2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE service

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 will not turn off right away. It will wait until there is
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. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-65for more information. If this message appears,
have your vehicle serviced at your dealership.
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.
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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 is 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 is not another vehicle in
your “blind” 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.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles that
rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you
will nd experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They will be ready
and willing to help if you need it.
4-24

Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road inless than a second,and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
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Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. You should turn
your traction control system off. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9. Then shift back and
forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. By
slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may
free your vehicle. If that does not get you out after a few
tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do need
to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-33.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
Roadside Service on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see Recreational Vehicle Towing following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
4-33

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine
shift into a gear, and
make sure the parking brake has released.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you are
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for
more on this. Things that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic transaxle uid (do
not overll), engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this manual,
and the Index will help you nd them quickly. If you
are trailering, it is a good idea to review this information
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-31.
4-48

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-22
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-24
Engine Coolant.............................................5-27
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-31
Engine Overheating.......................................5-31
Cooling System............................................5-34
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-40
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-41
Brakes........................................................5-43Battery........................................................5-46
Jump Starting...............................................5-48
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-55
Headlamp Horizontal Aiming...........................5-56
Headlamp Vertical Aiming..............................5-57
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-59
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-59
Headlamps..................................................5-59
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Parking and
Cornering Lamps.......................................5-63
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-64
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-64
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-64
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-65
Tires..............................................................5-66
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-74
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-76
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-78
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-79
Buying New Tires.........................................5-80
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-81
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-82
Wheel Replacement......................................5-82
Tire Chains..................................................5-84
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-85
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-86
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-96
Appearance Care............................................5-97
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.................5-98
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-101
Weatherstrips.............................................5-101
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle.............5-101
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-103
Finish Damage...........................................5-104
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-104
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-104
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-105Vehicle Identication.....................................5-106
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-106
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-106
Electrical System..........................................5-107
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-107
Headlamp Wiring........................................5-107
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-107
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-107
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-108
Removing the Rear Seat Cushion..................5-110
Capacities and Specications........................5-115
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Service
Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to
be happy with it. We hope you will go to your dealer
for all your service needs. You will get genuine GM parts
and GM-trained and supported service people.
We hope you will want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or
emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive
harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and systems
(including some inside the vehicle), many uids, and
some component wear by-products contain and/or emit
these chemicals.
5-3