warning light CADILLAC DEVILLE 2005 8.G User Guide

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)
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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

This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature. If the gage
pointer moves into
the shaded area, the
engine is too hot.
That reading means the same thing as the warning
light — the engine coolant has overheated. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-27.Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light in the United
States or Check Engine Light in Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment.
The SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may prevent
more serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction. Digital Cluster
United StatesCanada (Analog Only)
3-50

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.
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ENGINE HOT–AC 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. When the coolant
temperature returns to normal, the A/C operation will
automatically resume. You can continue to drive
your vehicle. If this message continues to appear, have
the system repaired by your GM dealer as soon as
possible to avoid compressor damage.
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. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-27. A multiple chime will also sound when this
message is displayed.
ENGINE POWER REDUCED – 41:This message
informs you that the vehicle is reducing engine power
because the transaxle is being placed in gear under
conditions that may cause damage to the vehicle’s
engine, transaxle or ability to accelerate.
FUEL LEVEL LOW – 11:This message serves as a
warning that the fuel level in the tank is critically
low. Stop for fuel soon. A single chime will sound when
this message is displayed.HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED – 23:If it is dark enough
outside and the headlamps and Twilight Sentinel®
controls are off, this message will display on the DIC.
This message informs the driver that turning on the
exterior lamps is recommended even though the DRL
are still illuminated. It has become dark enough outside
to require the headlamps and/or other exterior lamps.
This message will also appear if the optional
Rainsense™ wiping feature is on and the Twilight
Sentinel
®is off.
ICE POSSIBLE – 13:This message appears when the
outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy
road conditions.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR – 142:The left rear door is
open or ajar when this message appears. The ignition
must be in ON and the transaxle not in PARK (P) for this
message to display. A chime will sound if the vehicle’s
speed is greater than 3 mph (5 km/h).
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE – 35:If this
message appears while the engine is running, stop the
engine and do not operate it until the cause of low
oil pressure is corrected. Severe damage to the engine
can result. A multiple chime will sound when this
message is displayed.
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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

This warning light will come on to let you know if there
is a problem with your traction control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-48. When this warning light is on, 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 system 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 or snow and rocking the vehicle is
required. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on
page 4-30later in this section.To turn the system off,
press the TRAC ON/OFF
button located on the
center console. For
vehicles with a column
shift lever, the button
is located at the end of the
shift lever.
The TRACTION OFF message will display on the Driver
Information Center. If the system is limiting wheel
spin when you press the button, the TRACTION OFF
message will display – but the system will not turn
off right away. It will wait until there is 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 READY message
should display briey on the Driver Information Center. United States
Canada
4-9

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in
one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is
standing on the road. If you can see reections
from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and
raindrops dimple the water’s surface, there could be
hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If
you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
If you try to drive through owing water, as you
might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can
be carried away. As little as six inches of
owing water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore police
warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-57.
4-19

City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to
traffic signals.Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into
an unknown part of the city just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You will save time and energy.
SeeFreeway Driving on page 4-21.
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles
that have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
4-20

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Also seeTires on page 5-57.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red
cloth, and a couple of reective warning triangles. And,
if you will be driving under severe conditions, include
a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
4-25