2001 CADILLAC ELDORADO Owners Manual

2-12
Trunk
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
trunk lid.

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on AUTO and the temperature between
65F (18C) and 85F (29C). That
will force outside air into your vehicle.
See ªComfort Controlsº in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
Trunk Lock Release
To use this feature,
your vehicle must
be in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) and the
VALET lockout button
must be in OFF. Press the
TRUNK button, located
above the radio on the
Driver Information Center
(DIC), to open the trunk.
You can also press the trunk button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter to access the
trunk compartment.

2-13 Trunk Lid Automatic Pull-Down Feature
With the automatic pull-down feature, you never have to
slam the trunk lid in order to close the trunk. Instead,
gently lower the trunk lid until it is nearly shut
-- the
automatic pull
-down unit will take over and lock the
trunk firmly.
A. Trunk Lid
B. LeverIf for some reason the trunk lid (A) will not close, it may
be because the trunk pull
-down unit was accidentally
bumped. Even though the trunk lid remains open, the
motor from the pull
-down unit has already cycled down.
If this happens, press the lever (B) on the trunk lid.
The pull
-down unit motor will reset itself, allowing the
trunk lid to close when lowered.
CAUTION:
Your car may have an automatic pull-down
feature that helps close the trunk electronically.
Your fingers can be trapped under the trunk lid
as it goes down. Your fingers could be injured,
and you would need someone to help you free
them. Keep your fingers away from the trunk lid
as you close it and as it is going down.

2-14 Trunk Release Handle (If Equipped)
NOTICE:
The trunk release handle was not designed to be
used to tie down the trunk lid or as an anchor
point when securing items in the trunk. Improper
use of the trunk release handle could damage it.
There is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle located
inside the trunk near the latch. This handle will glow
following exposure to light. Pull the release handle up
to open the trunk from the inside.
Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit
To help prevent a child from becoming trapped in your
trunk, you can order a trap
-resistant trunk kit from
your dealer. This kit includes:

a modified trunk latch,

a lighted release handle, and

seatback tethers (for vehicles with folding
rear seatbacks).
See your dealer for additional information.
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.

2-15 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
Even if you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it's still 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.

Press the valet lockout button to ON.

Lock the glove box.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.

Then take the door key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.
Theft-Deterrent System
If the ignition is off and
either door is open, the
SECURITY light will flash,
reminding you to activate
the system.
The light will also flash if the battery has been
disconnected and reconnected.
To activate the theft
-deterrent system, do the following:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door using the power door lock or the
remote keyless entry transmitter. The SECURITY
light should come on and stay on.
3. Close both doors. The SECURITY light should go
off within about 30 seconds.
The horn will sound and the lamps will flash for about
30 seconds when a door or the trunk is opened without
the key or the remote keyless entry transmitter. The horn
also sounds if the locks are damaged.

2-16
Remember, the theft-deterrent system won't activate if
you lock a door with a key or use the manual door lock.
It activates only if you use a power door lock switch or
the remote keyless entry transmitter.
To avoid activating the alarm by accident, do
the following:

Always unlock a door with a key or use the remote
keyless entry transmitter. (Pressing the unlock button
on the remote keyless entry transmitter disables the
theft
-deterrent system.) Unlocking a door any other
way will activate the alarm. Cycling the ignition
without disarming the theft
-deterrent system will
also activate the alarm.

The vehicle should be locked with the door key after
the doors are closed if you don't want to activate the
theft
-deterrent system.
If you activate the alarm by accident, unlock either door
with your key. You can also turn off the alarm by using
the unlock button of the remote keyless entry
transmitter. The alarm won't stop if you try to unlock a
door any other way.
Testing the Alarm
1. From inside the vehicle, roll down the window, then
get out of the vehicle, keeping the door open.
2. From outside of the vehicle, with the door open,
lock the vehicle using the power door lock or the
remote keyless entry transmitter and close the door.
Wait 30 seconds until the SECURITY light goes off.
3. Reach in and unlock the door using the manual lock
and open the door. The horn will sound and the
headlamps will flash.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, check to
see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown.
To replace the fuse, see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in
the Index. If the fuse does not need to be replaced, you
may need to have your vehicle serviced.
To reduce the possibility of theft, always activate the
theft
-deterrent system when leaving your vehicle.

2-17 Valet Lockout Button
Pressing the VALET
lockout button, located
inside the glove box, to ON
will disable the use of the
power trunk, fuel door and
garage door openers.
Pressing this button again will make these features
reusable. Locking the glove box with the door key
will also help to secure your vehicle.
The remote keyless entry transmitter can't be used to
open the trunk or fuel door if the VALET lockout
button is pressed in.
PASS-Key
II
Your vehicle is equipped
with the PASS
-Key II
theft
-deterrent system.
PASS
-Key II is a passive
system. The system is
armed when the key is
removed from the ignition.
PASS
-Key II uses a resistor pellet in the ignition key
that is read by the system in your vehicle. If the key
resistor matches the code stored in the vehicle system,
the vehicle's fuel and starting systems will be enabled. If
an incorrect key is used, the vehicle's fuel and starting
systems are disabled for three minutes. Additional
attempts during this lockout period will not start the car,
even with the correct key.

2-18
If the engine does not start and the STARTING
DISABLED REMOVE KEY message is displayed in
the Driver Information Center, your key should be
checked for damage. Starting may be attempted with
an undamaged key immediately. See your dealer or a
locksmith for key service.
If the STARTING DISABLE REMOVE KEY and
WAIT 3 MINUTES messages are displayed, the key
should be cleaned. After three minutes, try again.
A START CAR message will appear at this time. If the
engine still does not start, wait three minutes and try a
duplicate key. At this time, fuses should be checked
(see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index). If the
engine does not start with the duplicate key, your vehicle
needs service. See your dealer for service.
If the THEFT SYSTEM PROBLEM, CAR MAY NOT
START message is displayed during vehicle operation,
a fault has been detected in the system. This means the
PASS
-Key II system is disabled and is not protecting
the vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts. See your dealer
for service.
If an ignition key is lost or damaged, see your dealer or
a locksmith to have a new key made.
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate ªbreak-in.º
But it will perform better in the long run if you
follow these guidelines:

Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.

Don't tow a trailer during break
-in.
See ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.

2-19
Ignition Positions
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, windshield wipers, power windows and
sunroof (option) 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 insert or 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.