2008 CADILLAC SRX tow

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.
If the headlamps are in high-beam mode, they will
switch to low beam. To return to high-beam, push
the lever forward.
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.
9(Off):Put the lever in this position to turn off the
wipers.
&(Delay):Put the lever in this position to set a delay
between wipes. Turn the delay adjustment band to
set the length of the delay.
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6(Delay Adjustment):Use this band to set the length
of the delay between wipes when using the delay
feature. The closer you move the band toward mist,
the longer the delay. The windshield wiper lever must
be in delay for this feature to work.
6(Low Speed):Put the lever in this position for
slow, steady wiping cycles.
1(High Speed):Put the lever in this position for
rapid wiping cycles.
If the windshield wipers are in use for about six seconds
while you are driving, the exterior lamps will come on
automatically if the exterior lamp control is in AUTO.
SeeWiper Activated Headlamps on page 3-16for
more information.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they are frozen to the windshield,
gently loosen or thaw them. If the blades do become
damaged, install new blades. For more information, see
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-49.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
The windshield washer button is located at the end of
the windshield wiper lever.
K(Washer Fluid):Press this button to wash the
windshield. Washer uid will squirt onto the windshield
and the wipers will run for a few cycles to clear the
windshield. For more wash cycles, press and hold the
button.
If your vehicle is low on washer uid, the WASHER
FLUID LOW ADD FLUID message will appear on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) display. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-53for more
information.
If the headlamps are on when you wash the windshield,
the headlamp washer will turn on, if your vehicle has
them. Both the windshield and the headlamps will
be washed. SeeHeadlamp Washer on page 3-12.
3-10

Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter helps remove dust
and pollen from the air entering the vehicle. Like the
vehicle’s engine air cleaner/lter, it needs to be changed
periodically. For how often to change the passenger
compartment air lter, seeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4.
The passenger compartment air lter is located
underneath the hood below the windshield wiper arm
on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
Use the procedure listed below to replace the passenger
compartment air lter:
1. Open the hood to access the engine compartment.
SeeHood Release on page 5-11for more
information. Locate the passenger compartment
air lter access panel door.2. Push the two tabs on the access panel door
towards the windshield.
3. While pressing forward, lift the access panel out of
the clipped position and pull towards the front of
the vehicle. This releases the clips and allows the
panel door to be removed.
4. Remove the old lter and insert a new one. Make
sure the arrow on the lter is pointing toward the
passenger compartment.
SeeNormal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 6-14for the correct part number for the lter.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the cover.
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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 key 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 4-39.
{CAUTION:
Your 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 you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service. United StatesCanada
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If the Light is Flashing
The following can prevent more serious damage to your
vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
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 ignition off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the
Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and see your dealer/retailer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You might be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel caphas been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your vehicle’s electrical system might be wet.
The condition is usually corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving trips should turn the
light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as efficiently as designed. You
might notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when
you put the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration — these
conditions might go away once the engine is warmed up.
This will be detected by the system and cause the light to
turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. Your dealer/
retailer has the proper test equipment and diagnostic
tools to x any mechanical or electrical problems that
might have developed.
3-43

Lights On Reminder
This light comes on
whenever the parking
lamps are on.
SeeHeadlamps on Reminder on page 3-16for more
information.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on
whenever you set the
cruise control.
The light goes out when the cruise control is turned off.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-12for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8
for more information.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
This light comes on when
the Tow/Haul mode has
been activated.
For more information, seeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-33.
3-46

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-5
Magnetic Ride Control.....................................4-6
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................4-7
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-7
Panic Brake Assist.........................................4-8
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.........................4-8
Steering........................................................4-8
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-10
Passing.......................................................4-10
Loss of Control.............................................4-10Off-Road Driving...........................................4-12
Driving at Night............................................4-25
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-26
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-27
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-27
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-28
Winter Driving..............................................4-29
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow...................................................4-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-33
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-33
Towing..........................................................4-39
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-39
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-39
Level Control...............................................4-40
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-41
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to clear
the area around the front wheels. Turn off any traction
or stability system. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-5andStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-7. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent transmission wear,
wait until the wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and
press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions, you will cause a
rocking motion that could free your vehicle. If that does
not get your vehicle out after a few tries, it might
need to be towed out. Or, you can use a recovery hook,
if your vehicle has them. If your vehicle does need to
be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-39.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry, the Tire and Loading
Information label and the Certication/Tire label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your 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 your 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 your vehicle.
4-33