2004 CADILLAC CTS V tow

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.
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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).
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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.
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Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is 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
Engine Exhaust on page 2-39.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the climate control 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.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-27.
{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. 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 after you move the shift
lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-36.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-39.
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Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside
rearview mirror. The mirror also has OnStar®controls.
For more information about OnStar®, seeOnStar®
System on page 2-45.
O(On/Off):This is the on/off button, located on the
lower left side of the mirror, used for the automatic
dimming functions of the rearview mirror.
Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming feature comes on each time the
vehicle is started.
To turn the automatic dimming feature on or off, press
and release the on/off button. The indicator light will
illuminate when this feature is on.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside
rearview mirror with a compass. The mirror also
has OnStar
®controls. For more information about
OnStar®, seeOnStar®System on page 2-45.
The mirror has an eight-point compass display in the
upper right corner of the mirror. When on, the compass
automatically calibrates, or sets the driving direction,
as the vehicle is driven.
O(On/Off):This is the on/off button, located on the
lower left side of the mirror, for the automatic dimming
and compass functions of the rearview mirror.
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2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone
number appears on the display.
3. Once the zone number appears on the display,
press the on/off button quickly until you reach
the correct zone number. If C appears in the
compass window, the compass may need
calibration. See “Compass Calibration”
listed previously.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Outside Power Mirrors
The control on the driver’s door armrest operates both
outside rearview mirrors.
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Press the left or right mirror symbol on the selector
switch to choose the driver’s side or passenger’s side
mirror. The center position turns the control off so
that the mirrors will not move if the control pad
is touched.
Once a mirror is selected, use the arrows on the control
pad to move the mirror to the correct direction. Adjust
each mirror so you can see the side of your vehicle and
the area behind your vehicle.
The mirrors can be manually folded inward to prevent
damage when going through an automatic car wash. To
fold, push the mirror toward the vehicle. To return the
mirror to its original position, push outward. Be sure
to return both mirrors to their original unfolded position
before driving.
If the vehicle has the memory package, the mirrors can
be programmed for personalization and curb view
assist. For more information, seeMemory Seat and
Mirrors on page 2-53andDIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 3-88.
Outside Curb View Assist Mirror
If the vehicle has the memory seat and mirrors, it will be
capable of adjusting the passenger’s mirror to tilt to a
preselected position when the vehicle is shifted into
REVERSE (R). Use this outside curb view assist feature
to view the curb when parallel parking.When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE (R) and
after a ve-second delay, the passenger’s mirror
will return to its original position.
If further adjustment is needed after the mirror is tilted,
the mirror controls can be used. SeeOutside Power
Mirrors on page 2-43for more information.
The outside curb view assist can be turned or off
through the Driver Information Center (DIC). See
DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-88for
more information.
Outside Convex Mirror
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so that more can be seen
from the driver’s seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
2-44

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. SeeFuses
and Circuit Breakers on page 5-100.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for about 1 mile (1.6 km), a
warning chime will sound and the Turn Signal On
message will appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display. See “Turn Signal On Message”
underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-70.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Push forward on the turn signal/multifunction lever to
change the headlamps from low to high beam. Pull the
lever back and then release it to change from high
to low beam.
This light on the
instrument panel cluster
will be on, indicating
high-beam usage.
Flash-To-Pass Feature
This feature allows you to use the high-beam headlamps
to signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass.
Pull and hold the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you to use this feature. When you do, the following
will occur:
If the headlamps are either off, in low-beam or in
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) mode, the
high-beam headlamps will turn on. They’ll stay on
as long as you hold the lever there. Release
the lever to turn them off.
If the headlamps are in high-beam mode, they will
switch to low beam. To return to high-beam, push
the lever away from you.
3-11