2-29
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 shift lever is put in
FIRST (1), the transaxle won't shift into gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.)
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.
Performance Shifting (DTS Only)
When your vehicle detects a change in driving
conditions, it will automatically initiate the appropriate
performance shift mode. When this occurs the gear
display on the instrument panel cluster will change to
indicate that the transmission has shifted to a different
gear. For example, the gear display on the cluster may
indicate D, 3, 2, or 1 even though the gearshift is still in
DRIVE (D). Once the performance shift mode ends, the
gear display on the cluster will return to normal.
2-44
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 optional
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.Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Press the CRUISE ON/OFF button to turn cruise
control on. (The button is located on the bottom left
of the steering wheel.) An indicator light will come
on to show that the cruise control is on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET/CST (coast) button. (The button is
located on the bottom right of the steering wheel.)
The CRUISE ENGAGED message will display on
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
4. Remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.
2-61
Cellular Telephone (Option)
Your vehicle has been prewired for dealer installation of
the Cadillac Communiport integrated portable cellular
telephone system. The system has steering wheel
telephone controls and information output through the
Driver Information Center (DIC). Voice activation with
remote record and hands
-free operation are standard
features. For more information, contact your dealer. A
user's guide is provided with the telephone.
Accessory Power Outlets (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with accessory power
outlets that can be used to power additional devices
designed to operate with vehicle electrical systems. The
accessory power outlets are located in the center storage
compartment of the instrument panel and under each
storage lid of the rear door armrests. When the ignition
is on, or up to 10 minutes after the ignition is turned off,
you can plug in accessories that require electrical power.
Power to the outlets will shut off 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned off to help prevent the battery from
draining. See ªInadvertant Power Battery Saverº in the
Index. Power supply to the accessory power outlets or
cigarette lighters can be changed from 10 minutes to full
time by changing some fuses. See your dealer
for assistance.Leaving an accessory on for an extended period of time
(i.e. airport stay or storage) or if a fuse is in the wrong
place may drain the vehicle's battery.
OnStar System (If Equipped)
OnStar is a vehicle communications service. The
following services are available through subscription
with OnStar and are available 24 hours a day:
Emergency Services
Automatic Notification of Air Bag Deployment
Theft Notification and Stolen Vehicle Tracking
Roadside Assistance with Location
Remote Diagnostics
OnStar MED
-NET
Accident Assist
Convenience Services
Remote Door Unlock
Route Support
Concierge Services
Ride Assist
A complete user's guide is provided with the OnStar
System. For more information contact OnStar at
1
-888-ONSTAR7.
3-10 HVAC Steering Wheel Controls
Some heating and cooling
controls can be adjusted at
the steering wheel. Other
touch controls operate some
audio controls. See ªAudio
Steering Wheel Controlsº
in the Index.
FAN SPEED: Press the up arrow lever to increase
the fan speed and the down arrow lever to decrease
fan speed.
TEMP: Press the up arrow lever to increase the
temperature and the down arrow lever to
decrease temperature.
Climate Control Personalization
(If Equipped)
With this feature, your vehicle will recall the latest
climate control settings as adjusted the last time your
vehicle was operated. This feature allows two different
drivers to store and recall their own climate control
settings. The settings recalled by the climate control
system are determined by which remote keyless entry
transmitter (ª1º or ª2º) was used to enter the vehicle.
The number on the back of the remote keyless entry
transmitter corresponds to driver 1 or to driver 2. After
the unlock button is pressed on the remote keyless entry
transmitter or the ignition key is placed in the ignition
(the ignition must be turned to OFF), the climate control
settings will automatically adjust to where they were last
set. The settings can also be changed by briefly pressing
the memory seat buttons 1 or 2 located on the
driver's door.
4-8
Here's how anti-lock works. Let's say the road is wet. You're
driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here's what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one
of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at
both rear wheels.
The anti
-lock system can change the brake pressure faster
than any driver could. The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and road conditions.
You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
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.
4-11
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.
Magnasteer
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 ªdriver lost controlº 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 ªTraction Control
Systemº 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 Stabilitrak
, you may see the STABILITY
SYS ENGAGED message on the Driver Information
Center. See ªStability Sys Engaged Messageº 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.
4-12
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 ªdriveº 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.
If you have Stabilitrak
, to help you steer in the
direction you want to go, during certain sharp or sudden
cornering maneuvers, gear selection is controlled. This
will maximize the available drive wheel torque and
minimize the transaxle response time and shift activity.
During this kind of maneuver, the transaxle shifts
automatically as vehicle speed changes.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can
avoid these problems by braking
-- if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you can't; there isn't room.
That's the time for evasive action
-- steering around
the problem.Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes. (See ªBraking in
Emergenciesº earlier in this section.) It is better to
remove as much speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.
4-15
If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn't trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two
-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.
Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.
If you're being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
ªoverdrivingº those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle'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.