CADILLAC DEVILLE 1995 7.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You slam on the brakes. Here's what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is
about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each
front wheel
and at the rear wheels.
The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver
could. The computer
is programmed to make the most of available tire
and road conditions.
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You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and
controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time
you need to get your foot
up to the brake pedal. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you,
you won't have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or
stops. Always leave e.nough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti-lock brakes.
To Use Anti-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and fet anti-lock
work for
you. You may hear the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and
feel the brake pedal pulsate,
but this is normal.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Traction Control System
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Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits wheel spin. This is
especially useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that one or both of ihc front wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, the system works the front brakes and
reduces engine power (by shutting
off fuel injectors) to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION
ACTIVE message will display on the Driver
Information Center when the traction control
system is limiting wheel
spin. See “Driver Information Center Messages” in the Index. You may
feel the system working, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal.
If
your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction control svstem begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. When
road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may re-engage the
cruise control. (See “Cruise Control”
in the Index.)
The TRACTION DISABLED message will display on the Driver
Information Center to
let you know if there‘s a problem with your traction
control system. See “Driver Information Center Messages”
in the Index.
When this message is displaved, the system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on whenever you start
your vehicle.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions,
you should always leave the svstem on. But you can turn the traction
control system
off if you ever-need to. (You should turn the system off if
your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow. See “Rocking Your
Vehicle’’
in the Index.)
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To turn the system off, press the button labeled TRAC OFF located inside
of
the glove box. The TRACTION OFF message will display on the
Driver Information Center.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you
press the button, the system won’t iurn 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 ON nmsage will display briefly on thc Driver
Information Center.
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Braking in Emergencies
Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. With anti-lock. you
can steer and brake at the same time. In nlanv cmergencics. steering can
help you more than even the very best braking.
STEEMNG
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.
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Steering Tips
The traction vou can get in a CUI-VC depcnds on the condition of your tires
and the roaddsurfacc, the angle at which thc cun~ is banked, and your
speed. Whilc
you'rc in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you're steering
through c a sharp curve. Then you suddenly
accelerate.
Both control systems -- stccring and acceleration -- have to do
their work where the tircs meet the road. Unless you have traction control
and the system is on, adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
muck of those places. You can lose control.
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.
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 "drive" 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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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For
example,
you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a
car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right
in front of you. You can avoid these problems
by braking -- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t
room. That’s the time for evasive action -- steering around the problem.
Your Cadillac can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply
your brakes. It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a
possible
collision. Then steer around the problem, td the left or right
depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If
you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, you can turn
it a full 180 degrees very quickly without renmving
either hand.
But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly
straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object,
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The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good
reason to practice defensive driving at
all times and wear safety belts
properly.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OFF-ROAD RECOVERY
You mav find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge
of a rmd onto the shoulder while you’re driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pave.ment, recovery
should
be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing
in the way, steer so that vour vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
You can turn the steering wheel up to 1/4 turn until the right front tire
contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go straight
down the roadway.
PASSING
The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits
for
just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead,
then goes back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a
potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same
lane
as oncoming traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in
judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put
the passing driver face to face with the worst of all traffic accidents -- the
head-on collision.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine So here are some tips for passing:
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"Drive ahead." Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for
situations that might affect your passing patterns. If you have any
doubt whatsoever about
making a successful pass, wait for a better
time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines.
if yo^ can see a
sign up ahead that might indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your
pass.
A broken center line usually indicates it's all right to pass
(providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line on your
side
of the lane or a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you're
awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces
your area
of vision, especiallv if you're following a larger vehicle. Also,
you won't have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or
stops. Keep back
a reasonable distance.
When
it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate
but stay
in the right lane and don't get too close. Time your move so
you will be increasing specd as the time comes to move into the other
lane.
If the way is clear to pass, you will have a "running start" that
more than makes up
for the distance you would lose by dropping back.
And
if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass. you need
only
slow down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity
If other cars are lined up
to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But
take care that someone
isn't trying c to pass you as you pull out to pass
the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder ;ind check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors. glancc
OVC~ your shoulder. ;~nd start your lcft 1;tnc
change signal bcfortj moving out of thc right 12111~ to pass. Whcn you
are far enough ahead of the passul vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back
into the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror is
convex. The vehicle
you just passed may seem to be farther away from
you than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads.
Reconsider before passing
the next vehicle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the
brake lamps are not flashing,
it may be slowing down or starting to turn,
0 If you're being passed, make it easv for the following driver to get
ahead
of you. Perhaps you can easi a little to the right.
LOSS OF CONTROL
Let's review what driving experts sav about what happens when the three
control svstems (brakes, steering an> acceleration)
don't have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek
an escape route or area of less danger.
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 "overdriving" those conditions.
But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your Cadillac'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.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try Vour 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 surfdce is slippery until your vehicle is
skidding.
Leain to recognize warning clues -- such as enough water, ice or
packed snow on the road to make a “mirrored surface” -- and slow down
when
you have any doubt.
Remember:
Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking L. skid.
DRIVING AT NIGHT
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some
drivers are likely to be impaired -- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems,
or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
0 Drive defensively.
0 Don’t drink and drive.
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Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps
behind you.
Since you can‘t see
as well, you may need to slow down and keep more
space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlamps can
light up only
so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.
Night Vision
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we get older
these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice
as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What
you do in the daytime can also affect your night vision. For example,
if you spend the day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses.
Your eyes
will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you’re driving,
don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on glare from
headlamps, but they also make a lot of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded
bv approaching lights. It can take a
second or two, or even several seconds, for your eves to readjust to the
dark. When
YOU are faced with severe glare (as frim a driver who doesn’t
lower the
high beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps), slow down
a little. Avoid staring directly into the approaching lights.
Keep
your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle clean -- inside and
out. Glare at night is made much worse
by dirt on the glass. Even the
inside
of the glass can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would, making the pupils of
your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far
less of a roadway when you
are in a turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick
out dimly lighted objects. Just as
your headlamps should be checked
regularly for proper aim,
so should your eyes be examined regularly.
Some drivers suffer
from night blindness -- the inability to see in dim
light
-- and aren’t even aware of it.
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