2003 CADILLAC CTS steering

2-25
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. Turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
A (OFF): This is the only position in which you can
insert or remove the key. This position locks the
ignition, steering wheel and transmission. It's a
theft
-deterrent feature.
B (ACCESSORY): This position allows you to use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers when the
engine is off. This position will allow you to turn off the
engine, but still turn the steering wheel.
C (ON): This position is for driving. If your vehicle has
an automatic transmission and you turn off the engine, the
transmission will lock. If you need to shift the transmission
out of PARK (P), the ignition key has to be in ON.
D (START): This position starts the engine.
Key Release Button (Manual Transmission)
The key cannot be
removed from the ignition
of manual transmission
vehicle unless the key
release button is used.
To remove the key, do the following:
1. Turn the key to ACCESSORY.
2. Press the button and turn the key to OFF.
Do not hold the button in while turning the
key to OFF.
3. Pull the key straight out of the ignition switch.

2-26
Steering Column Ignition Lock Release
(Automatic Transmission Only)
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, you can still release the ignition lock and
remove the key. Use the following procedure to release
the shift lever:
1. Locate the plastic screw head on the underside of the
plastic cover for the steering column.
2. Insert a flat, thin object into the slot and turn it
until the plastic piece detaches from the steering
column cover.
3. Insert a narrow, pointed object into the hole in the
steering column cover and press the spring.
4. Then, turn the ignition switch to OFF and remove
the key.

2-27
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories on your vehicle may be used
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned from
ON to OFF:

Radio

Power Windows

Audio Steering Wheel Controls (if programmed)

Sunroof (Option)
Power to these accessories stops after 10 minutes or
if a door is opened. If you want power for another
10 minutes, close all the doors and turn the ignition
key to ON and then back to OFF.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when
your vehicle is stopped.

2-38
Shift Speeds
CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could
lose control of your vehicle. You could injure
yourself or others. Don't shift down more than
one gear at a time when you downshift.
NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race the engine when you
release the clutch pedal while downshifting, you
could damage the clutch or the transmission.
If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or
if the engine is not running smoothly, you should
downshift to the next lower gear. You may have to
downshift two or more gears to keep the engine running
smoothly or for good performance.
Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal
is located on the lower
portion of the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking brake
pedal down with your left foot.

2-39
To release the parking brake, pull the release lever
located to the left of the steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
on the instrument panel cluster should come on. If it
doesn't, you need to have your vehicle serviced. See
ªBrake System Warning Lightº in the Index for more
information.
NOTICE:
Do not drive your vehicle with the parking brake
on. Driving with the parking brake engaged can
cause your vehicle's rear brakes to overheat. You
may have to replace them, and you could also
damage other parts of your vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the vehicle begins to move. To
stop the chime, fully release the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a hill, see
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for more information.

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CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake after
you move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Horn
Press on the pad near the horn symbols to sound
the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest level
to give your legs more room when you exit and enter
the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Then move the steering wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.

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Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

Turn and Lane
-Change Signals

Headlamps

Headlamp High/Low Beam
-Changer

Flash
-To-Pass Feature

Fog Lamps
For more information on the exterior lamps, see
ªExterior Lampsº later in this section.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
The lever returns automatically when the turn is
complete.
Arrows on the instrument
panel cluster flash in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to
signal a lane change. Hold it there until the lane change
is complete. The lever returns to its original position
when it's released.
Arrows that flash rapidly when signaling for a turn or
lane change may be caused by a burned
-out signal bulb.
Other driver's won't see the signal.
Replace burned
-out bulbs to help avoid possible
accidents. Check the fuse and for burned
-out bulbs if the
arrow fails to work when signaling a turn. See ªFuses
and Circuit Breakersº in the Index for more information.

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Fog Lamps
Use the fog lamps for better vision in foggy or
misty conditions.
The fog lamp control is located on the turn
signal/multifunction lever to the left of the
steering column.The parking lamps must be on for the fog lamps
to work.
To turn the fog lamps on, turn the band on the lever up
to the fog lamp symbol and release it. The band will
return to its original position.
To turn the fog lamps off, turn the band up to the fog
lamp symbol and release it. The band will return to its
original position, and the fog lamps will turn off. If you
turn on the high
-beam headlamps, the fog lamps will
also turn off. They'll turn back on again when you
switch back to low
-beam headlamps.