Cadillac 1996 Eldorado User manual

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i
A
ELDORADO

/r”‘ --.\
The 1996 Cadillac Eldorado Owner’s Manual
Seats and KestraintSystems ............................................................. 1-1
FeaturesandControls .................................................................. 2-1
Comfort Controlsand Audio Systems ..................................................... 3-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SIR” system.
This section explains how to start and operate your Cadillac.
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your
audio system.
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
This section tells you what todoif you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated
engine, etc.
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Cadillac running properly and looking good.
This section tells you how to contact Cadillac for assistance and
how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page
7-10.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 5-1
Serviceand Appearance Care.. .......................................................... 6-1
CustomerAssistance Information ........................................................ 7-1
Index ................................................................................ 8-1
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GENERAL MOTORS, GM and the GM Emblem,
CADILLAC, the CADILLAC Emblem and the name
ELDORADO are registered trademarksof General
Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time
it
was printed. We reserve the rightto make changes in the
product after that time withoutfurther notice. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for Cadillac Motor
Car Division wheneverit appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in yourCadillac,
so it will be
there if youever need it when you’re
on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leavethis manual
in it so the new
owner can use it.
Litho
in U.S.A.
Part
No. 25637207 B 0 First Edition
(--) We support voluntary
technician certification.
WE SUPPORT
VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION
THROUGH
Natlonal Institute for
AUTOMOTIVE
SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
For Canadian Qwners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux proprietaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer
un exemplaire de ceguide en frangais chez
votre concessionaire
ou au:
DGN MarketingServices Ltd,
1500 Bonhill Rd.
Mississauga, Ontario
LST 1C7
“Copyright General Motors Corporation 1995
All Rights Reserved

The
PENALTY OF LEADERSHIP
iii

Henry M. Leland,
founder of
Cadillac,stands
beside tfie
1905
“Osceola” which
was builtto.
evaluate the
feasibility of a
closed bodied car.
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Fewautomobilesarefortunateenoughtohavethe richheritage
that isCadillac.The name Cadillac is appropriatelythat of
Antoinede LaMotheCadillac,theFrenchmilitarycommander
who foundedthe city of Detroit in
1701. What better name for
the oldest automobilemanufacturerin Detroit.
Henry M. Leland, known as the master of precision,
initiated his precision manufacturing techniquesat the
founding of Cadillac
in 1902.His exacting standards
prompted the motto by which Cadillachas been guided
over the years
- “Craftsmanship ACreed - Accuracy
A Law.”
The introduction
of the first four cylinder enginein 1905
led the industry and enabled Cadillacsto travel at speeds
up to
50 mph.
For attention to quality and innovation,the Royal
Automobile Clubof England awarded the prestigious
Dewar Trophy to Cadillactwice . . . first in 1908for
achieving perfect interchangeabilityof parts and again
for introducing theelectric self starter,electric lighting
and ignition systemon 19 12 models. Cadillac is the
only American manufacturerto win this honor and
the only manufacturerin the world to winit twice. As
commonplace as standardizedparts are today, in 1908
parts were still individuallyhand fitted both in
production and service.
V

1914 V8 Engine
1949 Overhead
Valve High
Compression
V8 Engine
VI
6 Engines
1930-1940
Standardization opened theeyes of the industrial world
and was
the cornerstone of modern assemblyline
production. From this achievement evolved the
reference to Cadillac as “Standardof the World.”
In
1909 Cadillac was purchasedby the then new
General Motors Corporation.
Convenience, cleanliness and all-weather comfort were
greatly enhanced
in 1910 when Cadillac became the first
manufacturer to offer closed bodies
as standard equipment.
“The Penalty of Leadership” first appeared in the
J‘anuary 2, 19 15 issue of The Saturday Evening Post as an
expression of the Cadillac commitment to leadership,
quality and innovation. It is widely regarded as one of the
vi

f‘inest documents ever written. It was published following
the introduction
of the first production V8 engine,
which was standard in all Cadillacs beginning with the
1915 model.
Many Cadillac “firsts”have followed overthe years,
including the synchro-mech clashless transmission,a
nationwide comprehensive servicepolicy, security plate
glass, chromeplating and the first car tobe designed by
a stylist (1927 LaSalleMarley Earl). The
’30s witnessed
production of the powerful, smoothand quiet V12 and
V16 engines.The crisp, contemporarylines of the 1938
60 Special seriesushered in a new era in styling.
VI 6 Engine
During World War 11, shortly after PearlHarbor,
Cadillac discontinued carproduction for the first time
since 1902
in order to construct light tanks, combat
vehicles and internal parts for Allison V1710 engines.
Two Cadillac V8 engines and Hydra-Matic
transmissions were used in each MSAI and
M24 tanks.
1931 VI 6 Sport Phaeton
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viii

...
For the 1948model, Cadillac introduced the legendary
tail
fin which once more set the trend in automotive
styling for nearly two decades. This was closely
followed with the two door hardtop Coupe DeVille and
the industry's first modem overhead valve, high
compression V8 engine onthe 1949model.
Engineering innovations, conveniences and styling
dominated the
'50s and '60s. Cruise control, automatic
climate control, tilt and telescoping steering wheels,
twilight sentinel and four door hard tops all debuted in
these years.
In 1957the Eldorado Brougham featured
advances such as air suspension, memory seat,
automatic electric door locks, transistor radio, a brushed
stainless steel roof and low profile tires.
1957 Eldorado Brougham
The Eldorado, introduced in 1953,was redesigned for
1967as the first front wheel drive personal luxury car.
The 472 cu. in.
V8 engine used in all Cadillacs in 1968
and 1969was enlarged to
500 cu. in. for all 1970
through 1976Eldorados. The Track Master
computerized skid control braking system option
debuted on 1970Eldorados.
A driver and passenger Air Cushion Restraint
system (air bag) was available on all 1974, 1975and
1976Cadillacs.
Analog Electronic Fuel Injection was available, on
1975Cadillacs and standard on the new international
size 1976Seville. In 1978,the Trip Computer option
incorporated the first on-board microprocessor.
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