Starting the Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in NEUTRAL and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the oor and
start the engine. Your vehicle will not start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down — that is a safety feature.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. Then, let go of the key; the
engine will start automatically. The idle speed
will go down as your engine gets warm. Do not race
the engine immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently until the
oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the
engine and protects the electrical system. If the
ignition key is turned to the START position,
and then released when the engine begins cranking,
the engine will continue cranking until the vehicle
starts or until it exceeds the maximum cranking time
allowed, approximately 15 seconds to prevent
cranking motor damage. To prevent starter-motor
gear damage, this system also prevents cranking if
the engine is already running. The engine cranking
can be stopped by turning the ignition switch to
the ACCESSORY or OFF position.
2. If your engine will not start, or starts but then stops,
it could be ooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor and holding it there as you turn the key
to START. If the vehicle starts brie y but then stops
again, do the same thing.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
2-25
Manual Transmission Operation
If your vehicle has a manual transmission, the shift lever
is located on the center console between the front
seats. The following explains how to operate the manual
transmission.
These are the shift patterns for the six-speed manual
transmissions.Here is how to operate your transmission:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
For the CTS, you can shift into FIRST (1) when you are
going less than 25 mph (40 km/h). If you come to a
complete stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the
shift lever in NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
For the CTS-V, you can shift into FIRST (1) when you are
going less than 40 mph (64 km/h).
SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
CTS
CTS-V
2-30
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6):
Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6) the same way you do for SECOND (2). Slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine. Your shift lever is in NEUTRAL when it is
centered in the shift pattern, not in any gear.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press down the clutch
pedal, completely stop the vehicle, and shift into
REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while
pressing the accelerator pedal.For the CTS, pull the shift lever quickly to the left and
then forward into gear.
For the CTS-V, your six-speed manual transmission has
a safety feature that prevents you from shifting into
REVERSE (R) while the vehicle is driven at speeds
greater than 3 mph (5 km/h). You will be locked out if
you try to shift into REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h). If you have turned
your ignition off and wish to park your vehicle in
REVERSE (R), you will have to overcome the lockout
mechanism by moving the shift lever quickly to the right,
and immediately forward into gear using more force
than a normal shift.
2-31
Shift Speeds (Manual Transmission)
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Do not shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
Notice:If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race the engine when you
release the clutch pedal while downshifting, you
could damage the engine, clutch, driveshaft or the
transmission. Do not skip gears or race the
engine when downshifting.
If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if
the engine is not running smoothly, you should
downshift to the next lower gear. You may have to
downshift two or more gears to keep the engine running
smoothly or for good performance.
Skip Shift (CTS-V)
1r4:This may appear in the message center in the
speedometer during light throttle, low speed maneuvers
(15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h)). When this message
appears, you can only shift from FIRST (1) to
FOURTH (4) instead of FIRST (1) to SECOND (2).
SeeOne-to-Four Shift Message on page 3-52for more
information.
During the shift from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4), pull the
shift lever straight back using light force on the shift
lever. You must complete the shift into FOURTH (4) to
turn off this feature. This helps you get the best
possible fuel economy. The skip shift feature is turned
backed on when the vehicle is at a complete stop.
Notice:Forcing the shift lever into any gear except
FOURTH (4), when the One – to – Four Shift
message comes on, may damage the transmission.
Shift only from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) when
the One – to – Four Shift message comes on.
This light comes on when:
The engine coolant temperature is higher than
169°F (76°C) and you are going 15 to 19 mph
(24 to 31 km/h).
You are 21 percent throttle or less.
2-32
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep the speed reduced. Applying the brake or shifting
into a lower gear will take you out of cruise control.
If you need to apply the brake or shift to a lower gear
due to the grade of the downhill slope, you may not
want to use the cruise control feature.
Ending Cruise Control
To end a cruise control session, step lightly on the
brake pedal. If your vehicle has a manual transmission,
lightly tapping the clutch pedal will also end a cruise
control session.
Stepping on the brake or clutch pedal will only end the
current cruise control session. Move the cruise
control switch to off to completely turn off the system.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, the
cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located in the middle of the
turn signal/multifunction lever. SeeTurn Signal/
Multifunction Lever on page 3-9.
O(Exterior Lamp Control):Turn the control with this
symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has the following
four positions:
9(Off):Turning the control to this position turns off
all lamps except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
;(Parking Lamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps together with the
following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
5(Headlamps):Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
AUTO (Automatic):Turning the control to this position
puts the headlamps in automatic mode. AUTO mode
will turn the exterior lamps on and off depending
upon how much light is available outside of the vehicle.
3-16