2007 CADILLAC DTS brake light

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 the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You might hear the anti-lock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake pedal pulsate, but this
is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that the front wheels are spinning too much or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine
power (by closing the throttle and managing engine
spark) to limit wheel spin.
The traction control system and StabiliTrak
®
warning light will ash when the traction control
system is limiting wheel spin. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light on page 232and
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light on page 232for more
information. You may feel or hear the system
working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
SeeCruise Control on page 176orAdaptive
Cruise Control on page 179for more information.
309

The controller receives input from two height
sensors to determine the proper system response.
If the controller detects a problem with the system,
the Driver Information Center (DIC) will display a
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS message. If this
message appears, have your vehicle serviced at
your dealership.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may have this feature. The
StabiliTrak®system is an advanced computer
controlled system that helps the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving
conditions. This is accomplished by selectively
applying any one of the vehicle’s brakes and
reducing engine power.
The StabiliTrak
®system comes on automatically
whenever you start your vehicle. The system
cannot be turned off.The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be
displayed in the DIC and the traction control
system and StabiliTrak
®warning light on the
instrument panel cluster will be on after rst driving
the vehicle and exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h) for
30 seconds. The StabiliTrak
®system is off until the
light has turned off. This could take up to
15 minutes.
The traction control system and StabiliTrak
®
warning light on the instrument panel cluster will
ash when the system is operating. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 232andStabiliTrak
®Indicator Light on
page 232for more information. You may also feel
or hear the system working. This is normal.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will be
displayed and the traction control system
and StabiliTrak
®warning light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on if there is a problem with
the system. When this light and the SERVICE
STABILITRAK message are on, the system is not
operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
311

If you have StabiliTrak®, the system may be
active. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 311.
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.Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, slow down and
keep more space between you and other
vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
318

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a
wet road, you cannot stop, accelerate, or turn as
well because your tire-to-road traction is not as
good as on dry roads. And, if your tires do not have
much tread left, you will get even less traction. 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.
320

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.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can
build up under your tires that they can actually ride
on the water. This can happen if the road is wet
enough and you are going fast enough. When your
vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact
with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if
your tires do not have much tread or if the
pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a
lot of water is standing on the road. If you can
see reections from trees, telephone poles,
or other vehicles, and raindrops dimple the water’s
surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds.
There just is not a hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down
when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through
deep puddles or standing water, water can
come in through the engine’s air intake
and badly damage the engine. Never drive
through water that is slightly lower than the
underbody of your vehicle. If you cannot avoid
deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. If you try to drive through owing
water, as you might at a low water
crossing, your vehicle can be carried away.
As little as six inches of owing water can
carry away a smaller vehicle. If this
happens, you and other vehicle occupants
could drown. Do not ignore police warning
signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through owing water.
321

Service........................................................ 353
Accessories and Modications................... 353
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 354
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 354
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 355
Fuel............................................................. 355
Gasoline Octane........................................ 356
Gasoline Specications.............................. 356
California Fuel........................................... 356
Additives................................................... 357
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 358
Filling the Tank......................................... 358
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 361
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 362
Hood Release........................................... 363
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 364
Engine Oil................................................. 365
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 368
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 370
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 372
Engine Coolant.......................................... 374
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 377
Engine Overheating................................... 377Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 379
Cooling System......................................... 380
Power Steering Fluid................................. 385
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 386
Brakes...................................................... 387
Battery...................................................... 390
Jump Starting............................................ 392
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 397
Bulb Replacement....................................... 400
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 400
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 400
Tires............................................................ 402
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 403
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 408
Ination - Tire Pressure............................. 411
High-Speed Operation............................... 413
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 414
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 418
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 419
Buying New Tires...................................... 420
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 422
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 422
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
351

{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause
a brake squeal when the brakes are rst applied or
lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque
specications inCapacities and Specications on
page 460.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without
the vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested with
top-quality brake parts. When you replace parts of
the braking system — for example, when the brake
linings wear down and you need new ones put
in — be sure you get new approved replacement
parts. If you do not, the brakes might not work
properly. For example, if someone puts in brake
linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the
balance between the front and rear brakes can
change — for the worse. The braking performance
you have come to expect can change in many other
ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
389

A
Accessories and Modications..................... 353
Adaptive Cruise Control............................... 179
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle............................ 87
Additives, Fuel............................................ 357
Add-On Electrical Equipment....................... 451
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine............................. 370
Air Conditioning........................................... 210
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator....................... 227
Readiness Light....................................... 226
Airbag System............................................... 70
What Will You See After an
Airbag Inates?...................................... 80
When Should an Airbag Inate?................. 77
Where Are the Airbags?............................. 73
Airbag Systems
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle......................... 87
How Does an Airbag Restrain?.................. 79
Passenger Sensing System....................... 81
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..... 86
What Makes an Airbag Inate?.................. 79
Analog Clock............................................... 210
Antenna, Backglass..................................... 300Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.................................................... 300
Anti-Lock Brake System.............................. 307
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light....... 230
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels........ 446
Care of Safety Belts................................ 443
Chemical Paint Spotting........................... 448
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.............. 444
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 440
Fabric/Carpet........................................... 441
Finish Care.............................................. 444
Finish Damage......................................... 447
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces.......................... 443
Leather.................................................... 442
Sheet Metal Damage............................... 447
Speaker Covers....................................... 443
Tires........................................................ 447
Underbody Maintenance........................... 448
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials.......... 449
Washing Your Vehicle.............................. 444
Weatherstrips........................................... 444
Windshield and Wiper Blades................... 445
Wood Panels........................................... 443
Ashtray....................................................... 209
503