2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE warning

To turn the system off,
press the TRAC ON/OFF
button located on the
center console. (For
vehicles with a column
shift lever, the button
is located at the end of the
shift lever.)
The TRACTION OFF message will display on the Driver
Information Center. If the system is limiting wheel
spin when you press the button, the TRACTION OFF
message will display ± but the system won't turn off right
away. It will wait until there's no longer a current need
to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing
the button again. The TRACTION READY message
should display brie¯y on the Driver Information Center.The traction control system monitors the front brake rotor
temperature. If the traction control system comes on
while the front brake rotors are hot due to heavy use of
braking or previous traction control, the TRACTION
SUSPENDED message will be displayed ± but the
system won't turn off right away. It will wait until there's no
longer a current need to limit wheel spin. The TRACTION
READY message should appear when the brake rotors
are no longer hot and the traction control system will
resume normal operation.
Continuous Variable Road Sensing
Suspension (CVRSS)
Your vehicle may have a Continuous Variable Road
Sensing Suspension (CVRSS). CVRSS automatically
adjusts the ride of your vehicle. Automatic ride control is
achieved through a computer used to control and
monitor the suspension system. The controller receives
input from various sensors to determine the proper
system response. If the controller detects a problem
within the system, the DIC will display a SERVICE
SUSPENSION SYS message. See
DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-60for more information. If this
message appears, have your vehicle serviced at
your dealership.
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Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering System
This system continuously adjusts the effort you feel
when steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease
when parking, yet a ®rm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction.
If you've ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll
understand this.The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems Ð steering
and acceleration Ð have to do their work where the tires
meet the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can
demand too much of those places. You can lose control.
See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
If you have Stabilitrak
ž, you may see the STABILITY
SYS ENGAGED message on the Driver Information
Center. See ªStability Sys Engaged Messageº under
DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-60.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you'll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can ªdriveº through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
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Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
ªoverdrivingº those conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration
skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels to
spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction control system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.If you have Stabilitrak
ž, you may see the STABILITY
SYS ENGAGED message on the Driver Information
Center. See ªStability Sys Engaged Messageº under
DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-60.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues Ð such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº Ð and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
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Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you're going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn't happen often. But it can if
your tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in
one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is
standing on the road. If you can see re¯ections
from trees, telephone poles or other vehicles, and
raindrops ªdimpleº the water's surface, there could be
hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just isn't a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine's air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle.
If you can't avoid deep puddles or standing
water, drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
If you try to drive through ¯owing water, as you
might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can
be carried away. As little as six inches of
¯owing water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Don't ignore police
warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through ¯owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
·Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
·Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-60
.
4-19

City DrivingOne of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You'll want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention
to traffic signals.
Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
·Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into
an unknown part of the city just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
·Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You'll save time and energy.
See the next part, ªFreeway Driving.º
·Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles
that have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
4-20

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
·Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
·You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer ¯uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ¯ashlight, a red
cloth and a couple of re¯ective warning triangles. And, if
you will be driving under severe conditions, include a
small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
4-25

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-37.
B. Underhood Fuse Block. See ªUnderhood Fuse
Blockº under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-94.
C. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-27andCooling System on page 5-30.
D. Power Steering Fluid. See
Power Steering Fluid on
page 5-36.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
G. Brake Master Cylinder. See
Brakes on page 5-38.
H. Transaxle Fluid Cap and Dipstick. See
Automatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 5-21.
I. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-19.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears on the
instrument cluster, it means you need to check
your engine oil level right away. For more information,
see ªCHECK OIL LEVELº under
DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-60.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
5-13

How to Reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Message
The GM Oil Life SystemŸ calculates when to change
your engine oil and ®lter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change your oil prior to a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL message in the Driver Information Center (DIC) being
turned on, reset the system.
After the oil has been changed, the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL message must be reset. To reset the message,
do the following:
1. Turn the key to the ªONº position without starting
the engine.
2. Press the INFO button on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) until ENGINE OIL LIFE is displayed.
3. Press and hold the INFO RESET button until 100%
ENGINE OIL LIFE is displayed. This resets the oil
life indicator.
The percentage of oil life remaining may be checked at
any time by pressing the INFO button until ENGINE
OIL LIFE is displayed on the DIC. For more information
on the oil life indicator, see
Oil Life Indicator on
page 3-79.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don't let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer's
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
®lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
5-18