traction control CADILLAC ELDORADO 1998 10.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The electronics and computerization which were
pioneered by Cadillac in the
’70s came of age in the
’80s with Digital Fuel Injection and On-Board
Diagnostics
in 1980. four wheel Anti-lock Brakes on
1986 models and Traction Control in the fdl of 1989.
The 1992 Seville STS was the first car ever to win all
three major automotive awards: Car
of the Year, Motor
Trend; Ten Best List, Car
& Driver; Car of the Year.
Automobile Magazine.
The year
1993 saw the introduction of the Northstar
system. The state
of the art system includes the 32 valve,
dual overhead camshaft, Northstar 4.6 liter V8 engine,
4T80-E electronically controlled automatic transaxle,
road sensing suspension, speed sensitive steering.
anti-lock brakes and traction control.
For more than nine decades Cadillac has been
a leader in
quality and technical innovation. Now more than ever,
Cadillac
is “Creating a Higher Standard.”

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Driving without washer fluid can be dangerous.
A bad mud splash can block your vision and you
could hit another vehicle or go off the road.
Check the washer fluid level often.
J
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can help on long trips.
Cruise control does
not work at speeds below
25 mph (40 kd).
Cruise control shuts off when you apply your brakes.
A CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can’t drive safely at
a steady speed. So,
don’t use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could
lose control. Don’t
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. (See “Traction
Control System” in
the Index.) When road conditions
allow you
to safely use it again, you may turn the
cruise control back
on.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
LOCK
ANT’- (e)
With the anti-lock brake system, the light(s) will
come on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds,
That’s normal.
If
the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or. if the
light comes on when you’re 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’re driving, your vehicle needs
service.
If the regular brake system warning light isn’t
on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock
brakes. If
the regular brake system warning light is
also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes and there’s a
problem with your regular brakes. See “Brake System
Warning Light” earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning Light
TRACTION
CONTROL
This warning light should
come
on briefly as you start
the engine. If the warning
light doesn’t come on then,
have it fixed
so it will be
ready
to warn you if there’s
a problem.
If
it stays on, or comes on when you’re 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.
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
0 If there’s a brake system problem that is specifically
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search 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 odoff button in the glove box
has been returned to an on position (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.
TRACTION SUSPENDED - 56: This message
displays when the traction control system has been
temporarily shut off because your vehicle’s brakes
have overheated. This message does not indicate
a
problem with your vehicle’s traction control system.
After a few minutes,
the traction control system will
be available again and the TRACTION READY
message will appear.
TRANS FLUID RESET - 48: With the engine not
running and the ignition on, press and hold the OFF
and rear defog buttons until the TRANS FLUID
RESET message appears on the Driver Information
Center
(DIC) (between five and 20 seconds).
TRANS HOT IDLE ENG - 112: This message
indicates that the trans’axle fluid in your vehicle is too
hot. Stop and allow your vehicle
to idle until it cools
down or until this message is removed.
TRUNK OPEN - 24: This message indicates that the
trunk
is open when your vehicle’s ignition is in RUN.
TURN SIGNAL ON - 20: This message is a reminder,
after driving about
1 mile (1.6 km/h), that you have the
turn signal
on. A multiple chime will also sound when
this message is displayed.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. 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
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let 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. If
your vehicle
is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you
to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. (See “Cruise Control” in
the Index.)
TRACTION
CONTROL
This warning light will
come
on to let you know if
there’s a problem with your
traction control system.
Traction Control System
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
the front wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction.
When
this happens, the system works the front brakes and
reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ENGAGED message will display on
the Driver Information Center when
the traction control
system
is limiting wheel spin. See ‘.Driver Infomation
Center Messages” in the Index. You may feel or hear the
system working, but this is normal. See
“Traction Control System Warning Light” in the
Index. 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, ice or snow. See “Rocking Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
4-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of
us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever
tried
to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends
on the
condition
of your tires and the road surface, the angle
at which the curve
is banked, and your speed.
While you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate.
Both control systems -- steering and
acceleration
-- have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too
much
of those places. You can lose control. Refer to
“Traction Control System” in the Index.
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.
If you have Stabilitrak, you may see the STABILITY
ENGAGED message on the Driver Information Center.
See “Stability Engaged Message” in the Index.
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.
4-11

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and 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.
Skidding
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 vehicle’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.
If you have Stabilitrak,
you may see the STABILITY
ENGAGED message
on the Driver Information Center.
See “Stability Engaged Message” in the Index.
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.
While driving
on a surface with reduced traction, try
your 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 surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn 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 skid.
4-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold
snow
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet
ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the
least traction
of all. You can get wet ice when it’s about
freezing
(32°F; 0°C) and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition
-- smooth ice, packed, blowing
or loose snow
-- drive with caution.
Keep your traction control system
on. It improves your
ability to accelerate when driving
on a slippery road.
Even though your vehicle has a traction control system,
you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving
to the
road conditions. See “Traction Control System” in
the Index. 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.
0 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.
4-27

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. You should
turn your traction control system off. (See “Traction
Control System”
in the Index.) Then shift back and forth
between REVERSE
(R) and a forward gear, spinning the
wheels as little
as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator
pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. If that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out.
If you do need
to be towed out, see “Towing Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
5-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I A CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving.
If you mix tires of different sizes or types
(radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not
handle properly, and you could have a crash.
Using tires of different sizes may also cause
damage to
your vehicle. Be sure to use the same
size and type tires on
all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare,
though. It
was developed for use on your vehicle.
A CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving.
A tire and/or wheel could
fail suddenly, causing
a crash. Use only radial-ply
tires with the wheels
on your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear. traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded
on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does
not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver or temporary
use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or
to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
6-43