2003 CADILLAC CTS transmission

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.

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Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in neutral and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and
start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down
-- that's a safety feature.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. Then, just let go of the key;
the engine starts automatically. The idle speed will
go down as your engine gets warm.
2. If your engine won't start (or starts but then stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you turn the key to
START. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops
again, do the same thing.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures
above 32
F (0
C), use of the coolant heater is
not required.

2-30
Automatic Transmission Operation
The automatic transmission shift lever is located on the
center console between the front seats.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.PARK (P): This position locks the rear wheels. It's the
best position to use when you start the engine because
your vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is 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 have 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 and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.

2-31
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever.
Push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) while
pressing the button on the shift lever as you maintain
brake application. Then move the shift lever into the
gear you wish. See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in
the Index.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle has stopped.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, you can also use REVERSE (R)
to rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission. See
ªStuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index for
additional information.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. You can also use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
ªracingº (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Don't shift
into a drive gear while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting
out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn't covered by your warranty.

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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transmission will shift down to a lower gear and
have more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, or
if it doesn't seem to shift gears as you accelerate,
something may be wrong with a transmission
system sensor. If you drive very far that way,
your vehicle can be damaged. So if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
you can use FOURTH (4) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.
FOURTH (4): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are examples for using FOURTH (4) instead of
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When going down a steep hill.
THIRD (3): This position gives you more power. You
can use THIRD (3) 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.
If the shift lever is put into THIRD (3), the transmission
won't shift into THIRD (3) until the vehicle is moving
slowly enough.

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SECOND (2): This position gives you even more
power than THIRD (3). You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud. (If the shift lever is put
in SECOND (2), the transmission won't shift into
SECOND (2) until the vehicle is going slowly enough).
NOTICE:
If the vehicle's wheels can't turn, 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 transmission.
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 transmission. Use your brakes to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.
Shift Lock Release
(Automatic Transmission Only)
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, you can still shift the vehicle into PARK (P) and
remove the ignition key. Use the following procedure to
release the shift lever:
1. Pull up on the rear part of the leather boot that
surrounds the shift lever.
2. Fold the boot upward to expose the mechanism
beneath the shift lever.

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Sport Mode Button
(Automatic Transmission Only)
This button allows you to change the driving mode of
the vehicle from the normal driving mode to a sportier
driving mode. In sport mode the vehicle will have firmer
shifting and increased performance.
The sport mode button is
located on the center
console near the
transmission shift lever.
Press the button once to turn on the sport mode.
Press the button again to return to normal driving mode.
This light located on the
instrument panel cluster
will come on when the sport
mode is active.
When you turn off the ignition while driving in sport
mode, the vehicle will remain in sport mode. Press the
sport mode button again to turn off the feature and
return to normal driving mode.

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Winter Driving Mode Button
(Automatic Transmission Only)
This feature provides more traction during slippery
conditions by using THIRD (3) gear instead of
SECOND (2) when you begin to accelerate from a
stopped position.
The winter driving mode
button is located on the
center console near the
transmission shift lever.
Press this button once to turn on the winter driving
mode feature. Press it again to turn the feature off.
The winter driving mode feature works when the vehicle
is in any gear except SECOND (2).
This light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on
when the winter driving
mode is active.
When you turn off the ignition while using this feature,
winter mode is automatically turned off. The vehicle
will return to normal driving mode. You must reselect
the winter driving mode feature each time you restart the
vehicle if you wish to use the feature.
The transmission will be in THIRD (3) gear when the
vehicle begins to move. Once the vehicle is moving, the
vehicle will upshift normally.
The transmission will downshift when the accelerator
pedal is pressed and held for more than two seconds.
This feature is not intended for continuous use or for
use when the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow or
gravel. If your vehicle becomes stuck, see ªRocking
Your Vehicleº in the Index for more information on
how to free it.