2005 CADILLAC STS brake

While using the DSC feature the vehicle will have rmer
shifting and increased performance. You can use this
for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in
gear longer or to down shift for more power or engine
braking.
The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and rpm. The
transmission will not automatically shift to the next
higher gear if the engine rpm is too high.
All-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, engine
power is sent to all four wheels all the time.
This is like four-wheel drive, but it is fully automatic.
Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal
is located on the lower
portion of the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
This vehicle has a push-to-release parking brake pedal.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal down with your left foot.
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. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-64for more
information.
2-29

To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking brake
pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left foot, the
parking brake pedal will follow it to the released
position.
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 4-37for more information.Shifting Into Park (P)
{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 4-37.
To shift into PARK (P), use the following steps:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing the
button on the front of the shift lever while pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
Release the button.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake pedal
down, set the parking brake with your left foot. See
Parking Brake on page 2-29for more information.
4. Turn the ignition off.
2-30

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{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
have 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 was not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not 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)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the vehicle is running. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-26.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the
shift lever – push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
and release the shift lever button as you maintain brake
application. Then press the shift lever button and move
the shift lever into the gear you wish.
2-31

If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Press the ACC button twice to place the ignition in
accessory mode.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have your vehicle inspected by your dealer as
soon as possible.Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
2-32

Running the Engine While 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 2-33.
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 4-25.
{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) on page 2-30.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a trailer,
also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-37.
2-34

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column.........................................3-6
Heated Steering Wheel...................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-8
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System................3-9
Flash-to-Pass...............................................3-13
Windshield Wipers........................................3-13
Rainsense™ II Wipers...................................3-14
Windshield Washer.......................................3-15
Headlamp Washer........................................3-16
Cruise Control..............................................3-16
Adaptive Cruise Control.................................3-20
Headlamps..................................................3-33
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-37
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-37
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-38
Fog Lamps..................................................3-39
Twilight Sentinel
®..........................................3-40
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-41
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-41Entry Lighting...............................................3-42
Parade Dimming...........................................3-42
Reading Lamps............................................3-42
Battery Load Management.............................3-42
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.....................3-43
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-43
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............3-47
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-49
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-49
Climate Controls............................................3-50
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-50
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-56
Rear Climate Control System.........................3-57
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-58
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-60
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-61
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-62
Tachometer.................................................3-62
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-62
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-63
Charging System Light..................................3-64
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-64
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-65
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light....................3-66
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light......3-66
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The Forward Collision Alert (FCA) system provides an
audible and visual warning if you approach a vehicle too
rapidly. FCA also provides a visual warning with no
audible warning if you are following another vehicle
much too closely. FCA uses the Adaptive Cruise Control
radar to detect a vehicle directly ahead, in your path,
within a distance of 328 ft (100 m).
{CAUTION:
FCA is only a warning system and does not
apply the brakes. FCA is not designed to warn
the driver of pedestrians or animals. When you
are approaching a vehicle or object, FCA may
not provide you with enough time to avoid a
collision. Your complete attention is always
required while driving and you should be ready
to take action and apply the brakes. For more
information, seeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.The Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) controls are
located on the end of
the multifunction lever.
9(Off):This position turns the system off.
R(On):This position turns the system on.
To enable FCA, move the Adaptive Cruise Control
switch to on. To disable FCA, move the switch to off.
Make sure the Head-Up Display is on and properly
adjusted. If the HUD is not on, FCA will not be enabled
and you will not be provided with FCA audible and
visual warnings. SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on
page 3-43for more information.
3-10

+ (Resume/Accelerate):Push the lever to this symbol
to make the vehicle resume to a previously set speed
or to accelerate when cruise is already active.
T(Set/Decrease):Press this button to set the speed
or to decrease the speed when cruise is already
active.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will shut off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8andStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-10. When road conditions allow you
to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise control
back on.
3-17