2005 CADILLAC STS tow

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transmission will shift down to a lower gear
and have more power.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
FOURTH (4):This position is also used for normal
driving. However, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are examples for using FOURTH (4) instead of
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When going down a steep hill.
This position may also offer improved trailer towing
performance in certain driving conditions.
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Notice:If you drive your vehicle at high rpms
without upshifting while using Driver Shift
Control (DSC), you could damage your vehicle.
Always upshift when necessary while using DSC.
Your automatic transmission has a Driver Shift
Control (DSC) feature that allows you to change
gears similar to a manual transmission. To use the
DSC feature:
1. Slide the shift lever over from AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) to the right into the DSC area.
The DIC will display which mode the transmission
is in. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on
page 3-73.
If you do not move the shift lever forward or
rearward, the vehicle will be in sport mode. While
driving in sport mode, the transmission may remain
in a gear longer than it would in normal driving
mode based on braking, throttle input and vehicle
lateral acceleration.
2. Press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward
to downshift.
The odometer on the instrument panel cluster will
change to show the requested gear range when moving
the shift lever forward or rearward.
2-28

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

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

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside
rearview mirror with OnStar®controls. For more
information about OnStar®, seeOnStar®System on
page 2-39.
O(On/Off):The on/off button, located on the lower
left side of the mirror, is used for the automatic dimming
functions of the rearview mirror. If the vehicle has the
SmartBeam Intelligent High-Beam Headlamp Control
System, the on/off button can also be used to turn off or
reset this system. See “SmartBeam Intelligent
High-Beam Headlamp Control System” under
Headlamps on page 3-33.
Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming feature comes on each time
the vehicle is started. Automatic dimming reduces
the glare of lights from behind the vehicle.
To turn the automatic dimming feature on or off, press
and release the on/off button. The indicator light will
illuminate when this feature is on.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming inside
rearview mirror with OnStar®and a compass. For more
information about OnStar®, seeOnStar®System on
page 2-39.
The mirror has an eight-point compass display in the
upper right corner of the mirror. When on, the compass
automatically calibrates, or sets the driving direction,
as the vehicle is driven. If the vehicle has the navigation
option, the direction the vehicle is facing will be
displayed on the navigation screen.
O(On/Off):The on/off button is located on the lower
left side of the mirror and is used for the automatic
dimming and compass functions of the rearview mirror.
If the vehicle has the SmartBeam Intelligent High-Beam
Headlamp Control System, the on/off button can
also be used to turn off or reset this system. See
“SmartBeam Intelligent High-Beam Headlamp Control
System” underHeadlamps on page 3-33.
2-35

To adjust for compass variance, do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the zone map that follows.
2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone
number appears on the display.
3. Once the zone number appears on the display, press
the on/off button quickly until you reach the correct
zone number. If C appears in the compass window,
the compass may need calibration. See “Compass
Calibration” listed previously.Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Outside Power Heated Mirrors
The power mirror control
is on the driver’s door
armrest and controls
the driver’s side and
passenger’s side mirrors.
Press the left or right mirror symbol on the selector
control to choose the driver’s side or passenger’s side
mirror. Use the arrows located on the control pad to
adjust the position of each mirror. Adjust each mirror so
you can see the side of your vehicle and the area
behind your vehicle. Return the selector switch to the
center position when nished adjusting. This will prevent
unwanted mirror movement in case the control pad is
accidentally bumped while driving.
2-37

The preferred mirror positions can be stored with the
memory option. SeeMemory Seat, Mirrors and Steering
Wheel on page 2-65.
The mirrors can be manually folded inward to prevent
damage when going through car washes or conned
spaces. To fold, push the mirror toward the vehicle. To
return the mirror to its original position, push outward.
Be sure to return both mirrors to their original unfolded
position before driving.
When the rear window defogger is turned on, both
outside rear view mirrors are heated to help clear them
of ice, snow, or condensation. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underDual Climate Control System on
page 3-50.
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror
The driver’s side mirror will adjust for the glare of
headlamps behind you. This feature is controlled by the
on and off settings on the automatic dimming rearview
mirror. SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®on page 2-35.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver’s seat. This mirror does not have a dimming
feature.
Outside Parallel Park Assist Mirror
This feature assists the driver by improving rear obstacle
detection and is useful in viewing the curb when
parallel parking.
Press the left or right mirror symbol on the selector
control to choose the driver or passenger outside mirror.
When the vehicle is shifted into REVERSE (R), the
selected mirror will tilt to a factory programmed position.
2-38

To operate the power tilt feature, push the control up
and the steering wheel will tilt up. Push the control down
and the steering wheel will go down.
If the power tilt control is pressed up or down and held
in that position, there will be a slight movement and
a slight pause followed by a continuous movement in the
direction the control is being pressed. This allows
very ne control of the steering wheel position. If the
control is bumped, the steering wheel moves
approximately one degree in the direction commanded.
Push the control forward and the steering wheel
moves toward the front of the vehicle. Push the control
rearward and the steering wheel moves toward the
rear of the vehicle. To set the memory position,
seeVehicle Personalization on page 2-47andMemory
Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel on page 2-65.Heated Steering Wheel
Your vehicle may have a heated steering wheel.
The button for this feature
is located on the steering
wheel.
Press the bottom of the button to turn the heated
steering wheel on or off. A light on the button will display
while the feature is on.
The steering wheel will take about three minutes to
reach it’s maximum temperature.
3-7

Cleaning the System
The radar can become blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
If so, you may need to turn off the engine and clean the
lens. See “Cleaning the System” underAdaptive
Cruise Control on page 3-20.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature allows you to use the high-beam
headlamps to signal the driver in front of you that
you want to pass.
Pull and hold the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you to use this feature. When you do, the following
will occur:
If the headlamps are off, in low-beam or in Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) mode, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They’ll stay on as long as
you hold the lever there. Release the lever to
turn them off.
If the headlamps are in high-beam mode, they will
switch to low beam. To return to high-beam, push
the lever away from you.
Windshield Wipers
The lever on the right side of the steering column
operates the windshield wipers.
7(Mist):Pull the lever down and release it for a
single wiping cycle. The lever will return to its original
position. For more cycles, hold the lever down before
releasing it.
9(Off):Put the lever in this position to turn off the
wipers.
&(Delay):Put the lever in this position to set a delay
between wipes. Turn the delay adjustment band to
set the length of the delay.
3-13