2009 CADILLAC CTS transmission

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

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.
2-44

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.
2-46

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

If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-46for more information.
To shift out of P (Park) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.Parking the Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of the vehicle, place the shift lever in
R (Reverse) and rmly apply the parking brake.
For vehicles with the key access ignition, turn the
ignition key to OFF/LOCK, press the release button and
remove the key. See “Key Release Button” under
Ignition Positions (Key Access) on page 2-31orIgnition
Positions (Keyless Access) on page 2-32for more
information.
For vehicles with the keyless access ignition, turn the
ignition to LOCK/OFF and remove the keyless
access transmitter.
If you are towing a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer (CTS-V)
on page 4-27orTowing a Trailer (CTS) on page 4-28.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things that
can burn.
2-49

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