Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is:
Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ¯ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check
traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with
the ¯ow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your
mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic ¯ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it's slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn't another vehicle in
your ªblindº spot.
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.
4-21
Trailer Brakes
Because you have anti-lock brakes, don't try to tap into
your vehicle's hydraulic brake system. If you do,
both brake systems won't work well, or at all. If you tow
more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg), use trailer brakes.
Be sure to follow the instructions that come with the
trailer or from the brake manufacturer.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes so you'll be able to maintain them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You'll need more passing distance up ahead when
you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal
longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
4-38
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal ¯asher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will ¯ash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
¯ash, telling other drivers you're about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ¯ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It's
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On long uphill grades, reduce speed to 45 to 50 mph
(70 to 90 km/h) and avoid prolonged use of SECOND (2)
gear and engine speeds above 3800 rpm.
Climbing grades steeper than four percent at
temperatures above 90É F (32É C) with a loaded vehicle
and trailer is not recommended. The cooling system
may temporarily overheat. See
Engine Overheating on
page 5-27.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here's
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P).
2. Have someone place chocks behind the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into PARK
(P) ®rmly and apply your parking brake.
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-39
Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-19
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-30Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-37
Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-41
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-49
Headlamp Horizontal Aiming...........................5-50
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................5-50
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-53
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-53
Headlamps..................................................5-53
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Parking and
Cornering Lamps.......................................5-57
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-58
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-58
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-58
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-59
Tires..............................................................5-60
In¯ation Ð Tire Pressure...............................5-61
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-62
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-64
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-65
Buying New Tires.........................................5-66
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Parking and Cornering Lamps
1. The turn signal lamps are located beside the
headlamp bulbs. To access, lift off the bulb
socket dust cover. See Steps 1 through 6 under
Headlamps on page 5-53.
2. Press the tab down and turn the housing socket
clockwise to unlock the socket from the lamp
housing.3. Remove the turn signal lamp housing socket and
replace the bulb.
4. Reverse Steps 1 and 2 to reinstall.
5-57
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)
It is recommended that this component be replaced as
a unit. See your dealer.
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and
Stoplamps
It is recommended that this component be replaced as
a unit. See your dealer.
Replacement Bulbs
For any bulb not listed here, contact your dealer.
Lamp Bulb Number
Cornering Lamps 3157
Front Turn Signal 3157
Headlamps, Composite
Lower High Beam
Upper Low Beam9005
9006
5-58
Automatic Level Control...................................4-34
Automatic Transaxle Check..............................6-10
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control System
Check........................................................6-11
Automatic Transaxle........................................5-21
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-27
B
Backing Up....................................................4-38
Battery Load Management...............................3-21
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-7
Battery..........................................................5-41
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-10
Brake Adjustment............................................5-40
Brake Fluid....................................................5-38
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-40
Brake Wear...................................................5-40
Brake............................................................2-32
Parking......................................................2-32
System Inspection.......................................6-14
System Warning and Parking Brake Indicator
Light......................................................3-47
Brakes..........................................................5-38
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-23Bulb Replacement...........................................5-53
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-58
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Parking
and Cornering Lamps...............................5-57
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-53
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-49
Headlamps.................................................5-53
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-58
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-58
Buying New Tires...........................................5-66
C
Cadillac Owner PrivilegesŸ............................... 7-6
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Speci®cations..........................5-101
Carbon Monoxide...................4-25, 4-34, 2-11, 2-38
Care of.........................................................5-87
Safety Belts................................................5-87
Your Cassette Tape Player..........................3-106
Your CD Player.........................................3-107
Your CDs .................................................3-107
Cassette Tape Messages.........................3-87, 3-98
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-9
CD Changer, Glovebox-Mounted......................3-100
Cellular Phone Usage....................................3-106
Cellular Telephone, Storage Area......................2-51
2
Full Floor Console Storage Area.......................2-51
Fuses...........................................................5-94
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-94
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-93
G
Gage............................................................5-93
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-50
Fuel..........................................................3-55
Speedometer..............................................3-43
Tachometer.................................................3-44
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-47
Garment Hooks..............................................2-53
Gasoline......................................................... 5-4
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-49
Glove Box.....................................................2-51
Glovebox-Mounted CD Changer......................3-100
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-9
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-93
Headlamp......................................................5-49
Aiming.......................................................5-49
Horizontal Aiming.........................................5-50
Vertical Aiming............................................5-50
Headlamps....................................................5-53
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-53
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Parking and
Cornering Lamps......................................5-57
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-53
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-23
Hitches..........................................................4-37
HomeLink Transmitter, Programming..................2-48
HomeLink
žTransmitter....................................2-47
Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
7