2010 CADILLAC DTS transmission

R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle ismoving forward could damage the transmission.The repairs would not be covered by the vehiclewarranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicleis stopped.
Also use this gear to rock the vehicle back and forth toget out of snow, ice or sand without damaging thetransmission. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,Ice, or Snow on page 5-17for additional information.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does notconnect with the wheels. To restart when you arealready moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also, useN (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{WARNING:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) withthe engine running at high speed may damagethe transmission. The repairs would not be coveredby the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine isnot running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for normal driving. Itprovides the best fuel economy for the vehicle. If youneed 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 the next gear andhave more power.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditionscould result in skidding, see Skidding underLoss ofControl on page 5-10.
Notice:Driving the vehicle if you notice that it ismoving slowly or not shifting gears as you increasespeed may damage the transmission. Have thevehicle serviced right away. You can drive in2 (Second) when you are driving less than 35 mph(55 km/h) and D (Drive) for higher speeds until then.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lampsafter the windshield wipers are turned on and havecompleted eight wipe cycles within four minutes.
When the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF, thewiper-activated headlamps immediately turn off. Thewiper-activated headlamps also turn off if the windshieldwipers are turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp controlis left on in either the headlamp or parking lamp positionand the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier forothers to see the front of your vehicle during theday. Fully functional daytime running lamps are requiredon all vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system makes the turn signal lamps come onwhen the following conditions are met:
•It is still daylight and the ignition is on.
•The exterior lamp control is in the off position.
•The transmission is not in P (Park)
(United States only).
•The light sensor is covered or not detecting light.
See “Sensors” underDual Climate Control Systemon page 4-36.
When DRL are on, no other exterior lamps such as theparking lamps, taillamps, etc. will be on when theDRL are being used. The instrument panel will not be litup either.
When automatic lighting is on and it is dark enoughoutside, the turn signal lamps turn off and normallow-beam headlamp operation occurs.
When automatic lighting is on and it is bright enoughoutside, the regular lamps go off, and the DRLtakes over. If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, theautomatic headlamp system comes on immediately.Once you leave the garage, it will take approximatelyone minute for the automatic headlamp system tochange to DRL if there is light outside. During that delay,the instrument panel cluster may not be as bright asusual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness knobis in the full bright position. SeeInstrument PanelBrightness on page 4-31.
Turning on automatic lighting or the headlamps willdeactivate the DRL. If the parking lamps or thefog lamps were turned on instead, the DRL will stilldeactivate.
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To idle the vehicle with the DRL off at night, turn offautomatic lighting and shift the transmission into P (Park).Placing the vehicle in P (Park) disables the DRL. TheDRL will stay off until the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
To drive the vehicle with the DRL off, turn off automaticlighting and manually turn on the parking lamps orfog lamps, if the vehicle has them.
The regular headlamp system should be turned onwhen needed.
Fog Lamps
The fog lamps button is on the exterior lamps control tothe left of the steering column.
#(Fog Lamps):Press the exterior lamps button to
turn the fog lamps on or off. A light comes on inthe instrument panel cluster when the fog lamps are inuse. SeeInstrument Panel Cluster on page 4-47.The ignition must be in the ON/RUN position for thefog lamps to work.
The fog lamps will go off when the headlamps arechanged to high-beam.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps tobe on along with the fog lamps.
Cornering Lamps
The cornering lamps come on when the headlamps orparking lamps are on and you signal a turn with themultifunction lever. They provide more light forcornering.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the exterior lamp button has been left on, the exteriorlamps will turn off about 10 minutes after the ignitionis turned to LOCK/OFF and a door has been opened.This protects against draining the battery if theheadlamps or parking lamps are accidentally left on.If you need to leave the lamps on for more than10 minutes, use the exterior lamp control to turn thelamps back on after the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFFand any door is opened.
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When the Light Flashes First and Then is
On Steady
This indicates that there may be a problem with the TirePressure Monitor System. The light flashes for abouta minute and stays on steady for the remainder ofthe ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with everyignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation onpage 6-58for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-BoardDiagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation ofthe fuel, ignition, and emission control systems. Itensures that emissions are at acceptable levels for thelife of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleanerenvironment.
This light should come onwhen the ignition is on, butthe engine is not running,as a check to show itis working. If it does not,have the vehicle servicedby your dealer/retailer.
If the check engine light comes on and stays on, whilethe engine is running, this indicates that there is anOBD II problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system beforeany problem is apparent. Being aware of the lightcan prevent more serious damage to the vehicle. Thissystem assists the service technician in correctlydiagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is continually driven with thislight on, after a while, the emission controlsmight not work as well, the vehicle’s fuel economymight not be as good, and the engine might notrun as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairsthat might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Notice:Modifications made to the engine,transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of thevehicle or the replacement of the original tireswith other than those of the same Tire PerformanceCriteria (TPC) can affect the vehicle’s emissioncontrols and can cause this light to come on.Modifications to these systems could lead to costlyrepairs not covered by the vehicle warranty. Thiscould also result in a failure to pass a requiredEmission Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories and Modifications on page 6-3.
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SERVICE STABILITRAK
Your vehicle may have a vehicle stability enhancementsystem called StabiliTrak®. SeeStabiliTrak®Systemon page 5-5.
This message displays if there has been a problemdetected with the StabiliTrak system.
If this message comes on while you are driving, pull offthe road as soon as possible and stop carefully. Tryresetting the system by turning the ignition off then backon. If this message still stays on or comes back onagain while you are driving, your vehicle needs service.Have the StabiliTrak system inspected by yourdealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS (System)
This message displays when the magnetic ridecontrol or automatic leveling control system is notoperating properly. Have your vehicle serviced by yourdealer/retailer.
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem withthe theft-deterrent system programmed in the key.A fault has been detected in the system which meansthat the system is disabled and it is not protectingthe vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts; however, youmay want to take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer
before turning off the engine. SeePASS-Key®III+Electronic Immobilizer Operation on page 3-21for moreinformation.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System(TPMS), this message displays if a part on the TPMS isnot working properly. The tire pressure light alsoflashes and then remains on during the same ignitioncycle. SeeTire Pressure Light on page 4-56. Severalconditions may cause this message to appear. SeeTirePressure Monitor Operation on page 6-58for moreinformation. If the warning comes on and stays on, theremay be a problem with the TPMS, see yourdealer/retailer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
This message displays when there is a problem with theTraction Control System (TCS). When this messageis displayed, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjustyour driving accordingly. See your dealer/retailer forservice. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 5-6for more information.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there is a problem with thevehicle’s transmission. Have your vehicle serviced byyour dealer/retailer.
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