traction control CADILLAC FLEETWOOD 1994 Owners Manual

b.
This rich traditi.on continues
into the
'90s as Cadillac became the
first automobile manufacturer to be
awarded the prestigious Malcolm
Baldrige National Quality Award.
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.
A
A 1993 Cadillac Allant6 in stock
technical configuration, was selected
as the pace car for the 76th Indianap-
olis
500. The demanding pace car
performance and handling require- ments were met because of such
advances as the Northstar system.
The system includes the
32 valve,
dual overhead camshaft, Northstar
4.6 liter V8 engine, 4T80 E electroni-
cally controlled automatic transaxle,
road sensing suspension, speed sen-
sitive steering, antilock brakes and
traction control.
For more than nine decades
Cadillac has been
a leader in quality
and technical innovation. Now more
than ever, substance takes shape
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If the light stays on, turn the ignition 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 Cadillac 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 part.
The anti-lock brake system warning light may also come on when you are
driving with
a compact spare tire. If this happens, the light means you
won’t have anti-lock until you replace the compact spare with a full-size
tire. If the warning light stays
on after you replace the compact spare with
a full-size tire, or if it comes on again when you’re driving, your Cadillac
needs service.
Traction Control System Lights
Traction Engaged
This light will go on as
a bulb check when you
start your engine. It
will also come on when
the traction control
system is active.
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Traction Disabled
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TRACTION
CONTROL
This light will come on
when you first start
your vehicle or when
you turn
off the system.
If it ever comes
on and
stays
on, it means that
your traction control
system
is not working,
and you should have it
serviced as soon as
possible.
These lights are deleted on Coach Builder limousines and funeral coach
packages.

Traction Control System
This feature is deleted on Coach Builder limousines and funeral coach
packages.
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 the rear wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system works the rear brakes and reduces engine
power (by closing the throttle) to limit wheel spin.
The ‘TRACTION ENGAGED’’ light will come on when the traction
control system is limiting wheel spin. See “Traction Control System Active
Light” in the Index. You may feel the system working, or you may notice
some noise, 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 re-engage the
cruise control,. (See “Cruise Control” in the Index.)
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The “TRACTION CONTROL? warning light will come on when you turn
the traction control system off. When the system is on, this light will come
on to let you know if there’s a problem with your traction control system.
‘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.)
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.
n The TRACTION CONTROL
DISABLE SWITCH
is located
in the glove
compartment.
I
To turn the system off, press and hold the button until the “TRACTION
CONTROC’ light comes
on and stays on. To turn the system back on, you
must stop and turn off the ignition. Then restart the engine.
Brake Wear
Your Cadillac has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed.
The
sound may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is
moving (except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
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Braking in Emergencies
Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. With anti-lock, you
can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can
help you more than even the very best braking.
STEEHNG
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is
not functioning, you can steer but it
will take much more effort.
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.
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. Unless your traction control
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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 Cadillac’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.
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
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Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably
have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road,
you can
have a
very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and
will need to be very careful.
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 OF; 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.
1 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.
l
Your anti-lock, brakes improve your ability to 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.
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IF YOU’RE STUCK: IN SAND, MUD, ICE
OR SNOW
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your
wheels. The method known as “rocking” can help you get out when
you’re stuck, but you must use caution.
I I 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
transmission back and forth, you can destroy your
transmission.
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 “R’ (Reverse) 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 transmission 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.
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