2004 CADILLAC SRX Shifting

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes,
steering and acceleration) do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving”
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.If you have the Traction Control System, remember:
It helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If you do not
have this system, or if the system is off, then an
acceleration skid is also best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration
or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a “mirrored surface” — and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-16

Q:What should I do if my vehicle stalls, or is about
to stall, and I can not make it up the hill?
A:If this happens, there are some things you should
do, and there are some things you must not do?
First, here is what youshoulddo:
Push the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and keep it
from rolling backwards. Also, apply the parking brake.
If your engine is still running, shift the transmission to
REVERSE (R), release the parking brake, and slowly
back down the hill in REVERSE (R).
If your engine has stopped running, you will need to
restart it. With the brake pedal pressed and the
parking brake still applied, shift the transmission to
PARK (P) and restart the engine. Then shift to
REVERSE (R), release the parking brake, and
slowly back down the hill as straight as possible in
REVERSE (R).
As you are backing down the hill, put your left hand
on the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position.
This way you will be able to tell if your wheels are
straight and maneuver as you back down. It is best
that you back down the hill with your wheels straight
rather than in the left or right direction. Turning the
wheel too far to the left or right will increase the
possibility of a rollover.Here are some things youmust notdo if you stall, or
are about to stall, when going up a hill.
Never attempt to prevent a stall by shifting into
NEUTRAL (N) to “rev-up” the engine and regain
forward momentum. This will not work. Your vehicle
will roll backwards very quickly and you could go
out of control.
Instead, apply the regular brake to stop the
vehicle. Then apply the parking brake. Shift to
REVERSE (R), release the parking brake,
and slowly back straight down.
Never attempt to turn around if you are about to
stall when going up a hill. If the hill is steep
enough to stall your vehicle, it is steep enough to
cause you to roll over if you turn around. If you can
not make it up the hill you must back straight down
the hill.
Q:Suppose, after stalling, I try to back down the
hill and decide I just can not do it. What should
I do?
A:Set the parking brake, put your transmission in
PARK (P) and turn off the engine. Leave the
vehicle and go get some help. Exit on the uphill
side and stay clear of the path the vehicle would
take if it rolled downhill.
4-24

If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want to
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you are stuck,
but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
And, the transmission or other parts of the
vehicle can overheat. That could cause an
engine compartment re or other damage.
When you are stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Do not spin the wheels above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transmission
back and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 5-77.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle
has the Stabilitrak
®System, turn the system off by
pressing and holding the Traction button so that
the STABILITY SYS DISABLED message and the
traction off light are illuminated on the instrument
panel cluster. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning
your wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get you out after a few tries,
you may need to be towed out. Or, you can use
your recovery hook if your vehicle has one. If you do
need to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-45.
4-44

Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Light.............................................3-48
Oil Pressure Low – Stop Engine.......................3-68
Older Children, Restraints................................1-29
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®Personal Calling.................................2-41
OnStar®Services............................................2-40
OnStar®Steering Wheel Controls......................2-41
OnStar®System.............................................2-40
OnStar®Virtual Advisor....................................2-41
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
Off Paved Roads.........................................4-17
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-7
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-31
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-38
Convex Mirror.............................................2-39
Curb View Assist Mirror................................2-39
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-38
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-28
Overseas – Customer Assistance........................ 7-4
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner’s Information........................................7-11
P
Panic Brake Assist..........................................4-11
Parade Dimming.............................................3-21
Park Aid........................................................3-22
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-30
Shifting Out of............................................2-32
Parking
Assist........................................................3-22
Brake........................................................2-29
Over Things That Burn.................................2-32
Parking on Hills..............................................4-57
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-34
Passenger Door Ajar.......................................3-69
Passing.................................................4-14, 4-56
Personalization Features..................................3-74
Personalization Off/Driver Identication
(Navigation System).....................................3-69
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-7
Playing the Radio...........................................3-95
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-24
Door Locks.................................................. 2-9
Electrical System.......................................5-102
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Seat............................................................ 1-2
11

Seats (cont.)
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-7
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Stowable Seat.............................................. 1-8
Secondary Latch System.................................5-82
Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-44
Rear Seat Position......................................1-44
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-48
Security Light.................................................3-49
Sensors.........................................................3-29
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.............................................. 5-5
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-44
Publications Ordering Information...................7-11
Service AC (Air Conditioning) System................3-69
Service Air Bag..............................................3-69
Service Bulletins.............................................7-11
Service Charging System.................................3-69
Service Electrical System.................................3-69
Service Fuel System.......................................3-70
Service Idle Control.........................................3-70
Service Manuals.............................................7-11
Service Stability System Message.....................3-70
Service Steering System..................................3-71Service Suspension System.............................3-71
Service Theft System......................................3-71
Service Tire Monitor System.............................3-71
Service Transmission.......................................3-71
Service Vehicle Soon......................................3-71
Setting Preset Stations....................................3-97
Setting the Time.............................................3-93
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)..........................3-98
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-99
Shift Lock Release..........................................2-27
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-30
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-32
Skidding........................................................4-16
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-34
Specications, Capacities...............................5-111
Speedometer..................................................3-37
Sport Mode Light............................................3-49
Stabilitrak
®System.........................................4-11
Stability System Engaged Message...................3-70
Stability System Off Message...........................3-70
Stability System Ready Message.......................3-70
Stalling on an Incline.......................................4-27
Starting Disabled – Remove Key.......................3-71
Starting Disabled – Throttle Problem..................3-72
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-23
Status of Vehicle Systems, DIC........................3-53
Steering........................................................4-12
14