2009 CADILLAC CTS automatic transmission

Shifting Into Park
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer (CTS-V) on
page 4-27orTowing a Trailer (CTS) on page 4-28.Use this procedure to shift into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-42for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. For vehicles with key access, remove the key and
take it with you. If you can leave the vehicle with
the ignition key in your hand, the vehicle is in
P (Park). Vehicles with the keyless access system,
take the keyless access transmitter with you.
2-47

Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly if
the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it could overheat and even
catch re. You or others could be injured. Do not
leave the vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
the vehicle must be in P (Park) and the parking brake
set. After shifting into P (Park), try to move the shift lever
out without rst pushing the button on the shift lever.
If you can, the shift lever was not fully locked into
P (Park).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
Torque lock is when the weight of the vehicle puts too
much force on the parking pawl in the transmission.
This happens when parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not done properly and then it
is difficult to shift out of P (Park). To prevent torque lock,
set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park). To nd
out how, see″Shifting Into P (Park)″listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, your vehicle may need to be
pushed uphill by another vehicle to relieve the parking
pawl pressure, so you can shift out of P (Park).
Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in P (Park) with the shift lever button fully
released, for vehicles with key access.
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park),
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
2-48

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information,
seeEngine Exhaust on page 2-50.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set. The
vehicle can roll. Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even when it is on
fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transmission shift lever to
P (Park), or the manual transmission shift lever to
Neutral.
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-47andParking the Vehicle (Manual
Transmission) on page 2-49.
If pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer (CTS-V) on
page 4-27orTowing a Trailer (CTS) on page 4-28.
2-51

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-29.
B.Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-50.
C.Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-20.
D.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
E.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-31.
F.Windshield Wipers on page 3-9.
G. Navigation Button (If Equipped). See Navigation
System Manual.
H.Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
Magnetic Ride Control™ on page 4-8
(CTS-V Model Only).
I.Analog Clock on page 3-23.
J.Passenger Sensing System on page 1-67.
K.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
L. Navigation Display Brightness Control (If Equipped).
See Navigation System Manual.
M.Audio System(s) on page 3-85(Base Audio System)
orNavigation/Radio System on page 3-113
(If Equipped).
N.Parking Brake on page 2-42.O.Hood Release on page 5-12.
P.Cruise Control on page 3-14. Traction Control
System (TCS) Disable Button (CTS-V Model Only).
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
Q. Tap Shift Controls (CTS-V Model Only). See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-36.
R.Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel on page 3-6or
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering Column
on page 3-7.
S.Horn on page 3-6.
T.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-126.
U.Heated and Ventilated Seats on page 1-7.
V.Dual Climate Control System on page 3-24.
W.Electric Parking Brake on page 2-44.
X. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-36orManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-40.
Y.Instrument Panel Storage on page 2-65.Accessory
Power Outlet(s) on page 3-22.
Z.Glove Box on page 2-64.
3-5

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To reduce the vehicle’s speed while using cruise
control:
Press and hold the SET– button on the steering
wheel until the desired speed is reached, then
release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
SET– button on the steering wheel briey.
Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle slows down to the previously set cruise speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon
the vehicle’s speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle’s speed.
When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep the vehicle’s speed down.
When the brakes are applied the cruise control turns off.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal
(manual and automatic transmissions).
Press the clutch pedal to the oor
(manual transmissions).
Press[on the steering wheel.
PressIon the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
3-16

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on
all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make either the reduced intensity
low-beam headlamps or dedicated DRL’s come on
when the following conditions are met:
It is still daylight and the ignition is in ON/RUN
or START.
The exterior lamp control is in off or AUTO and the
headlamps are off.
The automatic transmission is not in P (Park).
When DRL’s are on, only the reduced intensity
low-beam headlamps or dedicated DRL’s will be on.
The other exterior lamps and the instrument panel
cluster will not be on.When the exterior lamp control is in AUTO and it is dark
enough outside, the DRL turns off and the low-beam
headlamps will turn on. When it is bright enough outside,
the low-beam headlamps will go off, and the DRL will
turn back on. If the vehicle is started in a dark garage,
the automatic headlamp system comes on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage, it takes about
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
the instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness
lever is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-20.
Turning the exterior lamp control to off or to the
low-beam headlamp position will turn off the DRL.
If the parking lamps or the fog lamps were turned on
instead, the DRL will still turn off.
This will work regardless of gear position and whether
or not the parking brake is set.
3-18

Instrument Panel Cluster
The instrument panel cluster is designed to indicate how the vehicle is running. It shows how fast the vehicle is
going, how much fuel the vehicle has used and many of the other things needed to drive safely and economically.
United States Automatic Transmission Cluster shown, Manual and Canada similar
3-31

United States V–Series Automatic Transmission Cluster shown, Manual and Canada similar
3-32