2005 CADILLAC STS brakes

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission
shift lock control system. You must fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is on. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P),
ease pressure on the shift lever. Push the shift lever all
the way into PARK (P) while pressing the button on
the shift lever as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. SeeShifting
Out of Park (P) on page 2-31.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, you can also use REVERSE (R)
to rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice or sand without damaging your transmission.
SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow on page 4-29for additional information.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. You can also
use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine
is not running at high speed when shifting your
vehicle.
2-27

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

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

When it is engaged by the driver, the system can
apply limited braking or acceleration of the vehicle,
automatically, to maintain a selected follow distance
to the vehicle ahead. Braking is limited to
0.25 g’s (2.45 m/sec2) of deceleration, which is
comparable to moderate application of the vehicle’s
brakes. To disengage Adaptive Cruise Control, apply
the brake. If no vehicle is in your path, your vehicle
will react like traditional cruise control.
{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control will not apply hard
braking or bring the vehicle to a complete
stop. It will not respond to stopped vehicles,
pedestrians or animals. When you are
approaching a vehicle or object, Adaptive
Cruise Control may not have time to slow your
vehicle enough 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.
{CAUTION:
On winding roads, Adaptive Cruise Control
may not detect a vehicle ahead. You could
crash into a vehicle ahead of you. Do not
use Adaptive Cruise Control on winding
roads.
In stop-and-go traffic, Adaptive Cruise
Control may not have time to slow your
vehicle enough to avoid a collision
because of the rapidly changing traffic
conditions. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control in stop-and-go traffic.
On slippery roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Do
not use cruise control on slippery roads.
When weather limits visibility, such as
when in fog, rain, or snow conditions,
Adaptive Cruise Control performance is
limited. There may not be enough distance
to adapt to the changing traffic conditions.
Do not use cruise control when visibility
is low.
3-21

The set speed is selected by the driver. This is the
speed you will travel if there is no vehicle detected in
your path.
To set Adaptive Cruise Control, do the following:
1. Make sure the Head-Up Display (HUD) is on and
properly adjusted. You cannot engage Adaptive
Cruise Control unless the HUD is on. SeeHead-Up
Display (HUD) on page 3-43for more information.
2. Move the switch to on.
3. Get up to the speed you want.
4. Press in the set button at the end of the lever and
release it.
5. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Once Adaptive Cruise Control is set, it may immediately
apply the brakes if it detects a vehicle ahead is too
close or moving slower than your vehicle.This symbol will appear on
the Head-Up Display
(HUD) to indicate that
Adaptive Cruise Control is
active. The number
indicates the set speed.
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-43for more
information.
Make sure the set speed is visible on the HUD so you
know the speed your vehicle will accelerate to if a
vehicle is not detected in your path. Keep in mind speed
limits, surrounding traffic speeds and weather conditions
when adjusting your set speed.
If your vehicle is in Adaptive Cruise Control when the
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the Adaptive Cruise Control will automatically disengage.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-10. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
turn the Adaptive Cruise Control back on.United States version
shown, Canada similar
3-23

Alerting the Driver
The alert symbol will ash
on the HUD and a warning
beep will sound when
driver action is required.
Driver action is required when:
Adaptive Cruise Control cannot apply sufficient
braking because you are approaching a vehicle
too rapidly.
The vehicle speed drops below about
20 mph (32 km/h).
A temporary condition prohibits Adaptive Cruise
Control from operating. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-78for more information.
A malfunction is detected in the system. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-78for more
information.
SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
{CAUTION:
Adaptive Cruise Control has only limited
braking ability to slow your vehicle. In some
cases, Adaptive Cruise Control may not have
time to slow your vehicle enough to avoid a
collision. Be ready to take action and apply the
brakes yourself. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 4-2.
Approaching and Following a Vehicle
The vehicle ahead symbol
will only appear on the
HUD when a vehicle ahead
is detected in your path.
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If this symbol does not appear, or disappears briey,
Adaptive Cruise Control will not respond to vehicles
you may see ahead.
{CAUTION:
When the Adaptive Cruise Control radar is
blocked by snow, ice, or dirt, it may not detect
a vehicle ahead. Adaptive Cruise Control may
not have time to slow your vehicle enough to
avoid a collision. Do not use Adaptive Cruise
Control when the radar is blocked by snow,
ice, or dirt. Keep your radar clean. See
“Cleaning the System” later in this section.Adaptive Cruise Control will, automatically, slow your
vehicle down when approaching a slower moving
vehicle. It will then adjust your speed to follow the
vehicle in front at the selected follow distance. Your
speed will increase or decrease to follow the vehicle in
front of you but will not exceed the set speed. It
may apply limited braking, if necessary. When braking is
active, your brake lights will come on. It may feel or
sound different than if you were applying the brakes
yourself. This is normal.
3-27