2009 CADILLAC SRX brakes

Automatic Transmission Operation
The shift lever is located on the center console between
the front seats.
There are several different
positions for the shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks the rear 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 4-39.
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 must
fully apply the brakes rst and then press the
shift lever button before you can shift from
P (Park) when the ignition key is in ON/RUN.
2-27

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 4-10.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Notice:If you drive the vehicle at high RPMs
without upshifting while using Driver Shift Control
(DSC), you could damage the vehicle. Always upshift
when necessary while using DSC.The automatic transmission has a Driver Shift Control
(DSC) feature that allows you to change gears similar to
a manual transmission. To use the DSC feature:
1. Slide the shift lever over from D (Drive) to the right
into the DSC area.
When the transmission is
in DSC mode the sport
symbol in the Driver
Information Center (DIC)
will come on.
If you do not move the shift lever forward or
rearward, the vehicle will be in sport mode. When
you are in the sport mode the vehicle will still shift
automatically. While driving in sport mode, the
transmission may remain in a gear longer than it
would in the normal driving mode based on braking,
throttle input, and vehicle lateral acceleration.
2. To enter the DSC mode, press the shift lever
forward to upshift or rearward to downshift.
2-29

Tow/Haul Mode
The vehicle may be equipped with a Tow/Haul mode.
The button is located on instrument panel under
the climate controls. You should use this feature
to assist when towing or hauling a heavy load.
When Tow/Haul is
activated the Tow/Haul
symbol will illuminate on
the instrument panel
cluster. SeeTow/Haul
ModeunderTowing a
Trailer on page 4-39
for more information.
Grade Braking
Grade Braking assists when driving on a downhill
grade. It maintains vehicle speed by automatically
implementing a shift schedule that uses the engine
and the transmission to slow the vehicle. This reduces
wear on the brakes system and increases control of the
vehicle. The system constantly monitors vehicle speed,
acceleration, throttle position, and whether the brake
pedal is being pressed, and determines when to keep the
current vehicle speed or to slow down. The system will
then automatically command downshifts that reduce
vehicle speed, until the brake pedal is no longer being
pressed. This indicates the desired vehicle speed has
been reached.
The tow/haul mode and grade braking shift modes can
be activated by pressing the button on the instrument
panel console. While in the DSC mode, grade braking
is deactivated, allowing the driver to select a gear.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-27.
2-31

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 5-93.
A trailer was attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was hanging out of the liftgate during the
last drive cycle, the red light may illuminate. 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.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide a wide range of safety, security,
information, and convenience services. If the airbags
deploy, the system is designed to make an automatic
call to OnStar Emergency advisors who can request
emergency services be sent to your location. If the keys
are locked in the vehicle, call OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
to have a signal sent to unlock the doors. OnStar
Hands-Free Calling, including 30 trial minutes good
for 60 days, is available on most vehicles. OnStar
Turn-by-Turn Navigation service, with one trial route,
is available on most vehicles. Press the OnStar button
to have an OnStar advisor contact Roadside Service.
OnStar service is provided subject to the OnStar Terms
and Conditions included in the OnStar Subscriber
glove box literature.
2-43

Headlamp Washer
For vehicles with headlamp washers, they are located to
the inside of the headlamps.
Press
Llocated at the end of the windshield wiper
lever, to wash the headlamps and windshield. After the
rst wash, the headlamps will be washed after the
fth press of the windshield washer button.
The headlamps must be on to be washed. If the washer
uid is low, the headlamp washers will not work.
SeeWindshield Washer on page 3-10for additional
information.
Cruise Control
{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.
With cruise control, a speed of about 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).
If the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
If the vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®system and begins to
limit wheel spin while using cruise control, the cruise
control automatically disengages. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-6. When road conditions allow you to
safely use it again, the cruise control can be turned
back on.
3-12

Resuming a Set Speed
If the brakes are applied while the cruise control is at a
set speed, the cruise control disengages. But it does
not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle reaches about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, press the +RES button on the steering wheel.
The vehicle returns to the speed selected previously
and stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To increase the cruise speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the +RES button on the steering
wheel until the new desired speed is reached,
and then release the button.
To increase vehicle speed in small increments,
press the +RES button. Each time this is done,
the vehicle goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To reduce the vehicle speed while using cruise control:
Press and hold the SET– button on the steering
wheel until the desired lower speed is reached,
and then release the button.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
SET– button on the steering wheel briey.
Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your vehicle
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle slows down to the cruise control speed that
was set earlier.
3-14

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 3-36.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-51for all
brake related DIC messages.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
The traction control system
warning light comes on
briey while starting
the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
This light comes on when your traction control system is
limiting wheel spin. You may feel or hear the system
working, but this is normal.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, the vehicle needs service. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6for
more information.
3-37

SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST
This message displays if there is a problem with the
brake system. The brake system warning light and the
antilock brake system warning light may also display
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-36andAntilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light on page 3-37for more information.
If this happens, stop as soon as possible and turn off
the vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the
message on the DIC display. If the message displays
or appears again when you begin driving, the brake
system needs service. See your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible. SeeBrakes on page 5-34for more
information.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays, while the ignition is on, when
the brake uid level is low. The brake system warning
light on the instrument panel cluster also comes on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-36for more
information. Have the brake system serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE PARKING ASSIST
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) system, this message displays if there is a
problem with the URPA system. Do not use this system
to help you park. SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) on page 2-41for more information. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
Your vehicle may have a speed variable assist steering
system. SeeSteering on page 4-8.
This message displays if a problem is detected with the
speed variable assist steering system. When this
message is displayed, you may notice that the effort
required to steer the vehicle decreases or feels lighter,
but you will still be able to steer the vehicle.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there has been a problem
detected with the StabiliTrak®system.
If this message comes on while you are driving,
pull off the road as soon as possible and stop carefully.
Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off
then back on. If this message still stays on or comes
3-56