maintenance CADILLAC FLEETWOOD 1996 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Cadillac
Air bags affect how your Cadillac should be serviced.
There are parts
of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Cadillac dealer and the Fleetwood Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications” in the Index.
I A CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part
of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you
is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant
women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured
if they don’t wear safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and
the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below
the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use
it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you
go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it
is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened
or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After
a Crash
If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during
a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
darnage
also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn’t being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace
air bag
system parts. See the
part on the air bag system earlier in
this section.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Oil Level Light
11 This light should come on
while you are starting your
engine provided that your
LOW
OIL LEVEL
engine has been off long
enough to let most
of the oil
drain back into the oil pan.
During frequent stopping and starting, the light will
not always come on as you
start the engine.
If it doesn’t come on, have it repaired. If the light comes
on and stays on, the engine oil level is too low. Check the
oil level and add enough oil to bring the engine oil level
up to the proper level.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
Change Oil Light t
CHANGE OIL
The CHANGE OIL light
should come on briefly as
a bulb check when you
start the engine. If the
light doesn’t come on,
have it serviced.
If the CHANGE OIL light comes on and stays on for
20 seconds after you start the engine, have the oil
changed. The light may indicate to change the oil sooner
than suggested in your maintenance schedule, depending
on your driving patterns. The light is activated by the
Oil Life Inlcator which determines the condition of the
oil but doesn’t sense heavy dust in the air or check the
oil level. Therefore, you should change your oil at the
intervals recommended in your maintenance schedule or
when the CHANGE OIL light comes on, whichever
comes first. See “Engine Oil” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ’men You Are Ready to Leave After
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.
Engine Cooling When Trailering
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions such as:
Climbing grades steeper than four percent at
temperatures above
90°F (32°C) with a loaded
vehicle and trailer.
Stopping after high-speed driving.
Idling for long periods in stop-and-go traffic.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that
are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system and brake adjustment. Each of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before
you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
do your own service work, see “Servicing Your Air
Bag-Equipped Cadillac” in the Index.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Index.
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged
if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
0 Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, and the proper replacement
parts and tools before you attempt any
vehicle maintenance task.
0 Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and
other fasteners. “English” and “metric”
fasteners can be easily confused.
If you use
the wrong fasteners, parts can later break
or
fall off. You could be hurt.
Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. At
a minimum, it should meet specifications
ASTM D4814
in the United States and CGSB 3.5-M93
in Canada. Improved gasoline specifications have been
developed by the American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) €or better vehicle performance
and engine protection. Gasolines meeting the AAMA
specification could provide improved driveability and
emission control system protection compared to
other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane is at least 87.
If the octane is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you
still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t
worry if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem.
6-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Remove the air filter. Be sure to inspect both sides of the
filter and replace it as necessary.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
/!A CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the
air, it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine *
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it off, and be careful working on the engine with
the
air cleaner off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And,
dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage
it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
6-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ~~
~ Automatic Transmission -Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83
000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See "Scheduled Maintenance Services" in the Index.
regularly reaches
90°F (32"
C) or higher.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Cadillac dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading on
the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall
on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32" C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is
180 OF to 200 OF
(82°C to 93°C).
6-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Add Fluid Rear Axle
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Add fluid
only after checking the transmission fluid
HOT. (A COLD check is used only as a reference.) If
the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper
fluid to bring the level up to the
HOT area for a hot
check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint
(OSL). Don ’t overfiill. We recommend you use only
fluid labeled DEXRON@-III, because fluid with that
label is made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-111 is not
covered
by your new vehicle warranty.
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Use Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 1052271) or
SAE 8OW-90 GL-5 gear lubricant.
6-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Power Steering Fluid How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the
C mark. Add enough fluid to
bring the level up to the mark.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index. Always use the proper fluid.
Failure to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
6-24
I f

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I A CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the
engine. The fluid
wiIl burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only when work is done on the brake hydraulic system. Checking Brake Fluid
I
Refer to
the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections” in the Index.
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the windows on the brake fluid reservoir.
The fluid levels should be above
MIN. If they aren’t,
have your brake system checked
to see if there is a leak.
After work is done
on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the levels are above MIN and below the top of
each window..
6-27