1999 CADILLAC ELDORADO steering wheel

yellowblue
1-23 How the Air Bag System Works
Where are the air bags?
The driver's air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
The right front passenger's air bag is in the instrument
panel on the passenger's side.

yellowblue
1-24
CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and an air
bag, the bag might not inflate properly or it
might force the object into that person. The path
of an inflating air bag must be kept clear. Don't
put anything between an occupant and an air
bag, and don't attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any other air
bag covering.
When should an air bag inflate?
An air bag is designed to inflate in a moderate to severe
frontal or near
-frontal crash. The air bag will inflate only if
the impact speed is above the system's designed ªthreshold
level.º If your vehicle goes straight into a wall that doesn't
move or deform, the threshold level is about 9 to 15 mph
(14 to 24 km/h). The threshold level can vary, however,
with specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat
above or below this range. If your vehicle strikes
something that will move or deform, such as a parked car,
the threshold level will be higher. The air bag is not
designed to inflate in rollovers, side impacts or rear
impacts, because inflation would not help the occupant.In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air
bag should have inflated simply because of the damage
to a vehicle or because of what the repair costs were.
Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and
how quickly the vehicle slows down in frontal or
near
-frontal impacts.
What makes an air bag inflate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing
system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. The sensing
system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which
inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag and related
hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the
right front passenger.

yellowblue
1-25
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near
-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the
instrument panel. Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags would
not help you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts, primarily because
an occupant's motion is not toward those air bags. Air
bags should never be regarded as anything more than a
supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to
severe frontal or near
-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module
-- the
steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger's
bag
-- will be hot for a short time. The parts of the
bag that come into contact with you may be warm, but
not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation doesn't prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems for
people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can't get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock
the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the air
bags inflate (if battery power is available). You can lock
the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by using
the door lock and interior lamp controls.

yellowblue
2-13
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transaxle. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it's best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key?

If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock the
storage area.

Close all windows.

Lock the glove box.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.

Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.

yellowblue
2-18
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn the
switch to five different positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things like
the radio and the windshield wipers when the engine is off.
To get into ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn it
toward you. The steering wheel will remain locked, just as
it was before you inserted the key. Once you turn the key
to ACCESSORY, be sure to then turn it to LOCK. If you
leave your key in ACCESSORY when the engine is turned
off, your battery will discharge prematurely.LOCK (B): Before you put the key in, the ignition will be
in LOCK. This is the only position from which you can
remove the key. This position locks the ignition, steering
wheel and transaxle. It's a theft
-deterrent feature.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn't lock the steering
wheel like LOCK does. Use OFF if you must have your
vehicle in motion while the engine is off (for example, if
your vehicle is being pushed).
RUN (D): This is the position for driving.
START (E): This position starts the engine.

yellowblue
2-32
Windows
Power Windows
The controls are located
near each window. Press the
control forward to raise the
window and press rearward
to lower.
Note: 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. See
ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index for
more information.Express
-Down Window
This feature is present on the driver's power window.
Pressing the control rearward into the second position
then releasing it will lower the window completely. If
you want to stop the window as it is lowering, press the
control forward.
Note: The first position on the power window
control operates the driver's power window in the
non
-express mode.
Horn
The horn can be sounded by pressing on the center of
the steering wheel pad.

yellowblue
2-33
Tilt Wheel
Tilt steering allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. Raising the steering wheel to the
highest level gives your legs more room when you enter
and exit the vehicle.
Hold the steering wheel and pull the lever toward you to
tilt the wheel. Adjust the steering wheel to a comfortable
position and then release the lever to lock the wheel
in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Turn and Lane Change Signals
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. The lever returns automatically when the turn
is complete.
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to
signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change
is complete. The lever returns when it's released.
If the turn signal is left on, a warning chime will
sound and the Driver Information Center (DIC) will
display TURN SIGNAL ON (after driving about
1 mile (1.6 km/h)) to remind you to turn it off.

yellowblue
2-51
Sun Visors
Swing down the visor to block out glare. It can also be
detached from the center mount and moved to the side.
The driver's sun visor is also equipped with a storage
flap that can be used for maps or toll tickets.
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror
Move the sun visor down and lift the cover to see the
mirror. Move the slide switch up or down to brighten or
dim the lamp.
Cellular Telephone (Option)
Your vehicle has been prewired for dealer installation of
a Cadillac dual
-mode (analog/digital) cellular telephone.
A fixed mobile or a portable hand
-held system are
available. Either system has steering wheel telephone
controls and information output through the Driver
Information Center (DIC). Voice activation and
hands
-free operation are standard features. For more
information, contact your dealer. A user's guide is
provided with the telephone.
OnStar
System (Option)
OnStar is a vehicle communications service which may
be ordered through your dealer. The following OnStar
services are available 24 hours a day:

Automatic Notification of Front Air
Bag Deployment

Emergency Services

Theft Detection/Notification and Stolen
Vehicle Tracking

Remote Door Unlock

Roadside Assistance with Location

Route Support

Convenience Services

Remote Diagnostics

Hands
-Free, Voice-Activated Cellular Telephone
For more information, contact your dealer.