2009 CADILLAC DTS brakes

Automatic Transmission Operation
The automatic transmission may have a shift lever
located either on the steering column or on the console
between the seats.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks the front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is 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.
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 you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-33. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-28.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before
starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply the regular brakes before you can shift from
P (Park) while the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you
cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever. Push the shift lever all the way into P (Park)
as you maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of Park on
page 2-34.
2-29

Notice:Driving the vehicle if you notice that it is
moving slowly or not shifting gears as you increase
speed may damage the transmission. Have the
vehicle serviced right away. You can drive in
2 (Second) when you are driving less than 35 mph
(55 km/h) and D (Drive) for higher speeds until then.
D (Drive) can be used for towing. You may want to
shift the transmission to 3 (Third) or, if necessary, to a
lower gear if the transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-28for more information.
3 (Third):This position is also used for normal
driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed more than
D (Drive) without using the brakes. You might choose
3 (Third) instead of D (Drive) when driving on hilly,
winding roads, when towing a trailer, so there is less
shifting between gears and when going down a
steep hill.2 (Second):This position reduces vehicle speed more
than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can use
2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle speed
as you go down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use the brakes off and on.
Notice:Do not shift into 2 (Second) unless you are
going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage the engine and/or transmission.
1 (First):This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than 2 (Second) without using the brakes. You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the shift lever is put in 1 (First) while the vehicle is
moving forward, the transmission will not shift into rst
gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. The repair will
not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
2-31

The shift lock is always functional except in the case
of a an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-38.
Console Shift
If the console shift cannot be moved out of P (Park)
1. Apply the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY
position. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-25for
more information.
3. Push the shift lever all the way into P (Park).
4. Then, shift into the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Column Shift
If the column shift cannot be moved out of P (Park)
1. Apply the regular brakes.
2. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY position. SeeIgnition
Positions on page 2-25for more information.
3. Shift out of the P (Park) position to the
N (Neutral) position.
4. Move the column shift to the desired gear.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
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.
2-35

When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporary
condition, the message PARK ASSIST OFF will be
displayed on the DIC and a red light will be shown on
the rear URPA display when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). This occurs under the following conditions:
The driver disables the system.
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep the
vehicle’s rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice and slush. For cleaning instructions, see
Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-90.
A trailer was attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was hanging out of the trunk during the
last drive cycle, the red light may illuminate in
the rear display. Once the attached object is
removed, URPA will return to normal operation.
A tow bar is attached to the vehicle.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
The vehicle may have a Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system. Read this entire section before using the system.
The SBZA system operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-310 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Frequency of operation: 24.05GHz – 24.25GHz
Field Strength: Not greater than 2.5V/m peak (0.25V/m
average) at a distance of 3m
2-45

The Forward Collision Alert (FCA) system provides
an audible and visual alert if you approach a vehicle too
quickly that is directly ahead. FCA also provides a visual
alert with no audible alert if you are following another
vehicle much too closely. The FCA alert symbol is located
on top of the instrument panel to the right of the driver.
FCA uses the Adaptive Cruise Control radar to detect a
vehicle directly ahead, in your path, within a distance of
328 ft (100 m) and operates at speeds above 20 mph
(32 km/h).
{CAUTION:
FCA is only a warning system and does not apply
the brakes. When you are approaching a vehicle
or object too rapidly or when you are following a
vehicle too closely that is ahead of you, FCA may
not provide you with enough time to avoid a
collision. FCA is not designed to warn the driver
of pedestrians or animals. Your complete attention
is always required while driving and you should
be ready to take action and apply the brakes.
For more information, seeDefensive Driving on
page 4-2.The FCA control is located
on the steering wheel.
To enable or disable FCA, press the Adaptive Cruise
Control button. SeeAdaptive Cruise Control on
page 3-19.
FCA is enabled when the green light on the button is lit.
FCA is disabled when the indicator light is amber.
3-10

Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more can be maintained without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise control does not work
at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h). A cruise control
light appears in the instrument panel cluster when the
cruise control is on.
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control
shuts off.{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use the cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery roads.
On such roads, fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the Traction
Control System (TCS) begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control automatically turns off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-6. When road
conditions let you safely use it again, the cruise
control can be turned back on.
3-16

Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button and go
into cruise when you do not want to. You could be
startled and even lose control. Keep the cruise
control switch off until you want to use cruise
control.
The cruise control buttons
are located on left side of
the steering wheel.
I(On):Turns on the cruise control system.
+ RES (Resume/Accelerate):Press to make the
vehicle accelerate or resume to a previously set speed.
SET– (Set):Press to set the speed.
[(Cancel):Press to cancel cruise control.
Cruise control will not work if the parking brake is set, or
if the master cylinder brake uid level is low.
If the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
The cruise light on the instrument panel cluster comes
on after the cruise control has been set to the desired
speed.
1. Press
I.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET– button located on the steering
wheel and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
3-17

Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose the cruise control is set at a desired speed
and then the brakes are applied. This shuts off the
cruise control. But it does not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle is traveling approximately 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more, press the +RES (resume/accelerate)
button to return to the desired preset speed. The cruise
light displays again.
The vehicle returns to and stays at the preset speed.
If you press and hold the +RES button, the vehicle
speed increases until the button is released or the brake
is applied. Do not hold in the +RES button, if you do
not want the vehicle speed to increase.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the SET– button, then release
the button and the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
now cruises at the higher speed.
Press the +RES button. Hold it there until the
desired speed is reached, and then release
the button. To increase the vehicle speed in very
small amounts, briey press the +RES button
and then release it. Each time this is done, the
vehicle accelerates approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
The accelerate feature only works after the cruise
control speed is set by pressing the SET– button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to reduce the vehicle speed while
using cruise control:
Press the SET– button until the lower speed
desired is reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET– button briey. Each time this is done, the
vehicle slows down approximately 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
3-18