2008 CADILLAC CTS trunk

Close the trunk by pulling on the handle. Do not use the
handle as a tie-down.
Rear-Seat Pass Through
If your vehicle has the rear seat-pass through door,
you can access the trunk without opening the trunk lid.
This is especially useful when transporting long items.
To open the door, pull down the rear seat armrest.
Then pull the lever all the way down to release the door.
To close the door, push it up and back into place.
Then try to open the door without pulling up on the
lever to make sure it is locked into place.
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
Notice:Do not use the emergency trunk release
handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing
items in the trunk as it could damage the handle.
The emergency trunk release handle is only
intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk,
enabling them to open the trunk from the inside.
There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release
handle located on the back wall of the trunk. This handle
will glow following exposure to light. Pull the release
handle toward the front of the vehicle to open the trunk
from the inside.
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Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
This vehicle has theft-deterrent features, however,
they do not make it impossible to steal.
Theft-Deterrent System
If your vehicle has this
feature, the security light is
located on the instrument
panel cluster.
To activate the theft-deterrent system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the transmitter. The security light
should come on and stay on.
3. Close all doors. The security light should go off
after about 30 seconds. The alarm is not armed
until the security light goes off.If a locked door or trunk is opened without using the
key in the driver’s door key cylinder or the transmitter, a
ten second pre-alarm will occur. The horn will chirp and
the lights will ash. If the key is not placed in the ignition
and turned to START or the door is not unlocked by
pressing the unlock button on the transmitter during the
ten second pre-alarm, the alarm will go off. Your vehicle’s
headlamps will ash and the horn will sound for about
30 seconds, then will turn off to save the battery power.
The theft-deterrent system will not activate if the doors
are locked with the vehicle’s key or the manual door
lock. It activates only if the power door lock switch
is used while the door is open or with the transmitter.
You should also remember that you can start your
vehicle with the correct ignition key if the alarm has
been set off.
To avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
Lock the vehicle with the door key after the doors
are closed.
Always unlock a door with the transmitter. Unlocking
a door any other way will set off the alarm.
If you set off the alarm by accident, turn off the alarm by
pressing the unlock button on the transmitter. The alarm
will not stop if you try to unlock a door any other way.
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How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically when the shift lever is
moved into REVERSE (R). The rear display briey
illuminates to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less than 5 mph
(8 km/h). If the vehicle is above this speed, the red light
on the rear display will ash.
To be detected, objects must be at least 10 inches
(25.4 cm) off the ground and below trunk level. Objects
must also be within 8 feet (2.5 m) from the rear bumper.
This distance may be less during warmer or humid
weather.
A single beep will sound the rst time an object is
detected between 20 inches (0.5 m) and 8 feet (2.5 m)
away. Beeping will occur for a short time when the
vehicle is closer than 1 foot (0.3 m) from the object.The following describes what will occur with the URPA
display as the vehicle gets closer to a detected object:
Description English Metric
amber light 8 ft 2.5 m
amber/amber lights 40 in 1.0 m
amber/amber/red lights 23 in 0.6 m
amber/amber/red lights
ashing and beep for
three seconds1 ft 0.3 m
The system can be disabled through the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See “Park Assist” under
DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-48for more
information.
2-53

When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporary
condition, the message PARKING ASSIST OFF will be
displayed on the DIC and a red light will be shown on the
rear URPA display when the shift lever is moved into
REVERSE (R). This occurs under the following
conditions:
The driver disables the system.
The parking brake pedal is depressed.
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep the
vehicle’s rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow, ice and
slush. For cleaning instructions, seeWashing Your
Vehicle on page 5-116.
A trailer was attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was hanging out of the trunk during the last
drive cycle, the red light may illuminate in the rear
display. Once the attached object is removed, URPA
will return to normal operation.
A tow bar is attached to the vehicle.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
2-54

Transmission Hot Idle Engine
This message displays when the transmission uid in
your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow
it to idle until the transmission cools down or until this
message is removed.
Trunk Open
This message displays when the trunk is not closed
completely. Make sure that the trunk is closed
completely.
Turn Signal On
This message displays as a reminder to turn off the turn
signal if you drive your vehicle for more than about
1 mile (1.6 km) with a turn signal on. A multiple chime
sounds when this message displays.
Washer Fluid Low Add Fluid
This message displays when your vehicle is low on
windshield washer uid. Rell the windshield washer
uid reservoir as soon as possible. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-40for more information.
DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle has customization capabilities that allow
you to program certain features to one preferred setting.
Customization features can only be programmed to
one setting on the vehicle and cannot be programmed
to a preferred setting for two different drivers.
All of the customization options may not be available
on your vehicle. Only the options available will be
displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the customization features
were set when your vehicle left the factory, but
may have been changed from their default state
since then.
The customization preferences are automatically
recalled.
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{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get
so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down
to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down and they
could get so hot that they would not work well.
You would then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could crash.
Always have the engine running and the
vehicle in gear when going downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds
that let you stay in your own lane.
Top of hills: Be alert — something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks
area, winding roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You might want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red
cloth, and a couple of reective warning triangles. And,
if you will be driving under severe conditions, include
a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 5-58.
4-17

The Certication label also shows the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Never
exceed the GVWR or the GAWR for either
the front or rear axle.
{CAUTION:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on the vehicle can break, and it can
change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of the vehicle.
Notice
:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.If you put things inside your vehicle, like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else, they will go as
fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
4-27

Trailer Wiring Harness
All of the electrical circuits required for your trailer
lighting system can be accessed at the driver’s side rear
lamp connector. This connector is located under the
carpet on the rear corner of the trunk compartment.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you will want to
get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electricbrakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the
brakes are working. This lets you check your electrical
connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up ahead when
you are towing a trailer. And, because the vehicle
is a good deal longer, you will need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to
your lane.
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