tow CADILLAC ELDORADO 1998 10.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Seatback Latches
I A CAUTION:
If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it
is locked.
The front seatback folds
forward to
let people get
into the rear seat. The
seatback will move back
and forth freely unless you
come to a sudden stop, then
it will lock into place. The
seatback may not fold without some help from
you
if your vehicle is parked going down a fairly steep hill.
In this case, push the seatback toward the rear as you lift
the latch. Then the seatback will fold forward. The latch
must be
down for the seat to work properly.
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts
properly. It also tells you some things
you should not do
with safety belts.
And it explains the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
(SIR), or air bag system.
A CAUTION:
Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t wear
a safety belt properly.
If you are in a crash and
you’re not wearing a safety belt, your injuries
can be much worse.
You can hit things inside the
vehicle
or be ejected from it. You can be seriously
injured
or killed. In the same crash, you might
not be
if you are buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts
are fastened properly too.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal cobsions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the
instrument panel.
Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force
of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags
would
not help you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts,
primarily because
an occupant’s motion is not toward those air bags. Air
bags should never be regarded as anything more than a
supplement to safety belts, and then
only in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that
some people may not even realize the
air bag inflated.
Some components
of the air bag module -- the steering
wheel hub for the driver’s
air bag, or the instrument panel
for the right front passenger’s bag
-- will be hot for a short
time. The parts
of the bag that come into contact with you
may be warm, but not too
hot to touch. There will be
some smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated
air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t prevent the driver from
seeing
or from being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it
stop people from leaving the vehicle.
A CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems
for
people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it
is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
Your vehicle has a feapre that will automatically unlock
the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the air
bags inflate (if battery power is available). You can lock
the doors again and turn the interior lamps off by using
the door lock and interior lamp controls.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from
the
right front passenger air bag.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Child Restraints
Every time infants and young children ride in
vehicles, they should have protection provided by
appropriate restraints.
Q: What are the different types of add-on
child restraints?
A: Add-on child restraints are available in four basic
types. When selecting
a child restraint, take into
consideration not
only the child’s weight and size.
but also whether
or not the restraint will be
compatible with the motor vehicle
in which it will
be used.
An infant car bed
(A) is a special bed made for use
in a motor vehicle. It’s an infant restraint system
designed to restrain or position a child on a
continuous flat surface.
With an infant car bed,
make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the
center of the vehicle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But they need
to use the
safety belts properly.
0 Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out
in a crash.
0 Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
people who are.
A CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The
belt can’t properly spread the impact forces.
In a
crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured.
A belt must be used by
only one person at
a time.
&.’ What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is
so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child’s face
or neck?
A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still
is on the child’s
shoulder,
so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide.
If the
child is
so small that the shoulder belt is still very
close
to the child’s face or neck, you might want to
place the child in the center seat position. the one
that has
only a lap belt.
1-46

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition Positions
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
C
i
i
A L E
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn the
switch to five different positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use thmgs likt
the radio and the windsheld wipers when the engine is
off. To get into ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn it
toward you. The steering wheel will remain locked, just
as it was before you inserted the key. Once you turn the
key
to ACCESSORY, be sure to then turn it to LOCK. If
you leave your key in ACCESSORY when the engine
is
turned off, your battery will discharge prematurely.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing.
NOTICE: I
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts
or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging
your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 18OC) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help.
You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine
warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
2-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1 A CAUTION:
’ It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on
fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK
(P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a nailer”
in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has a Brake-Transaxle
Shift Interlock (BTSI). You have to fully
apply your
regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever -- push the
shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the
shift lever button
on the floor shift console models as
you maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into
the gear you wish. (Press the shift lever button
before moving the shift lever
on floor shift console
models.)
See “Shifting Out of PARK (P)” in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE
(R) only after your vehicle
has stopped.
Also use this gear to rock your vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice or sand without damaging your
transaxle. See “If You’re Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice or
Snow” in the lndex for additional information.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine p“
i f
r
#-
I
1
r
r
r
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL
(N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
A CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine
is “racing” (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot
is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out of
PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL
(N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
~~
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
OVERDRIVE (@): This position is for normal driving.
If you need more power for passing, and you’re:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
accelerator
all the way down.
The transaxle will shift down to the next gear and
have more power.
I
NOTICE:
d
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, or
if
it doesn’t seem to shift gears as you accelerate,
something may be wrong with a transaxle system
sensor.
If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged.
So if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use
SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than 35 mph (55 km/h) and OVERDRIVE (0)
for higher speeds.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than
OVERDRIVE (@).
Here are examples for using THIRD (3) instead of
OVERDRIVE (0):
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When towing a trailer, so there is less sh
When going down a steep hill.
between gears.
[ifting
SECOND (2): This position
gives you more power. You
can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your
speed as you
go down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use your brakes off and on.
~-
NOTICE:
~~~ ~~ ~~~~
Don’t shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than
65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills,
or
in deep snow or mud. (If the shift lever is put in
FIRST
(l), the transaxle won’t shift into gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.)
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen
if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were~up against a solid
object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also,
if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with
only the accelerator
pedal. This could cause overheating and damage
the transaxle. Use your brakes to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking Brake
Hold the regular brake
pedal down with your
right
foot and push down
the parking brake pedal
with your left foot to set
the parking brake. If
the ignition is
on, the
PARK
BRAKE indicator
light should come
on. If it
doesn’t, you need to have
your vehicle serviced.
If the parking brake has not been fully released and you
try to drive with the parking brake
on, the PARK
BRAKE indicator light comes on and stays on. See
“Parking Brake Indicator Light“ in the Index for more
information.
When you move out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N),
if the engine is running, the parking brake should
release. If
it doesn’t, you can manually release the
parking brake. Be
sure
to turn off the ignition and put the vehicle in
PARK (P) before manually releasing the brake.
Reach under
the driver’s side of the instrument panel
and pull
on the manual release lever, which is located
above the parking brake pedal. If the parking brake does
not release, you should either drive
to the nearest service
station or have your vehicle towed.
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