check oil CADILLAC ELDORADO 1999 10.G Owners Manual

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2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery or damaging
your starter.
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:
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 ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
A. Engine Oil Dipstick Location
B. Engine Coolant Heater Cord
C. Transaxle Dipstick/Fluid Fill Location
In very cold weather, 0
F (
-18
C) 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.

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Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. See
ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. It will take a few
driving trips to turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
ªFuelº in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start
-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration
or stumbling on acceleration. (These conditions may go
away once the engine is warmed up.) This will be detected
by the system and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Oil Pressure Light
This light tells you if there
could be a problem with
your engine oil pressure.
The light goes on when you turn your key to RUN or
START. It goes off once you start your engine. That's a
check to be sure the light works. If it doesn't come on,
be sure to have it fixed so it will be there to warn you if
something goes wrong.
When the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil isn't
flowing through your engine properly. You could be low on
oil and you might have some other system problem.
CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If you
do, your engine can become so hot that it catches
fire. You or others could be burned. Check your oil
as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced.

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BATTERY NOT CHARGING - 7: This message will
appear if the battery is not being charged. Have the
electrical system checked by your dealership at your
earliest convenience.
BATTERY VOLTAGE HIGH
- 8: This message
shows that the electrical charging system is
overcharging (more than 16 volts). To avoid being
stranded, have the electrical system checked by your
dealership. You can reduce the charging overload by
using the accessories. Turn on the lamps and radio, set
the climate control on AUTO and the fan speed on HI,
and turn the rear window defogger on. You can monitor
battery voltage on the DIC by pressing the SKIP INFO
button. The normal range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts when the
engine is running.
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 and may take a few hours to do
so. Consider using an auxiliary charger to boost the
battery after returning home or to a final destination.
(Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when
using a battery charger.)If this message appears and stays on while driving or
after starting your vehicle, have it checked immediately
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 SKIP INFO button. The normal range
is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
BRAKE VACUUM PROBLEM
-108: The circuit in
the brake booster vacuum has shorted or is loose when
this message appears. Your vehicle may lose power
brakes but you will still have the use of manual brakes.
The power brakes will not be affected if the problem is
caused by a failed sensor. Have your vehicle serviced
immediately at your dealership.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL
- 82: This means that the life
of the engine oil has expired and it should be changed
within 200 miles (322 km). See ªEngine Oilº and ªFilter
Recommendationsº in the Maintenance Schedule booklet.
After an oil change, the Oil Life Indicator must be reset.
See ªOil Life Indicator, How to Resetº in the Index.
CHANGE TRANS FLUID
- 47: This message will
appear when it is time to replace the transaxle fluid. See
the Maintenance Schedule booklet for the proper fluid
and change intervals.

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CHECK BRAKE FLUID LEVEL - 37: This message
will display if the ignition is in RUN to inform the
driver that the brake fluid level is low. Check the brake
reservoir level and add fluid as needed. Have the brake
system serviced by a technician as soon as possible. If
the brake warning light is on, follow the directions in
that part.
CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
- 2: This message
will appear when there is a low level of engine coolant.
Have the cooling system serviced by a technician as
soon as possible.
CHECK FUEL GAUGE
- 39: This message
will appear when the fuel supply is less than 4 gallons
(15.2 L) and the display is turned off (digital clusters
only). A single chime will also sound when this message
is displayed.
CHECK GAS CAP
- 61: This message will appear if
the gas cap has not been fully tightened. You should
recheck your gas cap to ensure that it's fully tightened.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
- 36: For correct operation of
the low oil sensing system, your vehicle should be on a
level surface. A false CHECK OIL LEVEL message
may appear if the vehicle is parked on grades. The oil
level sensing system does not check for actual oil level
if the engine has been off for a short period of time, and
the oil level is never sensed while the engine is running.If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message appears and your
vehicle has been parked on level ground with the engine
off for at least 30 minutes, the oil level should be
checked by observing the oil dipstick. Prior to checking
the oil level, be sure the engine has been off for five
minutes and your vehicle is on a level surface. Then
check the dipstick and add oil if necessary. See ªEngine
Oilº in the Index.
CHECK WASHER FLUID
- 25: This message will
appear for several seconds indicating that you need
windshield washer solvent.
CRUISE ENGAGED
- 43: This message will
appear for a few seconds when you select a speed at
which to cruise.
DOOR AJAR
- 141: A door other than the driver's
is open or ajar when this message appears. The
vehicle's engine must be running and the transaxle
not in PARK (P) for this message to display. A chime
will also sound when the vehicle's speed is greater than
5 mph (8 km/h).
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
- 140: This message
will display when the vehicle is being shifted out of
PARK (P) with the engine running to signal that the
driver's door is open or ajar. A chime will also sound
when the vehicle's speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).

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ICE POSSIBLE - 13: This message appears when
the outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy
road conditions.
LOW REFRIG A/C OFF
- 12: This message means
that the air conditioning system detects a refrigerant
level that is low enough to cause damage to the air
conditioning compressor. Have the air conditioning
system serviced if this message appears.
MONITORED SYSTEMS OK
- 1: This message only
appears in the ªrecallº mode by pressing the NO INFO
RESET button. It lets you know that no other messages
are stored or currently active.
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 also sound when this
message is displayed.
OPTIONS NOT SET
- 99: This message will display if
a fault has occurred in your vehicle's memory. Have
your vehicle serviced by your dealership.PROGRAM PASS KEY
- 31: This warning message
displays when the PASS
-Key
II pellet information has
not been programmed into your vehicle. See your
dealership for service.
PHONE NOT PRESENT
- 126: This message will
appear when the steering wheel controls for the optional
phone system are activated but the phone is not plugged
into the vehicle. Make sure your phone is plugged in. If
your phone appears to be connected, see your dealership
for service.
REMOVE KEY
- 70: This message will appear when
the Personalized Automotive Security System
(PASS
-Key
II) is unable to read the pellet on the
ignition key or an improper key pellet has been inserted.
This message usually appears following the display of
STARTING DISABLED REMOVE KEY. The
instrument panel cluster will then run a timer and
change the messages to WAIT 3 MINUTES, WAIT
2 MINUTES, WAIT 1 MINUTE and then START CAR.
When the REMOVE KEY message is displayed, remove
the ignition key. Check the ignition key for damage. If it
is damaged, it may need to be replaced. If you see no
damage, clean the pellet contacts with a soft cloth or
napkin before inserting the key back into the ignition.
Have your vehicle serviced if the message still appears.

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The Driver Information Center (DIC) may display a
CHANGE ENGINE OIL message. Always keep a
written record of the mileage and date when you
changed your oil. For more information, see the
Maintenance Schedule booklet. If you see CHANGE
ENGINE OIL, it means that you have no oil life left and
you should change your engine oil right away.
The system should indicate changing the oil between
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and 7,500 miles (12 500 km).
It may indicate changing the oil before 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) depending on your driving habits. If the
vehicle has been driven 7,500 miles (12 500 km), it willindicate to change the oil. If you drive in a dusty area,
you should change your oil every 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) or three months (whichever comes first)
unless the display indicates changing it sooner. See
ªEngine Oil, When to Changeº in the Index. The
system doesn't check how much oil you have, so you'll
still have to check for that. To see how, see ªEngine Oilº
in the Index.
When the oil is changed, you'll need to reset the system.
See ªOil Life Indicator, How to Resetº in the Index.

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Here are some things you can check before a trip:

Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?

Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?

Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?

Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?

Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble
-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long
-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?

Weather Forecasts: What's the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?

Maps: Do you have up
-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway hypnosisº?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't let it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a second, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:

Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.

Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to
the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.

If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.

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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 someone 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
system. If you're trailering, it's a good idea to review
this information 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 ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

6-
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Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-19 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-23 Engine Coolant
6
-27 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes
6
-32 Battery
6
-33 Bulb Replacement
6
-39 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-40 Tires
6
-48 Appearance Care
6
-48 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-50 Care of Safety Belts6
-50 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
6
-50 Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and
Wiper Blades
6
-50 Weatherstrips
6
-51 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-52 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-52 Cleaning Tires
6
-52 Sheet Metal Damage
6
-53 Underbody Maintenance
6
-53 Chemical Paint Spotting
6
-54 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-55 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-55 Electrical System
6
-64 Replacement Bulbs
6
-65 Capacities and Specifications
6
-65 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-66 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

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Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you'll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you're going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Filling Your Tank
The cap is behind a hinged door on the driver's side of
your vehicle.