traction control CADILLAC SEVILLE 2000 5.G Owners Manual

2-25
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving,
however, it offers more power and lower fuel economy than
OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are examples for using THIRD (3) instead of
OVERDRIVE (D):

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power.
You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control
your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but
then you would also want to use your brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are
going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you
can damage your engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills,
or in deep snow or mud.
If the traction control switch is off, your vehicle will not
go into FIRST (1) gear and the vehicle will accelerate
from stop more slowly. This can help in deep snow or
mud conditions. When the traction control is turned
off, a message will be lit on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a
solid object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could cause overheating and damage
the transaxle. Use your brakes to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.

2-40 Cruise Control
The cruise control lever is
located on the lower right
side of the steering column.
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 mph (40 km/h). When cruise control is on, you will
see the CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster.
Cruise control shuts off when you apply your brakes.CAUTION:

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.

Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Don't use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. (See ªTraction
Control Systemº in the Index.) When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on.

2-65
The main components of the instrument panel are:
1. Air Outlets
2. Driver Information Center Control Buttons
3. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
4. Instrument Panel Cluster
5. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
6. Cruise Control Lever
7. Ignition Switch
8. Air Vent Control Dial
9. Hazard Warning Button
10. Radio
11. Lamp Controls
12. Hood Release13. Fuel Door Release
14. Trunk Release
15. HVAC Steering Wheel Controls
16. Horn
17. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
18. Heated Seat Controls
19. Traction Control Switch
20. Console Shift Lever
21. Convenience Storage/Optional Ashtray
22. Electronic Climate Controls
23. Glove Box

2-72
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
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 vehicle 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 ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.The anti
-lock brake system warning light should
come on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON.
If the light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System Warning Light
United States Canada
This warning light should come on briefly as you start
the engine.
If the warning light doesn't come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem. 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.

2-73
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.
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
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. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
United States Canada
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area, the engine
is too hot.
That reading means the same thing as the warning
light
-- the engine coolant has overheated. See
ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.

2-86
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS - 84: This message is
displayed to indicate that the suspension system is not
operating properly. To correct this problem, have your
vehicle serviced at your dealership.
SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM
- 34: This message
means there is a problem in the Personalized Automotive
Security System (PASS
-Key
III). A fault has been
detected in the system which means that the PASS
-Key
III system is disabled and is not protecting the vehicle.
The vehicle usually restarts, however, you may want to
take your vehicle to a proper service center before turning
off the engine.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
- 100: See your dealer
for repair.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
- 3: This message is
displayed when a non
-emissions related powertrain
malfunction occurs. Have your vehicle serviced by a
technician as soon as possible.
SPEED LIMITED TO 90
- 113: A failure in the
suspension control system has occurred when this
message appears. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
determines the speed to which your vehicle is limited.
Have your vehicle serviced if this message appears.STARTING DISABLED REMOVE KEY
- 33: This
message will appear when the Personalized Automotive
Security System (PASS
-Key
III) senses that an
improper ignition key is being used to try to start the
vehicle. Check the ignition key for damage. If it is
damaged, it may need to be replaced. If you see no
damage, remove the key and try to start the vehicle
again. If it still does not start, try another ignition key.
THEFT ATTEMPTED
- 40: This message is
displayed if the theft system has detected a break
-in
attempt while you were away from your vehicle.
TOP SPEED FUEL CUT
-OFF - 111 : This message
will appear when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
senses that the maximum speed for your vehicle has
been reached. The speed of your vehicle will surge as
the fuel supply is cut off. This allows your vehicle to
stay in a safe tire operating range. The top speed is set
based on the top speed rating of the tires.
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.

2-87
TRACTION OFF - 89: This message will be displayed
after the traction control has been turned off by the
button on the center console.
TRACTION READY
- 90: This message informs
the driver that the traction control system is available.
This occurs when the traction control switch on the
console has been returned to ON (pressing the button
once turns the traction control system off: pressing the
button again turns the system back on). This message
will automatically disappear from the display 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 HOT IDLE ENGINE
- 112: This message
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.
TRUNK OPEN
- 24: This message indicates that the
trunk is open when the ignition is on.
TURN SIGNAL ON
- 20: This message is a reminder,
after driving about a mile, that you have the turn signal
on. A multiple chime will also sound when this message
is displayed.
VEHICLE OVERSPEED
- 52: This message is
displayed when the vehicle speed exceeds a certain limit
as required by some export countries. A continuous
chime will also sound when this message is displayed.

4-6
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle. (Also see ªTraction Control Systemº in
the Index.)
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That's perception time. Then you have to bring up
your foot and do it. That's reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second.
But that's only an average. It might be less with one
driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it's pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of the
vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.

4-9
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.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly 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.
Braking in Emergencies
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.
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 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 ªDriver Information
Center Messagesº 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
reengage the cruise control. (See ªCruise Controlº
in the Index.)

4-10
United States Canada
This warning light will come on to let you know if
there's a problem with your traction control system.
See ªTraction Control System Warning Lightº 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 in sand, mud, ice or snow. See ªRocking
Your Vehicleº in the Index.)
To turn the system off,
press the TRAC ON/OFF
button located on the
center console.
The TRACTION OFF message will display on the
Driver Information Center. If the system is limiting
wheel spin when you press the button, the TRACTION
OFF message will display
-- but the system won't turn
off right away. It will wait until there's no longer a
current need to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by pressing
the button again. The TRACTION READY message
should display briefly on the Driver Information Center.