2007 CADILLAC CTS V brake

If you press the TC button once, the traction
control system will turn off and the TCS warning
light will come on. If you press the TC button again
within ve seconds, the traction control system
will remain off, the warning light will stay on, and
the stability system will enter Competitive
Driving Mode. Competitive Driving will be displayed
on the Driver Information Center (DIC). See
Competitive Driving Mode (CTS-V) on page 296
and “Driver Information Center (DIC)” in the
Navigation Supplement for more information.
Press the TC button again to turn the system back
on. If you press and hold the TC button for
ve seconds, the StabiliTrak
®and Traction Control
systems will turn off. Press the TC button again
to turn StabiliTrak
®and Traction Control back on.
For more information, seeStabiliTrak®System
on page 297.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 332for more information.
Competitive Driving Mode (CTS-V)
The driver can select this optional handling
mode by pressing the Traction Control (TC) button
on the steering wheel twice within ve seconds.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING will be displayed in
the DIC. Competitive driving mode allows
the driver to have control of the power applied to
the rear wheels, while the StabiliTrak
®system
helps steer the vehicle by selective brake
application. In competitive mode, the levels at
which StabiliTrak
®is engaged have been modied
to better suit a performance driving environment.
When the traction control warning light is on,
the Traction Control System will not be operating.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
When you press the TC button again, or turn
the ignition to ACCESSORY, the TCS will
be on. The traction engaged symbol will be
displayed temporarily in the DIC and a chime
will be heard.
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Limited-Slip Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, your limited-slip
rear axle can give you additional traction on snow,
mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard
axle most of the time, but when one of the
rear wheels has no traction and the other does,
this feature will allow the wheel with traction
to move the vehicle.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may have an electronic stability
control system called StabiliTrak®.Itisan
advanced computer controlled system that assists
you with directional control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak
®activates when the computer senses
a discrepancy between your intended path
and the direction the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak
®selectively applies braking pressure
at any one of the vehicle’s brakes to help steer the
vehicle in the direction which you are steering.
When the system activates, a Stability System
Engaged message will be displayed on the
Driver Information Center. SeeDIC Warningsand Messages on page 232. You may also hear
a noise or feel vibration in the brake pedal.
This is normal. Continue to steer the vehicle in the
direction you want it to go.
If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak
®,
a Service Stability System message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 232.
When this message is displayed, the system is not
operational. Driving should be adjusted accordingly.
StabiliTrak
®comes on automatically whenever
you start your vehicle. To help assist you with
directional control of the vehicle, you should always
leave the system on. You can turn StabiliTrak
®off if
you ever need to through the TC (traction control)
on/off button. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
(CTS) on page 293orTraction Control System
(TCS) (CTS-V) on page 295.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
StabiliTrak
®activates, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may reengage
the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on
page 176for more information.
297

Panic Brake Assist
Your vehicle has a panic brake assist system that
monitors the intention of the driver while braking.
If the system senses that the driver has applied
hard/fast pressure to the brake pedal, the system
will generate additional pressure, making it
easier for the driver to maintain brake application.
When this happens the brake pedal will feel
easier to push. Just hold the brake pedal down
rmly and let the system work for you. You
may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice
some noise but this is normal. The brakes
will return to normal operation after the brake
pedal has been released.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Speed Variable Assist Steering
If your vehicle has this system, it varies the
amount of effort required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort required is less at
slower speeds to make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park. At faster
speeds, the steering effort increases to provide a
sport-like feel to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
If your vehicle seems harder to steer than normal
when parking or driving slowly, there may be a
problem with the system. You will still have power
steering, but steering will be stiffer than normal
at slow speeds. See your dealer for service.
298

Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more
effective than braking. For example, you come
over a hill and nd a truck stopped in your lane, or
a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a
child darts out from between parked cars and
stops right in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking — if you can stop in time.
But sometimes you cannot; there is not room.
That is the time for evasive action — steering
around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply your brakes.
SeeBraking on page 290. It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a possible collision.
Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.An emergency like this requires close attention
and a quick decision. If you are holding the
steering wheel at the recommended 9 and
3 o’clock positions, you can turn it a full
180 degrees very quickly without removing either
hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly,
and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you
have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are
always possible is a good reason to practice
defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts
properly.
300

Check your vehicle’s mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and start your left lane change
signal before moving out of the right lane to
pass. When you are far enough ahead of
the passed vehicle to see its front in
your vehicle’s inside mirror, activate the right
lane change signal and move back into
the right lane. Remember that your vehicle’s
passenger side outside mirror is convex.
The vehicle you just passed may seem to be
farther away from you than it really is.
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a
time on two-lane roads. Reconsider before
passing the next vehicle.
Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle too
rapidly. Even though the brake lamps are
not ashing, it may be slowing down or starting
to turn.
If you are being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps
you can ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or
area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by not overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
your wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
303

A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps
avoid only the acceleration skid. If your traction
control system is off, then an acceleration skid is
also best handled by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off
the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking, including reducing
vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear.Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize
warning clues — such as enough water, ice,
or packed snow on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when you have
any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for competitive
driving, the engine may use more oil than it
would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil
level often during competitive driving and keep
the level at or near the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. For information on how to
add oil, seeEngine Oil on page 346.
304

It is always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain
starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may
get wet suddenly when your reexes are tuned for
driving on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.
Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good
shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see
road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings,
the edge of the road, and even people walking.
It is wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment
in good shape and keep your windshield washer
uid reservoir lled with washer uid. Replace your
windshield wiper inserts when they show signs
of streaking or missing areas on the windshield,
or when strips of rubber start to separate from
the inserts.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They
may not work as well in a quick stop and
may cause pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car wash, apply the brake pedal
lightly until the brakes work normally.
Driving too fast through large water puddles or
even going through some car washes can
cause problems, too. The water may affect your
brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But if you cannot,
try to slow down before you hit them.
307

Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different
from driving in at or rolling terrain.If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are
planning to visit there, here are some tips that
can make your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check
all uid levels and also the brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transmission. These parts
can work hard on mountain roads.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could
get so hot that they would not work well.
You would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine assist
the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
314