2010 CADILLAC DTS Owners Manual

D (Drive) can be used for towing. You may want to shiftthe transmission to 3 (Third) or, if necessary, to alower gear if the transmission shifts too often underheavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 5-26for more information.
3 (Third):This position is also used for normaldriving. However, it reduces vehicle speed more thanD (Drive) without using the brakes. You might choose3 (Third) instead of D (Drive) when driving on hilly,winding roads, when towing a trailer, so there is lessshifting between gears and when going down asteep hill.
2 (Second):This position reduces vehicle speed morethan 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can use2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle speed asyou go down steep mountain roads, but then youwould also want to use the brakes off and on.
Notice:Do not shift into 2 (Second) unless you aregoing slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you candamage the engine and/or transmission.
1 (First):This position reduces vehicle speed evenmore than 2 (Second) without using the brakes. You canuse it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.If the shift lever is put in 1 (First) while the vehicle ismoving forward, the transmission will not shift into firstgear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle inone place on a hill using only the acceleratorpedal may damage the transmission. The repair willnot be covered by the vehicle warranty. If youare stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on ahill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Performance Shifting
If the vehicle has this feature, it can detect a change indriving patterns. If you make an aggressive drivingmaneuver, the vehicle’s transmission automatically shiftsto the lowest possible gear to maximize vehicleperformance. The vehicle will automatically return tonormal operation when you return to normal drivingpatterns.
3-29

Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal islocated to the left of theregular brake pedal,near the driver door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedaldown, then push the parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light onthe instrument panel cluster should come on. If itdoes not, you need to have the vehicle serviced.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,the ignition is on, and the vehicle speed is greaterthan 5 mph (8 km/h). The brake light will come on andstay on until the parking brake is released. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 4-52for moreinformation.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brakepedal down, then push the parking brake pedal down.When you lift your foot off the parking brake pedal,the pedal will follow your foot to the released position.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on canoverheat the brake system and cause prematurewear or damage to brake system parts. Make surethat the parking brake is fully released and the brakewarning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,seeTowing a Trailer on page 5-26.
3-30

Shifting Into Park
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. 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, use the steps that follow. If
you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 5-26.
Steering Column Shift Lever
If the vehicle has a steering column shift lever, use thisprocedure to shift the vehicle into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pulling theshift lever toward you and moving it up as far asit will go.
3. With your foot still holding the brake pedal down,set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake onpage 3-30for more information.
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you canleave the vehicle with the ignition key in yourhand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
Console Shift Lever
If the vehicle is equipped with a console shift lever, usethis procedure to shift the vehicle into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pushing thelever all the way toward the front of the vehicleand then to the left.
3. While keeping the brake pedal applied, set theparking brake. SeeParking Brake on page 3-30for more information.
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you canleave the vehicle with the ignition key in yourhand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
3-31

Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly if
the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it could overheat and even
catch fire. You or others could be injured. Do not
leave the vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,be sure your vehicle is in P (Park) and the parkingbrake is firmly set before you leave it. SeeParking Brakeon page 3-30for more information.
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of the vehicle puts toomuch force on the parking pawl in the transmission.This happens when parking on a hill and shiftingthe transmission into P (Park) is not done properly andthen it is difficult to shift out of P (Park).
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and thenshift into P (Park). To find out how, see “ShiftingInto Park” in this section.
If torque lock does occur, your vehicle may need to bepushed uphill by another vehicle to relieve the parkingpawl pressure, so you can shift out of P (Park).
Shifting Out of Park
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
This vehicle has an electronic shift lock release system.The shift lock release is designed to:
•Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is
in P (Park)
•Prevent movement of the shift lever out of P (Park),
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN orACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal isapplied.
The shift lock is always functional except in the case of aan uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery withlow voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.SeeJump Starting on page 6-36.
3-32

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/ACCESSORYposition. SeeIgnition Positions on page 3-23formore 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 towingservice.
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 orACC/ACCESSORY position. SeeIgnition Positionson page 3-23for 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 towingservice.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{WARNING:
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.
3-33

Engine Exhaust
{WARNING:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to
CO can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
•The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow thatmay block underbody airflow or tail pipes).
•The exhaust smells or sounds strange or
different.
•The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion
or damage.
•The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modified, damaged or improperly repaired.
•There are holes or openings in the vehicle
body from damage or after-marketmodifications that are not completely sealed.
WARNING: (Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
•Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
•Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running inan enclosed area such as a garage or a buildingthat has no fresh air ventilation.
3-34

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if youever have to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3-34.
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly 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 after you move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will notmove. SeeShifting Into Park on page 3-31.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, seeTowing aTrailer on page 5-26.
3-35

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The vehicle has an automatic dimming inside rearviewmirror with a compass display. Automatic dimmingreduces the glare of lights from behind the vehicle.The dimming feature comes on and the indicator lightilluminates each time the vehicle is started.
O(On/Off):Press and holdOfor about three
seconds to turn the dimming feature and compassdisplay on or off.
AUTO3(Vehicles with Intellibeam™):Press and
hold for approximately three seconds to turn thecompass display on or off. SeeExterior Lamps onpage 4-25for more information.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror. Use asoft towel dampened with water.
Compass
Compass Operation
PressOor AUTO3, depending on the vehicle, to
turn the compass on or off.
When the ignition and the compass feature are on, aftera few seconds, the mirror will display the compassheading. The compass automatically calibrates as thevehicle is driven.
Compass Calibration
If after a few seconds, the display does not show thecorrect direction, (for example, N for North), theremay be a strong magnetic field interfering with thecompass. Interference can be caused by a magneticantenna mount, magnetic note pad holder or asimilar magnetic item.
The compass can be placed in calibration mode
manually by pressing and holdingOor AUTO3,
depending on the vehicle, until a C is shown inthe compass display.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle incircles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the displayreads a direction.
3-36