🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Cadillac

Model:

Seville

Year:

1996

Platform Code:

K-Body

👋 Introduction

Segment:

Luxury Sedan

Target Audience:

Consumers seeking a comfortable, sophisticated, and technologically advanced American luxury vehicle.

Competitors:

Lincoln Continental, Chrysler LHS, Lexus LS 400, Infiniti Q45, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series.

Design Philosophy:

Front-wheel-drive chassis shared with Oldsmobile Aurora, emphasizing a spacious interior and a smooth, quiet ride.

Technology Emphasis:

Introduction of a more performance-oriented Seville (Northstar engine) compared to previous generations, aiming to compete with European luxury brands.

📋 Manual Details

Features Controls:

Comprehensive explanation of all vehicle features and controls.

Maintenance Schedules:

Detailed recommended maintenance and service intervals.

Do It Yourself:

Guidance for select DIY maintenance and service tasks.

Towing Safety:

Considerations and procedures for towing and general vehicle safety.

Estimated Pages:

Approximately 150-250 pages (typical for this era and model complexity).

Type:

Owner's Manual

Language:

English

Format:

PDF (Electronic Version)

📖 Manual Coverage

Powertrain:

Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system.

Drivetrain:

Transmission operation (likely automatic), drive axles, differentials (if applicable).

Chassis:

Suspension system (e.g., Magnetic Ride Control if equipped, though more prevalent in later models, likely conventional), steering system, braking system.

Electrical:

Lighting systems, instrumentation, power accessories, battery maintenance, fuses and relays.

Body:

Doors, windows, locks, mirrors, interior features, exterior trim, wipers, washers.

Climate Control:

HVAC system operation, air conditioning, heating, climate settings.

Safety Features:

Airbags, seat belts, child seat anchors, anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Basic Operation:

Starting and stopping the engine, gear selection, parking procedures.

Fluid Checks:

Checking engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid levels.

Tire Maintenance:

Tire inflation, checking tire wear, recommended tire pressures.

Lighting Checks:

Checking and replacing exterior and interior light bulbs.

Wiper Blade Replacement:

Instructions for replacing windshield wiper blades.

Fuse Replacement:

Locating and replacing blown fuses.

Jump Starting:

Proper procedure for jump-starting the vehicle.

Towing Guidelines:

Specific instructions and limitations for towing the vehicle.

Depth:

Consumer-level understanding of vehicle operation, maintenance, and basic troubleshooting.

Scope:

Covers user-accessible information, not in-depth diagnostic procedures or component-level repair.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Type:

PDF

Searchability:

Likely text-searchable if OCR was performed on the original document.

Quality:

Dependent on the source scan, but generally designed for clear reproduction.

Original Binding:

Stapled or perfect bound (physical original).

Original Paper:

Standard paper stock for automotive manuals of the era.

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Name:

Cadillac Northstar V8

Displacement:

4.6 Liters (279 cu in)

Configuration:

DOHC V8 (4 valves per cylinder)

Fuel Delivery:

Sequential Port Fuel Injection (SFI)

Horsepower:

270 hp @ 6000 rpm (approximate for base Northstar)

Torque:

295 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm (approximate for base Northstar)

Redline:

Approx. 6300 rpm

Fuel Type:

Unleaded Gasoline

Recommended Octane:

Premium Unleaded (91 Octane or higher recommended for Northstar)

Fuel Tank Capacity:

18 gallons (approx.)

🔧 Transmission

Type:

4-Speed Automatic Transaxle (4T80-E)

Availability:

N/A (4T80-E was standard with Northstar)

Shift Modes:

Driver-selectable modes (e.g., Normal, Sport/Performance).

Torque Converter Lockup:

Yes, for improved fuel efficiency at cruising speeds.

Transmission Fluid Type:

Dexron III (or equivalent)

📐 Dimensions

Length:

201.2 inches

Width:

73.7 inches

Height:

55.5 inches

Wheelbase:

110.8 inches

Front Headroom:

38.3 inches

Front Legroom:

42.3 inches

Rear Headroom:

38.0 inches

Rear Legroom:

37.1 inches

Trunk Volume:

16.7 cubic feet

Curb Weight:

3,850 - 4,000 lbs (approx.)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:

Approx. 5,000 lbs

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Frontal Driver Impact:

Not explicitly rated in modern terms, but generally considered robust for its era.

NHTSA Frontal Passenger Impact:

Not explicitly rated in modern terms.

ABS:

Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).

Traction Control:

Optional Traction Control System (TCS).

Airbags:

Driver and front passenger airbags.

Seatbelts:

Three-point front and rear seat belts with pretensioners for front occupants.

Child Seat Anchors:

LATCH system not standard, but provisions for child restraint systems via seat belts.

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

AM/FM stereo with cassette player and optional CD player. Bose premium audio system often available.

Climate Control Interface:

Digital climate control with automatic temperature settings and dual-zone functionality.

Cruise Control:

Standard steering wheel mounted cruise control.

Keyless Entry:

Optional remote keyless entry system.

Onstar:

Not available in 1996 (OnStar launched later).

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Every 7,500 miles or 6 months (whichever comes first) with synthetic oil, or 3,000-5,000 miles with conventional oil, as per manual recommendation.

Tire Rotation:

Every 7,500 miles.

Coolant Flush:

Every 50,000 miles or 5 years (typically with Dex-Cool coolant, though 1996 might still use traditional green coolant depending on build date).

Transmission Fluid Change:

Every 50,000 - 100,000 miles, depending on driving conditions and manual recommendation.

Engine Oil Type:

SAE 5W-30 (Synthetic recommended for Northstar).

Engine Oil Capacity:

5.0 US quarts (4.7 liters) with filter change.

Coolant Type:

GM P/N 10528643 (Orange) or equivalent ethylene glycol-based antifreeze, 50/50 mix with distilled water.

Brake Fluid Type:

DOT 3.

Northstar Head Gasket Leaks:

While improved from early Northstars, some 1996 models could still be susceptible to coolant leaks or internal coolant passage issues due to cylinder head bolt thread integrity in the aluminum block. Early detection and proper service are key.

Power Steering Pump Leaks:

Common on many vehicles of this era; check for leaks and fluid level.

Window Regulator Failure:

Plastic components in window regulator mechanisms can degrade over time, leading to non-functioning windows.

📚 Vehicle History

Cadillac Legacy:

Cadillac, established in 1902, is renowned for its luxury vehicles, comfort, and technological innovations in American automotive history.

Seville Heritage:

The Seville nameplate was introduced in 1975 as Cadillac's first compact luxury car, positioned below the larger Fleetwood models. It evolved through various iterations, becoming increasingly sophisticated and performance-oriented, culminating in the Northstar-powered models of the mid-90s.

Assembly Location:

Hamtramck, Michigan, USA (General Motors Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly).

Production Years For Generation:

1992-1997 (9th Generation Seville)

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Car And Driver 10 Best:

The Northstar V8 engine was recognized, and the Seville often appeared on automotive journalist's lists for its blend of luxury and performance.

Consumer Reports Reliability:

Reliability ratings for this generation were generally average to below average in the initial years, improving slightly with updates, but the Northstar engine's complexity could lead to higher maintenance costs.