2007 CADILLAC STS Owners Manual

Parking Brake
The parking brake
pedal is located on the
lower portion of the
instrument panel to
the left of the steering
wheel.
This vehicle has a push-to-release parking brake
pedal. To set the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down with your right foot and
push the parking brake pedal down with your
left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
on the instrument panel cluster should come
on. If it does not, you need to have your vehicle
serviced. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 248for more information.To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your
left foot, the parking brake releases.
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.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake
is set, the ignition is on and the vehicle begins
to move. To stop the chime, fully release the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 357for more
information.
121

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 357.To shift into PARK (P), use the following steps:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by
pressing the button on the front of the
shift lever while pushing the lever all the way
toward the front of the vehicle. Release
the button.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake
pedal down, set the parking brake with
your left foot. SeeParking Brake on page 121
for more information.
4. Turn the ignition off.
122

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle
could move suddenly if the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch re. You or
others could be injured. Do not leave your
vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P)
and your parking brake is rmly set before you
leave it. After you have moved the shift lever into
PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down.Then, see if you can move the shift lever away
from PARK (P) without rst pushing the button on
the shift lever. If you can, it means that the
shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift
your transmission into PARK (P) properly,
the weight of the vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in the transmission. You
may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever out
of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the parking pawl
in the transmission, so you can pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P).
123

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift
lock control system. You have to fully apply
your regular brake before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the vehicle is running. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 116.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever – push the shift lever all the
way into PARK (P) and release the shift lever
button as you maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and move the
shift lever into the gear desired.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still
cannot shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Press the regular bake.
2. Press the Acc. button twice to place the
ignition in accessory mode.
3. Apply and hold the brake until the end of
Step 4.
4. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
5. Start the engine and then shift to the drive
gear you want.
6. Have your vehicle inspected by your dealer
as soon as possible.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves,
dry grass, or other things that can burn.
124

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the
gas carbon monoxide (CO), which you
cannot see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange
or different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a
collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the road
or over road debris.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system
has been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows
down to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
125

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 125.
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 344.
{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 your 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 122.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 357.
126

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Intellibeam™ and OnStar
®
Your vehicle may have an Intellibeam™ inside
rearview mirror with OnStar®controls. For
more information about OnStar®, seeOnStar®
System on page 132.
To turn on and enable Intellibeam™, press and
release the Intellibeam™ button on the inside rear
view mirror. If the vehicle has the IntelliBeam™
Intelligent High-Beam Headlamp Control System,
the on/off button can also be used to turn off
or reset this system. See “IntelliBeam™ Intelligent
High-Beam Headlamp Control System” under
Headlamps on page 211.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror.
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.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror that also contains OnStar®
controls. For more information on OnStar®, see
OnStar®System on page 132.
127

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.
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 132.
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.
128