2010 CADILLAC DTS Owners Manual

Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feelreally uncomfortable from the cold. Moving aboutto keep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and thenwhen you run the engine, push the acceleratorpedal slightly so the engine runs faster than the idlespeed. This keeps the battery charged to restartthe vehicle and to signal for help with the headlamps.Do this as little as possible to save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free thevehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 5-17.
If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help tofree a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s tractionsystem in the Index. If stuck too severely for the tractionsystem to free the vehicle, turn the traction system offand use the rocking method.
{WARNING:
If the vehicle’s tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat, causing an engine
compartment fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and avoid going above
55 km/h (35 mph) as shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on the vehicle,seeTire Chains on page 6-70.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the areaaround the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stabilitysystem. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and aforward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stopspinning before shifting gears. Release the acceleratorpedal while shifting, and press lightly on the acceleratorpedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinningthe wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes arocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does notget the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to betowed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 5-24.
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Loading the Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight yourvehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehiclecapacity weight and includes the weight of alloccupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installedoptions. Two labels on your vehicle show how muchweight it may properly carry, the Tire and LoadingInformation label and the Certification label.
{WARNING:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than theGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), oreither the maximum front or rear Gross AxleWeight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on thevehicle can break, and it can change the wayyour vehicle handles. These could cause youto lose control and crash. Also, overloadingcan shorten the life of the vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information Label
A vehicle specific Tire and Loading Informationlabel is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar(B-pillar). With the driver’s door open, you will findthe label attached below the door lock post(striker). The Tire and Loading Information labelshows the number of occupant seating positions(A), and the maximum vehicle capacity weight(B) in kilograms and pounds.
Label Example
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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.
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Item DescriptionTotal
AVehicle CapacityWeight forExample 1 =
1,000 lbs(453 kg)
BSubtract OccupantWeight 150 lbs(68 kg)!2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupantand Cargo Weight =700 lbs (317 kg)
Item DescriptionTotal
AVehicle CapacityWeight forExample 2=
1,000 lbs(453 kg)
BSubtractOccupant Weight150 lbs (68 kg)!5=750 lbs (340 kg)
CAvailable CargoWeight=250 lbs (113 kg)
Example 1Example 2
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Item DescriptionTotal
AVehicle CapacityWeight forExample 3=
1,000 lbs(453 kg)
BSubtractOccupant Weight200 lbs (91 kg)!5=
1,000 lbs(453 kg)
CAvailable CargoWeight =0 lbs (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle’s Tire and LoadingInformation label for specific information aboutyour vehicle’s capacity weight and seatingpositions. The combined weight of the driver,passengers, and cargo should never exceed yourvehicle’s capacity weight.
Example 3
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Certification Label
A vehiclespecific Certification label is attached tothe rear edge of the driver’s door. This label showsthe gross weight capacity of your vehicle, called theGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWRincludes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants,fuel, and cargo. Never exceed the GVWR for yourvehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)for either the front or rear axle.
If your vehicle is a Professional Vehicle, thevehicle specific Certification label is provided bythe final stage manufacturer. The coach-buildershould be consulted if the final stagemanufacturer’s label is not present. The GrossVehicle Weight Rating GVWR label should be onthe driver’s door edge.
If you do have a heavy load, you should spread itout. See “Steps for Determining Correct LoadLimit” earlier in this section.
{WARNING:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than theGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), oreither the maximum front or rear Gross AxleWeight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on thevehicle can break, and it can change the wayyour vehicle handles. These could cause youto lose control and crash. Also, overloadingcan shorten the life of the vehicle.
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Notice:Overloading the vehicle may causedamage. Repairs would not be covered by thevehicle warranty. Do not overload the vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle, likesuitcases, tools, packages, or anything else, theywill go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you haveto stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, theywill keep going.
{WARNING:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strikeand injure people in a sudden stop or turn, orin a crash.
•Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In
a trunk, put them as far forward as youcan. Try to spread the weight evenly.
•Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that someof them are above the tops of the seats.
•Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
•When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Automatic Level Control
This feature keeps the rear of your vehicle levelas the load changes. It is automatic, you donot need to adjust anything.
This type of level control is fully automatic and willprovide a better leveled riding position as well asbetter handling under a variety of passenger andloading conditions. An air compressor connected tothe rear shocks will raise or lower the rear of thevehicle to maintain proper vehicle height. Thesystem is activated when the ignition key is turnedto ON/RUN and will automatically adjust vehicleheight thereafter. The system may exhaust(lower vehicle height) for up to ten minutes afterthe ignition key has been turned to LOCK/OFF.You may hear the air compressor operating whenthe height is being adjusted.
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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.
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