2008 CADILLAC CTS Owners Manual

Shift Speeds (Manual Transmission)
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Do not shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
Notice:If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race the engine when you
release the clutch pedal while downshifting, you
could damage the engine, clutch, driveshaft or
the transmission. Do not skip gears or race
the engine when downshifting.
If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h),
or if the engine is not running smoothly, you should
downshift to the next lower gear. You may have
to downshift two or more gears to keep the engine
running smoothly or for good performance.
Up-Shift Light
Vehicles with a manual
transmission may have
an up-shift light on the
instrument panel. This light
will show you when to shift
to the next higher gear for
the best fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road, and traffic conditions allow.
For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and
shift when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go
on and off if you quickly change the position of
the accelerator. Ignore the light when you downshift.
2-43

Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal is
located on the lower portion
of the instrument panel to
the left of the steering
wheel.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down, then push the parking brake pedal down.
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 3-38for
more information.To release the parking brake, pull the release lever
located to the left of the steering wheel on the instrument
panel.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-44

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 4-30for more information.
Shifting Into Park
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be 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.
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,
use the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-30.Use this procedure to shift into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-44for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. For vehicles with key access, remove the key and
take it with you. If you can leave your vehicle with
the ignition key in your hand, your vehicle is in
P (Park). Vehicles with the keyless access system,
take the keyless access transmitter with you.
2-45

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with
the engine running. The vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) 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
the vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your automatic transmission
vehicle with the engine running, be sure your vehicle
is in P (Park) and your parking brake is rmly set before
you leave it. After you have moved the shift lever into
P (Park), hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from P (Park) without
rst pushing the button.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked into P (Park).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the
automatic transmission into P (Park) 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 P (Park). This is called torque lock. To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into P (Park) properly before you leave the driver’s seat.
To nd out how, see “Shifting Into P (Park)” previously in
the section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
P (Park) before releasing the parking brake.
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 P (Park).
2-46

Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) with the shift lever button
fully released, for vehicles with key access.
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
PARK (P), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal
is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-45for more
information.
To shift out of PARK (P) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Parking the Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, place the shift
lever in R (Reverse) and rmly apply the parking brake.
For vehicles with the key access ignition, turn the ignition
key to OFF/LOCK, press the release button and remove
the key. See “Key Release Button” underIgnition
Positions (Key Access) on page 2-32orIgnition Positions
(Keyless Access) on page 2-34for more information.
For vehicles with the keyless access ignition, turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF and remove the keyless
access transmitter.
If you are towing a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-30.
2-47

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.
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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
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.
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-48

Running the Vehicle 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 under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-48.
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.
Also see “If You Are Caught in a Blizzard”
underWinter Driving on page 4-17.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the automatic transmission 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 it is on fairly level
ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transmission shift lever
to PARK (P), or the manual transmission shift
lever to NEUTRAL.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-45andParking the Vehicle (Manual
Transmission) on page 2-47.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-30.
2-49

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
This vehicle has an automatic dimming inside rearview
mirror with OnStar®controls. For more information
about OnStar®, seeOnStar®System on page 2-55.
O(On/Off):The on/off button on the lower left side of
the mirror, is used for the automatic dimming functions
of the rearview mirror.
Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming feature comes on each time
the vehicle is started. Automatic dimming reduces
the glare of lights from behind the vehicle.
To turn the automatic dimming feature on or off, press
and release the on/off button. The indicator light
comes on when this feature is on.
Cleaning the Mirror
While 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.
Outside Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver door armrest.
To adjust each mirror:
1. Press (A) or (B) to select the driver or passenger
side mirror.
2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control
pad to move the mirror to the desired direction.
3. Adjust each outside mirror so that you can see a
little of your vehicle, and the area behind your
vehicle.
4. Press either (A) or (B) again to deselect the mirror.
2-50