brake CADILLAC DEVILLE 2005 8.G Owner's Manual

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light(s) will
come on when your engine
is started and may stay
on for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you are driving, stop as soon
as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system. If the light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving, your
vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but you do
not have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes. See
Brake System Warning and Parking Brake Indicator
Light on page 3-47.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briey when you turn the ignition key to ON.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
This warning light should come on briey when the
engine is started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on when you are driving, there
may be a problem with your traction control system
and your vehicle may need service. When this warning
light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
United StatesCanada (Analog Only)
3-48

The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
If there is a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light tells you that
your engine has
overheated. As a check,
the light should come
on for a few seconds when
you start your engine.
If this light comes on and stays on, you should stop your
vehicle and turn the engine off as soon as possible. A
warning chime should also sound if this light comes on.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-27.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States
(Analog Only)Canada (Analog Only)
3-49

BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW – 6:This message will
appear when the electrical system is charging less than
10 volts or if the battery has been drained. If this
message appears immediately after starting, it is
possible that the generator can still recharge the battery.
The battery should recharge while driving but may
take a few hours to do so. Consider using an auxiliary
charger (be sure to follow the manufacturer’s
instructions) to boost the battery after returning home or
to a nal destination. If this message appears while
driving or after starting your vehicle and stays on, have
it checked immediately by your GM dealer to determine
the cause of this problem. To help the generator
recharge the battery quickly, you can reduce the load
on the electrical system by turning off the accessories.
You can monitor battery voltage on the DIC by
pressing the INFO button. The normal range is
11.5 to 15.5 volts.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL – 82:This means that the life
of the engine oil has expired. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4. After an oil change, the oil
life indicator must be reset. SeeEngine Oil Life System
on page 5-17. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-14andOil
Life Indicator on page 3-79for more information.CHANGE TRANS FLUID – 47:This message will
appear when it is time to change the transaxle uid.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for the proper
uid and change intervals.
After the transaxle uid has been changed, the transaxle
uid change indicator must be reset. See “How to
Reset the Transaxle Fluid Indicator” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 5-21.
CHECK BRAKE FLUID – 37:This message will
display if the ignition is in ON to inform the driver that
the brake uid level is low. Have the brake system
serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible. See
Brake System Warning and Parking Brake Indicator
Light on page 3-47.
CHECK COOLANT LEVEL – 2:This message will
appear when there is a low level of engine coolant.
Have the cooling system serviced by your GM dealer as
soon as possible. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24.
CHECK FUEL GAGE – 50:(Analog Cluster) This
message will appear when the fuel supply is less than
5 gallons (18.9 L) and the display is turned off. A single
chime will also sound when this message is displayed.
3-61

SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS – 84:This message is
displayed to indicate that the suspension system is
not operating properly. To correct this problem, have
your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer.
SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM – 34:This message means
there is a problem with the PASS-Key
®III system.
A fault has been detected in the system which means
that the system is disabled and is not protecting
the vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts, however,
you may want to take your vehicle to your GM dealer
before turning off the engine.
SERVICE TPM SYSTEM – 51:When this message is
displayed, the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system
is not working properly. See your GM dealer for service.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION – 100:See your GM dealer
for repair.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON – 3:This message is
displayed when a non-emissions related powertrain
malfunction occurs. Have your vehicle serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.
SPEED LIMIT TO 90 – 113:A failure in the suspension
control system has occurred when this message
appears. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
determines the speed to which your vehicle is limited.
Have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer if
this message appears.STABILITY SYS ENGAGED – 55:You may see the
STABILITY SYS ENGAGED message on the Driver
Information Center. It means that an advanced,
computer-controlled system has come on to help your
vehicle continue to go in the direction in which you
are steering. This stability enhancement system
activates when the computer senses that your vehicle is
just starting to spin, as it might if you hit a patch of
ice or other slippery spot on the road. When the system
is on, you may hear a noise or feel a vibration in the
brake pedal. This is normal.
When the STABILITY SYS ENGAGED message is on,
you should continue to steer in the direction you
want to go. The system is designed to help you in bad
weather or other difficult driving situations by making
the most of whatever road conditions will permit. If the
STABILITY SYS ENGAGED message comes on,
you will know that something has caused your vehicle to
start to spin, so you should consider slowing down.
A single chime will also sound when this message
is displayed.
STARTING DISABLED REMOVE KEY – 33:This
message will appear when the PASS-Key
®III system
detects that an improper ignition key is being used to try
to start the vehicle. Check the ignition key for damage.
If it is damaged, it may need to be replaced. If it is
not damaged, remove the key and try to start the vehicle
again. If it still does not start, try another ignition key
or see your GM dealer for service.
3-66

THEFT ATTEMPTED – 40:This message is displayed
if the theft system has detected a break-in attempt
while you were away from your vehicle.
TOP SPEED FUEL CUT-OFF – 111:This message will
appear when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
detects that the maximum speed for your vehicle has
been reached. The speed of your vehicle will surge as the
fuel supply is cut off. Your vehicle’s top speed is based on
the top speed rating of the tires. This ensures that your
vehicle stays in a safe operating range for the tires.
TRACTION ENGAGED – 91:When your traction
control system is limiting wheel spin, the TRACTION
ENGAGED message will be displayed. Slippery
road conditions may exist if this message is displayed,
so adjust your driving accordingly. This message
will stay on for a few seconds after the traction control
system stops limited wheel spin.
TRACTION OFF – 89:This message will be displayed
after the traction control system has been turned off
using the TRAC ON/OFF button on the center console.
TRACTION READY – 90:This message informs the
driver that the traction control system is available.
Pressing the TRAC ON/OFF button on the center console
once turns the traction control system off. Pressing the
button again turns the system back on. This message
will automatically disappear from the display after
ve seconds.TRACTION SUSPENDED – 56:This message displays
when the traction control system has been temporarily
shut off because your vehicle’s brakes have overheated.
This message does not indicate a problem with your
vehicle’s traction control system. After a few minutes,
the traction control system will be available again
and the TRACTION READY message will appear.
TRANS HOT IDLE ENGINE – 112:This message
indicates that the transaxle uid in your vehicle is too
hot. Stop and allow your vehicle to idle until it cools
down or until this message is removed.
TRUNK OPEN – 24:This message indicates that the
trunk is open when the ignition is on.
TURN SIGNAL ON – 20:If you drive your vehicle for
more than a mile with a turn signal on, this message
will appear as a reminder to turn off the turn signal.
A multiple chime will sound when this message
is displayed.
VEHICLE OVERSPEED – 52:This message is
displayed when the vehicle speed exceeds a certain
limit as required by some export countries. A continuous
chime will sound when this message is displayed.
3-67

Audio System(s)
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer. Also, check federal rules covering mobile
radio and telephone units. If sound equipment can
be added, it is very important to do it properly.
Added sound equipment may interfere with
the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or
other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been added.
Notice:The chime signals related to seat belts,
parking brake, and other functions of your vehicle
operate through the GM radio/entertainment system.
If that equipment is replaced or additional
equipment is added to your vehicle, the chimes may
not work. Make sure that replacement or additional
equipment is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it.Figure out which audio system is in your vehicle, nd
out what your audio system can do, and how to operate
all of its controls.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be
played even after the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-25for more
information.
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)
Press and hold HR until the correct hour appears on the
display. Press and hold MN until the correct minute
appears on the display. Display the time with the ignition
off by pressing one of these buttons.
3-80

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-5
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-8
Continuous Variable Road Sensing
Suspension (CVRSS).................................4-10
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-13
Loss of Control.............................................4-14
Driving at Night............................................4-16
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-17City Driving..................................................4-20
Freeway Driving...........................................4-21
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-22
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-23
Winter Driving..............................................4-25
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-29
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-30
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-30
Towing..........................................................4-35
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-35
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-35
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-37
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive
defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
vehicle: Buckle up. SeeSafety Belts: They Are for
Everyone on page 1-7.
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.”
On city streets, rural roads, or freeways, it means
“always expect the unexpected.”
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to
be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what
they might do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following
distance. It is the best defensive driving maneuver, in
both city and rural driving. You never know when
the vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn
suddenly.Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate on
the driving task. Anything that distracts from the driving
task — such as concentrating on a cellular telephone call,
reading, or reaching for something on the oor — makes
proper defensive driving more difficult and can even
cause a collision, with resulting injury. Ask a passenger to
help do things like this, or pull off the road in a safe place
to do them yourself. These simple defensive driving
techniques could save your life.
Drunken Driving
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a national tragedy. It is the number one contributor
to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims
every year.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle:
Judgment
Muscular Coordination
Vision
Attentiveness
4-2

{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it
is easy to ask more of those control systems than
the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-8.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of your brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.
4-5

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between
hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you
do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic
and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a
lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that your
brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-48.
4-6