2008 CADILLAC CTS automatic transmission

Keys...............................................................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-6
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-7
Keyless Access System...................................2-9
Keyless Access System Operation..................2-10
Remote Vehicle Start....................................2-16
Doors and Locks............................................2-18
Door Locks..................................................2-18
Central Door Unlocking System......................2-19
Power Door Locks........................................2-19
Delayed Locking...........................................2-19
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-20
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-20
Lockout Protection........................................2-21
Trunk..........................................................2-21
Windows........................................................2-24
Power Windows............................................2-25
Sun Visors...................................................2-27
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-28
Theft-Deterrent System..................................2-28
Immobilizer..................................................2-29
Immobilizer Operation (Key Access)................2-30
Immobilizer Operation (Keyless Access)...........2-31Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-32
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-32
Ignition Positions (Key Access).......................2-32
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access)..................2-34
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-35
Starting the Engine.......................................2-35
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-37
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-38
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-42
Parking Brake..............................................2-44
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
......2-45
Shifting Out of Park......................................2-47
Parking the Vehicle (Manual Transmission).......2-47
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-48
Engine Exhaust............................................2-48
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-49
Mirrors...........................................................2-50
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®............................................2-50
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-50
Park Tilt Mirrors............................................2-51
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-51
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-51
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Programmable Automatic Door
Locks
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, the
vehicle is programmed so that the doors will lock
automatically when all doors are closed, the ignition
is on, and the shift lever is moved out of PARK (P).
The doors will automatically unlock when you stop the
vehicle and move the shift lever back into PARK (P).
If your vehicle has a manual transmission, the vehicle is
programmed so that the doors will lock automatically after
the vehicle speed reaches 5 mph (8 km). The doors will
automatically unlock when the ignition is turned off and
the key is removed from the ignition.
If someone needs to exit the vehicle once the doors
are locked, have that person use the manual lever
or power door lock switch. When the door is closed
again, it will not lock automatically. Use the manual
lever or the power door lock switch to lock the door.
The power door locks can be programmed through
prompts displayed on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). These prompts allow you to choose
various lock and unlock settings. For more information
on programming, seeDIC Vehicle Customization on
page 3-69.
Rear Door Security Locks
Your vehicle has rear door security locks. These
prevent passengers from opening the rear doors from
the inside.
The rear door security
locks are located on the
inside edge of each rear
door. The rear doors must
be open to access them.
The label showing lock and
unlock positions is located
near the lock.
To set the locks, do the following:
1. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it
so the slot is in the horizontal position.
2. Close the door.Lock Label shown
2-20

Trunk Lock Release
The remote trunk release
button is located on the
lower portion of the
driver’s door.
To use the remote trunk release, the shift lever must
be in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) for a vehicle with
an automatic transmission. The shift lever must be
in NEUTRAL, with the parking brake set for a vehicle
with a manual transmission.
Press the button to open the trunk. You can also
press the button with the trunk symbol on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to open the trunk.
On vehicles with a Keyless Access System, squeeze
the trunk release button located on the rear of the trunk
lid above the license plate, as long as you have your
transmitter with you. Entry occurs when the buttonis being pressed and the vehicle recognizes the
transmitter. The vehicle must be in PARK (P) and
the valet mode turned off.
If your vehicle is ever without power, the trunk area
can still be manually accessed by using one of
the following procedures.
On vehicles with a rear seat pass-through door:
1. Fold the rear armrest down and open the
pass-through door. See “Rear-Seat Pass Through”
following for more information.
2. Reach upward through the opening to locate the
emergency trunk release handle. See “Emergency
Trunk Release Handle” for more information.
3. Pull forward on the trunk release handle to open
the trunk lid.
On vehicles with a split folding rear seat:
1. Fold down the rear seatback. SeeSplit Folding
Rear Seat on page 1-11for more information.
2. Reach upward through the opening to locate the
trunk release handle.
3. Pull forward on the trunk release handle to open
the trunk lid.
2-22

Notice:Using a tool to force the key from its
cylinder could cause damage or break the key.
Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If it
is and you have a manual transmission vehicle, turn
the steering wheel left and right while you turn
the key hard. If none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.
A (LOCK/OFF):This is the only position in which the
key can be inserted or removed. This position locks the
ignition and shifter on automatic transmission vehicles,
and the ignition and steering wheel on manual
transmission vehicles.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position lets you use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers when
the engine is off. This position allows you to turn off
the engine.
C (ON/RUN):This position is for driving. It is the
position the ignition switch returns to after the engine
starts, and the key is released.To shift the transmission out of PARK (P), the ignition
key has to be in ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN.
The battery could be drained if the key is left in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. The vehicle might not start if the battery is allowed
to drain for an extended period of time.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it is
an easy target for joy riders or thieves. A chime sounds
when the driver’s door is opened while the vehicle is
parked and the key is left in the ignition. Always
remember to remove the key from the ignition and take
it with you. This will lock the ignition and transmission.
Also, always remember to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if the key is left in the
ignition while your vehicle is parked. The vehicle might
not start after it has been parked for an extended
period of time.
2-33

Ignition Positions (Keyless Access)
You can turn the ignition control knob to four different
positions.
To shift out of PARK (P), ignition must be in the
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake
pedal must be applied.
Using a tool to force the ignition control knob from its
cylinder could damage it.
Make sure the keyless access transmitter is inside the
vehicle when trying to turn the ignition control knob.A (LOCK/OFF):The ignition control knob cannot
be removed from the vehicle. The keyless access
transmitter must be inside the vehicle to start the engine.
This position locks the ignition and shifter on automatic
transmission vehicles, and the ignition and steering
wheel on manual transmission vehicles.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers when
the engine is off. This position will allow you to turn off
the engine.
C (ON/RUN):This position is for driving. It is the
position the ignition switch returns to after the engine
starts, and the control knob is released.
If you need to shift the transmission out of PARK (P),
the ignition control knob has to be in ACC/ACCESSORY
or ON/RUN.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
2-34

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
Sunroof (if equipped)
Power to the audio system will work up to 10 minutes or
until the driver’s door is opened. Power to the windows
or sunroof will work up to 10 minutes or until any
door is opened. For an additional 10 minutes of
operation, close all the doors and turn the key to
ON/RUN and then back to LOCK/OFF.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the proper gear.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
The engine will not start in any other position -- this
is a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.If your vehicle has the keyless access system, put your
foot on the brake pedal and turn the ignition control
knob to the START position. When the engine begins
cranking, let go of the ignition control knob, it will return
to the ON/RUN position.
If the transmitter is not in the vehicle or something is
interfering with the transmitter, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display Electronic Key Not Detected.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56for
more information.
If the battery in the keyless access transmitter needs
replacing, the DIC displays Replace Battery In Remote
Key. The vehicle can still be driven. See “Battery
Replacement” underKeyless Access System Operation
on page 2-10for more information.
Notice:Do not try to shift to P (Park) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
2-35

Automatic Transmission Operation
The shift lever is located on the center console between
the front seats.
There are several different
positions for the shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks the rear 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 the vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set the parking brake and move the shift lever
to P (Park). SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-45. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-30.
2-38

Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply your regular brakes rst and then press the
shift lever button before you can shift from P (Park)
when the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot
shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever
and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park on page 2-47.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, you can also use R (Reverse)
to rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice, or sand without damaging your transmission.
SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or
Snow on page 4-21for additional information.N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use N (Neutral) only. You can also
use N (Neutral) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
2-39