2008 CADILLAC STS automatic transmission

Keys...............................................................2-3
Keyless Access System...................................2-5
Keyless Access System Operation....................2-6
Remote Vehicle Start....................................2-12
Doors and Locks............................................2-14
Door Locks..................................................2-14
Power Door Locks........................................2-14
Programmable Automatic Door Locks..............2-15
Rear Door Security Locks..............................2-15
Lockout Protection........................................2-16
Trunk..........................................................2-16
Windows........................................................2-19
Power Windows............................................2-20
Sun Visors...................................................2-22
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-22
Theft-Deterrent System..................................2-22
Valet Lockout Switch.....................................2-25
Immobilizer..................................................2-26
Immobilizer Operation....................................2-26Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-27
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-27
Ignition Positions..........................................2-28
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-29
Starting the Engine.......................................2-29
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-31
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-32
Parking Brake..............................................2-35
Shifting Into PARK (P)...................................2-36
Shifting Out of PARK (P)...............................2-37
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-38
Engine Exhaust............................................2-38
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-39
Mirrors...........................................................2-40
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Intellibeam™ and OnStar
®...................2-40
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-40
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®............................................2-40
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
20 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Power Windows
Power to these accessories will work up to 20 minutes
or until one of the front doors is opened. For an
additional 20 minutes of operation, close all the doors
and press Acc. to place the vehicle in accessory mode.
Press the button again to return to RAP.
Starting the Engine
To place the transmission in the proper gear:
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
To restart when you are already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N).
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
The keyless access transmitter must be inside the
vehicle for the ignition to work.Cell phone chargers can interfere with the operation of
the Keyless Access System. Battery chargers should
not be plugged in when starting or turning off the engine.
To start your vehicle, do the following:
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot on the brake pedal, press the
START button located on the instrument panel.
If there is not a keyless access transmitter in
the vehicle or if there is something causing
interference with it, the DIC will display NO FOBS
DETECTED. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-80for more information.
2. When the engine begins cranking, let go of the
button and the engine cranks automatically until
it starts. If the battery in the keyless access
transmitter is weak, the DIC displays KEY FOB
BATTERY LOW. You can still drive the vehicle.
See “Battery Replacement” underKeyless Access
System Operation on page 2-6for more information.
If the fob battery is dead, you need to insert the
fob into the fob slot to enable engine starting.
See “No Fobs Detected” underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-80.
3. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.
2-29

Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different
positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the rear 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 your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not leave your 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 your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-36.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
(Vehicles With Heavy Duty Cooling) on
page 4-34orTowing a Trailer (Vehicles Without
Heavy Duty Cooling) on page 4-40.
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 must fully
apply your regular brakes rst and then press the
shift lever button before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the vehicle is running. If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever and push
the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of PARK (P) on page 2-37.
2-32

Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Notice:If you drive your vehicle at high RPMs
without upshifting while using Driver Shift
Control (DSC), you could damage your vehicle.
Always upshift when necessary while using DSC.
Your automatic transmission has a Driver Shift
Control (DSC) feature that allows you to change
gears similar to a manual transmission.
To use the DSC feature:
1. Slide the shift lever over from DRIVE (D) to the
right into the DSC area.
When the transmission is
in DSC mode the sport
symbol in the Driver
Information Center (DIC)
will come on.
If you do not move the shift lever forward or
rearward, the vehicle will be in sport mode.
When you are in the sport mode the
vehicle will still shift automatically.While driving in sport mode, the transmission
may remain in a gear longer than it would in
normal driving mode based on braking, throttle
input, and vehicle lateral acceleration.
2. Press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward
to downshift.
The DIC will show the
driver’s selection when
moving the shift lever
forward or rearward.
SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-74
for more information on
the DIC.
When using the DSC mode, the number displayed on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) indicates the
gear that the transmission is in. When starting the
vehicle from a stopped condition, only First (1) and
Second (2) gear may be used.
While using the DSC feature the vehicle will have rmer
shifting and increased performance. You can use this
for sport driving or when climbing/descending hills
to stay in gear longer or to down shift for more power or
engine braking.
2-34

The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). The transmission will
not automatically shift to the next higher gear if the
engine RPM is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any reason, the selected gear
will ash multiple times, indicating that the transmission
has not shifted gears.
The transmission will allow you to shift to the gear
selected and will automatically downshift when
the vehicle comes to a stop. This will allow for more
power during take-off and passing.
Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal
is located on the lower
portion of the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel.This vehicle has a push-to-release parking brake pedal.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal down with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light on
the instrument panel cluster should come on. If it
does not, you need to have your vehicle serviced.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-64for
more information.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking brake
pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left foot,
the parking brake releases.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the vehicle begins to move.
To stop the chime, fully release the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer (Vehicles With Heavy Duty
Cooling) on page 4-34orTowing a Trailer (Vehicles
Without Heavy Duty Cooling) on page 4-40for
more information.
2-35

DRIVER UNLOCK IN PARK
The feature allows the driver’s door to automatically
unlock when the transmission is shifted into PARK (P).
Programmable Modes
Mode 1:ON
Mode 2:OFF (default)
To program the vehicle to a different mode:
1. Enter the PERSONAL SETTINGS MENU by
following the instructions listed previously under
“Entering the Personal Settings Menu.”
2. Turn the tune/select knob until DRIVER UNLOCK
IN PARK is highlighted.
3. Press the tune/select knob to switch back and forth
between on and off.
When the mode is turned on, a check mark will
appear next to the feature name.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
DOORS UNLOCK IN PARK
The feature allows all of the doors to automatically
unlock when the transmission is shifted into PARK (P).
Programmable Modes
Mode 1:ON (default)
Mode 2:OFF
To program the vehicle to a different mode:
1. Enter the PERSONAL SETTINGS MENU by
following the instructions listed previously under
“Entering the Personal Settings Menu.”
2. Turn the tune/select knob until DOORS UNLOCK
IN PARK is highlighted.
3. Press the tune/select knob to switch back and forth
between on and off.
When the mode is turned on, a check mark will
appear next to the feature name.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
2-72

STORE DRIVER SETTINGS
To store driver settings:
1. Adjust your settings for the driver’s seat, the outside
rearview mirrors, and the steering column to a
comfortable driving position.
2. Enter the memory programming mode for your
driver settings by following the instructions listed
previously under “Entering the Driver Selection
Submenu.”
3. From the DRIVER SELECTION submenu, turn the
tune/select knob to scroll to STORE DRIVER
SETTINGS and press in the knob. Two beeps will
sound to conrm that your driver settings are saved.
4. Set the HUD position, if your vehicle has this
feature, the climate control temperature, fan
speed and mode settings, the radio presets, tone,
volume, playback mode (AM/FM, XM™, or CD), and
compact disc position.
Your memory settings are now programmed.
Any changes that are made to the HUD, audio
system, and climate controls while driving will be
automatically stored when the ignition is turned off.
5. Repeat the procedure for a second driver by
programming the other driver number.
Entering the Driver Exit Settings
Submenu
To enter the memory programming mode for your
exit settings:
1. Be sure the ignition is either on, in ACCESSORY,
or in RAP and place the transmission in PARK (P)
or make sure that the vehicle speed is less than
6 mph (9 km/h).
2. Press any button on the appropriate keyless access
transmitter to identify yourself as Driver 1 or Driver 2.
3. Turn on the radio by pressing the
power/volume knob.
4. Press the CNFG radio button to enter the main
menu of the radio.
5. Turn the tune/select knob and scroll to SETUP.
6. Press the tune/select knob to enter the SETUP menu.
7. Turn the tune/select knob and scroll to DRIVER
EXIT SETTINGS.
8. Press the tune/select knob to enter the DRIVER
EXIT SETTINGS submenu. The following items
will appear:
RECALL EXIT SETTINGS
STORE EXIT SETTINGS
2-80

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-54.
B. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-41. Driver Information
Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-74. HUD Controls (If Equipped).
SeeHead-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-43.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.
Headlamp Controls. SeeHeadlamps on
page 3-33. Cruise Control. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-17. Adaptive Cruise Control (If Equipped).
SeeAdaptive Cruise Control on page 3-20.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) (If Equipped).
SeeForward Collision Alert (FCA) System
on page 3-10.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-58.
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-14.
F. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-98.
Navigation/Radio System (If Equipped).
SeeNavigation/Radio System on page 3-117.G. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-121.
Adaptive Cruise Control Gap Button (If Equipped).
SeeAdaptive Cruise Control on page 3-20.
Heated Steering Wheel Button (If Equipped).
SeeHeated Steering Wheel on page 3-7.
H. Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering Column.
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering Column
on page 3-7.
I. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
J. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-28.
K. Climate Control System. SeeDual Climate
Control System on page 3-48.
L. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
M. Cupholders. SeeCupholder(s) on page 2-58.
N. Traction Control System Button. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
O. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-32.
P. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-58.
3-5