2006 CADILLAC STS Owners Manual

9ACC (OFF/ACCESSORY):When this button is
pressed, the engine will turn off even if the shifter is not in
PARK (P). If the shifter is in PARK (P), the ignition mode
will change to RAP, if all doors are closed. The ignition
mode will change to OFF, if a front door is opened. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-25for more
information. If the shifter is not in PARK (P), the ignition
mode will change to ACC. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-36.
When the engine is off, press this button to place the
vehicle in accessory mode. ACCESSORY ACTIVE will
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC). This mode
allows you to use things like the radio and the windshield
wipers while the engine is off. Use accessory mode if you
must have your vehicle in motion while the engine is off,
for example, if your vehicle is being towed. If the door is
open while in accessory mode, the key in reminder chime
will sound continuously.
If the push-button start is not working, your vehicle
may be near a strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the keyless access system. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-79for more
information.
After being in ACC for about 20 minutes, the vehicle will
automatically enter RAP or will turn off, depending on if
the doors are opened or closed.Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories on your vehicle may be used
for up to 20 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Radio
Power Windows
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Power to these accessories stops after 20 minutes or
if one of the front doors is opened. If you want power
for another 20 minutes, close all the doors and press
the OFF/ACCESSORY button to place the vehicle
in accessory mode. Press the button again and
the vehicle will return to RAP.
Starting the Engine
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.
The keyless access transmitter must be in the vehicle
for the ignition to work.
2-25

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.
1. With your foot on the brake pedal, press the START
button located on the instrument panel. If there is not
a keyless access transmitter present or if there is
something causing interference with it, the DIC will
display NO FOB DETECTED. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-79for more information.
When the engine begins cranking, let go of the
button. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
If the battery in the keyless access transmitter is
weak, the DIC will display FOB BATTERY LOW.
You can still drive the vehicle. See “Battery
Replacement” underKeyless Access System
Operation on page 2-5for more information.
Notice:Holding the button in for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause the vehicle’s battery
to be drained much sooner. This can also cause
damage to the starter motor. Wait 15 seconds
between each try to avoid draining your vehicle’s
battery or damaging the starter.
2. If the engine does not start and no DIC message is
displayed, wait 15 seconds before trying again.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.
Stopping Your Engine
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) and press the ACC
button located on the instrument panel. If the shifter is
not in PARK (P), the vehicle will go into the accessory
mode, the engine will turn off and the DIC will display
SHIFT TO PARK. When the shifter is moved to
PARK (P), the vehicle will go into the RAP mode, if
all doors are closed. The ignition mode will change to
OFF, if a front door is opened. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 2-25for more information.
If the keyless access transmitter is not detected while
going to off, the DIC will display NO FOB – OFF
OR RUN?
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79for
more information.
2-26

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may be equipped with an engine coolant
heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have an
internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This will
prevent operation of the engine coolant heater when
the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as noted
on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
For the 3.6L V6 engine, the cord is located in
the engine compartment on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle in front of the fuse block.
For the 4.6L V8 engine, the cord is located in the
engine compartment on the driver’s side of the
vehicle near the inner fender and above the strut.
For the 4.4L V8 engine, the cord is located in
the front of the engine compartment, on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle. The plug will be
inside the upper grille cutout.3. You must remove the plastic cap to access
the plug.
4. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
5. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away from
moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature,
the kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
2-27

Automatic Transmission Operation
(5-Speed Automatic)
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.
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) on page 2-36.If
you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
(STS Only) on page 4-40.
2-28

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 2-38.
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.
2-29

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.
When the transmission is
in DSC mode the sport
symbol in the Driver
Information Center (DIC)
will come on.
If you do not move the shift lever forward or
rearward, the vehicle will be in sport mode. When
you are in the sport mode the vehicle will still shift
automatically. 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.
2-30

2. Press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward
to downshift.
The DIC will show the
requested gear range
when moving the shift lever
forward or rearward. See
Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 3-73for
more information on
the DIC.
While using the DSC feature the vehicle will have rmer
shifting and increased performance. You can use this
for sport driving or when climbing/descending 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 engine
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). The transmission will not
automatically shift to the next higher gear if the engine
rpm is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any reason, the currently
selected gear will ash multiple times in the DIC,
indicating that the transmission has not shifted gears.
The transmission will allow you to shift to the gear
selected and will automatically downshift when the
vehicle comes to a stop. This will allow for more power
during take-off and passing.
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in snowy
and icy conditions, you may want to shift into second
gear. A higher gear ratio allows you to gain more traction
on slippery surfaces.
2-31

Automatic Transmission
Operation (6-Speed Automatic)
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.
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). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-36. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer (STS Only)
on page 4-40.
2-32