Page 2 of 397
Every
2001 DeVille
under warranty is
backed with the
following
services:
Courtesy
Transportation
Free lockout assistance
Free dead-battery assistance
Free out-of-fuel assistance
Free flat-tire change
Emergency towing
1-800-882-1112
that provides in an emergency:
1-800-882-1112
Page 5 of 397
Section
3
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Section
4
Section
5
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
BrakingSteering
Driving Tips for Various Road Conditions
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer Heating and Air Conditioning
Setting the Radio Clock
Radio/Cassette Player/CD PlayerRadio Theft-Deterrent Feature
Steering Wheel Controls
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your VehicleEngine Overheating
Changing a Flat Tire
If You're Stuck
Problems on the Road Your Driving and the Road
iii
Page 171 of 397

2-101
CHECK OIL LEVEL - 36: For correct operation of
the low oil sensing system, your vehicle should be on a
level surface. A false CHECK OIL LEVEL message
may appear if the vehicle is parked on a grade. The oil
level sensing system does not check for actual oil level
if the engine has been off for a short period of time,
and the oil level is never checked while the engine is
running. If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears,
and your vehicle has been parked on level ground with
the engine off for at least 30 minutes, the oil level
should be checked by observing the oil dipstick.
Prior to checking the oil level, be sure the engine has
been off for a few minutes and your vehicle is on a
level surface. Then check the dipstick and add oil if
necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
- 144: This message is
displayed when the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system
detects a low or high tire pressure condition in one or
more of the road tires. By pressing the INFO button
up or down the DIC display will show which tire or tires
do not have the correct inflation pressure. A ªLOW TIREº condition exists when the tire's air
pressure is under 24 psi (165 kPa) and a ªHIGH TIREº
condition exists when the tire's air pressure is above
36 psi (248 kPa).
The system will display the air pressure, the tire location
(LF, RF, RR or LR) and if the air pressure is low or
high. The tire pressure information is available in
English or metric measurements. For example, a driver's
side front tire that is low may be shown as: 22 PSI LF
TIRE LOW.
The correct tire inflation pressure should be set to those
shown on the Tire Loading
-Information Label, located on
the rear edge of the driver's door. For more information
regarding proper tire inflation, see ªInflation
-- Tire
Pressureº in the Index. If a tire is low, you should stop
as soon as possible and inspect your tire(s) for damage.
If a tire is flat, see ªIf a Tire is Flatº in the Index.
Page 172 of 397

2-102
Once the TPM system detects the low or high tire
pressure condition, the message ªCHECK TIRE
PRESSUREº will be displayed whenever you start the
engine or the ignition is in the ON position. To remove
or clear the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message, you
will need to set the tire(s) to the proper tire pressure.
See ªInflation
-- Tire Pressureº in the Index.
CAUTION:
When the CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message
is displayed on the Driver Information Center
and the tire pressure is low, your vehicle
handling capabilities will be reduced during
severe maneuvers. If you drive too fast, you could
lose control of your vehicle. You or others could
be injured. Don't drive over 55 mph (90 km/h)
when the tire pressure is low. Drive cautiously
and correct the tire pressure as soon as you can.
CHECK WASHER FLUID - 25: This message will
appear to indicate that the washer solvent container
needs refilling.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
- 140: The driver's door is
open or ajar when this message appears. The ignition
must be in ON and the transaxle not in PARK (P) for
this message to display. A chime will also sound when
the vehicle's speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
DRIVER NO. X (1 OR 2): This message will be
displayed with the key in ON and while entering Feature
Programming, but only if the vehicle is equipped with
memory seats. The message will show which driver is
activating the personalization feature. It will only stay
on for five seconds. This message can be customized for
you by your dealer.
ENGINE COOLANT HOT, IDLE ENGINE
- 44:
This message will appear when the engine coolant
temperature is over 262F (128C). Stop and allow
your vehicle to idle in PARK (P) until it cools down and
the message is removed. Do not increase engine speed
above a normal idle. If it does not cool down, turn off
the engine and have it serviced before driving it again.
Severe engine damage can result from an overheated
engine. See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Page 261 of 397

4-23
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit,
do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up.
Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh
-- such as after a day's
work
-- don't plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts in
Cadillac dealerships all across North America.
They'll be ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble
-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long
-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated
to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up
-to-date maps?
Page 262 of 397

4-24
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway hypnosisº?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't let
it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a second, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
Page 268 of 397

4-30
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all
four wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be
towed, see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground will damage drivetrain components.
Loading Your Vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire
-Loading Information label
found on the rear edge of the driver's side rear door tells
you the proper size, speed rating and recommended
inflation pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also
gives you important information about the number of
people that can be in your vehicle and the total weight
that your vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
Vehicle Capacity Weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo and all options not installed in
the factory.
Page 273 of 397

4-35 Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or gross
weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be
riding in the vehicle. And if you tow a trailer, you must
add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle
will be carrying that weight, too. See ªLoading Your
Vehicleº in the Index for more information about your
vehicle's maximum load capacity.
If you're using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B). If you have a weight
-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12 percent
of the total loaded trailer weight (B).
After you've loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren't, you may be able to get them
right simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
Be sure your vehicle's tires are inflated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You'll find these numbers on the
Tire
-Loading Information label at the rear edge of the
driver's side rear door or see ªLoading Your Vehicleº
in the Index. Then be sure you don't go over the
GVW limit for your vehicle, including the weight of
the trailer tongue.