2008 CADILLAC STS traction control

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 4-6andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-8or
Enhanced StabiliTrak®on page 4-9. 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. If your vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
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 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.
4-26

Service
For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer.
You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modications
When non-dealer/non-retailer accessories are added to
your vehicle they can affect your vehicle’s performance
and safety, including such things as, airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems like
antilock brakes, traction control and stability control.
Some of these accessories could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered by warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on your vehicle. Your
GM dealer/retailer can accessorize your vehicle using
genuine GM Accessories. When you go to your
GM dealer/retailer and ask for GM Accessories, you will
know that GM-trained and supported service technicians
will perform the work using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-65.
California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or
emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive
harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and systems
(including some inside the vehicle), many uids, and
some component wear by-products contain and/or emit
these chemicals.
5-3

The rubber in tires degrades over time, even if they are
not being used. This is also true for the spare tire, if
your vehicle has one. Multiple conditions affect how fast
this aging takes place, including temperatures, loading
conditions, and ination pressure maintenance. With
proper care and maintenance tires will typically wear out
before they degrade due to age. If you are unsure
about the need to replace your tires as they get older,
consult the tire manufacturer for more information.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specic tires for your
vehicle. The original equipment tires installed on
your vehicle, when it was new, were designed to meet
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria Specication
(TPC Spec) system rating. If you need replacement
tires, GM strongly recommends that you get tires with
the same TPC Spec rating. This way, your vehicle
will continue to have tires that are designed to give the
same performance and vehicle safety, during normal
use, as the original tires.
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system considers over a
dozen critical specications that impact the overall
performance of your vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling, traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring performance. GM’s TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire’s sidewall near the tire
size. If the tires have an all-season tread design,the TPC Spec number will be followed by an MS for
mud and snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on page 5-59
for additional information.
GM recommends replacing tires in sets of four. This is
because uniform tread depth on all tires will help keep
your vehicle performing most like it did when the tires
were new. Replacing less than a full set of tires can affect
the braking and handling performance of your vehicle.
The optional 18-inch performance tires, size
255/45ZR18 99Y, used on some vehicles, meets the
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria Specication
(TPC Spec) rating but the TPC Spec code has not
been molded onto the tire’s sidewall. If your vehicle has
these tires, and you need to replace them, you can
still get these TPC Spec rated tires by asking your
GM dealer. Your GM dealer can order these tires by part
number. This way, your vehicle will continue to give
the proper endurance, handling, traction, and ride as the
original tires.
Winter tires with the same speed rating as your original
equipment tires may not be available for H, V, W, Y
and ZR speed rated tires. If you choose snow tires with
a lower speed rating, never exceed the tire’s maximum
speed capability.
5-76

Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed on the
Tire and Loading Information label. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-26, for more information about
the Tire and Loading Information label and its location
on your vehicle.
Vehicles that have performance tires P235/50R17 95V
(front axle) and P255/45R17 98V (rear axle) are mounted
on wheels with different rim widths. The front axle tires
are mounted on rims 7.5 inches (19.05 cm) wide and
the rear axle tires require wheels with a minimum rim
width of 8 inches (20.32 cm). The original equipment
wheels designed for P255/45R17 98V size tires are
etched with the words REAR ONLY. When replacing
P255/45R17 98V size tires have them mounted on
wheels with a minimum width of 8 inches (20.32 cm) and
marked REAR ONLY. SeeWheel Replacement on
page 5-80.
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this may
affect the way your vehicle performs, including its
braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability,
and resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle
has electronic systems such as, anti-lock brakes,
traction control, and electronic stability control,
the performance of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your vehicle
may not provide an acceptable level of
performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are selected.
You may increase the chance that you will
crash and suffer serious injury. Only use GM
specic wheel and tire systems developed for
your vehicle, and have them properly installed
by a GM certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-76andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
5-78

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which
grades tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States. The grades are
molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver, or temporary use
spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they must also conform
to federal safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied
government test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half (1.5) times
as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specied
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
Warning
:The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.
5-79

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P255/45R17, P235/50ZR18,
P255/45ZR18, P275/40R19, or 255/45ZR18 size
tires, do not use tire chains, as there is not
enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may be injured in a crash.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust, or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your vehicle’s wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires only.
Notice:If your vehicle has P235/50R17 size tires,
use tire chains only where legal and only when you
must. Use only SAE Class S-type chains that are
the proper size for your tires. Install them on the rear
tires and tighten them as tightly as possible with
the ends securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer’s instructions. If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop
and retighten them. If the contact continues, slow
down until it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the
wheels with chains on will damage your vehicle.
5-82

L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-59
Lamps
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-40
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver....................3-43
Reading.....................................................3-42
Twilight Sentinel
®........................................3-39
Lane Departure Warning..................................2-47
Lane Departure Warning Light..........................3-66
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-21
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-37
Lifting Your Vehicle, Tires.................................5-83
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-60
Antilock Brake System Warning.....................3-65
Brake System Warning.................................3-64
Charging System.........................................3-63
Cruise Control.............................................3-72
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-66
Fog Lamp..................................................3-72
Highbeam On.............................................3-72
Lane Departure Warning...............................3-66
Lights On Reminder.....................................3-72
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-68
Oil Pressure...............................................3-70Light (cont.)
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-61
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-59
Security.....................................................3-71
TCS Warning Light......................................3-65
Tire Pressure..............................................3-67
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-65
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-41
Parade Dimming..........................................3-41
Lights............................................................3-33
Flash-to-Pass..............................................3-13
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-9
On Reminder..............................................3-37
Limited-Slip Rear Axle....................................... 4-8
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-26
Lockout Protection..........................................2-16
Locks
Door..........................................................2-14
Lockout Protection.......................................2-16
Power Door................................................2-14
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-15
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-15
Loss of Control...............................................4-16
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-2
7

Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-6
Control System Warning Light.......................3-65
Enhanced StabiliTrak
®................................... 4-9
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.................................... 4-8
Magnetic Ride Control................................... 4-8
StabiliTrak
®System....................................... 4-8
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-25
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-32
Trunk............................................................2-16
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-8
Twilight Sentinel
®............................................3-39
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............2-45
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-79
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-51
Operation...................................................2-52
Using this Manual............................................... iii
V
Valet Lockout Switch.......................................2-25
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-3
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-26
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy..................7-16
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-116
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-116
Vehicle Personalization....................................2-60
Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel.........2-77
Vehicle, Remote Start......................................2-12
Ventilated Seats............................................... 1-3
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-54
Visors...........................................................2-22
13