traction control CADILLAC SEVILLE 1997 4.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
I486 models and Traction Control in the fdl of 1989.
The 1992 SevilIe S'TS was the first car ever to win all
three major automotive awards: Car of the Year. Motor
Trend; Ten Best I..& Car & Driver; Car of the Yeac
Automobile Magazine.
The year I993 saw the introduction of the Northstar.
system. The state
of the art system includes the 32 valve.
dual overhead camshaft, Northstar 4.6 liter VX engine.
47'80-E electronically controlled automatic transaxle.
road sensing suspension.
speed sensitive steering,
anti-lock brakes and traction control.
For inore than nine decades Cadillac has been a leader in
quality
and technical innovation. Now nlorc than ever.
Cadillac is
"Creating a Higher- Standard."
*-
x

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine c
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 about 25 tnph
(40 km/h).
Cruise control shuts off when
you apply your brakes
8 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 tractiom can cause needless wheel
spinning, and
you could lose control. Don’t
@ 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
~CXI to safely use it again. you may turn the
cruise control
back on.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ANTI -
LOCK
Digital Cluster Analog Cluster
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 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 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.
This warning light should
I
I
come on briefly as you start
the engine. If
the warning
light doesn’t come on then,
TRACTION have it fixed so it will be
there’s a
problem.
ready
to warn you if
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine II
LI
The traction control system warning light may come on
for the following reasons:
@ 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. This light tells
you that the
engine has overheated. You
should stop
the car and turn
the engine
off as soon as
possible. A warning chime
should also sound if this
light
comes on.
As a check, the light should come on for a few seconds
when
you start your engine. In the section “Problems on
the Road,” this manual explains what to do. See “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine from an overheated engine. See ”Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
ENGINE MISFIRE -- EASE OFF GAS
PEDAL - 114: An engine misfire has occurred. You’ll
need to
ease off the gas pedal.
FUEL LEVEL LOW - 11: This message serves as a
waming that the fuel level in the tank is critically low.
Stop for fuel soon.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED - 23: If it’s dark enough
outside and the twilight sentinel control is
off, a
€EADLAMPS SUGGESTED message will display on the
DIC.
This message info~lns the driver that turning on the
exterior lamps
is recommended even though the DRL are
still illuminated (it’s become dark enough outside
to
require the headlamps andor other exterior lamps).
ICE POSSIBLE - 13: This message appears when the
outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy road
conditions.
&iONITORED SYSTEhIS OK - 1: This message only
appears in the “recall” mode by pressing the RESET
button.
It lets you know that no other messages are
stored
or cumently active.
PASS KEY NOT PROGRAMMED - 31: This
warning message displays when the PASS-Key pellet information
has not
been programmed into your vehicle.
See your Cadillac dealership for service.
PCM FAULT - 110: The circuit in the Powertrain
Control Module
(PCM) has shorted or is loose when this
message appears. Have your Cadillac serviced by your
dealership at once.
REDUCED ENGINE POWER - 41: This message
informs the driver, that due to wheel slippage, your vehicle
is reducing engine power to compensate for the loss of
traction. Accelerating too fast, causing the tires to spin, is
an example of when this message would display.
REMOVE KEY - 70: This message will appear when
the Personalized Automotive Security System
(PASS-Key
11) is unable to read the pellet on the
ignition key or an improper key pellet
has bee.n inserted.
Wait for
the DIC to display STARTING DISABLED
DUE TO THEFT SYSTEM REMOVE IGNITION
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.
c

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine c
c
STOP ENGINE LOW OIL PRESSURE - 35: If this
message appears while the engine is running, stop the
engine and do
!lot operate it until the cause of low oil
pressure
is corrected. Severe damage to the engine can
result.
A nlultiple chime will also sound when this
message is displayed.
THEFT SYSTEM YROBLEWCAR MAY NOT
RESTART
- 34: This message means there is a problem
in the Personalized Automotive Security System
(PASS-Key 11). A fault has been detected in the system
which means thzt the PASS-Key
I1 system is disabled
and is
not protecring the vehicle. The vehicle usually
restarts. however,
you may want to take your vehicle to
a proper service center before turning off the engine.
TOP SPEED FUEL CUT-OFF - 111: This message
will appear when the PCM senses that the maximum
speed
for your Cadillac has been reached. The speed
of your vehicle will decrease several mph as the fuel
supply is cutoff. 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 - 91: This message informs the
driver that the traction control system is available. This
occurs when
the traction doff 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 DIC (between five
and 20 seconds).
TRANSMISSION HOT .. 112: This messages indicates
that the transaxle fluid in your vehicle is too hot. Stop
and allow your vehicle to idle until it cools down or
until this message is removed.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine c
c
c
L
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.
thg AnJ:i=f,.ciick
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.
Your vehicle
has a traction control system that limits wheel
spin.
This is especially useful in slippely 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 Information
Center Messages”
in the Index. You may feel or hear the
system working, 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.)
This warning light will
come
on to let you know if
there’s
a problem with your
traction control system.
TRACTION
CONTROL
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

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine c
L.
c
c
c
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 the Seville STS, you may see the
STABILITY SI’S 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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine In a skid, a driver can lose mntrol of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by talung 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.
c
c
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 the Seville STS, you may see the
STABILITY SYS 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 1-imited.
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 lowsr
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.
E oear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps
avoid
only the braking skid.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
For information about using tit-e chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains“
in the Index. First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area
around
your front wheels. YOU should turn
pour 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.