2005 CADILLAC CTS traction control

Stability System Engaged Message
The Stability System Engaged message will be
displayed any time StabiliTrak®(if equipped) is actively
assisting you with directional control of the vehicle.
Slippery road conditions may exist when this message
is displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly. This
message may stay on for a few seconds after
StabiliTrak
®stops assisting you with directional control
of the vehicle.
Stability System Off Message
The Stability System Off message will be displayed any
time you turn off StabiliTrak®(if equipped) using the
TC (traction control) on/off button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) (CTS) on page 4-8orTraction Control
System (TCS) (CTS-V) on page 4-9for more
information. When this message has been displayed,
StabiliTrak
®is no longer available to assist you
with directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
Stability System Ready Message
The Stability System Ready message will be displayed
any time you turn back on StabiliTrak®(if equipped)
using the TC (traction control) on/off button. See
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS) on page 4-8or
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS-V) on page 4-9for
more information. When this message has been
displayed, StabiliTrak
®is ready to assist you with
directional control of the vehicle if needed.
Service Steering System
Your vehicle may be equipped with a speed variable
assist steering system. SeeSteering on page 4-12.
The Service Steering System message will be displayed
if a problem is detected with the speed variable assist
steering system. When this message is displayed,
you may notice that the effort required to steer
the vehicle increases or feels “heavier,” but you will still
be able to steer the vehicle.
3-72

Service Theft System
This message means there is a problem with the
immobilizer. SeeImmobilizer on page 2-19for more
information. A fault has been detected in the system
which means that the system is disabled and is
not protecting the vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts,
however, you may want to take your vehicle to your
dealer before turning off the engine.
Service Transmission
There is a problem with the transmission of your
vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer.
Service Vehicle Soon
This message is displayed when a non-emissions
related powertrain malfunction occurs. Have your vehicle
serviced by your GM dealer as soon as possible.
Starting Disabled – Remove Key
This message will appear when the vehicle
theft-deterrent system detects that an improper ignition
key is being used to try to start the vehicle. Check
the ignition key for damage. If it is damaged, it may need
to be replaced. If it is not damaged, remove the key
and try to start the vehicle again. If it still does not start,
try another ignition key or have your vehicle serviced
by your GM dealer.
Starting Disabled – Throttle Problem
This message appears when your vehicle’s throttle
system is not functioning properly. Have your vehicle
serviced by your GM dealer.
Theft Attempted
This message is displayed if the content theft-deterrent
system has detected a break-in attempt while you
were away from your vehicle.
Top Speed – Fuel Cut Off
This message will appear when the Engine Control
Module (ECM) detects that the maximum speed for your
vehicle has been reached. Your vehicle’s top speed is
based on the top speed rating of the tires. This ensures
that your vehicle stays in a safe operating range for
the tires.
Traction Engaged
This message will appear when the traction control
system is actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery
road conditions may exist if this message is displayed,
so adjust your driving accordingly. The message will
stay on for a few seconds after the traction control
system stops limiting wheel spin. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) (CTS) on page 4-8orTraction Control
System (TCS) (CTS-V) on page 4-9for more
information.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-5
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS)................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS-V).............4-9
Competitive Driving Mode (CTS-V)..................4-10
Limited-Slip Rear Axle...................................4-11
StabiliTrak
®System......................................4-11
Panic Brake Assist........................................4-12
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-15
Passing.......................................................4-15
Loss of Control.............................................4-16Driving at Night............................................4-18
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-19
City Driving..................................................4-22
Freeway Driving...........................................4-23
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-24
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-26
Winter Driving..............................................4-28
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-33
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-33
Towing..........................................................4-38
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-38
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-38
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-40
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice,
it is easy to ask more of those control systems than the
tires and road can provide. That means you can
lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) (CTS) on page 4-8orTraction Control
System (TCS) (CTS-V) on page 4-9.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of your brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.
4-5

Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear
the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock brakes, you can steer and brake at the
same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control
System (TCS) (CTS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system brakes the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.This warning light will
come on to let you know if
there’s a problem with
your traction control
system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-43. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should always
leave the system on. But you can turn the traction control
system off if you ever need to. You should turn the
system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or
snow and rocking the vehicle is required. Additionally,
turning the traction control system off on some surfaces,
such as deep snow and loose gravel, will assist vehicle
motion at lower speeds. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get
It Out on page 4-33for more information. See alsoWinter
Driving on page 4-28for information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.
4-8

You can turn the system
off by pressing the TC
(traction control) button
located in the glove box.
If you press the TC button once, the traction control
system will turn off and the traction control system
warning light will come on. Press the TC button again to
turn the system back on. If you press and hold the
TC button for ve seconds, the StabiliTrak
®system will
turn off. Press the TC button again to turn StabiliTrak®
back on. For more information, seeStabiliTrak®System
on page 4-11.
You can program your steering wheel controls (CTS
only) and/or the buttons on the Base audio system
to turn the TCS on or off. SeeRecongurable Steering
Wheel Controls (SWC) (CTS) on page 3-7and/or
“Congurable Radio Display Keys” underRadio with CD
on page 3-89for programming instructions.
Traction Control
System (TCS) (CTS-V)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates only if it senses that one
or both of the rear wheels are spinning or beginning to
lose traction. When this happens, the system brakes the
spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces engine power to limit
wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
This warning light will come
on to let you know if there’s
a problem with your traction
control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-43. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes
on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But you can turn the
traction control system off if you ever need to.
4-9

You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets
stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle
is required. Additionally, turning the traction control
system off on some surfaces, such as deep snow and
loose gravel, will assist vehicle motion at lower speeds.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-33
andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-32for more information. See alsoWinter
Driving on page 4-28for information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.
You can turn the system
off by pressing the TC
(traction control) button
located on the steering
wheel.
If you press the TC button once, the traction control
system will turn off and the traction control system
warning light will come on. If you press the TC button
again within ve seconds, the traction control system will
remain off, the warning light will stay on, and the
stability system will enter Competitive Driving Mode.
Competitive Driving will be displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-65for more information.Press the TC button again to turn the system back on.
If you press and hold the TC button for ve seconds,
the StabiliTrak
®and Traction Control systems will turn
off. Press the TC button again to turn StabiliTrak®
and Traction Control back on. For more information, see
StabiliTrak®System on page 4-11.
Competitive Driving Mode (CTS-V)
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range on the engine oil
dipstick. For information on how to add oil, see
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
The driver can select this optional handling mode by
pressing the Traction Control button on the steering
wheel twice within ve seconds. COMPETITIVE
DRIVING will be displayed in the DIC. Competitive driving
mode allows the driver to have control of the power
applied to the rear wheels, while the StabiliTrak
®system
helps steer the vehicle by selective brake application.
4-10

In competitive mode, the levels at which StabiliTrak®is
engaged have been modied to better suit a performance
driving environment. When the instrument cluster light is
on, the Traction Control System will not be operating.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
When you press the Traction Control button again, or
turn the ignition to ACC, the Traction Control System will
be on. The traction engaged symbol will be displayed
temporarily in the DIC and a chime will be heard.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your limited-slip rear axle can give you additional traction
on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but when one of the rear
wheels has no traction and the other does, this feature
will allow the wheel with traction to move the vehicle.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may be equipped with a vehicle stability
enhancement system called StabiliTrak®.Itisan
advanced computer controlled system that assists you
with directional control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions.
StabiliTrak
®activates when the computer senses a
discrepancy between your intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrak
®
selectively applies braking pressure at any one of
the vehicle’s brakes to help steer the vehicle in the
direction which you are steering.
When the system activates, a Stability System Engaged
message will be displayed on the Driver Information
Center. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-65.
You may also hear a noise or feel vibration in the
brake pedal. This is normal. Continue to steer the
vehicle in the direction you want it to go.
4-11