2007 CADILLAC DTS tow

Automatic Transaxle Operation
The automatic transaxle may have a shift lever
located either on the steering column or on
the console between the seats.
There are several different positions for the shift
lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the front 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 126.Ifyou
are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 342.
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Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You
have to fully apply your regular brakes before
you can shift from PARK (P) while the ignition key
is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P),
ease pressure on the shift lever. Push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of
Park (P) on page 129.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transaxle. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
Also use this gear to rock your vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice or sand without
damaging your transaxle. SeeIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 332for
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.
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) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
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DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving. It
provides the best fuel economy for your vehicle. 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 transaxle will shift down to the next gear
and have more power.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see Skidding
underLoss of Control on page 317.
Notice:Driving your vehicle if you notice that it
is moving slowly or not shifting gears as you
increase speed may damage the transaxle. Have
your vehicle serviced right away. You can drive
in SECOND (2) when you are driving less than
35 mph (55 km/h) and DRIVE (D) for higher
speeds until then.DRIVE (D) can be used for towing. You may want
to shift the transaxle to THIRD (3) or, if necessary,
to a lower gear if the transaxle shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 342for more
information.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal
driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed
more than DRIVE (D) without using your brakes.
You might choose THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D)
when driving on hilly, winding roads, when
towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between
gears and when going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position reduces vehicle speed
more than THIRD (3) without using your brakes.
You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help
control your speed as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want to use your
brakes off and on.
Notice:Do not shift into SECOND (2) unless
you are going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or
you can damage your engine and/or transaxle.
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A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is
set, the ignition is on, and the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). The brake light
will come on and stay on until the parking brake is
released. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 229for more information.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular
brake pedal down with your right foot and push the
parking brake pedal down with your left foot.
When you lift your left foot, the parking brake pedal
will follow it to the released position.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake system
parts. Verify that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning light is
off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any
hill, seeTowing a Trailer on page 342.Shifting Into Park (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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. 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,
use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 342.
126

Steering Column Shift Lever
If your vehicle has a steering column shift lever,
use the following procedure to shift the vehicle into
PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling
the shift lever toward you and moving it up as
far as it will go.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake
pedal down, set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 125for more
information.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever
If your vehicle is equipped with a console shift
lever, use the following procedure to shift
the vehicle into PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of your
vehicle and then to the left.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake
pedal down, set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 125for more
information.
4. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
127

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 130.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 328.
{CAUTION:
It can be 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 the parking brake after you
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 126.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 342.
131

Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or
similar material dampened with glass cleaner. Do
not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror
as that may cause the liquid cleaner to enter the
mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®and Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror with a compass display. The mirror
also contains OnStar
®controls. For more
information seeOnStar®System on page 139.
The mirror includes an eight-point compass display
in the upper right corner of the mirror face.
When on, the compass automatically calibrates as
the vehicle is driven.
Mirror Operation
O
(On/Off):Press and hold the button, located
on the lower left side of the mirror face, for about
three seconds to turn the automatic dimming
feature on or off. The indicator light will illuminate
when this feature is active. The automatic dimming
feature is active each time the vehicle is started.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are
on, the compass will show two character boxes for
about two seconds. After two seconds, the
mirror will display the compass heading.
Compass Calibration
If after two seconds, the display does not show a
compass heading (for example, N for North),
there may be a strong magnetic eld interfering
with the compass. Such interference may be
caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder or a similar magnetic item. If
the letter C should ever appear in the compass
window, the compass may need calibration.
The mirror can be calibrated by driving the vehicle
in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the
display reads a direction.
The compass can be placed in calibration mode
manually by pressing and holding the on/off button
untilaCisshown in the compass display.
134

Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or
similar material dampened with glass cleaner. Do
not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror
as that may cause the liquid cleaner to enter the
mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror with a compass display.
The mirror includes an eight-point compass
display in the upper right corner of the mirror face.
When on, the compass automatically calibrates
as the vehicle is driven.
Mirror Operation
O
(On/Off):Press and hold the button, located
on the lower left side of the mirror face, for about
three seconds to turn the automatic dimming
feature on or off. The indicator light will illuminate
when this feature is active. The automatic dimming
feature is active each time the vehicle is started.
Compass Operation
Press the on/off button once to turn the compass
on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are
on, the compass will show two character boxes for
about two seconds. After two seconds, the
mirror will display the compass heading.
Compass Calibration
See “Compass Calibration” underAutomatic
Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar®and
Compass on page 134for more information.
Compass Variance
See “Compass Variance” underAutomatic
Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar®and
Compass on page 134for more information.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or
similar material dampened with glass cleaner. Do
not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror
as that may cause the liquid cleaner to enter the
mirror housing.
136