2004 CADILLAC CTS V automatic transmission

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 rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not 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 will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-36. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-39.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. SeeShifting
Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-38.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is 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.
SeeIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-32for additional information.
2-27

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
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not running
at high speed when shifting your vehicle.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:Driving your vehicle if you notice that
it is moving slowly or not shifting gears as you
increase speed may damage the transmission.
Have your vehicle serviced right away. You can
drive in SECOND (2) when you are driving less than
35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D)
for higher speeds until then.
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.
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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.
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).
FIRST (1):The transmission will automatically select
this gear when conditions indicate that more power
is needed. You cannot select this gear manually.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.Shift Lock Release
(Automatic Transmission)
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.
2-29

Sport Mode Button
(Automatic Transmission)
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 rmer
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 while
the sport mode is active.
When driving in sport mode, the transmission may
remain in a gear longer than it would in normal driving
mode. Also, if the transmission is in AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) when the sport mode button is
pressed, the transmission will immediately downshift
into FOURTH (4) gear to provide more power. Both of
these situations are normal and do not indicate a
transmission problem.
When you turn off the ignition while driving in sport
mode, the vehicle will remain in sport mode. If
your vehicle is equipped with the memory feature, the
transmission mode (sport or normal) will be saved
with the memory seat position. Press the sport mode
button again to turn off the feature and return to normal
driving mode.
2-31

Winter Driving Mode Button
(Automatic Transmission)
This feature provides more traction during slippery
conditions by using THIRD (3) gear 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,
and the vehicle will accelerate more slowly than
normal while using the winter driving mode.
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 “Rocking
Your Vehicle” underIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow on page 4-32for more information on how to
free it.
2-32

If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light on
the instrument panel cluster should come on. If it
does not, you need to have your vehicle serviced.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-43for
more information.
To release the parking brake, pull the release lever
located to the left of the steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.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,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-39for more information.
Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{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 rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-39.
To shift into PARK (P), use the following steps:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2-36

2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
Press the button on the front of the shift lever as
you push the shift lever all the way toward the
front of your vehicle into PARK (P). Release
the button.
With your right foot still holding the brake
pedal down, set the parking brake with your left
foot. SeeParking Brake on page 2-35for
more information.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
4. Remove the key from the ignition switch and take it
with you. If you can leave your vehicle with the key
in your hand, the vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{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 rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly 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 rst
pushing the button on the shift lever. If you can, it means
that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
2-37

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 nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, see “Shifting
Into PARK (P)” listed previously.
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).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
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. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-26for more information.
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 leveras 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 xed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, place the shift
lever in REVERSE (R) and rmly apply the parking
brake. Turn the ignition key to OFF, press the release
button and remove the key. See “Key Release
Button” underIgnition Positions on page 2-22for
more information.
If you are towing a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-39.
2-38