CADILLAC SEVILLE 1995 4.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and
controls braking pressure accordingly. rc-
Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot
up to the brake pedal.
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.
To Use Anti-Lock
Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down 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.
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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 (by shutting
off fuel injectors) to limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION ACTIVE message will display on the Drivef
Information Center when the traction control system is limiting wheel
spin. See “Driver Information Center Messages” 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.)
The TRACTION DISABLED message will display on the Driver
Information Center to let you know if there’s a problem with your traction
control system. See “Driver Information Center Messages” in the Index.
When this message is displayed, the system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine STEERING
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.
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For
example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a
car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems
by braking
-- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t
room. That’s the time for evasive action
-- steering around the problem.
Your Cadillac can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply
your brakes. It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a
possible collision.
Then steer around the problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If
you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, you can turn it a
full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But
you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly
straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object.
: . .
The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good
reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts
properly.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OFF-ROAD RECOVERY
You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge
of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery
should be fairly easy. Ease
off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing
in the way, steer
so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
You can turn the steering wheel up to
1/4 turn until the right front tire
contacts the pavement edge. Then
turn your steering wheel to go straight
down the roadway.
OFF ROAD RECOVERY
OUARIER TURN
edge of paved surfact
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine IL.4 PASSING
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The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits
for just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead,
then goes back into the right lane again.
A simple maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle
on a two-lane highway is a
potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same
lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds.
A miscalculation, an error in
judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put
the passing driver face to face with the worst
of all traffic accidents -- the
head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
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“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for
situations that might affect your passing patterns. If you have any
doubt whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait
for a better
time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see
a
sign up ahead that might indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your
pass.
A broken center line usually indicates it’s all right to pass
(providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross
a solid line on your
side
of the lane or a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehic1.e you want to pass while you’re
awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces
your area of vision, especially
if you’re following a larger vehicle. Also,
you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or
stops. Keep back a reasonable distance.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate
but stay in the right lane and don’t get too close. Time your move
so
you will be increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other
lane. If the way is clear to pass, you
will have a “running start” that
more than makes up
for the distance you would lose by dropping back.
And if something happens
to cause you to cancel your pass, you need
only slow down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity.
take care that someone isn’t trying
to pass you as you pull out to pass
the slow vehicle. Remember
to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane
change signal before moving
out of the right lane to pass. When you
are far enough ahead
of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back
into the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror is
convex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to be farther away from
you than it really is.)
Reconsider before passing the next vehicle.
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads.
Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the
brake lights are not flashing, it may be slowing down or starting to
turn.
0 If you’re being passed, make it easy for the following driver to get
ahead
of you. Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.
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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 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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
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more limited.
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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.
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DRIPTNG AT NIGHT
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some
drivers are likely to be impaired
-- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
0 Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps
behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more
space between you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlamps can
light up
only so much road ahead.
0 In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.