2000 CADILLAC DEVILLE key

2-23
Starting Your Northstar V8 Engine
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.
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.

2-27
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as
you maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into the gear you wish. See ªShifting Out of
PARK (P)º in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
has stopped.
Also use this gear to rock your vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your
transaxle. See ªStuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in
the Index for additional information.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.

2-33

Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake pedal
down, set the parking brake.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever (If Equipped)
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P).
3. With your right foot still holding the brake pedal
down, set the parking brake.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

2-35
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transaxleº in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever
hold the brake pedal down, but still can't shift out of
PARK (P) and your vehicle has a column shifter,
try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Shift Lock Release (Console Shifter Only)
This vehicle is equipped with an electric shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:

Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P), and

Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in a position other than OFF.
The shift lock release is always functional except in
the case of a dead battery or low voltage (less
than 9 V) battery.
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, there is an override access hole that will allow
you to override the shift lock release.

2-36
The console shift lock
release is located on the
front of the center console.
To access the shift lock release hole:
1. Verify that the shift lever is in PARK (P).
2. Locate the shift lock release on the front of the
center console.
3. Remove the shift lock release hole cover.
4. Insert a small diameter screwdriver into the shift
lock release hole, press in and hold.
5. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
6. Remove the screwdriver from the hole.
7. Remove the ignition key from the ignition switch.
8. Put the shift lock release hole cover back on.Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

2-47
Parking Lamps
Turn the lamp control knob clockwise to the first stop,
to turn on the parking, taillamps, sidemarker lamps. If it
is night, the instrument panel switch backlighting will
also illuminate. Turn the control knob counterclockwise
all the way back to turn the lamps and lights off.
Headlamps
Turn the control knob clockwise all the way to turn on
the parklamps and headlamps. Turn the control knob
counterclockwise to turn the lamps off.
Wiper
-Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds.
In order to operate the wiper
-activated headlamps, the
Twilight Sentinel
must be turned on; the ignition key
in the ON position and the windshield wipers on, or in a
delay setting. If the windshield wipers are active while
the ignition key is in ON, but the Twilight Sentinel
switch is off, a ªHeadlamps Suggestedº message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center. This
message informs the driver that turning on the exterior
lamps is recommended.This feature lights the way in poor weather and it also
makes your vehicle more visible to other drivers. If the
wiper
-activated headlamps are on and the ignition
switch, Twilight Sentinel, or the wipers are turned off,
the wiper
-activated headlamps will immediately
turn off.
Lamps on Reminder
If the manual headlamp control is left on and a door is
opened, a warning chime will sound. An exception is
when the Twilight Sentinel function is active.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.

2-51
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the headlamp or manual parking lamp control
has been left on, the exterior lamps will turn off
approximately 10 minutes after the ignition is turned to
OFF. 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 OFF or ACCESSORY,
turn the manual control knob off and then back on.
To delay the lamps from turning off, see ªTwilight
Sentinelº in the Index.
If the headlamp switch is turned on after the ignition key
is moved to either OFF or ACCESSORY, the lamps will
not time out.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel
Intensity/Brightness Control
The displays automatically dim when it becomes dark
outside and your lights are on. The displays
automatically brighten when it becomes light outside.
Backlighting will only remain active as long as the
parking lamps are on and it is dark outside.
Courtesy Lamps
The courtesy lamps are located on the ceiling above the
rear seat. These lamps come on with the control lamp
knob or when any door is opened and it is dark outside.
Puddle lamps are located on the bottom of the front and
rear door trim.
Illuminated Entry
The illuminated entry system turns on the courtesy
lamps and the backlighting to the door switches and to
the lamp control knob when a door is opened or if you
press a remote keyless entry transmitter unlock button.
If activated due to the transmitter, the lighting will
remain active for about 40 seconds. Since the
illuminated entry system uses the light sensor, it must be
dark outside in order for the courtesy lamps to turn on.
The courtesy lamps turn off approximately 25 seconds
after the last door is closed. They will dim to off if the
ignition key is placed in ON, or immediately deactivate
if the power locks are activated.

2-52
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits dimming of the digital displays
and backlighting during daylight hours when the key is
in the ignition and 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 and the park lamps are active, the
digital displays can be adjusted by turning the lamp
control knob counterclockwise to dim and clockwise to
brighten lighting.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the overhead console
on the ceiling and in the rear door opening. These lamps
come on automatically when any 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.
Map Lamps
These lamps are located in the front overhead console.
Press the button to turn them on. Press it again to turn
them off.