2005 CADILLAC CTS trailer

3. When the chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P) for an
automatic transmission or REVERSE (R) for a
manual transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid (don’t overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, drive
belt, cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you
nd them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to
review this information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-28.
4-46

Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle
can affect the airow around it. This may cause
wind noise and affect windshield washer performance.
Check with your dealer before adding equipment to
the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of
the proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 2.8L V6 engine or the
3.6L V6 engine, use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane of 87 or higher. However, for best
performance and for trailer towing, you may wish to
use middle grade or premium unleaded gasoline. If the
octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking
noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you might damage your engine.If your vehicle has the 5.7L V8 engine, use premium
unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of 91 or
higher for best performance. You may also use middle
grade or regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration may be slightly
reduced. If the octane is less than 87, you may get a
heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you might damage your engine.
Gasoline Specications
It is recommended that gasoline meet specications
which were developed by automobile manufacturers
around the world and contained in the World-Wide Fuel
Charter which is available from the Alliance of Automobile
Manufacturers at www.autoalliance.org/fuel_charter.htm.
Gasoline meeting these specications could provide
improved driveability and emission control system
performance compared to other gasoline.
5-5

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood.
Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned. Stop
your engine if it overheats, and get out of
the vehicle until the engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 5-30for information on driving
to a safe place in an emergency.Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-30for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning, along with a Check Coolant Level
message, can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no Check
Coolant Level message, but see or hear no steam,
the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
5-29

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let
the engine idle.
2. Set the climate controls to the highest heat
setting and fan speed and open the windows,
as necessary.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you are parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven to
a safe place in an emergency. Should an overheated
engine condition exist, an overheat protection mode
which alternates ring groups of cylinders helps prevent
engine damage. In this mode, you will notice a loss
in power and engine performance. A low coolant and/or
engine overheat warning will indicate that an overheat
condition exists. Driving extended miles (km) and/or
towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode should
be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss and change the oil.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16.
5-30

4. Push and pull on the seat cushion to make sure it
is locked into place.
5. Check to make sure the safety belts are properly
routed and that no portion of any safety belt is
trapped under the seat cushion.
Rear Underseat Fuse Block
(Driver’s Side)
The driver’s side rear fuse block is located under
the rear seat on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The
rear seat cushion must be removed to access the rear
fuse block. See “Removing the Rear Seat Cushion”
listed previously.To access the fuse block, push in the two tabs located at
each end of the fuse block cover. Then lift the cover off.
Fuses Usage
SPARE Not Used
SPARE Not Used
AUDIO Radio, OnStar Module
SPARE Not Used
REAR DR MOD Rear Door Modules
SPARE Not Used
DRIVER
DR MODDriver’s Door Module
BASTaillamps, Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp, Flasher Module,
ABS Module, Trailer Lamps
HDLP
LEVELINGHeadlamp Leveling System Chassis
Sensors (Export Only)
5-103

(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken airbag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all body
door hinges. Lubricate all hinges and latches, including
those for the hood, rear compartment, console door,
and any folding seat hardware. More frequent lubrication
may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the
lter may require replacement more often.
(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as high performance operation.If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require changing.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-25 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(l)Change uid if the vehicle is used for high
performance operation.
(m)Change uid whenever the vehicle has been driven
for 3,000 miles (5 000 km) with the transmission
temperature at 290°F (143°C) or higher without using
an auxiliary uid cooler. See Message Center (CTS-V)
on page 3-51andTransmission Fluid Hot Message
on page 3-55.
(n)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
6-8

Top Strap......................................................1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-40
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-38
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-40
Your Vehicle...............................................4-38
Traction
Control System (TCS).............................4-8, 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-43
Limited-Slip Rear Axle..................................4-11
StabiliTrak
®System.....................................4-11
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-22
Fluid Hot Message......................................3-55
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-24
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-26
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-31
Trip Odometers..............................................3-37
Trunk............................................................2-11
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-9
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-8
U
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-106
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-70
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-33
Parking Your...............................................2-37
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders............................................. 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-94
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-95
Vehicle Personalization
DIC ...........................................................3-74
Memory Seat and Mirrors.............................2-52
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-31
Visors...........................................................2-17
13