2009 CADILLAC DTS 7-7

Keys
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons, children or others
could be badly injured or even killed. They could
operate the power windows or other controls or
even make the vehicle move. The windows will
function with the keys in the ignition and children
could be seriously injured or killed if caught in the
path of a closing window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children.
The master key is used for the driver door, ignition, and
glove box.
The valet key is used for the driver door and ignition.
Notice:If you ever lock your keys in the vehicle,
you may have to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Service on page 7-7.
2-3

Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice
can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when freezing rain
begins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate
gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too
fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface
under the tires even more.
TheTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6
improves the ability to accelerate on slippery roads,
but slow down and adjust your driving to the road
conditions. When driving through deep snow, turn off
the traction control system to help maintain vehicle
motion at lower speeds.TheAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-4improves
vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads,
but apply the brakes sooner than when on dry
pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road
and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on
otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface
of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Stay
with the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible,
use theRoadside Service on page 7-7. To get help and
keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
4-16

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service if the disabled vehicle must be towed.
SeeRoadside Service on page 7-7.
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for
recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing.
Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle
with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.Here are some important things to consider before
recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will the vehicle be towed? Some vehicles
have restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
Does the vehicle have the proper towing
equipment? See your dealer/retailer or trailering
professional for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing
the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a
Long Trip on page 4-14.
4-26

Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engine
overheating.
There is an engine temperature warning light and/or
gage on the instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light on page 3-59and
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-60.
The vehicle may also display a ENGINE OVERHEATED
IDLE ENGINE message or an ENGINE OVERHEATED
STOP ENGINE message displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-73for more information. You will
also hear a chime.
You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Service on page 7-7.If you do decide to lift the hood, make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they are not, do not continue to run
the engine and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from running the engine
without coolant is not covered by the warranty.
Notice:If the engine catches re while driving with
no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 5-30for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
5-28

Customer Assistance and Information...............7-2
Customer Satisfaction Procedure......................7-2
Online Owner Center......................................7-5
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone (TTY) Users.........................7-6
Customer Assistance Offices............................7-6
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program................7-7
Roadside Service...........................................7-7
Scheduling Service Appointments....................7-10
Courtesy Transportation.................................7-10
Collision Damage Repair................................7-12Reporting Safety Defects................................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government..........................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government................................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors.....7-16
Service Publications Ordering Information.........7-16
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy................7-17
Event Data Recorders...................................7-18
OnStar
®......................................................7-19
Navigation System........................................7-19
Radio Frequency Identication (RFID)..............7-19
Section 7 Customer Assistance Information
7-1

GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program
This program, available to qualied applicants, can
reimburse you up to $1,000 of the cost of eligible
aftermarket adaptive equipment required for your vehicle,
such as hand controls or a wheelchair/scooter lift.
The offer is available for a very limited period of time
from the date of vehicle purchase/lease. For more
details, or to determine your vehicle’s eligibility, visit
gmmobility.com or call the GM Mobility Assistance
Center at 1-800-323-9935. Text telephone (TTY) users,
call 1-800-833-9935.
General Motors of Canada also has a Mobility Program.
Call 1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details. TTY
users call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Service
In the United States or Canada, call1-800-882-1112.
Text Telephone (TTY), U.S. only, call1-888-889-2438.
Service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Calling for Assistance
When calling Roadside Assistance, have the following
information ready:
Your name, home address, and home telephone
number
Telephone number of your location
Location of the vehicle
Model, year, color, and license plate number of the
vehicle
Odometer reading, Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN), and delivery date of the vehicle
Description of the problem
7-7

Insuring Your Vehicle
Protect your investment in your GM vehicle with
comprehensive and collision insurance coverage.
There are signicant differences in the quality of
coverage afforded by various insurance policy terms.
Many insurance policies provide reduced protection to
your GM vehicle by limiting compensation for damage
repairs by using aftermarket collision parts. Some
insurance companies will not specify aftermarket collision
parts. When purchasing insurance, we recommend that
you assure your vehicle will be repaired with GM original
equipment collision parts. If such insurance coverage
is not available from your current insurance carrier,
consider switching to another insurance carrier.
If your vehicle is leased, the leasing company may
require you to have insurance that assures repairs with
Genuine GM Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
parts or Genuine Manufacturer replacement parts.
Read your lease carefully, as you may be charged
at the end of your lease for poor quality repairs.
If a Crash Occurs
Here is what to do if you are involved in a crash.
Try to relax and then check to make sure you are all
right. If you are uninjured, make sure that no one else
in your vehicle, or the other vehicle, is injured.
If there has been an injury, call emergency services
for help. Do not leave the scene of a crash until all
matters have been taken care of. Move your vehicle
only if its position puts you in danger or you are
instructed to move it by a police officer.
Give only the necessary and requested information
to police and other parties involved in the crash.
Do not discuss your personal condition, mental frame
of mind, or anything unrelated to the crash. This will
help guard against post-crash legal action.
If you need roadside assistance, call GM Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Service on page 7-7for
more information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where the
towing service will be taking it. Get a card from the
tow truck operator or write down the driver’s name,
the service’s name, and the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it is
towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance
information and registration if you keep these items
in your vehicle.
7-13

F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finish Damage...............................................5-93
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-13
Flat Tire........................................................5-74
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-74
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-83
Floor Mats.....................................................2-63
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-31
Windshield Washer......................................5-32
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-34
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-65
Footwell Lamps..............................................3-36
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System.................. 3-9
Front Storage Area.........................................2-62
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Economy Driving........................................... 4-2
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9Fuel (cont.)
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage .........................................................3-66
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Rear Underseat Fuse Block..........................5-98
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-95
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-95
G
Gage
Speedometer..............................................3-52
Tachometer.................................................3-52
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-60
Fuel..........................................................3-66
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-55
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-62
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-7
6