2009 CADILLAC CTS engine

Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is stopped.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse) can be used to rock
the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice, or
sand without damaging your transmission. SeeIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-19for additional information.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when the vehicle is
already moving, use N (Neutral) only. You can also
use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is rmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for normal driving. It provides
the best fuel economy. If you need more power for
passing, and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transmission will shift down to a lower gear and
have more power.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see Skidding underLoss of
Control on page 4-11
While in D (Drive), the CTS-V vehicle’s rst forward
gear automatic shift after starting the vehicle will be
from 1 (First). Afterwards, the CTS-V vehicles will always
start in 2 (Second) gear. While in M (Manual Mode),
for increased performance, the vehicle will start in
1 (First) gear.
2-37

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.
2-39

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
2-40

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.
2-41

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.
2-42

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

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to
CO can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that
may block underbody airow or tail pipes).
The exhaust smells or sounds strange or
different.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion
or damage.
The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modied, damaged or improperly repaired.
There are holes or openings in the vehicle
body from damage or after-market
modications that are not completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running in
an enclosed area such as a garage or a building
that has no fresh air ventilation.
2-50