2007 CADILLAC STS steering wheel

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 316. By taking a few moments to read this
manual and get familiar with your vehicle’s
audio system, you can use it with less effort, as
well as take advantage of its features. While your
vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the
tone and adjusting the speakers. Then, when
driving conditions permit, you can tune to
your favorite stations using the presets and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has them.{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed.
Always keep your eyes on the road and
your mind on the drive — avoid engaging
in extended searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. Here are some ways in which you can
help avoid distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
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DRIVER SELECTION
When you select this item, the following submenu
displays:
DRIVER 1
DRIVER 2
RECALL DRIVER SETTINGS
STORE DRIVER SETTINGS
For more information on the DRIVER SELECTION
submenu item, see “Recalling Driver Settings”
and “Storing Driver Settings” underMemory Seat,
Mirrors and Steering Wheel on page 169.
DRIVER EXIT SETTINGS
When you select this item, the following
submenu displays:
RECALL EXIT SETTINGS
STORE EXIT SETTINGS
For more information on the DRIVER EXIT
SETTINGS submenu item, see “Recalling Exit
Settings” and “Storing Exit Settings” underMemory
Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel on page 169.
CONFIGURE DISPLAY KEYS
(Base Audio System)
This item lets you customize the functions of the
four congurable keys located to the left and
right of the audio display. See “Congurable Radio
Display Keys” underRadio with CD on page 282
for programming information.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft
of your vehicle’s radio. The feature works
automatically by learning a portion of the Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN). If the radio is
moved to a different vehicle, it does not operate.
If the radio is removed from your vehicle, the
original VIN in the radio can be used to trace the
radio back to your vehicle.
With THEFTLOCK
®activated, the radio will not
operate if stolen.
309

Audio Steering Wheel ControlsSome audio controls
can be adjusted at the
steering wheel. They
include the following:
0(Mute):Press this button to silence the system.
Press this button again, or any other radio
button, to turn the sound on.
SRCE (Source):Press this button to switch
between FM1, FM2, AM, or XM1 or XM2
(if equipped) radio or CD.
g(OnStar®/Voice Recognition):If your vehicle
has the Radio with CD or Radio with Six-Disc
CD audio system, press this button to interact with
the OnStar
®system.
Left Side Controls For
Both STS and STS-VRight Side Controls
For STS
Right Side Controls
For STS-V
310

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 316
Defensive Driving...................................... 316
Drunken Driving........................................ 317
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 320
Braking...................................................... 320
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 321
Braking in Emergencies............................. 323
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 323
Competitive Driving Mode (STS-V)............ 325
Magnetic Ride Control............................... 325
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 325
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 326
Panic Brake Assist.................................... 327
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.................. 327
Steering.................................................... 327
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 330
Passing..................................................... 330
Loss of Control.......................................... 332Competitive Driving................................... 333
Driving at Night......................................... 333
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 335
City Driving............................................... 338
Freeway Driving........................................ 339
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 340
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 341
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 342
Winter Driving........................................... 344
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 348
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 349
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 349
Towing........................................................ 355
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 355
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 355
Towing a Trailer........................................ 357
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
315

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 may
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. On a rear-wheel-drive
vehicle, the system operates if it senses that
one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. On an All-Wheel-Drive
(AWD) vehicle, the system will operate if it
senses that any of the wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system brakes the spinning wheel(s) and/or
reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
This warning light will
come on to let you
know if there’s a
problem with your
traction control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 250. When this warning light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
323

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.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, engine
power is sent to all four wheels all the time.
This is like four-wheel drive, but it is fully
automatic.
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
Your vehicle has a steering system that
continuously adjusts the effort you feel when
steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease
when parking, yet a rm, solid feel at highway
speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
327

The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 323
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 326.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the
way you want it to go, and slow down.
Since your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak
®,
the system may be active. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 264andStabiliTrak
®System
on page 326.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
To help you steer in the direction you want to go,
during certain sharp or sudden cornering
maneuvers, gear selection is controlled. This will
maximize the available drive wheel torque and
minimize the transmission response time and shift
activity. During this kind of maneuver, the
transmission shifts automatically as vehicle
speed changes.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 363.
328

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 320. 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.
329