2008 CADILLAC CTS transmission

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

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

Keep the original hand-held transmitter for use in other
vehicles as well as for future Universal Home Remote
programming. It is also recommended that upon the
sale of the vehicle, the programmed Universal Home
Remote buttons should be erased for security purposes.
See “Erasing Universal Home Remote Buttons” later
in this section.
When programming a garage door, park outside of the
garage. Park directly in line with and facing the garage
door opener motor-head or gate motor-head. Be sure that
people and objects are clear of the garage door or gate
that is being programmed.
It is recommended that a new battery be installed
in your hand-held transmitter for quicker and more
accurate transmission of the radio-frequency signal.
Programming the Universal Home
Remote System
For questions or help programming the Universal
Home Remote System, call 1-800-355-3515 or go to
www.homelink.com.
Programming a garage door opener involves
time-sensitive actions, so read the entire procedure
before starting. Otherwise, the device will time out and
the procedure will have to be repeated.To program up to three devices:
1. From inside the vehicle, press and hold down the
two outside buttons at the same time, releasing
only when the Universal Home Remote indicator
light begins to ash, after 20 seconds. This step
will erase the factory settings or all previously
programmed buttons.
Do not hold down the buttons for longer than
30 seconds and do not repeat this step to program
the remaining two Universal Home Remote buttons.
2. Hold the end of your hand-held transmitter about
1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm) away from the Universal
Home Remote buttons while keeping the indicator
light in view. The hand-held transmitter was supplied
by the manufacturer of your garage door opener
receiver (motor head unit).
2-59

8. Immediately return to the vehicle. Firmly press and
hold the Universal Home Remote button, chosen in
Step 3 to control the garage door, for two seconds,
and then release it. If the garage door does not
move, press and hold the same button a second time
for two seconds, and then release it. Again, if the
door does not move, press and hold the same button
a third time for two seconds, and then release.
The Universal Home Remote should now activate
the garage door.
To program the remaining two Universal Home Remote
buttons, begin with Step 2 of “Programming the Universal
Home Remote System.” Do not repeat Step 1, as this will
erase all previous programming from the Universal Home
Remote buttons.
Gate Operator and Canadian
Programming
If you have questions or need help programming the
Universal Home Remote System, call 1-800-355-3515 or
go to www.homelink.com.
Canadian radio-frequency laws require transmitter
signals to time out or quit after several seconds of
transmission. This may not be long enough for UniversalHome Remote to pick up the signal during programming.
Similarly, some U.S. gate operators are manufactured
to time out in the same manner.
If you live in Canada, or you are having difficulty
programming a gate operator or garage door opener
by using the “Programming Universal Home Remote”
procedures, regardless of where you live, replace Step 3
under “Programming Universal Home Remote” with the
following:
Continue to press and hold the Universal Home Remote
button while you press and release every two seconds
(cycle) the hand-held transmitter button until the
frequency signal has been successfully accepted by the
Universal Home Remote. The Universal Home Remote
indicator light will ash slowly at rst and then rapidly.
Proceed with Step 4 under “Programming Universal
Home Remote” to complete.Using Universal Home Remote
Press and hold the appropriate Universal Home Remote
button for at least half of a second. The indicator light
will come on while the signal is being transmitted.
2-61

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

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To reduce the vehicle’s speed while using cruise
control:
Press and hold the SET– button on the steering
wheel until the desired lower speed is reached,
then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
SET– button on the steering wheel briey.
Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the previous set cruise speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon
the vehicle’s speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle’s
speed. When going downhill, you might have to brake
or shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle’s speed
down. When the brakes are applied the cruise control
turns off. Many drivers nd this to be too much
trouble and do not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Press the clutch pedal to the oor (manual
transmissions).
Press the cancel button on the steering wheel.
Press the On/Off button on the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
3-16

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

Light Sensor
The light sensor for the
DRL and AUTO headlamp
feature is located on
top of the instrument panel.
If the sensor is covered, it will prevent it from sensing
light, and the exterior lamps or the Headlamps
Suggested message will appear on the DIC whenever
the ignition is on.
Adaptive Forward Lighting System
The Adaptive Forward Lighting System (AFL) swivels
the headlamps horizontally to provide greater road
illumination while turning. AFL will operate when
the vehicle speed is greater than 2 mph (3 km/h).
AFL will not operate when the transmission is in
REVERSE (R). AFL is not immediately operable afterstarting the vehicle; driving a short distance is required
to calibrate the AFL. To enable AFL, set the exterior
lamp switch on the multifunction lever to the AUTO
position. Moving the switch out of the AUTO position will
deactivate the system. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-17.
Fog Lamps
Use the fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty
conditions.
The fog lamp control is located on the turn
signal/multifunction lever.
-(Fog Lamps):Turn the fog lamp band on the lever
up to
-and release it, to turn the fog lamps on or
off. The band will return to its original position.
The parking lamps must be on for the fog lamps to work.
If the high-beam headlamps are turned on, the fog
lamps will also turn off. They will turn back on again
when you switch back to low-beam headlamps.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
3-19