1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO brakes

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.
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
re-engage the cruise control. (See “Cruise Control” in
the Index.)
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 liHnit 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

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine teering in
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out
from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right
in front of you. You can
avoid these problems by bralung
-- if you can stop in
the. But sometimes you can’t; there
isn’t room.
That’s the time
for evasive action -- steering around
the problem.
Your Cadillac can perfonn very well
in emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes.
(See “Braking in
Emergencies” earlier
in this section.) It is better to
remove as
much speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around
the problem, to the left or
right depending
on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision.
If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended
9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can
turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But
you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just
as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided
the object.
The fact
that such emergency situations are always
possible is
a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times and wear safety belts properly.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 Bane.
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 lamps 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.
ss
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems, too.
The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles.
But if you can't, try to slow down before you hit them.
,A CAUTION: .' '
..
..
.. ..
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won't work
as well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to
one side. You could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or
a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until
your brakes
work normally.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can
make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle
in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system
and transaxle. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
Know how to
go down hills. The most important
thing to know
is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
~ ~ ~~ -~ ~
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do dl the work of slowing down. They codd get so
hot that they woddn9t work well. You would then
have poor braking QF even none going down a hill.
You ~dd crash. Always have your engine running
Saaaca your vehicle in gear when you go doMi.
A CAUTION:
you don’t shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would then
have
poor braking or even none going down a hu.
You could crash. Shift down to let your engine
mist
your brakes on a steep downhill slope.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transaxle, and you
can climb the hill better.
Stay
in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads in hills OF mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut
across the center
of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay
in your own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.
You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples are Bong grades, passing or
no-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding
roads. Be
dert to these and take appropriate action.
-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your anti-lock brakes improve your vehicle’s stability
when you make
a hard stop on a slippery road. Even
though yonhave the anti-lock braking system, you’ll
want to begin stopping sooner than you would
on dry
pavement. See “Anti-Lock’’ in the Index.
Allow greater following distance
on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine
until
you hit a spot that’s covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in
shaded areas where the sun can’t reach:
around
clumps of trees, behind buildings or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface
of a curve or an overpass may
remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear. If
you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you
are
on it. Try not to brake while you’re actually on
the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation.
You should probably stay with your
vehicle unless you know for sure that you
are near help
and
you can hike through the snow. Here are some
things to do to summon help and keep yourself and your
passengers
safe:
Turn on your hazard flashers.
-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Things’ you put. inside your- vehicle can strike and:
injure people in a sudden stop .or turn, or in
a crash,
Put things in the,trunk of your vehicle. In a ,
trunk, put.them as far forward. as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
inside the
vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops
.of the seats.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
0 When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
0 Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
.I# ‘-a ...-,- ._ .. * . ..l_.
This feature keeps the rear of your vehicle level as the
load changes. It’s automatic -- you don’t need to
adjust anything.
Towing, a
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when
you pull a
trailer. For example,, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
=- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in
this section. Ask your Cadillac dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
I NOTICE.:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result
in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part,
and see your Cadillac
dealer
for important information about towing a
trailer with your vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the
hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by
the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation
for attaching safety
chains and do
not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag
on the ground.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, don’t
try to tap into
your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system.
If you do, both
brake systems won’t work well, or at all.
Be
sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly.
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 lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
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.