2010 CADILLAC DTS trailer

When the System Does Not Seem To Work
Properly
Occasional missed alerts can occur under normalcircumstances and will increase in wet conditions. Thesystem does not need to be serviced due to anoccasional missed alert. The number of missed alertswill increase with increased rainfall or road spray.
If the SBZA displays do not light up when the system ison and vehicles are in the blind zone, the systemmay need service. Take the vehicle to yourdealer/retailer.
SBZA is designed to ignore stationary objects; however,the system may occasionally light up due to guard rails,signs, trees, shrubs, and other stationary objects. This isnormal system operation, the vehicle does not needservice.
SBZA does not operate when the left or right cornersof the rear bumper are covered with mud, dirt, snow, ice,slush, or in heavy rainstorms. For cleaning instructions,seeWashing Your Vehicle on page 6-95. If the DICstill displays the SIDE BLIND ZONE SYSTEMUNAVAILABLE message after cleaning the bumper, seeyour dealer/retailer.
The SBZA displays may remain on if a trailer is attachedto the vehicle, or a bicycle or object is extending outto either side of the vehicle.
When SBZA is disabled for any reason other than thedriver turning it off, the driver will not be able to turnSBZA back on using the DIC. The SIDE BLIND ZONEALERT ON option will not be selectable if theconditions for normal system operation are not met.Until normal operating conditions for SBZA are met, youshould not rely upon SBZA while driving.
SBZA Error Messages
The following messages may appear in the DIC:
SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT SYSTEM OFF:Thismessage indicates that the driver has turned thesystem off.
SIDE BLIND ZONE SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE:Thismessage indicates that the SBZA system is disabledbecause the sensor is blocked and cannot detectvehicles in the blind zone. The sensor may be blockedby mud, dirt, snow, ice, slush, or even heavyrainstorms. This message may also activate duringheavy rain or due to road spray. The vehicle does notneed service. For cleaning, seeWashing YourVehicle on page 6-95.
SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT SYSTEM:If thismessage appears, both SBZA displays will remain onindicating there is a problem with the SBZA system.If these displays remain on after continued driving, thesystem needs service. Take the vehicle to yourdealer/retailer.
3-45

Highway Exit Ramps
{WARNING:
Adaptive Cruise Control may lose track of the
vehicle ahead and accelerate up to your set speed
while entering or on highway exit ramps. You
could be startled by this acceleration and even
lose control of the vehicle. Disengage Adaptive
Cruise Control before entering a highway exit
ramp. Do not use Adaptive Cruise Control while
entering or on exit ramps.
Other Vehicle Lane Changes
If another vehicle enters the same lane as you, ACC willnot detect the vehicle until it is completely in the lane.Be ready to take action and apply the brakes yourself.
Using ACC on Hills and When Towing a
Trailer
How well ACC will work on hills and when towing atrailer depends on your vehicle’s speed, vehicle load,traffic conditions and the steepness of the hills. Itmay not detect a vehicle in your lane while driving onhills. When going up steep hills, you may want touse the accelerator pedal to maintain your vehicle’sspeed. When going downhill, especially when towing atrailer, you may want to brake to keep your speeddown. Applying the brake disengages the system. Youmay choose not to use ACC on steep hills, especiallywhen towing a trailer.
Disengaging ACC
To turn off the system, apply the brake pedal, press thecancel button, or press the ACC button.
4-24

Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) thatestimates the battery’s temperature and state ofcharge. It then adjusts the voltage for best performanceand extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage israised slightly to quickly bring the charge back up.When the state of charge is high, the voltage is loweredslightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has avoltmeter gage or a voltage display on the DriverInformation Center (DIC), you may see the voltage moveup or down. This is normal. If there is a problem, analert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electricalloads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This isbecause the generator (alternator) may not bespinning fast enough at idle to produce all the powerthat is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of thefollowing are on, such as: headlamps, high beams, foglamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan athigh speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailerloads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of thebattery. It does this by balancing the generator’s outputand the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, wheneverneeded. It can temporarily reduce the power demands ofsome accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, withoutbeing noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levelsof corrective action, this action may be noticeable to thedriver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)message might be displayed, such as BATTERYSAVER ACTIVE, BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, orLOW BATTERY. If this message is displayed, it isrecommended that the driver reduce the electrical loadsas much as possible. SeeDIC Warnings and Messageson page 4-67.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle’s batteryagainst drainage from the interior lamps, trunk lamp,glove box lamp, or the garage door opener. When theignition is turned off, the power to these features willautomatically turn off after 10 minutes. Power willbe restored for an additional 10 minutes if any door ortrunk is opened, or the courtesy lamp switch isturned on.
4-33

This light comes on during a malfunction in one oftwo ways:
Light Flashing:A misfire condition has been detected.A misfire increases vehicle emissions and coulddamage the emission control system on the vehicle.Diagnosis and service might be required.
To prevent more serious damage to the vehicle:
•Reduce vehicle speed.
•Avoid hard accelerations.
•Avoid steep uphill grades.
•If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so, stopthe vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle. Turn thekey off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart the engine. Ifthe light is still flashing, follow the previous steps and seeyour dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
Light On Steady:An emission control systemmalfunction has been detected on the vehicle. Diagnosisand service might be required.
An emission system malfunction might be corrected bydoing the following:
•Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. SeeFilling
the Tank on page 6-8. The diagnostic system candetermine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel capallows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A fewdriving trips with the cap properly installed shouldturn the light off.
•If the vehicle has been driven through a deep
puddle of water, the vehicle’s electrical systemmight be wet. The condition is usually correctedwhen the electrical system dries out. A few drivingtrips should turn the light off.
•Make sure to fuel the vehicle with quality fuel.
Poor fuel quality causes the engine not to runas efficiently as designed and can cause: stallingafter start-up, stalling when the vehicle is changedinto gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration,or stumbling on acceleration. These conditionsmight go away once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions occurs, changethe fuel brand used. It will require at least onefull tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 6-5.
If none of the above have made the light turn off, yourdealer/retailer can check the vehicle. The dealer/retailerhas the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools tofix any mechanical or electrical problems that mighthave developed.
4-58

Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle. . . . . . . . . . . .5-2Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4Braking in Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5StabiliTrak®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-5Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-6Magnetic Ride Control™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-7Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-8Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-9Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
Driving at Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12Before Leaving on a Long Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-13Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-13Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-14Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-15If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,Ice, or Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-17Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-17Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-18
Towing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24Towing Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-24Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-26
Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
5-1

The Tire and Loading Information label also showsthe tire size of the original equipment tires (C)and the recommended cold tire inflationpressures (D). For more information on tires andinflation seeTires on page 6-46andInflation - TirePressure on page 6-54.
There is also important loading information on theCertification label. It tells you the Gross VehicleWeight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle WeightRating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle; see“Certification Label” later in this section.
If you have a Professional Vehicle, a Tire andLoading Information label specific to your vehiclewill be provided and installed by the final bodymanufacturer. The Tire and Loading Informationlabel, should be attached to the B-pillar of yourvehicle. See the final stage manufacturer’s manualor contact them directly. The label shows theoriginal tires installed on your professional vehicleand the recommended cold tire inflation pressuresfor those tires. The label also tells you theprofessional vehicle’s capacity weight.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1.Locate the statement “The combined weight ofoccupants and cargo should never exceedXXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2.Determine the combined weight of the driverand passengers that will be riding in yourvehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driverand passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals the availableamount of cargo and luggage load capacity.For example, if the “XXX” amount equals1400 lbs and there will be five 150 lbpassengers in your vehicle, the amount ofavailable cargo and luggage load capacity is650 lbs (1400!750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage andcargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weightmay not safely exceed the available cargo andluggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the loadfrom your trailer will be transferred to yourvehicle. Consult this manual to determine howthis reduces the available cargo and luggageload capacity of your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, see “Towing aTrailer” for important information on towinga trailer, towing safety rules, and trailering tips.
5-19

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towingservice if the disabled vehicle must be towed. SeeRoadside Service on page 8-7.
To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle forrecreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehiclebehind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.The two most common types of recreational vehicletowing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing.Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheelson the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehiclewith two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on adevice known as a dolly.
Here are some important things to consider beforerecreational vehicle towing:
•What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer’srecommendations.
•How far will the vehicle be towed? Some vehicles
have restrictions on how far and how long theycan tow.
•Does the vehicle have the proper towing
equipment? See your dealer/retailer or traileringprofessional for additional advice and equipmentrecommendations.
•Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing
the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle isprepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on aLong Trip on page 5-13.
5-24

Towing a Trailer
The Cadillac Professional Vehicle cannot tow a trailer.
{WARNING:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not work well — or
even at all. The driver and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage thevehicle and result in costly repairs not coveredby the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,follow the advice in this section and see yourdealer/retailer for important information abouttowing a trailer with the vehicle.
The vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with theproper trailer towing equipment. To identify the traileringcapacity of the vehicle, read the information in “Weightof the Trailer” that appears later in this section. Traileringis different than just driving the vehicle by itself.Trailering means changes in handling, acceleration,braking, durability and fuel economy. Successful, safetrailering takes correct equipment, and it has to beused properly.
The following information has many time-tested,important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of theseare important for the safety of the driver and thepassengers. So please read this section carefully beforepulling a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,transmission, axles, wheel assemblies and tires areforced to work harder against the drag of the addedweight. The engine is required to operate at relativelyhigher speeds and under greater loads, generating extraheat. The trailer also adds considerably to windresistance, increasing the pulling requirements.
5-26