2008 CADILLAC DTS power steering

Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column
If your vehicle has this
feature, the power tilt and
telescope wheel control
is located on the outboard
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. To set the memory position, seeDIC
Vehicle Customization on page 3-87andMemory Seat,
Mirrors and Steering Wheel on page 1-4.
Heated Steering Wheel
Your vehicle may have a heated steering wheel.
The button for this feature
is located on the steering
wheel.
Press the button to turn the heated steering wheel on or
off. A light on the button will display while the feature
is turned on.
The steering wheel will take about three minutes to start
heating.
3-7

SERVICE POWER STEERING
Your vehicle may have a speed variable assist steering
system. SeeSteering on page 4-8.
This message displays if a problem is detected with the
speed variable assist steering system. When this
message is displayed, you may notice that the effort
required to steer the vehicle decreases or feels lighter,
but you will still be able to steer the vehicle.
SERVICE RADAR CRUISE
This message displays when the Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) system and the Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) system are disabled and need service. See
your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT
SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system and this message displays, both SBZA displays
will remain on indicating there is a problem with the
SBZA system. If these displays remain on after
continued driving, the system needs service. See your
dealer/retailer. SeeSide Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
on page 2-43for more information.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
Your vehicle may have a vehicle stability enhancement
system called StabiliTrak®. SeeStabiliTrak®System
on page 4-7.
This message displays if there has been a problem
detected with the StabiliTrak
®system.
If this message comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road as soon as possible and stop carefully. Try
resetting the system by turning the ignition off then back
on. If this message still stays on or comes back on
again while you are driving, your vehicle needs service.
Have the StabiliTrak
®system inspected by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS (System)
This message displays when the magnetic ride
control or automatic leveling control system is not
operating properly. Have your vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer.
3-83

Press the customization button until EASY EXIT
RECALL appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings for this feature.
Then press the menu up/down button to scroll through
the following settings:
DOOR BUTTON ONLY:No automatic seat exit recall
will occur. The recall will only occur after pressing
the easy exit seat button.
BUTTON AND KEY OUT (default):If the features are
enabled through the EASY EXIT SETUP menu, the
driver’s seat will move back, and if the vehicle has the
power tilt wheel and telescopic steering feature, the
power steering column will move up and forward when
the key is removed from the ignition or after pressing
the easy exit seat button.
The automatic easy exit seat movement will only occur
one time after the key is removed from the ignition.
If the automatic movement has already occurred, and
you put the key back in the ignition and remove it again,
the seat and steering column will stay in the original
exit position, unless a memory recall took place prior to
removing the key again.
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/reset button while the
desired setting is displayed on the DIC.EASY EXIT SETUP
If your vehicle has this feature, it allows you to select
which areas will recall with the automatic easy exit seat
feature. It also allows you to turn off the automatic
easy exit feature. SeeMemory Seat, Mirrors and
Steering Wheel on page 1-4and “EASY EXIT RECALL”
earlier for more information.
Press the customization button until EASY EXIT SETUP
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset button
once to access the settings for this feature. Then
press the menu up/down button to scroll through the
following settings:
OFF:No automatic seat exit will recall.
SEAT ONLY:The driver’s seat will recall.
TILT ONLY:The steering wheel tilt feature will recall.
TELESCOPE ONLY:The steering column telescope
feature will recall.
SEAT/TILT:The driver’s seat and the steering wheel tilt
feature will recall.
SEAT/TELESCOPE:The driver’s seat and the steering
column telescope feature will recall.
TILT/TELESCOPE:The steering wheel tilt and steering
column telescope features will recall.
3-93

ALL (default):The driver’s seat and the steering wheel
tilt and steering column telescope features will recall,
if your vehicle has this option.
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/reset button while the
desired setting is displayed on the DIC.
MEMORY SEAT RECALL
If your vehicle has this feature, it allows you to select
your preference for the remote memory seat recall
feature. SeeMemory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel
on page 1-4for more information.
Press the customization button until MEMORY SEAT
RECALL appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings for this feature.
Then press the menu up/down button to scroll through
the following settings:
OFF (default):No remote memory seat recall will occur.
ON:The driver’s seat and outside mirrors will
automatically move to the stored driving position when
the unlock button on the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter is pressed. The steering column will
also move on vehicles with the power tilt and telescopic
steering feature. SeePower Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column on page 3-7for more information.See “RELEARN REMOTE KEY” underDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-70for more information on
matching transmitters to driver ID numbers.
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this feature.
The current setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/reset button while the
desired setting is displayed on the DIC.
REMOTE START
If your vehicle has this feature, it allows you to turn the
remote start off or on. The remote start feature allows
you to start the engine from outside of the vehicle using
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. See
Remote Vehicle Start on page 2-8for more information.
Press the customization button until REMOTE START
appears on the DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings for this feature. Then
press the menu up/down button to scroll through the
following settings:
OFF:The remote start feature will be disabled.
ON (default):The remote start feature will be enabled.
NO CHANGE:No change will be made to this
feature. The current setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/reset button while the
desired setting is displayed on the DIC.
3-94

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read
the pages following to familiarize yourself with its
features.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and you
or others can be injured or killed. Always keep
your eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for safe
driving. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2. Here
are some ways in which you can help avoid distraction
while driving.While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player,
CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make
sure that it can be added by checking with your
dealer/retailer. Also, check federal rules covering
mobile radio and telephone units. If sound
equipment can be added, it is very important to do
it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere
with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, radio,
or other systems, and even damage them. Your
vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation
of sound equipment that has been added.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be
played even after the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-24for more
information.
3-96

g(Mute/Voice Recognition):Press this button to
silence the system. Press this button again or turn the
volume knob to turn the sound on.
Press and hold this button to interact with the OnStar
®
system. If your vehicle is also equipped with the
navigation system, push this button to initiate voice
recognition and say, “OnStar” to enter OnStar
®mode,
see theOnStar®System on page 2-49in this manual for
more information.
If your vehicle has the navigation system, press this
button to initiate voice recognition. See “Voice
Recognition” in the index of your vehicle’s navigation
system manual for more information.
SRCE (Source):Press this button to switch between
AM, FM, or XM (if equipped), radio, or CD.
+
e−e(Volume):Press the plus or minus button to
increase or to decrease the volume.
¨(Seek):Press the seek arrow to go to the next radio
station and stay there. The system only seeks radio
stations with strong frequencies.
When the seek arrow is pressed and held for
two seconds, the system scans the radio stations that
are in the selected band. If listening to a CD, the system
advances to the next CD when multiple discs are
inserted.If you have the navigation system, some of the audio
steering wheel controls work when a DVD is playing in
the navigation radio. See the Navigation System
manual for more information.
Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static can occur during
normal radio reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and external
electronic devices are plugged into the accessory
power outlet. If there is interference or static, unplug
the item from the accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range can cause station
frequencies to interfere with each other. For better radio
reception, most AM radio stations boost the power levels
during the day, and then reduce these levels during the
night. Static can also occur when things like storms and
power lines interfere with radio reception. When this
happens, try reducing the treble on the radio.
FM Stereo
FM stereo gives the best sound, but FM signals only
reach about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall buildings
or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the
sound to fade in and out.
3-119

ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make the
most of available tire and road conditions. This can
help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle
in front of you, you will not have time to apply the brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work for you. You might hear
the antilock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time. In
many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. The system operates only if it senses that the
front wheels are spinning too much or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system works the front
brakes and reduces engine power (by closing the throttle
and managing engine spark) to limit wheel spin.
The traction control system and StabiliTrak
®warning
light will ash when the traction control system is limiting
wheel spin. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 3-62for more information. You
may feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-16for more information.
The SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message, the
traction control system warning light and the StabiliTrak
®
warning light will come on to let you know if there is a
problem with the traction control system. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-75.
When this light and the SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL message are on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
4-5

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.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering System
This system continuously adjusts the effort you feel
when steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease
when parking, yet a rm, solid feel at highway speeds.
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 do their
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 4-5.
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.
If you have StabiliTrak
®, the system may be active.
SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-7.
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 5-3.
4-8