brakes CADILLAC DEVILLE 1998 7.G Owner's Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your anti-lock brakes improve your vehicle’s stability
when you make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even
though you have the anti-lock braking system, you’ll
want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry
pavement. See “Anti-Lock” in the Index.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine
until you hit a spot that’s covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road,
ice patches may appear in
shaded areas where the sun can’t reach: around
clumps
of trees, behind buildings or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass may
remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear.
If
you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you
are on it.
Try not to brake while you’re actually on
the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation. You should probably stay with your
vehicle unless you know for sure that you
are near help
and you can hike through the snow. Here are some
things
to do to summon help and keep yourself and your
passengers safe:
Turn on your hazard flashers.
4-27

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in
a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them
as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Electronic Level Control
This feature keeps the rear of your vehicle level as the
load changes. It’s automatic
-- you don’t need to
adjust anything.
Towing a Trailer
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly,
you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer
is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
You may also damage your vehicle; the resulting
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Pull a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section. Ask your dealer for advice
and information about towing a- trailer with
your vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
0 and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg) if
you have a DeVille or a DeVille d’Elegance without the optional trailer towing package. If you have a DeVille
Concours, DeVille or DeVille d’Elegance with the
optional trailer towing package, the maximum trailer
weight should never be more than 3,900 lbs.
( 1 773 kg).
These are total maximum weights including the load.
But even that can be too heavy.
If you tow more than 1000 lbs. (450 kg), use trailer
brakes. Be sure to follow the instructions that come with
the trailer or from the brake manufacturer.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle. The
optional trailer towing package provides the
necessary oil cooler for the DeVille or the DeVille
d’Elegance to tow a trailer heavier than 1,000 lbs.
(450 kg). The DeVille Concours is equipped with this
cooler as standard equipment.
The maximum trailer weight for your vehicle can be
determined from the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight
(GCVW). The GCVW
= curb weight + passenger’s
weight
+ cargo weight + trailer weight. The GCVW
should never weigh more than 8,253 lbs. (3
751 kg)
total loaded vehicle and trailer.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at:
Cadillac Customer Assistance Center
Cadillac Motor Car Division
P.O. Box 436004
Pontiac, MI 48343-6004
In Canada, write to: General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre 1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
4-33

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
0
0
0
The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for
hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a frame-mounted
hitch that does not attach to the bumper.
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will
weigh more than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg), be sure to use a
properly mounted, weight-distributing hitch and
sway control of the proper size. This equipment is
very important for proper vehicle loading and good
handling when you’re driving.
Will you have to make any holes in the body
of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index). Dirt
and water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Because you have anti-lock brakes, don’t try to tap into
your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system. If you do, both
brake systems won’t work well, or at
all. If you tow
more than
1000 lbs. (450 kg), use trailer brakes. Be sure
to follow the instructions that come with the trailer or
from brake manufacturer.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes
so you’ll be able to maintain them properly.
4-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Trailer Wiring Harness
If your vehicle is equipped with the 3,000-lb. (1 360 kg)
trailer towing package option, you will have
a wiring
harness located under the
trunk trim. The harness is a
five-wire harness, with connector.
These trailer-wiring harness color codes should be
followed when connecting it
to your trailer:
WHITE: Direct trailer ground for trailer lamps.
BROWN: Parking lamps.
0 YELLOW Left turn and stoplamps.
GREEN: Right turn and stoplamps.
0 BLUE: Auxiliary circuit.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your
rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle
is by itself. Before
you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle
and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working.
This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a tr$ler. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal \
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
4-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Backing Up Tbrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back
up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making arris
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Cadillac dealer. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked
up, the trailer lamps
will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your instrument panel will flash for turns even
if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could
be damaged. Avoid
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
making very sharp turns while trailering. Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
When you’re turning with
a trailer, make wider turns down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
than normal. Do this
so your trailer won’t strike soft down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees
or other objects. they would get hot and no longer work well.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance. On
a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) or less to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transaxle overheating.
4-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with-a trailer
attached, on a hill. If something goes wrong,
your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift into
PARK (P).
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into
PARK
(P) firmly and apply your parking brakes.
Release the regular brakes.
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
Be 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 s‘6~1&@kt pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule booklet
for more
on this. Things that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill), engine oil, drive belt, cooling system and brake
adjustment. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to
review these sections 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. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
4-38

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine &&* -%%-,
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel informa\
tion,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also techn\
ical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6-2
6-3
6-5 6-5
6-8
6-8
6-11
6-15
6-18
6-22
6-26
6-28
6-3 1
6-32
6-3
8
6-3 8
Service
Fuel
Fuels in Foreign Countries Filling Your Tank
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Engine Coolant
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Headlamp Aiming 6-4
1
6-49
6-49
6-52
6-54
6-55
6-55
6-56
6-57 6-57
6-66
6-66
6-67
6-67 Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Cleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome Wheels
(If Equipped)
Underbody Maintenance
Chemical Paint Spotting
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Electrical System Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Normal Maintenance Replacement
Parts

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level
in the
reservoir might go down. The first
is that the brake fluid
goes down to
an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of the brake system.
If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed,
since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
6-28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11’ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the
area around the
cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
With the wrong kind
of. fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at
all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example,
just a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
6-29