2003 CADILLAC CTS automatic transmission

2-41
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission Only)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pushing
the button on the shift lever. If you can, it means that the
shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

2-42
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease the pressure
on the shift lever. Push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) while pushing the button on the shift lever as
you maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into the gear you want. If you ever hold the pedal
down but still can't shift out of PARK (P), try the
following:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY. Open and
close the driver's door to turn off the RAP feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle firmly apply the
parking brake. Turn the ignition key to OFF, press the
release button and remove the key. See ªManual
Transmission Key Release Buttonº in the Index for
more information.
If you are towing a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.

2-44
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.

Repairs weren't done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
Running Your Engine While You're
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into your
vehicle. See the earlier Caution under ªEngine
Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the fan is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.

2-57
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make the turn signal lamps come
on when the following conditions are met:

It is still daylight and the ignition is in ON
or START,

the exterior lamp control is in OFF or AUTO with
the headlamps off, and

an automatic transmission is not in PARK (P) or the
parking brake is not set on a manual transmission.
When DRL are on, only your turn signal lamps will be on.
No other exterior lamps will be on when the DRL are
being used. Your instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When the exterior lamp control is in AUTO and it's dark
enough outside, the DRL will turn off and the low
-beam
headlamps will turn on. When it's bright enough
outside, the low
-beam headlamps will go off, and the
DRL will turn back on.If it's dark enough outside and the exterior lamp control
is in OFF, a Headlamps Suggested message will appear
on the Driver's Information Center (DIC) display. This
message informs the driver that turning on the exterior
lamps is recommended even though the DRL are still
illuminated. Turning the exterior lamp control to AUTO
or to the low
-beam headlamp position will turn off the
DRL and cancel the Headlamps Suggested message.
If the parking lamps or the fog lamps were turned on
instead, the DRL will still turn off and the Headlamps
Suggested message will be displayed. You can turn it off
by pressing the OK button if you have the Navigation
audio system or the CLR button if you have the base
audio system.
To operate your vehicle with the DRL off, turn the
exterior lamp control to OFF. Then turn on the fog
lamps or parking lamps, and the DRL will turn off.
The Headlamps Suggested message will appear on the
DIC display. This will work regardless of gear position
and whether or not the parking brake is set.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

2-101
Vehicle Information Menu (Base Audio System)
To access this menu using the base audio system, press
the up or down arrow on the INFO button located to the
right of the display.
The following items are available:

BLANK LINE

OUTSIDE TEMP

MI TRIP A*

MI TRIP B*

FUEL RANGE*

MPG AVG*

MPG INST
GAL FUEL USED*

AVG MPH*

TIMER*

BATTERY VOLTS

ENGINE OIL LIFE*

TRANS FLUID LIFE*
(Automatic Transmission Only)
*These items can be reset. Each one must be reset
individually. For a detailed description of the menu
items and how to reset them, see ªStatus Menu Item
Descriptionsº later in this section.
You can view any of these items at any time, but only
one item can be displayed at a time.

2-102
Vehicle Info (Information) Menu
(Navigation System)
To access the Vehicle Info menu using the Navigation
system, press the INFO button to the left of the screen.
You can also access this menu through the Setup menu.
See ªSetup Menuº in the Index of the Navigation
supplement.
The following submenu appears when Vehicle Info
is selected:

Outside Air Temperature

Trip Odometer A*

Trip Odometer B*

Fuel Range

Average Fuel Economy*

Instantaneous Fuel Economy

Fuel Used*
Average Vehicle Speed*

Timer*

Battery Voltage

Engine Oil Life*

Transmission Fluid Life*
(Automatic Transmission Only)

Blank Display
*These items can be reset. Each one must be reset
individually. For a detailed description of the menu
items and how to reset them, see ªStatus Menu Item
Descriptionsº following.
You can view any of these submenu items at any time by
selecting them using the TUNE/SEL knob. The
currently selected item is displayed at the top of the
screen. Only one item can be displayed at a time.

2-105
Battery Voltage/BATTERY VOLTS: If you select this
item, the current battery voltage is displayed. If the
voltage is in the normal range, the display will have OK
after it. For example, the display may read 13.2 Battery
Volts OK.
If there is a problem with the battery charging system,
there are four possible DIC messages that may be
displayed. See ªDriver Information Center (DIC)
Messagesº later in this section for more information.
Engine Oil Life/ENGINE OIL LIFE: If you select
this item, the percentage of remaining oil life is
displayed. If you see 99% Oil Life on the display, that
means that 99% of the current oil life remains.
When the oil life is depleted, the Change Engine Oil
message will appear on the display. You should change
the engine oil as soon as possible within 200 miles. Be
sure to keep a written record of the mileage and date of
the oil change so you will have it for future reference.
When you reset the Change Engine Oil message by
clearing it from the display, you still must reset the
engine oil life monitor separately. For more information
on resetting the engine oil life monitor, see ªOil Life
Monitor, How to Resetº in the Index.The engine oil life monitor does not check the amount
of oil your vehicle has, so you should check the oil level
periodically. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index for more
information.
Transmission Fluid Life/TRANS FLUID LIFE
(Automatic Transmission Only): If you select this
item, the percentage of remaining transmission fluid life
is displayed. If you see 99% Trans Fluid Life on the
display, that means that 99% of the current transmission
fluid life remains.
When the transmission fluid life is depleted, the Change
Transmission Fluid message will appear on the display.
You should change the engine oil as soon as possible
within 200 miles. Be sure to keep a written record of the
mileage and date of the oil change so you will have it
for future reference.
When you reset the Change Transmission Fluid message
by clearing it from the display, you still must reset the
transmission fluid life monitor separately. For more
information on resetting the engine oil life monitor, see
ªTransmission Fluid Life Monitor, How to Resetº in
the Index.

2-130
Vehicle Programming and
Personalization Features
Your vehicle is equipped with personalization that
allows you to program certain features to a preferred
setting for up to two people. The number of
programmable features varies depending upon which
model of the vehicle is purchased.
On all vehicles, features such as climate control settings,
radio preset settings, exterior lighting at unlock, remote
lock and unlock confirmation, and automatic door locks
have already been programmed for your convenience.
Some vehicles are equipped with additional features that
can be programmed including the seat and outside
rearview mirror position. The optional navigation
system screen preferences will remain at the last set
position.
If your vehicle is equipped with the ability to program
additional personalization features, the driver's
preferences are recalled by pressing the unlock button
on the remote keyless entry transmitter, 1 or 2, or
by pressing the appropriate memory button, 1 or 2,
located on the driver's door. Certain features can be
programmed not to recall until the key is placed in the
ignition. To change feature preferences you must use
one of the following procedures.
Entering the Personalization Menu
To enter the feature programming mode, use one of the
following procedures:
Base Audio System
1. Turn the ignition to ON, but do not start the engine.
Make sure an automatic transmission is in PARK (P)
or a manual transmission has the parking brake set.
2. If your vehicle has memory settings, press the
appropriate memory button, 1 or 2, located on the driver's
door armrest. The DIC display will show either Driver 1
or 2 depending on which button was selected.
3. Press the TUNE/SEL knob once to access the main
menu of the DIC.
4. Turn the TUNE/SEL knob until SETUP is highlighted.
5. Press the TUNE/SEL knob once to access the
SETUP menu.
6. Scroll to the feature you want to change, and press
the TUNE/SEL knob to turn the feature on or off.
If the feature is turned on, a check mark will appear
next to the feature name.
If none of the personalization items are turned on,
turn on the personalization menu by pressing the
TUNE/SEL knob. The list of features will then
appear, and you can repeat Step 6.