2008 CADILLAC DTS key

Automatic Transmission Operation
The automatic transmission may have a shift lever
located either on the steering column or on the console
between the seats.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the front wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine because
your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting
Into Park on page 2-31. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-27.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) while the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you
cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever. Push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P)
as you maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of Park on
page 2-33.
2-27

Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
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 you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-27.
Steering Column Shift Lever
If your vehicle has a steering column shift lever, use this
procedure to shift the vehicle into PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pulling the
shift lever toward you and moving it up as far as it
will go.3. With your right foot still holding the brake pedal
down, set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-30for more information.
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Console Shift Lever
If your vehicle is equipped with a console shift lever,
use this procedure to shift the vehicle into PARK (P):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pushing the
lever all the way toward the front of your vehicle
and then to the left.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake pedal
down, set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-30for more information.
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
2-31

Shifting Out of Park
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
This vehicle has 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)
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 is always functional except in the case of
a 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 5-42.
Console Shift
If your console shift cannot be moved out of PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY
position. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-23for
more information.3. Let up on the shift lever and make sure the shift
lever is pushed all the way into PARK (P).
4. Then, move the shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Column Shift
If your park lock cable cannot be moved out of PARK (P)
1. Apply and maintain the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY position. SeeIgnition Positions
on page 2-23for more information.
3. Shift out of the PARK (P) position to the
NEUTRAL (N) position.
4. Move the vehicle to a safe location.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
2-33

OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide you with a wide range of safety,
security, information, and convenience services. If your
airbags deploy, the system is designed to make an
automatic call to OnStar Emergency advisors who can
request emergency services be sent to your location.
If you lock your keys in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal to unlock
your doors. If you need roadside assistance, press
the OnStar button and they can contact Roadside
Service for you.OnStar service is provided to you subject to the OnStar
Terms and Conditions. You may cancel your OnStar
service at any time by contacting OnStar. A complete
OnStar Owner’s Guide and the OnStar Terms and
Conditions are included in the vehicle’s OnStar
Subscriber glove box literature. For more information,
visit onstar.com or onstar.ca, contact OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or TTY
1-877-248-2080, or press the OnStar button to speak
with an OnStar advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Not all OnStar features are available on all vehicles.
To check if your vehicle is equipped to provide the
services described below, or for a full description of
OnStar services and system limitations, see the OnStar
Owner’s Guide in your glove box or visit onstar.com.
OnStar Services
For new vehicles with OnStar, the Safe & Sound Plan,
or the Directions & Connections Plan is included for
one year from the date of purchase. You can extend this
plan beyond the rst year, or upgrade to the Directions
& Connections Plan. For more information, press
the OnStar button to speak with an advisor. Some
OnStar services (such as Remote Door Unlock or Stolen
Vehicle Location Assistance) may not be available
until you register with OnStar.
2-49

Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open, lift the handle up. Use the key to lock and
unlock.
Cupholders
There are cupholders located in the full oor console, or
in the front of the center seat console. Cupholders
are also located in the rear armrest. To access the
full oor console cupholder slide the cover back.
To access the center seat console cupholder, fold
open the front of the console.
Coinholder(s)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a coinholder.
Front Storage Area
Your vehicle has a removable front storage bin. To
open, push down then release to reveal the front bin and
accessory outlet. To remove, push up and forward to
loosen, then pull the bin out. If your vehicle has a center
ex storage unit, pull the handle rearward to open the
front bin and accessory power outlet. To remove,
pull the bin out.
Center Console Storage
If your vehicle has a full oor console it has two storage
areas. To access the upper tray storage, lift the left
lever located in the front of the armrest lid. To access
the lower storage area, lift the right lever. If your vehicle
has a center seat console it will have two storage
areas. To access the upper storage area, press the
button located on the front of the armrest and lift
the armrest lid. To access the lower storage area,
pull the strap located behind the cup holder.
2-59

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn the police and
others that you have a problem. The front and rear
turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is on the
instrument panel.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press again to turn the
ashers completely off.
The hazard warning ashers work even if the key is not
in the ignition switch.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel lets you adjust the steering wheel before
you drive. You can raise the steering wheel to the
highest level to give your legs more room when you
enter and exit the vehicle.
The lever that lets you tilt the steering wheel is located
on the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
wheel and pull the lever.
Then move the wheel
to a comfortable position
and release the lever
to lock the wheel in place.
3-6

Cornering Lamps
The cornering lamps come on when the headlamps or
parking lamps are on and you signal a turn with the
multifunction lever. They provide more light for
cornering.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the exterior lamp button has been left on, the exterior
lamps will turn off about 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned to LOCK/OFF and a door has been opened. This
protects against draining the battery if the headlamps or
parking lamps are accidentally left on. If you need to
leave the lamps on for more than 10 minutes, use the
exterior lamp control to turn the lamps back on after the
ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF and any door is opened.
Instrument Panel Brightness
D(Instrument Panel Brightness):This feature
controls the brightness of the instrument panel and
footwell lights, if equipped.
The button for this control is located below the exterior
lamps control.
Push the button in and release to extend the button.
Turn the button clockwise or counterclockwise to
brighten or dim the lights.
Courtesy Lamps
The courtesy lamps are located on the headliner above
the rear seat. These lamps come on by turning the
instrument panel brightness knob fully clockwise or when
any door is opened and it is dark outside. Puddle
lamps are located on the bottom of the front and rear
door trim.
Professional vehicles have an additional dome lamp and
also opera lamps.
Entry Lighting
This feature turns on the courtesy lamps and the
backlighting for the door switches and the exterior
lamp control when a door is opened or if the remote
keyless entry transmitter unlock button is pressed.
If activated due to the transmitter, the lighting remains
active for about 40 seconds. Since the entry lighting
system uses the light sensor, it must be dark outside in
order for the courtesy lamps to turn on. The courtesy
lamps turn off approximately 25 seconds after the
last door is closed. They will dim to off if the ignition
key is turned to ON/RUN, or immediately deactivate if
the power locks are activated.
3-37

Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits dimming of the digital displays and
backlighting during daylight hours when the key is in
the ignition and the headlamps are on. This feature is
fully automatic. When the light sensor reads darkness
outside and the parking lamps are active, the digital
displays can be adjusted by turning the instrument panel
brightness knob counterclockwise to dim and clockwise
to brighten lighting.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the overhead console
on the headliner and in the rear door opening. These
lamps come on automatically when any door is opened
and it is dark outside.
For manual operation, press the button to turn them on.
Press it again to turn them off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Footwell Lamps
If your vehicle has footwell lamps, they are located
under the instrument panel and at the rear of the front
seats. These lamps provide soft light to the front
and rear oor areas. They dim with the instrument panel
cluster lights, before going out completely.
Footwell lighting brightness can be adjusted with the
instrument panel brightness control located below
the exterior lamps control. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-37. The footwell lights will turn off
before the instrument panel lights are at their lowest
level of brightness.
Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle’s electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle
at a higher revolutions per minute (rpm) setting
than normal to make sure the battery charges. High
electrical loads may occur when several of the following
are on: headlamps, high beams, fog lamps, rear
window defogger, the climate control fan at high speeds,
heated seats and engine cooling fans.
3-38