2009 CADILLAC STS tow

Sensors
The solar sensor located on the instrument panel, near
the windshield, monitors the solar heat.
The interior temperature sensor located on the
instrument panel to the right of the steering wheel,
measures the temperature of the air inside the vehicle.
The climate control system uses the information
from these sensors to adjust the temperature, the fan
speed and the air delivery, in order to maintain the
selected temperature. The system may also supply
cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the sun.
Do not cover the sensors or the automatic climate
control system will not work properly.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the lever located in the center of each outlet to
change the direction of the airow, either side-to-side or
up and down. Use the thumbwheels to open or close
the outlets to adjust the airow.
Turn the thumbwheel towards the vehicle door to open
the outlets and allow the maximum amount of air to
enter your vehicle. Turn the thumbwheel towards
the center console to close the outlets and minimize
the amount of air entering the vehicle.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at
the highest setting, the passenger compartment air
lter may need to be replaced. For more information,
seePassenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-54.
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4. Lift the inboard edge of the deector to release the
retention tab.
5. Lift and slide the water deector toward the inboard
side and remove it.
6. The top edge of the lter should be visible. Reach
in and lift the lter out, pulling upward and toward
the front of the vehicle.
7. Insert the new air lter by sliding it back into place.
Make sure the arrow on the lter is pointing toward
the passenger compartment.
Reverse steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the water
deector, lter cover and the hood seal.Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briey when the engine is
started to indicate they are working.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of the vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to indicate a problem with
the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while driving, or when one of the gages shows there may
be a problem, check the section that explains what to do.
Follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly and even dangerous.
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Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part
can still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking
both parts need to be working.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
This light comes on briey when the engine is turned
on. If it does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn if there is a problem.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 4-29.
{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. United States
Canada
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Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle............4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-3
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-4
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-5
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-6
Enhanced StabiliTrak®.....................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).......................4-10
Competitive Driving Mode..............................4-11
Magnetic Ride Control™................................4-12
Limited-Slip Rear Axle...................................4-12
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.......................4-12
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-15
Passing.......................................................4-15
Loss of Control.............................................4-15Competitive Driving.......................................4-17
Driving at Night............................................4-17
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-18
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-19
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-19
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-20
Winter Driving..............................................4-21
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-23
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-24
Loading the Vehicle......................................4-24
Towing..........................................................4-29
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-29
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-29
Towing a Trailer (Vehicles Without
Heavy Duty Cooling)..................................4-31
Towing a Trailer (Vehicles With
Heavy Duty Cooling)..................................4-32
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to be
towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
Loading the Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight
your vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label, and the Certication
label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on the
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of the vehicle.
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4.The resulting gure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be ve 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in
Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load
from your trailer will be transferred to your
vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
SeeTowing a Trailer (Vehicles Without Heavy
Duty Cooling) on page 4-31orTowing a
Trailer (Vehicles With Heavy Duty Cooling)
on page 4-32for important information
on towing a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for
Example 1 =1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant
and Cargo Weight =700 lbs (317 kg)
Example 1
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{CAUTION:
Things you put inside the vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn,
or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as you
can. Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that some
of them are above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service if the disabled vehicle needs to 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” — towing the
vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, and “dolly
towing” — towing the vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a device known as
a “dolly”.
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Here are some important things to consider before
recreational vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
What is the distance that will be travelled? Some
vehicles have restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
Is the proper towing equipment going to be used?
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 4-19.
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. If the vehicle must be towed,
use a dolly. See “Dolly Towing” later in this section for
more information.
Dolly Towing (Rear-Wheel-Drive
Vehicles) (STS Only)
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy towing the vehicle
may cause damage because of reduced ground
clearance. Always tow the vehicle using the towing
procedures listed in this section or put the vehicle
on a atbed truck or trailer.
4-30