2007 CADILLAC STS V ESP

Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp
control is left on in either the headlamp or parking
lamp position and the driver’s door is opened
with the ignition off. SeeLights On Reminder on
page 256for additional information.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day. DRL can be helpful in many different
driving conditions, but they can be especially
helpful in the short periods after dawn and before
sunset. Fully functional daytime running lamps
are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make the turn signal lamps
come on when the following conditions are met:
It is still daylight and the ignition is on,
the automatic lights are enabled, and
the transmission is not in PARK (P).
When DRL are on, only your front turn signal
lamps will be on. No other exterior lamps will be
on when the DRL are being used. Your instrument
panel will not be lit.When the automatic lights are enabled and it is dark
enough outside, the DRL will turn off and the
low-beam headlamps will turn on. When it is bright
enough outside, the low-beam headlamps will go
off, and the DRL will turn back on. If you start your
vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic headlamp
system will come on immediately. Once you leave
the garage, it will take about one minute for the
automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if it
is light outside. During that delay, your instrument
panel cluster may not be as bright as usual. Make
sure your instrument panel brightness lever is in the
full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness
on page 220.
To operate your vehicle with the DRL off, turn the
exterior lamp control off and then do one of the
following:
Turn the exterior lamp control to the parking
lamp position.
Turn the exterior lamp control to the headlamp
position.
Turn the exterior lamp control from AUTO to
off and back to AUTO.
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Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static can occur
during normal radio reception if items such as
cellphone chargers, vehicle convenience
accessories, and external electronic devices are
plugged into the accessory power outlet. If there is
interference or static, unplug the item from the
accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for
FM, especially at night. The longer range can
cause station frequencies to interfere with each
other. For better radio reception, most AM radio
stations boost the power levels during the day, and
then reduces these levels during the night.
Static can also occur when things like storms and
power lines interfere with radio reception. When
this happens, try reducing the treble on the radio.
FM Stereo
FM stereo gives the best sound, but FM signals
reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km).
Tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals,
causing the sound to fade in and out.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio
reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada. Just as with FM,
tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite
radio signals, causing the sound to fade in and out.
In addition, traveling or standing under heavy
foliage, bridges, garages, or tunnels may cause
the loss of XM™ signal for a period of time.
The radio might display NO XM SIGNAL to
indicate interference.
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But the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC
of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving
skills of many people are impaired at a BAC
approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are
worse at night. All drivers are impaired at BAC
levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics show that the
chance of being in a collision increases sharply for
drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or above.
A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent has
doubled his or her chance of having a collision. At a
BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of this driver
having a collision is 12 times greater; at a level of
0.15 percent, the chance is 25 times greater!
The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the
alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number
of cold showers will speed that up. “I will be careful”
is not the right answer. What if there is an
emergency, a need to take sudden action, as when
a child darts into the street? A person with even a
moderate BAC might not be able to react quickly
enough to avoid the collision.There is something else about drinking and driving
that many people do not know. Medical research
shows that alcohol in a person’s system can make
crash injuries worse, especially injuries to the
brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means that when
anyone who has been drinking — driver or
passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance
of being killed or permanently disabled is
higher than if the person had not been drinking.
{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reexes, perceptions,
attentiveness, and judgment can be
affected by even a small amount of
alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after
drinking. Please do not drink and drive
or ride with a driver who has been
drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you
are with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
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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.
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The traction control system automatically comes
on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you
should always leave the system on. But you
can turn the traction control system off if you
ever need to.
Notice:Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when the TCS is off. You could
damage your vehicle’s driveline.
When the TCS is switched off on AWD and STS-V
vehicles, you may still feel the system working.
This is normal and necessary with the hardware on
your vehicle.
You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever
gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking
the vehicle is required. SeeRocking Your Vehicle
to Get It Out on page 349andIf Your Vehicle
is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 348
for more information. See alsoWinter Driving
on page 344for information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.To turn the system off,
press the TC (traction
control) button
located near the
shift lever.
If you press the TC button once, the traction
control system will turn off and the traction control
system warning light will come on. Press the
TC button again to turn the system back on. If you
press and hold the TC button for ve seconds,
the StabiliTrak
®system and the traction control
system will turn off. Press the TC button again to
turn StabiliTrak
®back on. For more information,
seeStabiliTrak®System on page 326.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 363for more information.
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Competitive Driving Mode (STS-V)
The driver can select this optional handling mode
by pressing the Traction Control button, located
near the shift lever, twice within ve seconds.
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 Traction Control button again,
the Traction Control System will be on. The
traction engaged symbol will be displayed
temporarily in the DIC and a chime will be heard.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 264
for more information.
Magnetic Ride Control
Your vehicle may have Magnetic Ride Control that
automatically adjusts the ride of your vehicle.
Automatic ride control is achieved through
a computer used to control and monitor the
suspension system. The controller receives input
from various sensors to determine the proper
system response. If the controller detects a
problem within the system, the DIC will display a
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS message. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 264
for more information. See your dealer for service.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
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.
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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

Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might
indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your
pass. A broken center line usually indicates it is
all right to pass, providing the road ahead is
clear. Never cross a solid line on your side of
the lane or a double solid line, even if the road
seems empty of approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass while you are awaiting an opportunity. For
one thing, following too closely reduces your
area of vision, especially if you are following a
larger vehicle. Also, you will not have adequate
space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or
stops. Keep back a reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming
up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane
and do not get too close. Time your move so
you will be increasing speed as the time comes
to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to
pass, you will have a running start that more
than makes up for the distance you would lose
by dropping back. And if something happens to
cause you to cancel your pass, you need only
slow down and drop back again and wait for
another opportunity.
If other vehicles are lined up to pass a slow
vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that
someone is not trying to pass you as you pull
out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to
glance over your shoulder and check the
blind spot.
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.
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