2008 CADILLAC CTS traction control

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-6
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................4-7
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-8
Panic Brake Assist.........................................4-9
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.........................4-9
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-12Competitive Driving.......................................4-14
Driving at Night............................................4-14
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-15
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-16
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-16
Winter Driving..............................................4-17
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-21
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-22
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-22
Towing..........................................................4-28
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-28
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-28
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-30
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was
drinking and driving. In recent years, more than
17,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have
been associated with the use of alcohol, with about
250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and
then drive.
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 meansthat 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.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At
times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose control of your vehicle.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-4.
4-3

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. It will activate and the TCS/StabiliTrak
®
light will ash if it senses that any of the wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction while driving.
When this happens, the system applies the brake to
the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin. The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light
will ash when the traction control system is limiting
wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
This warning light will
come on if there is a
problem with the traction
control system.SeeTraction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®
Warning Light on page 3-39andStabiliTrak®System on
page 4-8. When the TCS/StabiliTrak warning light is
on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
TCS automatically comes on whenever the vehicle is
started. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the system on. But
the TCS should be turned off if your vehicle ever gets
stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is
required. Also, turn the TCS off while in deep snow or on
loose gravel, to assist vehicle motion at lower speeds.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-22for
more information. See alsoWinter Driving on page 4-17
for information on using TCS when driving in snowy or icy
conditions.
Press the TC (Traction
Control) button, located on
the instrument panel, to
turn the system off.
4-6

If you press the TC button once, the traction control
system will turn off and the TCS/StabiliTrak Warning
Light will come on. Press the TC button again to turn
the system back on. Press and hold the TC button for
ve seconds or longer, to turn the StabiliTrak system off.
The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light will come on. Press
the TC button again to turn Stabilitrak back on. For more
information, seeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-8.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-4for more information.
Competitive Driving Mode
Press the TC button quickly two times to select this
optional handling mode. The StabiliTrak Competitive
Mode message displays in the Driver Information Center
(DIC). While in the StabiliTrak Competitive Mode, TCS
does not operate, and the TCS warning light comes on.
Adjust your driving accordingly.Press the TC button again, or turn the ignition to
ACC/ACCESSORY, to turn the TCS back on and the
TCS warning light off.
Notice:When traction control is turned off, or
Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is possible to
lose traction. If you attempt to shift with the rear
wheels spinning with a loss of traction, it is possible
to cause damage to the transmission. Do not attempt
to shift when the rear wheels do not have traction.
Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle is not
covered. See your warranty book for additional
information.Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your vehicle may have this feature. A 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.
4-7

StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has an electronic stability control system
called StabiliTrak. It is an advanced computer controlled
system that assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the computer senses a
discrepancy between your intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrak
selectively applies braking pressure at any one of the
vehicle’s brakes to help steer the vehicle in the direction
which you are steering.
When the system activates, the Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument
panel cluster ashes. You may also hear a noise or feel
vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal. Continue
to steer the vehicle in the direction you want it to go.
If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak, a Service
Stability System message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) and the TCS/StabiliTrakwarning light on the instrument panel cluster comes on.
When this message and warning light displays, the
system is not operational. Driving should be adjusted
accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-56andWarning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
on page 3-30for more information.
StabiliTrak comes on automatically whenever the vehicle
is started. The system should be left on to help assist with
directional control of the vehicle. If StabiliTrak needs to
be turned off, press the TC (traction control) on/off button.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
If cruise control is being used when the StabiliTrak
activates, the cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow, reengage the cruise
control. SeeCruise Control on page 3-14for more
information.
4-8

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 has this feature, the AWD system will
automatically monitor and adjust engine power to
the front and rear wheels for the best traction and
handling. If there is a loss of traction or stability,
the AWD system works with the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system to increase power to the
front wheels as necessary.
If the spare tire is on the vehicle, there may be a slight
reduction in performance of the AWD system.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56for
AWD related DIC messages.
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 varies the
amount of effort required to steer the vehicle in relation
to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort required is less at slower
speeds to make the vehicle more maneuverable
and easier to park. At faster speeds, the steering effort
increases to provide a sport-like feel to the steering.
This provides maximum control and stability.
If your vehicle seems harder to steer than normal when
parking or driving slowly, there may be a problem
with the system. You will still have power steering, but
steering will be stiffer than normal at slow speeds.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
4-9

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.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and your speed. While 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 dotheir 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 4-6.
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.
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 speed when approaching a curve,
do it before you enter the curve, while the front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the 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.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-4.
4-10

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are
not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction control system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface
is slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as enough water, ice,
or packed snow on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-13