1999 CADILLAC ELDORADO battery

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
2-19 Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories on your vehicle may be used
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned from
RUN to OFF, and then to LOCK:

Radio

Power Windows

Sunroof
Power to these accessories stops after 10 minutes or if
either door is opened. If you want power for another
10 minutes, turn the ignition key to RUN, to OFF and
then to LOCK.
NOTICE:
When using RAP, always leave your key in LOCK.
If you leave your key in any other position than
LOCK, your battery will discharge prematurely.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.

yellowblue
2-20
2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging
your starter.
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
A. Engine Oil Dipstick Location
B. Engine Coolant Heater Cord
C. Transaxle Dipstick/Fluid Fill Location
In very cold weather, 0
F (
-18
C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.

yellowblue
2-43
If it's dark enough outside and the Twilight Sentinel
control is off, a HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED message
will display on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
This message informs the driver that turning on the
exterior lamps is recommended (it's become dark
enough outside to require the headlamps and/or other
exterior lamps). Turning on the Twilight Sentinel, the
headlamps or the fog lamps will remove the
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED message.
Light Sensor
The light sensor for the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
and the Twilight Sentinel is located in the center of the
front defogger grille. If you cover the sensor, it will read
ªdarkº and the lamps will come on.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the manual parking lamp control has been left on, the
exterior lamps will turn off approximately 10 minutes
after the ignition is turned to LOCK or ACCESSORY.
This protects draining the battery in case you have
accidentally left the headlamps or parking lamps on. If
you need to purposely leave the lamps on for more than
10 minutes with the ignition in LOCK or ACCESSORY,
turn the exterior lamps control knob off and then back
on. To delay the lamps from turning off, see ªTwilight
Sentinelº in the Index.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity/Brightness
Control
The digital displays automatically dim when it becomes
dark outside and your lights are on. When it's dark, the
brightness control can be manually adjusted by turning
the exterior lamps control knob counterclockwise to dim
and clockwise to brighten the lighting. The digital
displays automatically brighten when it becomes light
outside, although backlighting will remain active at the
selected brightness as long as the lights are on.

yellowblue
2-44 Illuminated Entry
The illuminated entry system turns on the courtesy lamps
and the backlighting to the door controls and to the
exterior lamps control knob when a door is opened or if
you press a remote keyless entry transmitter button. Since
the illuminated entry system has a photocell, this means
that it must be dark outside in order for the courtesy lamps
or backlighting to turn on. The courtesy lamps turn off
approximately 20 seconds after the last door is closed or
after the ignition key is placed in the ignition.
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits the dimming of the instrument
panel lights during daylight while the headlamps are on.
This feature operates with the light sensor for the
Twilight Sentinel and is fully automatic. When the light
sensor reads darkness outside, the instrument panel
lights can be adjusted by turning the exterior lamps
control knob counterclockwise to dim and clockwise to
brighten lighting. Backlighting to the instrument panel
will turn on, regardless of light conditions.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located in the roof unless your
vehicle has the optional sunroof where the lamps are
located above the windows. To turn them on, turn the
exterior lamps control knob all the way clockwise.
These lamps and the interior courtesy lamps
automatically come on when either door is opened and it
is dark outside. For manual operation, press the button
to turn them on. Press it again to turn them off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle's battery
against drainage from the interior lamps, trunk lamp,
glove box lamp, cigarette lighters or the garage door
opener. When the ignition is turned off, the power to
these features will automatically turn off after 10
minutes (three minutes if a new car has 15 miles
(24 km) or less). Power will be restored for an additional
10 minutes if either door is opened, the trunk is opened
or the courtesy lamps are turned on.

yellowblue
2-45 Storage Mode Personalization
This feature is for long-term use and must be
programmed through the Driver Information Center
(DIC) while the ignition is in RUN. Storage mode
personalization protects the battery by placing your
vehicle in a storage mode so that the radio, amplifiers,
instrument cluster and remote keyless entry will not
drain the battery over a long period of time. For
programming information, see ªMemory and
Personalization Featuresº in the Index.
Mirrors
Electrochromic Day/Night Rearview Mirror
with Compass
Your vehicle has an electrochromic inside rearview
mirror with a compass.
When set in the MIRROR position, this mirror
automatically changes to reduce glare from headlamps
behind you.
The mirror also includes an eight
-point compass
display in the upper right corner of the mirror face.
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as the
vehicle is driven.
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause the
liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Mirror Operation
The right button located at the bottom of the mirror
turns the electrochromic mirror on and off. To turn on
the automatic dimming feature, press MIRROR. To turn
off automatic dimming, press MIRROR again. The
green indicator light will be illuminated when this
feature is active.
Compass Operation
Press the COMPASS button once to turn the compass on
or off.

yellowblue
2-50 Rear Storage Armrest (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a rear seat armrest
which includes an open storage compartment and a dual
cupholder that unfolds for use. To open, lift the front
edge. (This feature is available on vehicles with leather
interiors only.)
Convenience Net
The convenience net is located inside the back wall of
the trunk. Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the
net. It can help keep them from falling over during sharp
turns or quick starts and stops.
The net is not for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can. When not using the net,
hook the net to the tabs securing it to the sill plate.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
NOTICE:
Don't put papers or other flammable items
into your ashtrays. Hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them, causing a
damaging fire.
Front Ashtray
The front ashtray is located below the climate control
system. To open, press on the lower edge of the cover.
Rear Ashtray
To use the rear ashtray, lift the lid.
Cigarette Lighter
The cigarette lighter is located near the ashtray. Press it
all the way in and release. It will pop back by itself
when it's ready to light. You may also have a lighter
located at the rear seat air outlet.
Note: Power to the cigarette lighter will shut off
10 minutes after the ignition is turned off. This helps
to prevent battery drainage. For more information, see
ªInadvertent Battery Saverº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.

yellowblue
2-62 Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag's electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see ªAir
Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds 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.
Charging System Indicator Light
When you turn the ignition
key to RUN, this light will
come on briefly to show
that the generator and
battery charging systems
are working.
If this light stays on, you need service and you should
take your vehicle to the dealer at once. To save your
battery until you get there, turn off all accessories.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.