2001 CADILLAC ELDORADO battery

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.

2-20 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. With your foot off 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.

2-45
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 against 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.

2-47 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.
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 panel 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. Your vehicle's mirror also
contains OnStar

controls. For more information about
OnStar, see ªOnStarº in the Index.
This is the on/off button, located on the lower left
side of the mirror for the electrochromic and compass
functions of the rearview mirror.
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.

2-53
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
The rear ashtray is located on the armrest; to use,
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 out by itself
when it's ready to light. You may also have a lighter
located at the rear seat air outlet.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
Power 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.
Sun Visors
Swing down the visor to block out glare. It can also be
detached from the center mount and moved to the side.
The driver's sun visor is also equipped with a storage
flap that can be used for maps or toll tickets.
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror
Move the sun visor down and lift the cover to see the
mirror. Move the slide switch up or down to brighten or
dim the lamp.

2-55
The light will be red in the event of an OnStar system
malfunction. If this occurs press the OnStar button to
attempt to contact an advisor. If the connection is made,
the advisor will assist you with steps to take to make
sure that the system is functioning properly. If you
cannot contact the advisor, take your vehicle to your
dealership as soon as possible for assistance.
Safety and Security Services

Automatic Notification of Air Bag
Deployment
-- If an air bag deploys, a priority
emergency signal is automatically sent to the center.
An advisor will locate your vehicle's position, try to
contact you and assist you in the situation. If the
center is unable to contact you, an emergency service
provider will be contacted.

Stolen Vehicle Tracking
-- Call the center at
1
-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) to report your
vehicle stolen. The system can then locate and track
your vehicle and the advisor will be able to notify
the proper authorities.

Roadside Assistance with Location
-- For vehicle
breakdowns, press the OnStar button. An advisor
will contact the appropriate help.
Remote Diagnostics
-- If an instrument panel light
comes on, the center can perform a check of the
engine on
-board computer. An advisor can then
recommend what action needs to be taken.

OnStar MED
-NET -- Med-Net can store your
personal medical history and provide it to emergency
personnel if necessary. (Requires activation and
additional fee.)

Accident Assist
-- An advisor can provide
step
-by-step guidance following an accident.

Remote Door Unlock
-- To contact the center,
call 1
-888-4-ONSTAR. You will be required to
provide your security information. An advisor will
send a command to your vehicle to unlock itself.
The advisor can delay unlocking your vehicle.
Remote Door Unlock is disabled 48 hours after the
vehicle is parked to maintain the battery charge.

Vehicle Locator Service
-- To contact the center,
call 1
-888-4-ONSTAR. You will be required to
provide your security information. An advisor will
send a command to your vehicle to sound the horn
and/or flash the lamps.
In order to provide you with excellent service, calls with
the OnStar Center may be monitored or recorded.

2-56 Premium Services (Includes Safety and
Security Services)

Route Support -- An advisor can provide directions
or guidance to anywhere you want to go. In addition,
they can help you locate gas stations, rest areas,
ATMs, hospitals, hotels, stores, eateries and more.

Concierge Services
-- The concierge advisor can
obtain tickets, reservations, or help with vacation/trip
planning and other unique items and services.

Ride Assist
-- An advisor can locate transportation
in the event that you are unable to drive.
OnStar System Limitations
Complete limitations can be found on the Subscriber
Services Agreement.
OnStar Service is:

available in the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska,
Hawaii and Canada;

available when the vehicle is within the operating
range of a cellular provider;

subject to limitations caused by atmospheric
conditions, such as severe weather or topographical
conditions, such as mountainous terrain;
subject to cellular carrier equipment limitations.
Global positioning capabilities used to deliver
OnStar service will not be available if satellite signals
are obstructed.
OnStar will not function if the vehicle's battery is
discharged or disconnected. It may also be inoperative if
the vehicle is in an accident and the OnStar or vehicle
electrical system components are damaged.
Safety and security services are provided by existing
government emergency service providers. OnStar will
use reasonable efforts to contact the appropriate
emergency service provider and request assistance but
cannot promise that they will respond to the call in a
timely manner or at all.
Assist Handles
A handle, located on each side pillar, can be used when
getting out of your vehicle.
Garment Hooks
For your convenience, a garment hook is attached to the
casing around the reading lamps in the rear of the
vehicle. To use, push the lower edge of the hook.

2-68
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
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 and Park Brake
Indicator 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.