicle is limited to.
Have
your Cadillac serviced if this message appears.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance.
If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop,
even though you have
anti-lock brakes.
Using
Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear the
anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel
the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
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 to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ENGAGED 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 or hear the
system working, 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
reengage the cruise control. (See “Cruise Control” in the
Index.)
TRACTION CONTROL
This warning light will
come on to let you know if
there’s a problem with your
traction control system.
See “Traction Control System Warning Light”
in the
Index. When this warning light is on, 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 system 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
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 front 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.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked and your speed. While you’re
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
-- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. Refer to
“Traction Control System”
in the Index. 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.
If you have the DeVille Concours, you may see the
STABILITY
SYS ENGAGED message on the Driver
Information Center. See “Stability Engaged Message” in
the Index.
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 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.
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.
If you have the DeVille Concours, you may see the
STABILITY
SYS ENGAGED message on the Driver
Information Center. See “Stability Engaged Message’’ in
the Index.
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.
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