2002 CADILLAC ELDORADO brake

1-27

Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you'll need some new parts for your air bag
system. If you don't get them, the air bag system
won't be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the system
commands air bag inflation and driver's safety belt
usage at deployment. The module also records speed,
engine rpm, brake and throttle data.

Let only qualified technicians work on your
air bag system. Improper service can mean that
your air bag system won't work properly. See your
dealer for service.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver's air
bag, it may not work properly. You may have to
replace the air bag module. Do not open or break
the air bag covering.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don't want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system.
To purchase a service manual, see ªService and Owner
Publicationsº in the Index.
CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an air bag can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to an
air bag when it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the air bag system.
Be sure to follow proper service procedures,
and make sure the person performing work for
you is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.

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 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-8 Remote Keyless Entry System
2
-12 Trunk
2
-15 Theft
2
-16 Theft-Deterrent System
2
-18 PASS-Key
II
2
-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-19 Ignition Positions
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-22 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-24 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-27 Parking Brake
2
-29 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-31 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-31 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-32 Engine Exhaust
2
-32 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-33 Tilt Wheel
2
-34 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-42 Exterior Lamps
2
-46 Interior Lamps
2
-48 Mirrors
2
-51 Storage Compartments
2
-53 Sun Visors
2
-54 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-57 Sunroof (Option)
2
-58 HomeLink
Transmitter (Option)
2
-62 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-66 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-78 Driver Information Center (DIC)

2-4
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.

2-19
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.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the key
to five different positions.
A (ACCESSORY): 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.

2-24
Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several different
positions for the shift
lever that is located
between the front seats
on the center console.
PARK (P): This position locks the front wheels.
It's the best position to use when you start the engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system.

2-25
You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in
RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever
-- press the button on the
front of the shift lever and push the shift lever all the
way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then press the button on the front of the shift lever
again and 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 ªIf You're Stuck 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.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.

2-26
OVERDRIVE (
): This position is for normal driving.
If you need more power for passing, and you're:

Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transaxle will shift down to the next gear and
have more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it doesn't seem to shift gears as you
accelerate, something may be wrong with a
transaxle system sensor. If you drive very far
that way, your vehicle can be damaged. So if this
happens, have your vehicle serviced right away.
Until then, you can use SECOND (2) when you
are driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and
OVERDRIVE (
) for higher speeds.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower
fuel economy than OVERDRIVE (
).
Here are examples for using THIRD (3) instead
of OVERDRIVE (
):

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
between gears.

When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power than
THIRD (3). You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can
help control your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes
off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are
going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you
can damage your engine.

2-27
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud. (If the shift lever is put in
FIRST (1), the transaxle won't shift into gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.)
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't turn, don't try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very deep
sand or mud or were up against a solid object.
You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could cause overheating and
damage the transaxle. Use your brakes to
hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal
is located to the left of
the regular brake pedal,
near the driver's door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the BRAKE indicator light
should come on. If it doesn't, you need to have
your vehicle serviced.