2008 CADILLAC CTS automatic transmission

D (Drive):This position is for normal driving. It provides
the best fuel economy for your vehicle. If you need
more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transmission will shift down to a lower gear and
have more power.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see Skidding underLoss of
Control on page 4-12
M (Manual Mode):This position lets drivers select the
range of gears appropriate for current driving conditions.
If your vehicle has this feature, see Driver Shift Control
(DSC) later in this section.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Notice:If you drive your vehicle at high RPMs
without upshifting while using Driver Shift Control
(DSC), you could damage your vehicle. Always
upshift when necessary while using DSC.
Your automatic transmission has a Driver Shift
Control (DSC) feature that allows you to change
gears similar to a manual transmission. To use
the DSC feature:
1. Slide the shift lever over from D (Drive) to the right
to M (Manual Mode).
If you do not move the shift lever forward or
rearward, the vehicle will be in sport mode. When
you are in the sport mode the vehicle will still shift
automatically. While driving in sport mode, the
transmission may remain in a gear longer than it
would in the normal driving mode based on braking,
throttle input, and vehicle lateral acceleration.
SPORT MODE will be displayed in the DIC
2. To enter the DSC mode, press the shift lever
forward to upshift or rearward to downshift.
2-40

The tachometer display on
the instrument panel cluster
will show which gear the
vehicle is in and a number
indicating the requested
gear range when moving
the shift lever forward
or rearward. See
Speedometer and
Odometer on page 3-32
for more information on
the odometer.
While using the DSC feature, the vehicle will have
rmer shifting and increased performance. You can use
this for sport driving or when climbing or descending
hills, to stay in gear longer, or to down shift for
more power or engine braking.The transmission will only allow you to shift into
gears appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). The transmission will
not automatically shift to the next lower gear if the
engine RPM is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any reason, the currently
selected gear will ash multiple times, indicating that
the transmission has not shifted gears.
While in the DSC mode, the transmission will
automatically downshift when the vehicle comes
to a stop and while quickly applying the accelerator to
increase speed. This will allow for more power during
take-off.
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in snowy
and icy conditions, you may want to shift into second
gear. A higher gear ratio allows you to gain more traction
on slippery surfaces.
2-41

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

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

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-28.
B. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-48.
C. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-20.
D. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-31.
F. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wipers
on page 3-9.
G. Traction Control System (TCS) Disable Button.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
H. Analog Clock. SeeAnalog Clock on page 3-23.
I. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
J. Audio (Base Audio System) or Audio/Navigation
System (If Equipped). SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-82orNavigation/Radio System on
page 3-111.
K. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-44.L. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-12.
M. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-14.
N. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt and Telescopic Steering
Wheel on page 3-6orPower Tilt Wheel and
Telescopic Steering Column on page 3-7.
O. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
P. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-124.
Q. Heated and Ventilated Seats. SeeHeated and
Ventilated Seats on page 1-6.
R. Dual Climate Control System. SeeDual Climate
Control System on page 3-24.
S. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-38orManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-42.
T. Storage Compartment. SeeInstrument Panel
Storage on page 2-63. Accessory Power Outlet.
SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-22.
U. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-62.
3-5

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 either the reduced intensity
low-beam headlamps or dedicated DRL’s come on
when the following conditions are met:
It is still daylight and the ignition is in ON/RUN or
START.
The exterior lamp control is in off or AUTO and the
headlamps are off.
The automatic transmission is not in PARK (P).
When DRL’s are on, only the reduced intensity
low-beam headlamps or dedicated DRL’s will be on.
No other exterior lamps will be on. The instrument panel
cluster will not be lit up either.When the exterior lamp control is in AUTO and it is dark
enough outside, the DRL turns 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 the vehicle is started in a dark garage,
the automatic headlamp system comes on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage, it takes about
one minute for the automatic headlamp system
to change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
the instrument panel cluster may not be as bright as
usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness lever
is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-20.
Turning the exterior lamp control to off or to the
low-beam headlamp position will turn off the DRL.
If the parking lamps or the fog lamps were turned on
instead, the DRL will still turn off.
This will work regardless of gear position and whether
or not the parking brake is set.
3-18

Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer lets you see your speed in either
miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far your vehicle has been
driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
If your vehicle has to have a new odometer installed,
the new one may read the correct mileage. This is
because your vehicle’s computer has stored the mileage
in memory.
While the Driver Shift Control (DSC) feature is active,
the odometer will change to show the gear range.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-38
for more information.
Trip Odometers
The trip odometer can record the number of miles or
kilometers traveled for up to two trips.
The trip odometer is part of the Driver Information
Center (DIC), for more information seeDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-48.
For vehicles that have the navigation system, see your
Navigation System manual for more information.
Tachometer
The tachometer
displays the engine
speed in revolutions per
minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your vehicle
could be damaged, and the damages would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not operate the engine
with the tachometer in the shaded warning area.
Engine Speed Limiter
This feature prevents the engine from operating at too
many revolutions per minute (rpm). When the engine’s
rpms are too high, the throttle is closed to reduce speed.
If this is not sufficient, then the fuel supply to the engine
will be limited. When the rpms return to normal, the fuel
supply will return to normal. This helps prevent damage
to the engine.
3-32