check engine CADILLAC ELDORADO 2001 10.G User Guide

2-79
If this message appears and stays on while driving or
after starting your vehicle, have it checked immediately
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 (SKIP) 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 and it should be
changed within 200 miles (322 km). See ªEngine Oilº
and ªFilter Recommendationsº in the Maintenance
Schedule booklet. After an oil change, the Oil Life
Indicator must be reset. See ªOil Life Indicator, How to
Resetº in the Index.
CHANGE TRANS FLUID
- 47: This message will
appear when it is time to replace the transaxle fluid. See
the Maintenance Schedule booklet for the proper fluid
and change intervals.
CHECK BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
- 37: This message
will display if the ignition is in RUN to inform the
driver that the brake fluid level is low. Have the brake
system serviced by a technician as soon as possible.
See ªBrake System Warning Lightº in the Index.CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
- 2: This message
will appear when there is a low level of engine coolant.
Have the cooling system serviced by a technician as
soon as possible.
CHECK FUEL GAUGE
- 39: This message will
appear when the fuel supply is less than 3.5 gallons
(13.2 L) remaining. A single chime will also sound
when this message is displayed.
CHECK GAS CAP
- 61: This message will appear if
the gas cap has not been fully tightened. You should
recheck your gas cap to ensure that it's fully tightened.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
- 36: For correct operation of
the low oil sensing system, your vehicle should be on a
level surface. A false CHECK OIL LEVEL message
may appear if the vehicle is parked on grades. The oil
level sensing system does not check for actual oil level
if the engine has been off for a short period of time, and
the oil level is never sensed while the engine is running.
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears and your
vehicle has been parked on level ground with the engine
off for at least 30 minutes, the oil level should be
checked by observing the oil dipstick. Prior to checking
the oil level, be sure the engine has been off for
five minutes and your vehicle is on a level surface. Then
check the dipstick and add oil if necessary. See ªEngine
Oilº in the Index.

2-80
CHECK WASHER FLUID - 25: This message will
appear for several seconds indicating that you need
windshield washer solvent.
CRUISE ENGAGED
- 43: This message will
appear for a few seconds when you select a speed at
which to cruise.
DOOR AJAR
- 141: A door other than the driver's is
open or ajar when this message appears. The vehicle's
engine must be running and the transaxle not in
PARK (P) for this message to display. A chime
will also sound when the vehicle's speed is greater
than 5 mph (8 km/h).
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
- 140: This message will
display when the vehicle is being shifted out of
PARK (P) with the engine running to signal that the
driver's door is open or ajar. A chime will also sound
when the vehicle's speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
ENGINE COOLANT HOT, IDLE ENGINE
- 44:
This message will appear when the engine coolant
temperature is over 248
F (126
C). To avoid added strain
on a hot engine, turn off the climate control system. Stop
and allow your vehicle to idle until it cools down or the
message is removed. If it does not cool down, turn off the
engine and have it serviced before driving it again. Severe
engine damage can result from an overheated engine.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.ENGINE HOT
- A/C OFF - 16: This message displays
when the engine coolant becomes hotter than the normal
operating temperature. To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning compressor is automatically
turned off so that air conditioned air is not delivered. If
the coolant temperature returns to normal, you must
select AC to return to a normal A/C compressor
operation. If this message continues to appear, have
the system repaired as soon as possible to avoid
compressor damage.
ENGINE MISFIRE
-- EASE OFF GAS
PEDAL
- 114: An engine misfire has occurred.
You'll need to ease off the gas pedal.
ENGINE OVERHEATED, STOP ENGINE
- 42: This
message will appear when the engine has overheated.
Stop and turn the engine off immediately to avoid severe
engine damage. See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
A multiple chime will also sound when this message
is displayed.
ENGINE POWER REDUCED
- 41: This message
informs you that your vehicle is reducing engine power
because the transaxle is being placed in gear under
conditions that may cause damage to the vehicle
powertrain or vehicle acceleration.

2-83
SERVICE STEERING SYS - 127: This message is
displayed when a problem has been detected in the
Magnasteer

variable effort steering system. Service is
required. A single chime will also sound when this
message is displayed.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
- 100: If a problem is
detected with the transaxle, this message will appear.
Have your vehicle checked by your dealership.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
- 3: If a problem is
detected with the transaxle, this message will appear.
Have your vehicle checked by your dealership.
SERV STABILITY SYS
- 54: If you ever see the
SERV STABILITY SYS message, it means there may
be a problem with your stability enhancement system. If
you see this message, try to reset the system (stop; turn
off the engine; then start the engine again). If the SERV
STABILITY SYS message still comes on, it means there
is a problem. You should see your dealer for service.
Reduce your speed and drive accordingly. A single
chime will also sound when this message is displayed.STABILITY ENGAGED
- 55: You may see the
STABILITY 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're
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 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
ENGAGED message comes on, you'll know that
something has caused your vehicle to start to spin, so
you should consider slowing down.

2-84
STARTING DISABLED REMOVE KEY - 33: This
message will appear when the Personalized Automotive
Security System (PASS
-Key
II) senses 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 you see no
damage, clean the pellet contacts with a soft cloth or
napkin. Remove the ignition key and wait for the DIC to
display WAIT 3 MINUTES. The instrument panel
cluster will then run a timer and change the messages to
WAIT 2 MINUTES, WAIT 1 MINUTE and then
START CAR. When the START CAR message is
displayed, try again to start the engine.
THEFT SYSTEM PROBLEM, CAR MAY NOT
RESTART
- 34: This message means there is a problem
in the Personalized Automotive Security System
(PASS
-Key
II). A fault has been detected in the
system which means that the PASS
-Key
II system is
disabled and is not protecting the vehicle. The vehicle
usually restarts, however, you may want to take your
vehicle to a proper service center before turning off
the engine.TOP SPEED FUEL OFF
- 111 : This message will
appear when the PCM senses that the maximum speed
for your vehicle has been reached. The speed of your
vehicle will decrease several mph as the fuel supply is
cut off. This allows your vehicle to stay in a stable
operating range.
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 limiting wheel spin.
TRACTION OFF
- 89: This message will be displayed
after the traction control has been turned off.
TRACTION READY
- 90: This message informs the
driver that the traction control system is available. This
occurs when the traction on/off button in the glove box
has been returned to ON (pressing the button once turns
the traction control system off: pressing the button again
turns the system back on). This message also
self
-cancels after five seconds.

3-5
FAN SPEEDS: Press the button with the fan
symbol on it until AUTO is displayed on the screen.
At this setting, the fan speed is automatically controlled.
If it is cold outside, the blower may not run in the
maximum high fan speed right away. The system checks
the temperature of the engine coolant to assure it is
warm enough to provide heat. When the engine coolant
is warm, the controller allows the fan to gradually
increase to a higher speed. This prevents cold air from
blowing into the passenger compartment. If you want
the blower fan at a high speed, press the up arrow button
until you see HI on the display. If you want the fan
speed to be automatic, but you like the fan speed to be
higher than the AUTO setting, press the fan symbol
button until HI AUTO is shown on the display.
If you want the blower fan at a low speed, press the
down arrow button until LO is shown on the display.
If you want the fan speed to run lower than the AUTO
setting, press the button until LO AUTO is shown on
the display.OFF: Press this button to turn the system off.
Fresh air will continue to flow through the vehicle,
and the system will try to maintain the previously set
temperature. The outside temperature will show on the
display when the system is OFF.
AC: Press this button to turn the air conditioning on
and off. The system will cool and dehumidify the air
inside the vehicle. In the AUTO mode, the display
will show that AC is active, but the air conditioning
compressor only operates when the system determines
it is needed.
RECIRCULATION: Press this button to limit
the amount of fresh air entering your vehicle. This is
helpful when you are trying to cool the air quickly or
limit odors entering your vehicle. In the AUTO mode,
the system will use recirculation as necessary to cool
the air. Pressing the recirculation button will change the
operation to a manual mode and the air will recirculate
non
-stop. Press this button again to turn off the
recirculation feature.
If you notice the windows fogging, press the
recirculation button to exit the recirculation mode.

3-32
Weather Band (If Equipped)
Weather band is restricted to speech and the audio
quality is not as good as with the AM or FM bands.
Depending on location, the radio should receive one or
two channels.
Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be
loud and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage:

Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.

Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two
-way radio -- be sure you
can add what you want. If you can, it's 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 also interfere with the operation of sound
equipment that has been added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.

4-7
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're driving, brake
normally but don't 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 Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). 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's a problem with the
anti
-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay on.
See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in
the Index.
Here's how anti-lock works. Let's say the road is wet.
You're driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in
front of you.

4-22
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're ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you're not fresh
-- such as after a day's
work
-- don't plan to make too many miles that first 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's ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you'll find experienced and able service experts in
Cadillac dealerships all across North America.
They'll be ready and willing to help if you need it.
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 inflated to the
recommended pressure?

Weather Forecasts: What's 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?

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Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway hypnosisº?
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. Don't let it happen
to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less
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.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.

4-24
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.

Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels
and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle.
These parts can work hard on mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could
get so hot that they wouldn't work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none going
down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let
your engine assist your brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transaxle, and you can climb the hill better.

Stay in your own lane when driving on two
-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.

As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.

You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or
no
-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding
roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.