Cadillac 2002 DeVille, Owner'S Manual

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4-11
The traction control system monitors the front brake
rotor temperature. If the traction control system comes
on while the front brake rotors are hot due to heavy use
of braking or previous traction control, the TRACTION
SUSPENDED message will be displayed
--
but the
system won’t turn off right away. It will wait until
there’s no longer a current need to limit wheel spin. The
TRACTION READY message should appear when the
brake rotors are no longer hot and the traction control
system will resume normal operation.
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.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist Steering
System
This system continuously adjusts the effort you feel
when steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease
when parking yet a firm, solid feel at highway speeds.
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. Refer to “Traction
Control System” in the Index.