2009 CADILLAC DTS parking brake

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

The exterior lamps control has four positions:
O(Off):Turns off the exterior lamps except for
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
AUTO (Automatic):Automatically turns on the
headlamps at normal brightness, together with the
following:
Parking Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
IntelliBeam™
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the parking lamps
together with the following:
Instrument Panel Lights
License Plate Lamps
Taillamps
Side Marker Lamps
The parking brake indicator light comes on and stays
on while the parking lamps are on with the engine
off and the ignition in ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN.
2(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps together
with the previously listed lamps. A warning chime sounds
if the driver’s door is opened while the ignition switch is off
and the headlamps are on.
#(Fog Lamps):Press the exterior lamps control to
turn on the fog lamps. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-34.
IntelliBeam™ Intelligent High-Beam
Headlamp Control System
For vehicles with this feature, be sure to read this entire
section before using it.
IntelliBeam is an enhancement to the vehicle’s
headlamp system. Using a digital light sensor on
the rearview mirror, this system turns the vehicle’s
high-beam headlamps on and off according to
surrounding traffic conditions.
The IntelliBeam system turns the high-beam headlamps
on when it is dark enough, there is no other traffic
present, and the IntelliBeam system is enabled.
Turning On and Enabling IntelliBeam™
Press and release the IntelliBeam button on the inside
rear view mirror. The IntelliBeam indicator on the mirror
turns on to indicate the system is on. Once the system
has been turned on, it remains on each time the vehicle
is started, but the IntelliBeam system must be enabled.
To enable the IntelliBeam system, turn the exterior lamp
control to AUTO, with the turn signal/multifunction lever in
its neutral position. The High-Beam On Light appears on
the instrument panel cluster when the high-beams are on.
SeeHighbeam On Light on page 3-66.
3-30

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light also comes on when the parking brake is set.
The light will stay on if the parking brake does
not release fully. If it stays on after the parking brake
is fully released, it means there is a brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road
and stop carefully. The pedal may be harder to push,
or the pedal may go closer to the oor. It may take longer
to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-26.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the
light comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on, or
comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning light is not on, the
vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, the vehicle
does not have antilock brakes and there is a problem with
the regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-56.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-73for
all brake related DIC messages.
3-57

Dinghy Towing
Notice:If the vehicle is towed with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not tow the vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground.
The vehicle was not designed to be towed with all
four wheels on the ground. Use a dolly if the vehicle
must be towed. See “Dolly Towing” later in this section
for more information.
Dolly Towing
The vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow the
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the gear shift lever in P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Remove the key from the ignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
4-27

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel ash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps also ash, telling other drivers the
vehicle is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument panel
ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned
out. For this reason you may think other drivers are
seeing the signal when they are not. It is important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than
normal engine and transmission temperatures
may result and damage the vehicle. Frequent stops
are very important to allow the engine and
transmission to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating. If the engine does overheat, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-28.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always park the rig on
a at surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park)
yet. Turn the wheels into the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
brake pedal until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking
brake and shift the transmission into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
4-33

Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
start the engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid, engine oil, belts, cooling system and brake
system. It is a good idea to inspect these before and
during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-28.
Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing
If the vehicle gets a at tire while towing a trailer,
be sure to secure the trailer and disconnect it from the
vehicle before changing the tire.
4-34

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Locate the transmission uid cap which is located
next to the radiator hose and below the engine air
cleaner/lter assembly on the driver side of the
vehicle. The cap is marked TRANS FLUID.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.
2. After removing the engine air cleaner/lter assembly
to reach the transmission uid cap, turn the cap
counterclockwise to remove. Pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and
then pull it back out again.4. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the
lower level. The uid level must be in the
cross-hatched area.
5. If the uid level is in the acceptable range, push
the dipstick back in all the way and turn the
handle clockwise.
6. Reinstall the engine air cleaner/lter assembly.
5-20

Jump Starting
If the vehicle’s battery has run down, you may want to
use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start
your vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to do it
safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some or
all of these things can hurt you.Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to the vehicle that would not be covered
by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage the vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would not be able
to start your vehicle and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a manual transmission
in NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.
5-38