2008 CADILLAC STS mirror

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are
not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If your traction control system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.You might see the STABILITY SYS ACTIVE message
on the Driver Information Center. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-80andStabiliTrak®System on
page 4-8orEnhanced StabiliTrak®on page 4-9.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-17

Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle for
competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for competitive
driving, the engine may use more oil than it would
with normal use. Low oil levels can damage the
engine. Be sure to check the oil level often during
competitive driving and keep the level at or near the
upper mark that shows the proper operating range
on the engine oil dipstick. For information on how to
add oil, seeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving
because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by
fatigue.Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because your headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But,
as we get older, these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
4-18

Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, nd a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
4-20

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you will want to
get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up ahead when
you are towing a trailer. And, because the vehicle
is a good deal longer, you will need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to
your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer will not strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
4-38

Fuses Usage
TV/VICS/SCMInfotainment (Export Only),
Supervisory Control Module (Option)
REAR
HTD/SEATSRear Heated Seats
SPARE Spare
SPARE Spare
IGN3Front Passenger Heated Seat, Auto
Shifter, Occupant Protection,
Electronic Tension Reducer for
Seatbelt
REAR SHLF
SPKRRear Shelf Speaker (Option)
MSM Memory Seat Module Lumbar
TRUNK
RELSE SWTrunk Release, Valet Lockout
Switch
BCK/UP LAMPReverse Lamps, Rear Parking Aid,
Inside Rearview Mirrors
AIR BAG/BATT Airbag
POS LAMPS Rear Taillamps
ELC CMPRSR Automatic Level Control (Option)
Relays Usage
INCLR PUMP Inner Cooler Pump (Option)
ELC CMPRSRElectronic Level Control,
Compressor (Option)
Relays Usage
LT POSLeft Rear Taillamp, Position Lamps
(Option)
RT POSRight Rear Taillamp, Position Lamps
(Option)
RUN Ignition 3
STDBY LAMPRear Taillamps, Position Lamps
(Option)
TRUNK RELSE Trunk Release Motor
BCK/UP LAMPReverse Lamps, Rear Parking Aid,
Inside Rearview Mirror
Circuit
BreakersUsage
PWR SEATS Power Seats
Diodes Usage
SPARE Spare
Joint
ConnectorUsage
J/C Splice Pack (Green)
5-125

Fuses Usage
RDO/ONSTAR Radio, OnStar®
INT LAMP Interior Lamps
LT TRN/LDWLeft Turn Signal, Lane Departure
Warning (Option)
REAR DEFOG Rear Defogger
REAR/FOG Rear Fog Lamps (Option)
RIM Rear Integration Module
RIM /RPA /
ISRVM /CLMRear Integration Module, Rear
Parking Aid, Inside Rearview Mirror,
Column Lock Module, Power
Sounder, Active Front Steering
(AFS), Supervisory Control Module
RUN/CRNKUHBEC Run, CRNK Relay Coil,
Rear Fog Lamp Relay Coil
S/ROOF Sun Roof Module (Option)
SPARE Spare
STOP LAMPS Stop Lamps
RT TRN/SZBARight Turn Signal, Side Blind Zone
Alert (Option)
Relays Usage
DIFF PUMP Rear Differential Pump (Option)
FUEL PUMP Fuel Pump
INT LAMP Interior Lamps
Relays Usage
REAR DEFOG Rear Defogger
REAR/FOG Rear Fog Lamps (Option)
RUN/CRNK Ignition 1
SPARE Spare
STOP LAMP Stop Lamp
Circuit
Breakers Usage
WINDOW
MTRSPower Window Motors Circuit
Breaker
Diodes Usage
TRUNK DIODE Trunk Release
Joint
Connector Usage
J/C Splice Pack (Blue)
5-127

M
Magnetic Ride Control....................................... 4-8
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-11
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-8
Maintenance Record....................................6-18
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-15
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-68
Manual, Using.................................................... iii
Memory Mirrors..............................................2-77
Memory Seat.................................................2-77
Memory Steering Wheel Controls......................2-77
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-80
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-40
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
Intellibeam™ and OnStar
®.........................2-40
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar®.....2-40Mirrors (cont.)
Automatic Dimming Rearview with
OnStar
®and Compass..............................2-41
Manual Rearview Mirror with Compass
and Temperature........................................ 1-7
Memory.....................................................2-77
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror.................2-44
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-44
Outside Parallel Park Assist Mirror.................2-44
Outside Power Heated Mirrors.......................2-43
MP3 ............................................................3-112
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-17
Navigation/Radio System, see
Navigation Manual.....................................3-117
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-27
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-15
O
Odometer......................................................3-59
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-16
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-18
Pressure Light.............................................3-70
8

Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-21
Older Children, Restraints................................1-28
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-17
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-48
Operation, Universal Home Remote System........2-52
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-54
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-46
Outside
Automatic Dimming Mirror.............................2-44
Convex Mirror.............................................2-44
Parallel Park Assist Mirror.............................2-44
Power Heated Mirrors..................................2-43
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-31
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-114
Panic Brake Assist..........................................4-12
Parade Dimming.............................................3-41
Park Aid........................................................2-45
Park Brake....................................................2-35Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-36
Shifting Out of............................................2-37
Parking
Assist........................................................2-45
Over Things That Burn.................................2-38
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-61
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-55
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-60
Passing.........................................................4-16
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California....... 5-4
Power
Door Locks.................................................2-14
Electrical System.......................................5-117
Inadvertent Battery Saver.............................3-43
Lumbar Controls........................................... 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-29
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-39
Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering Column......... 3-7
Windows....................................................2-20
Privacy..........................................................7-16
Event Data Recorders..................................7-16
Navigation System.......................................7-17
OnStar.......................................................7-17
Radio Frequency Identication.......................7-17
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................2-15
9