2009 CADILLAC CTS Owners Manual

CTS-V vehicles use tracer lights around the outside of the
tachometer as a performance up-shift light. These tracers
ash to indicate when to shift to the next higher gear to
avoid the engine speed limit. SeeTachometer on
page 3-34for more information.
While using the DSC feature, the vehicle will have rmer,
quicker shifting. You can use this for sport driving or when
climbing or descending hills, to stay in gear longer, or to
down shift for more power or engine braking.
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 lower gear if the
engine RPM is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any reason, the currently
selected gear will ash multiple times, indicating that
the transmission has not shifted gears.
While in the DSC mode, the CTS automatic transmission
will automatically downshift when the vehicle comes
to a stop. This will allow for more power during take-off.
The CTS-V automatic transmission will not automatically
downshift on hard acceleration when in DSC mode.
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in snowy and
icy conditions, you may want to shift into second gear.
A higher gear ratio allows you to gain more traction on
slippery surfaces.Tap Shift
To use Tap Shift, the shift lever must be in Manual
Mode. Vehicles with this feature have switches on the
back of the steering wheel. Tap the left switch to
downshift, and the right switch to upshift.
The tachometer display on the instrument panel cluster
will show which gear the vehicle is in and a number
indicating the requested gear range when moving the
shift lever forward or rearward. SeeSpeedometer and
Odometer on page 3-33for more information on the
odometer.
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CTS-V vehicles use tracer lights around the outside of the
tachometer as a performance up-shift light. These tracers
ash to indicate when to shift to the next higher gear to
avoid the engine speed limit. SeeTachometer on
page 3-34for more information.
While using the Tap Shift feature, the vehicle will have
rmer, quicker shifting for increased performance.
You can use this for sport driving or when climbing or
descending hills, to stay in gear longer, or to down shift
for more power or engine braking.
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 lower gear if the engine
RPM is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any reason, the currently
selected gear will ash multiple times, indicating that the
transmission has not shifted gears.
While in the Tap Shift mode, the transmission will not
automatically downshift on hard acceleration.
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in snowy
and icy conditions, you may want to shift into second
gear. A higher gear ratio allows you to gain more traction
on slippery surfaces.Manual Transmission Operation
If the vehicle has a manual transmission, the shift lever is
located on the center console between the front seats.
The following explains how to operate the manual
transmission.
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First).
Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
Shift into 1 (First) when you are going less than
25 mph (40 km/h). For CTS-V, shift into 1 (First)
when you are going less than 40 mph (64 km/h).
If you come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift
into 1 (First), put the shift lever in Neutral and let up
on the clutch. Press the clutch pedal back down.
Then shift into 1 (First).CTS
CTS-V
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2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal as you let up
on the accelerator pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth):Shift into
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth) the same
way you do for 2 (Second). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral:Use this position when you start or idle your
engine. Your shift lever is in Neutral when it is centered
in the shift pattern, not in any gear.
R (Reverse):To back up, press down the clutch pedal,
completely stop the vehicle, and shift into R (Reverse).
Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.
The CTS-V transmission prevents you from easily
shifting into R (Reverse) using normal shifting force while
the vehicle is moving at more than 3 mph (5 km/h), or
when the ignition is in LOCK/OFF.Shift Speeds (Manual Transmission)
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could
lose control of the vehicle. You could injure
yourself or others. Do not shift down more than
one gear at a time when you downshift.
Notice:If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race the engine when you release
the clutch pedal while downshifting, you could
damage the engine, clutch, driveshaft or the
transmission. Do not skip gears or race the engine
when downshifting.
If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if
the engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift
to the next lower gear. You may have to downshift two or
more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for
good performance.
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Up-Shift Light
CTS vehicles with a manual
transmission have an
economy up-shift light on
the instrument panel. This
light shows when to shift to
the next higher gear for the
best fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road, and traffic conditions allow.
For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and
shift when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go on
and off if you quickly change the position of the
accelerator. Ignore the light when you downshift.
CTS-V vehicles use tracer lights around the outside of
the tachometer as a performance up-shift light.
These tracers ash to indicate when to shift to the next
higher gear to avoid the engine speed limit. See
Tachometer on page 3-34for more information.
Skip Shift (CTS-V)
Under light acceleration, the transmission will only
allow you to shift from 1 (First) to 4 (Fourth). Shifts from
1 (First) to 2 (Second) or 3 (Third) are not allowed.
This helps improve fuel mileage.
Under harder acceleration, Skip Shift is disabled, and
the driver has all gears available.
Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal is
located on the lower portion
of the instrument panel to
the left of the steering
wheel.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down,
then push the parking brake pedal down.
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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 the vehicle serviced. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-39for more information.
To release the parking brake, pull the release lever
located to the left of the steering wheel on the instrument
panel.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 (CTS-V) on page 4-27orTowing a
Trailer (CTS) on page 4-28for more information.
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Electric Parking Brake
{CAUTION:
On vehicles with a manual transmission, releasing
the clutch and pressing the accelerator will release
the Electric Parking Brake. If the vehicle is not in a
gear, the vehicle could move, and you or others
could be injured. Make sure the vehicle is in a
gear before attempting to drive away. To avoid
unexpected vehicle movement, do not partially
release the clutch or press the accelerator pedal
until you are ready to release the parking brake
and drive away.Vehicles with
the Electric
Parking Brake
(EPB) have
a switch in the
center console.
The EPB takes the place of the manual parking brake
system, the foot pedal and release handle. The system
has two warning lights and ve Driver Information Center
(DIC) messages. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-39andDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-58for more information. In case of insufficient
electrical power, the EPB cannot be applied or released.
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EPB Apply
The EPB can be applied any time the vehicle is stopped.
The EPB is applied by momentarily lifting up on the EPB
switch. Once fully applied, the BRAKE light will be on,
and the DIC message “Park Brake Set” will be displayed.
If the light does not come on, or is ashing, you need to
have the vehicle serviced. Do not drive the vehicle if
the BRAKE light is ashing. See your dealer/retailer.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-39for more
information.
If the EPB is applied while the vehicle is in motion,
a chime will sound, and the DIC message “Release
Park Brake Switch” will be displayed. The vehicle
will decelerate as long as the switch is held in the
up position. Releasing the EPB switch during the
deceleration will release the parking brake. If the
switch is held in the up position until the vehicle
comes to a stop, the EPB will remain applied.
If the BRAKE light is on, either the EPB is applied, or
there is a failure in the hydraulic brake system.If this light is ashing, the EPB is only partially applied
or released, or there is a problem with the EPB.
The DIC message “Service Park Brake” will be
displayed. If this light is ashing, release the EPB, and
attempt to apply it again. If this light continues to
ash, do not drive the vehicle. See your dealer/retailer.
If the
Ylight is on, the EPB has detected an error
in another system and is operating with reduced
functionality. To apply the EPB when this light is on, lift up
on the EPB switch and hold it in the up position. Full
application of the parking brake by the EPB system may
take a longer period of time than normal when this light is
on. Continue to hold the switch until the BRAKE light
remains on. If the
Ylight is on, see your dealer/retailer.
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear wheels should be
blocked to prevent vehicle movement.
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EPB Release
To release the EPB, turn the ignition switch to the
ON/RUN position, apply and hold the brake pedal, and
push down momentarily on the EPB switch. If you attempt
to release the EPB without the brake pedal applied, a
chime will sound, and the DIC message “Press Brake
Pedal to Release Park Brake” will be displayed. The EPB
is released when the BRAKE light is off and the DIC
message “Park Brake Released” is displayed.
If the
Ylight is on, the EPB has detected an error
in another system and is operating with reduced
functionality. To release the EPB when this light is on,
push down on the EPB switch and hold it in the down
position. EPB release may take a longer period of time
than normal when this light is on. Continue to hold the
switch until the BRAKE light is off. If the
Ylight is on,
see your dealer/retailer.
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.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if the vehicle is
running, placed into gear and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration when the EPB
is applied, to preserve park brake lining life.
The EPB can also be used to prevent roll back for
vehicles with a manual transmission taking off on a hill.
In a situation where no roll back is desired, an applied
EPB will allow both feet to be used for the clutch
and accelerator pedals in preparation for starting the
vehicle moving in the intended direction.
In this situation, perform the normal clutch and
accelerator actions required to begin moving the vehicle.
There is no need to push the switch to release the EPB.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a hill, see
Towing a Trailer (CTS-V) on page 4-27orTowing
a Trailer (CTS) on page 4-28for more information.
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