2005 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.Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction control 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.
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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
cannot 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 cannot 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.
Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill, you will want to
consider a number of things:
How steep is the downhill? Will I be able to maintain
vehicle control?
What’s the surface like? Smooth? Rough? Slippery?
Hard-packed dirt? Gravel?
Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts? Logs?
Boulders?
What is at the bottom of the hill? Is there a hidden
creek bank or even a river bottom with large rocks?
4-24

Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help
keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do
some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until
help comes.
If Your Vehicle is 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 more information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 5-68.
4-43

Oil
Engine.......................................................5-16
Pressure Light.............................................3-45
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-19
Older Children, Restraints................................1-28
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-40
Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off
Paved Roads..............................................4-17
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-30
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-39
Convex Mirror.............................................2-39
Curb View Assist Mirror................................2-39
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-38
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode . . . 5-28
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Panic Brake Assist..........................................4-11
Parade Dimming.............................................3-20
Park Aid........................................................3-20Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-30
Shifting Out of............................................2-32
Parking
Assist........................................................3-20
Brake........................................................2-28
Over Things That Burn.................................2-33
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-32
Passing.........................................................4-14
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-23
Door Locks.................................................. 2-9
Electrical System.........................................5-94
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-3
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-22
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-34
Windows....................................................2-14
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-27
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-10Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-14
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Safety Belts (cont.)
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-14
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults......................................1-25
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-22
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-22
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-27
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-21
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-10
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Head Restraints............................................ 1-7
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual Passenger......................................... 1-2
Memory.....................................................2-53
Power Lumbar.............................................. 1-3
Power Seats................................................. 1-2
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-8
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-5
Stowable Seat.............................................. 1-8
Secondary Latch System.................................5-79
Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-42
Rear Seat Position......................................1-42
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-45
Security Light.................................................3-46Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-5
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-42
Publications Ordering Information...................7-12
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-58
Setting the Time.............................................3-80
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-91
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-30
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-32
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-8
Spare Tire
Compact....................................................5-84
Installing....................................................5-73
Removing...................................................5-71
Storing.......................................................5-81
Specications, Capacities...............................5-103
Speedometer..................................................3-35
Sport Mode Light............................................3-45
StabiliTrak
®System.........................................4-11
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-23
Status of Vehicle Systems, DIC........................3-49
Steering........................................................4-12
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-111
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-7
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