2000 CADILLAC ELDORADO Owners Manual

1-45
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety belts properly.

Children who aren't buckled up can be thrown out in
a crash.

Children who aren't buckled up can strike other
people who are.
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt.
The belt can't properly spread the impact forces.
In a crash, the two children can be crushed
together and seriously injured. A belt must be
used by only one person at a time.
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child's face or neck?
A:Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child's
shoulder, so that in a crash the child's upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is so small that the shoulder belt is still very
close to the child's face or neck, you might want to
place the child in the center seat position, the one
that has only a lap belt.

1-46
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap
-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under the belt. The
belt's force would then be applied right on the
child's abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child's thighs. This applies belt force to the child's
pelvic bones in a crash.

1-47
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you,
you should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier
in this section.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-6 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
2
-9 Trunk
2
-11 Theft
2
-12 Theft-Deterrent System
2
-14 PASS-Key
II
2
-15 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-16 Ignition Positions
2
-17 Starting Your Engine
2
-18 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-19 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-23 Parking Brake
2
-25 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-26 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-27 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-28 Engine Exhaust2
-28 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-29 Windows
2
-30 Tilt Wheel
2
-30 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-37 Exterior Lamps
2
-41 Interior Lamps
2
-42 Mirrors
2
-46 Storage Compartments
2
-49 Sun Visors
2
-49 Cellular Telephone (Option)
2
-50 Sunroof (Option)
2
-51 HomeLink
Transmitter (Option)
2
-54 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-58 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-68 Driver Information Center (DIC)

2-2
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. If they
turned the ignition to RUN and moved the shift
lever out of PARK (P), that would release the
parking brake. Don't leave the keys in a vehicle
with children.

2-3
Ignition Key Door/Locks Key
The square key is for the ignition only. It has a resistor
pellet which is part of the vehicle's PASS
-Key
II system.
The oval key is for the doors and all other locks.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes the
plug from the door key. The plug has a code on it that
tells the dealer or a qualified locksmith how to make
extra keys. The ignition key has a bar code tag attached
to it rather than a knock out plug. Your dealer or
qualified locksmith can make extra ignition keys by
reading the bar code tag.There are 15 alternative ignition PASS
-Key
II blanks
to help discourage theft. Keep the bar code tag and the
door key plugs in a safe place. If you lose your keys,
you will be able to have new ones made using the plug
or bar code tag.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. You can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside and you may have to damage
your vehicle to get in. Be sure you have
extra keys.

2-4
Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won't open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use either the door key or the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
If your vehicle is equipped with the theft
-deterrent system,
you must unlock the doors with the key or remote keyless
entry transmitter to avoid setting off the alarm.
Slide the manual lock lever down to lock the door from
the inside. To unlock the door, slide the lock lever up.
Central Door Unlocking System
Your vehicle will have this feature if it is equipped with
the theft
-deterrent system. When unlocking either door,
you can also unlock the other door by holding the key in
the turned position for a few seconds or by quickly
turning the door key twice in the lock cylinder.

2-5 Power Door Locks
Press the power door lock switch to lock or unlock both
doors at once.
Automatic Door Locks
Close your doors and turn on the ignition. Every time
you move the shift lever out of PARK (P), both doors
will lock. The doors will unlock every time you stop the
vehicle and move the shift lever back into PARK (P).
If someone needs to get out while your vehicle is not in
PARK (P), have that person use the manual or powerdoor lock. When the door is closed again, it will not lock
automatically. Use the manual or power door lock to
lock the door again. If you need to lock the doors before
shifting out of PARK (P), use the manual or power
door lock.
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
(If Equipped)
With the ignition in RUN, the door locks can be
programmed through prompts displayed by the Driver
Information Center (DIC). These prompts allow the
driver to choose various lock settings. For programming
information, see ªMemory and Personalization
Featuresº in the Index.
Anti-Lockout Feature
Leaving your key in any ignition position with either
door open will disable the use of the power door lock
switches as well as the lock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter. If you close the doors, you can lock
them using the remote keyless entry transmitter. It is
always recommended that you remove your ignition key
when locking your vehicle.
The anti
-lockout feature can be overridden by holding
the driver's power door lock switch for three seconds
or longer.