1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO brake

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck
in sand, mud,
ice or snow. See “Rocking Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
To turn the system off, press
the TRAC OFF button
located inside
of the
glove box.
The
TRACTION OFF message will display on the
Driver Information Center.
If the system is limiting
wheel spin when you press the button, the TRACTIQN
OFF message will display -- but the system won’t turn
off right away. It will wait until there’s no longer a
current need to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time
by pressing
the button again. The
TRACTION READY message
should display briefly
on the Driver Infomation Center. 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.
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.
TM
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
fm, solid feel at highway speeds.

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 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 bralung skid, your wheels
aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering shd, 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 Eldorado ETC, 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.

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.