2006 CADILLAC CTS brakes

Automatic Transmission Operation
The shift lever is located on the center console between
the front seats.
There are several different
positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-34. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-39.
Make sure 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 key is in ON. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever and release the button on the shifter handle. 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
desired. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-36.
2-27

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 4-31for 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.
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.
2-28

Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-27for more information.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), release the button
on the shift lever and ease the pressure on the shift
lever. Push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
while pushing the button on the shift lever as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the desired gear.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, place the shift lever in
REVERSE (R) and rmly apply the parking brake. Turn
the ignition key to OFF, press the release button and
remove the key. See “Key Release Button” underIgnition
Positions on page 2-22for more information.
If you are towing a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-39.
2-36

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), the light will
come on when your
engine is started and stay
on for several seconds.
This is normal.
If the ABS warning light comes on and stays on, there
may be a problem with the anti-lock portion of the brake
system. If the brake system warning light is not on,
you still have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-38
for more information.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. If the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as possible
and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to
reset the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on
again while you are driving, your vehicle needs service. If
the regular brake system warning light is not on, you still
have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, you do not
have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem with your
regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-38for more information.The ABS warning light should come on briey when you
turn the ignition key to ON. If the light does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If the TC (traction control)
warning light comes on
and stays on, there may be
a problem with the
traction control system.
The TC warning light will come on briey when you turn
the ignition to ON. If it does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
The light will also come on if you turn the traction
control system off using the TC on/off button located in
the glove box for the CTS and on the steering wheel
for the CTS-V.
3-39

Change Engine Oil
This message indicates that the life of the engine oil
has expired and it should be changed and that
your vehicle is due for service. See your GM dealer.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16andScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information.
When you reset the Change Engine Oil message by
clearing it from the display, you still must reset the
engine oil life system separately. For more information
on resetting the engine oil life system, seeEngine
Oil Life System on page 5-20. If you clear this message
from the display, it will not re-appear.
Change Trans (Transmission) Fluid
(Automatic Transmission)
This message indicates that the life of the transmission
uid has expired and it should be changed. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4and
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13for
the proper uid and change intervals.
When you reset the Change Trans Fluid message by
clearing it from the display, you still must reset the
transmission uid life monitor separately. For more
information on resetting the transmission uid life
monitor, seeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on
page 5-23.
Check Brake Fluid
This message will display if the ignition is in ON to
inform the driver that the brake uid level is low.
Have the brake system serviced by your GM dealer as
soon as possible. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-38andBrakes on page 5-38for more
information.
Check Coolant Level
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.
This message will appear when there is a low level of
engine coolant. Have the cooling system serviced
by your GM dealer as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-26for more information.
Check Gas Cap
When this message appears on the display, the gas cap
has not been fully tightened. You should recheck the
gas cap to ensure that it is on and tightened properly.
See “If the Light Is On Steady” underMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-41for more information.
3-63

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice,
it is easy to ask more of those control systems than the
tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) (CTS) on page 4-9orTraction Control System
(TCS) (CTS-V) on page 4-10.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-38.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.
4-6

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time
to cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear
out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.
If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If the engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You may hear a momentary motor
or clicking noise while this test is going on, and you
may even notice that your brake pedal moves a
little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-39.
4-7

Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make the
most of available tire and road conditions. This can
help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle
in front of you, you will not have time to apply your
brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
4-8