2010 CADILLAC DTS towing

In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Performance and Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Seats and Restraint System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Head Restraints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Front Seats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Rear Seats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Safety Belts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Child Restraints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-33
Airbag System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-58
Restraint System Check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-74
Features and Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Keys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Doors and Locks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle. . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Mirrors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Object Detection Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Universal Home Remote System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48
Storage Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55
Sunroof. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-57
Instrument Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Climate Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators. . . . . . . . 4-46
Driver Information Center (DIC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-61
Audio System(s). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-88
Driving Your Vehicle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle. . . . . . . 5-2
Towing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Service and Appearance Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Service. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Fuel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Checking Things Under the Hood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Headlamp Aiming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-40
2010 Cadillac DTS Owner ManualM

Additional Factors Affecting System
Operation
Safety belts help keep the passenger in position on theseat during vehicle maneuvers and braking, whichhelps the passenger sensing system maintain thepassenger airbag status. See “Safety Belts” and“Child Restraints” in the Index for additional informationabout the importance of proper restraint use.
A thick layer of additional material, such as a blanket orcushion, or aftermarket equipment such as seatcovers, seat heaters, and seat massagers can affecthow well the passenger sensing system operates.We recommend that you not use seat covers or otheraftermarket equipment except when approved by GM foryour specific vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to YourAirbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2-73for moreinformation about modifications that can affect how thesystem operates.
{WARNING:
Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or
between the passenger seat cushion and seatback
may interfere with the proper operation of the
passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should be serviced.There are parts of the airbag system in several placesaround the vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and theservice manual have information about servicing thevehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a servicemanual, seeService Publications Ordering Informationon page 8-17.
{WARNING:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is turned off
and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still
inflate during improper service. You can be injured
if you are close to an airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
2-72

See your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can servicePASS-Key®III+ to get a new key blank that is cutexactly as the ignition key that operates the system.
To program the new key:
1. Verify that the new key has a1stamped on it.
2. Insert the original, already programmed, key in theignition and start the engine. If the engine will notstart, see your dealer/retailer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key toLOCK/OFF, and remove the key.
4. Insert the new key to be programmed and turn it tothe ON/RUN position within five seconds of turningthe original key to LOCK/OFF.
The security light will turn off once the key hasbeen programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are tobe programmed.
If you lose or damage your PASS-Key®III+ key, seeyour dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can servicePASS-Key®III+ to have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms ordeactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does not need an elaboratebreak-in. But it will perform better in the long run ifyou follow these guidelines:
•Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the first 500 miles (805 km). Do notmake full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting tobrake or slow the vehicle.
•Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brakelinings are not yet broken in. Hard stopswith new linings can mean premature wear andearlier replacement. Follow this breaking-inguideline every time you get new brake linings.
•Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 5-26for the trailer towingcapabilities of your vehicle and moreinformation.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can begradually increased.
3-22

Automatic Transmission Operation
The automatic transmission may have a shift leverlocated either on the steering column or on the consolebetween the seats.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks the front wheels. It isthe best position to use when you start the enginebecause the vehicle cannot move easily.
{WARNING:
It is 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.
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 and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 3-31. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 5-26.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) beforestarting the engine. The vehicle has an automatictransmission shift lock control system. You have to fullyapply the regular brakes before you can shift fromP (Park) while the ignition key is in ON/RUN. Ifyou cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on theshift lever. Push the shift lever all the way into P (Park)as you maintain brake application. Then move theshift lever into another gear. SeeShifting Out of Park onpage 3-32.
3-27

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

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