2010 CADILLAC DTS brake

To turn the system off oron, press and release thisbutton located in frontof the shift lever.
TCS automatically comes on whenever the vehicle isstarted. To limit wheel spin, especially in slipperyroad conditions, always leave the system turned on.TCS can be turned off if needed.
The system can be turned on or off at any time bypressing the TCS button. The DIC will displayTRACTION CONTROL OFF when the button is pressed,and part of the traction control system is disabled.The vehicle will still have brake-traction control, but willnot be able to use the engine speed managementsystem. System noises may be heard as a result of thebrake-traction control working. If the controller detectsexcessive wheel spin in this mode, the TCS/StabiliTraklight may blink.
It is recommended to leave the system on for normaldriving conditions, but it may be necessary to turnthe system off if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice orsnow, and you want to “rock” the vehicle to attempt tofree it. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, orSnow on page 5-17.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affectthe vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories andModifications on page 6-3for more information.
Magnetic Ride Control™
The vehicle may have Magnetic Ride Control thatautomatically adjusts the ride of the vehicle. Thecontroller receives input from the system to determinethe proper ride. If the controller detects a problem withinthe system, the Driver Information Center (DIC)displays a SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS message.SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-67for more information. If this message appears, have thevehicle serviced at your dealer/retailer.
Electronically Controlled Air Ride
Suspension
Professional Vehicles may have Electronically ControlledAir Suspension. The air ride controller receives inputfrom the system to determine the proper ride. Ifthe controller detects a problem with the system, theDIC will display a SERVICE SUSPENSION SYSmessage. If this message appears, have the vehicleserviced at your dealer/retailer.
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Steering
Power Steering
If power steering assist is lost because the engine stopsor the system is not functioning, the vehicle can besteered but it will take more effort.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering System
This system continuously adjusts the effort felt whensteering at all vehicle speeds. It provides easewhen parking, yet a firm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tiresand the road surface, the angle at which the curve isbanked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed isthe one factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before enteringthe curve, while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through thecurve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Waitto accelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerategently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effectivethan braking. For example, you come over a hill and finda truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pullsout from nowhere, or a child darts out from betweenparked cars and stops right in front of you. Theseproblems can be avoided by braking — if you can stopin time. But sometimes you cannot stop in timebecause there is no room. That is the time for evasiveaction — steering around the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well in emergencies likethese. First apply the brakes. SeeBraking on page 5-3.It is better to remove as much speed as possiblefrom a collision. Then steer around the problem, to theleft or right depending on the space available.
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Passing
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can bedangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing:
•Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads
for situations that might affect a successful pass.If in doubt, wait.
•Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines that could indicate a turn or an intersection.Never cross a solid or double-solid line on your sideof the lane.
•Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility.
•Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle.
•When you are being passed, ease to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about whathappens when the three control systems — brakes,steering, and acceleration — do not have enough frictionwhere the tires meet the road to do what the driverhas asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steerand constantly seek an escape route or area ofless danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonablecare suited to existing conditions, and by not overdrivingthose conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to the vehicle’s threecontrol systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are notrolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speedor steering in a curve causes tires to slip and losecornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too muchthrottle causes the driving wheels to spin.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid onlythe acceleration skid. If the traction control system isoff, then an acceleration skid is best handled by easingyour foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off theaccelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you wantthe vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,the vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready fora second skid if it occurs.
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak®, the system may beactive. SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 5-5.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, slowdown and adjust your driving to these conditions.
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It is important to slow down on slippery surfacesbecause stopping distance will be longer and vehiclecontrol more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try yourbest to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking,including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lowergear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.You may not realize the surface is slippery until thevehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warningclues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow onthe road to make a mirrored surface — and slow downwhen you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helpsavoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving becausesome drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol ordrugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
•Drive defensively.
•Do not drink and drive.
•Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
•Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because headlamps can only light upso much road ahead.
•Watch for animals.
•When tired, pull off the road.
•Do not wear sunglasses.
•Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
•Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
•Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns
or curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.But, as we get older, these differences increase.A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as muchlight to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
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Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle tractionand affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Alwaysdrive slower in these types of driving conditionsand avoid driving through large puddles anddeep-standing or flowing water.
{WARNING:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or a
car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake pedal until
the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
Driving through flowing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this happens, you
and other vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very cautious about
trying to drive through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up underyour vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on thewater. This can happen if the road is wet enough andyou are going fast enough. When your vehicle ishydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.The best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tipsinclude:
•Allow extra following distance.
•Pass with caution.
•Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
•Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled.
•Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 6-46.
•Turn off cruise control.
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Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is differentthan driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for drivingin these conditions include:
•Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
•Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
•Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
{WARNING:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get so
hot that they would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{WARNING:
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the ignition
off is dangerous. The brakes will have to do all the
work of slowing down and they could get so hot
that they would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have the engine running
and the vehicle in gear when going downhill.
•Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speedsthat let you stay in your own lane.
•Top of hills: Be alert — something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
•Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks
area, winding roads, long grades, passing orno-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
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Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between thetires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet icecan occur at about 0°C (32°F) when freezing rainbegins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoiddriving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can betreated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerategently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quicklycauses the wheels to spin and makes the surface underthe tires slick, so there is even less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate toofast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surfaceunder the tires even more.
TheTraction Control System (TCS) on page 5-6improves the ability to accelerate on slippery roads, butslow down and adjust your driving to the roadconditions. When driving through deep snow, turn offthe traction control system to help maintain vehiclemotion at lower speeds.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 5-4improvesvehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads,but apply the brakes sooner than when on drypavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery roadand watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur onotherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surfaceof a curve or an overpass can remain icy whenthe surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steeringmaneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
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Dinghy Towing
Notice:If the vehicle is towed with all four wheelson the ground, the drivetrain components couldbe damaged. The repairs would not be covered bythe vehicle warranty. Do not tow the vehicle with allfour wheels on the ground.
The vehicle was not designed to be towed with all fourwheels on the ground. Use a dolly if the vehiclemust be towed. See “Dolly Towing” later in this sectionfor more information.
Dolly Towing
The vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow thevehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the gear shift lever in P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-aheadposition with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Remove the key from the ignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
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