2008 CADILLAC CTS tow

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

Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column
If your vehicle has this
feature, the power tilt
wheel control is located
on the left side of the
steering column.
To operate the power tilt feature, push the control up
and the steering wheel tilts up. Push the control
down and the steering wheel goes down.
Push the control forward and the steering wheel moves
toward the front of the vehicle. Push the control rearward
and the steering wheel moves toward the rear of the
vehicle.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane-Change Signals. SeeTurn
and Lane-Change Signals on page 3-8.
PExterior Lamp Control. SeeHeadlamps
on page 3-17.
3Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 3-8.
Flash-To-Pass Feature. SeeFlash-to-Pass on
page 3-9.
-Fog Lamps. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-19.
3-7

Flash-to-Pass
This feature allows you to use the high-beam headlamps
to signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass.
Pull and hold the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you to use this feature. When this is done the following
will occur:
If the headlamps are off, in low-beam or in Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) mode, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They will stay on as long as
the lever is held there. Release the lever to turn
them off.
For vehicles with High Intensity Discharge (HID)
headlamps, the low-beam headlamps must be
on to activate the high-beam headlamps. SeeHigh
Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting on page 5-55.
If the headlamps are already in high-beam mode,
they will remain on high-beam.
Windshield Wipers
The lever on the right side of the steering column
operates the windshield wipers.
7(Mist):Pull the lever down and release it for a
single wiping cycle. The lever will return to its original
position. For more cycles, hold the lever down
before releasing it.
&(Delay):Move the lever to this position to set a
delay between wipes. Turn the delay adjustment band
to set the length of the delay.
6(Delay Adjustment):Use this band to set the length
of the delay between wipes when using the delay
feature. The closer the band is moved towards
7,
the longer the delay. The windshield wiper lever must be
in delay for this feature to work.
3-9

Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located towards the end of
the turn signal/multifunction lever.
O(Exterior Lamp Control):Turn the band with this
symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has four positions:
O(Off):This position turns off all lamps, except the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
AUTO (Automatic):This position puts the headlamps
in automatic mode. AUTO mode turns the exterior
lamps on and off depending upon how much light is
available outside of the vehicle.
;(Parking Lamps):This position turns on the
parking lamps together with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
5(Headlamps):This position turns on the headlamps,
together with the previously listed lamps and lights.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for about
six seconds. For this feature to work, the exterior lamp
control must be in AUTO.
The wiper-activated headlamps immediately turn off,
when the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF or the
windshield wiper control is turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp control
is left on in either the headlamp or parking lamp position
and the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off.
SeeLights On Reminder on page 3-46for additional
information.
3-17

Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter traps most of
the dust and pollen from the air entering the vehicle.
The lter will need to be changed periodically.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
Using the climate control system without the passenger
air lter installed could let water or other debris enter
the system. This could cause a water leak or noises.
Make sure to install a new air lter after removing the
old one.
The passenger compartment air lter is located
underneath the hood below the windshield wiper arm
and the screen on the passenger side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14
for more information on location.To replace the passenger compartment air lter:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
2. Turn on the windshield wipers and turn them
off again when the wipers are straight up on
the windshield.
This allows access to the leaf screen.
The passenger compartment air lter is
located under the screen.
3. Open the hood to access the engine compartment.
SeeHood Release on page 5-12for more
information.
4. Remove the three screws that hold the screen in
place and lift off the screen by lifting and sliding it
toward the center of the vehicle.
5. Pull out on the two tabs located on each end of the
lter cover.
6. Lift the lter cover off by pulling it straight up.
7. Remove the old lter and insert a new one.
SeeMaintenance Replacement Parts on page 6-16
for the correct part number for the lter.
8. Reverse Steps 1 through 6 to reinstall the cover.
3-29

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition to ON/RUN. If it does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake does
not release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake
is fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push, or the pedal may go closer to
the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-28.
{CAUTION:
The brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can
lead to an accident. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off the road and
carefully stopped, have the vehicle towed for
service. United StatesCanada
3-38

If the check engine light comes on to indicate that there
is an OBD II problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. Heeding the light can prevent
more serious damage to your vehicle. This system
assists your service technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This could
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-4.This light comes on during a malfunction in one of
two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition has been detected.
A misre increases vehicle emissions and could
damage the emission control system on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
The following can prevent more serious damage to the
vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light is still ashing, follow the previous
steps and see your dealer/retailer for service as soon
as possible.
Light On Steady:An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
3-42

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