2011 CADILLAC SRX traction control

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
9-36 Driving and Operating
When the stability control system
activates, the Traction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak light
will flash on the instrument panel.
This also occurs when traction
control is activated. A noise may
be heard or vibration may be felt
in the brake pedal. This is normal.
Continue to steer the vehicle in the
intended direction.
If there is a problem detected
with StabiliTrak, SERVICE
STABILITRAK is displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
and
dwill stay on. SeeVehicleMessages on page 5‑32. When
this message is displayed and/or
d
comes on and stays on, the vehicle
is safe to drive but the system is
not operational. Driving should be
adjusted accordingly. See
Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5‑37.
If
dcomes on and stays on, reset
the system by:
1. Stopping the vehicle.
2. Turning the engine off and waiting 15 seconds.
3. Starting the engine.
If
dstill comes on and stays on at a
speed above 20 km/h (13 mph), see
your dealer for service.
gis located on the console.
StabiliTrak can be turned off
if needed by pressing and
holding
guntilgandicome on the
instrument panel. When StabiliTrak
is turned off, the system will not
assist with directional control of the
vehicle or limit wheel spin. Driving
should be adjusted accordingly.
Press and release
gagain to turn
the system back on.

Black plate (37,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-37
If cruise control is being used when
StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control will automatically disengage.
Press the cruise control button to
reengage when road conditions
allow. SeeCruise Control on
page 9‑38 for more information.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear axle
can give more traction on snow,
mud, ice, sand, or gravel. When
traction is low, this feature allows
the drive wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
The limited-slip rear axle also gives
the driver enhanced control when
cornering hard or completing a
maneuver, such as a lane change.
Selective Ride Control
The vehicle may have a ride
control system called Selective
Ride Control. The setting can be
changed at any time. Based on road
conditions, steering wheel angle
and the vehicle speed, the system
automatically adjusts to provide the
best handling while providing a
smooth ride. The Tour and Sport
modes will feel similar on a
smooth road.
To switch from TOUR to SPORT
mode, move the shift lever to the
left while the transmission is in
D (Drive).
TOUR:Use for normal city and
highway driving. This setting
provides a smooth, soft ride. SPORT:
Use where road conditions
or personal preference demand
more control. This setting provides
more “feel”, or response to road
conditions through increased
steering effort and suspension
control. Transmission shift
points and shift firmness are
also enhanced. See Manual
Mode on page 9‑28 in Automatic
Transmission.
If there is a problem detected with
Selective Ride Control, “SERVICE
SUSPENSION SYSTEM” displays
on the Driver Information Center
(DIC). See Ride Control System
Messages on page 5‑37. Driving
should be adjusted accordingly.

Black plate (38,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
9-38 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
With cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can
be maintained without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
If the brakes are applied, the cruise
control shuts off. If the vehicle has the StabiliTrak
®
system and begins to limit wheel
spin while using cruise control,
the cruise control automatically
disengages. See
StabiliTrak
®
System on page 9‑35 orTraction
Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑34. When road conditions
allow the cruise control to be safely
used, you can apply the cruise
control again.
Cruise Control
T(On/Off): Press to turn the
system on and off. + RES (Resume/Accelerate):
Press briefly to make the vehicle
resume to a previously set speed or
press and hold to accelerate.
−SET (Set/Coast):
Press to set the
speed and activate cruise control or
make the vehicle decelerate.
[(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control switch off when cruise
is not being used.

Black plate (62,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
9-62 Driving and Operating
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more
than 450 kg (1,000 lbs) needs to
have its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the
trailer. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted and
maintained properly.
Because the vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, do not tap into the vehicle's
brake system. If you do, both brake
systems will not work well, or at all.
Trailer Wiring Harness
All of the electrical circuits required
for the trailer lighting system can be
accessed at a connector mounted to
the frame, behind the rear bumper
cover.
Trailer Sway
Control (TSC)
The vehicle has a Trailer Sway
Control (TSC) feature as part of the
StabiliTrak system. If TSC detects
that the trailer is swaying, the
vehicle's brakes are automatically
applied.
When TSC is applying the brakes,
the TCS/StabiliTrak indicator light
flashes to notify the driver to
reduce speed. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light on
page 5‑25. If the trailer continues to
sway, StabiliTrak will reduce engine
torque to help slow the vehicle.
TSC will not function if StabiliTrak is
turned off.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice: Do not add anything
electrical to the vehicle unless
you check with your dealer first.
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle and the
damage would not be covered
by the vehicle's warranty. Some
add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from
working as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12‐volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑44 andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑44.

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-3
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained
in remote keyless transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories
to the vehicle can affect vehicle
performance and safety, including
such things as airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling,
emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems
like antilock brakes, traction control,
and stability control. Some of these
accessories could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from the installation or use
of non‐GM certified parts, including
control module modifications, is notcovered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. Your GM
dealer can accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories.
When you go to your GM dealer
and ask for GM Accessories, you
will know that GM-trained and
supported service technicians will
perform the work using genuine
GM Accessories.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to
the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3‑44.

Black plate (71,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-71
GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of
your vehicle, including brake
system performance, ride
and handling, traction control,
and tire pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the
tire's sidewall near the tire size.
If the tires have an all‐season
tread design, the TPC Spec
number will be followed by an
MS for mud and snow. SeeTire
Sidewall Labeling on page 10‑55
for additional information.
GM recommends replacing tires
in sets of four. This is because
uniform tread depth on all tires
will help keep your vehicle performing most like it did
when the tires were new.
Replacing less than a full set
of tires can affect the braking
and handling performance of
your vehicle. See
Tire Inspection
on page 10‑68 andTire Rotation
on page 10‑68 for information
on proper tire rotation.
{WARNING
Tires could explode during
improper service. You or others
could be injured or killed if you
attempt to mount or dismount
a tire. Only your dealer or an
authorized tire service center
should mount and dismount
the tires.
{WARNING
Mixing tires could cause you
to lose control while driving.
If you mix tires of different
sizes, brands, or types
(radial and bias-belted tires),
the vehicle may not handle
properly, and you could have
a crash. Using tires of different
sizes, brands, or types may
also cause damage to your
vehicle. Be sure to use the
correct size, brand, and type
of tires on all wheels. It is
all right to drive with your
compact spare temporarily, as
it was developed for use on
your vehicle. See Compact
Spare Tire on page 10‑93.

Black plate (72,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
10-72 Vehicle Care
{WARNING
If you use bias-ply tires on the
vehicle, the wheel rim flanges
could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail
suddenly, causing a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If you must replace your
vehicle's tires with those that do
not have a TPC Spec number,
make sure they are the same
size, load range, speed rating,
and construction type (radial
and bias‐belted tires) as your
vehicle's original tires. Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low‐pressure warning if
non‐TPC Spec rated tires
are installed on your vehicle.
Non‐TPC Spec rated tires may
give a low‐pressure warning
that is higher or lower than the
proper warning level you would
get with TPC Spec rated tires.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 10‑63.
Your vehicle's original
equipment tires are listed on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. See Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑12 for more
information about the Tire and
Loading Information label and
its location on your vehicle.Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are
a different size than your original
equipment wheels and tires, this
could affect the way your vehicle
performs, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover.
Additionally, if your vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, and electronic stability
control, the performance of these
systems can be affected.

Black plate (74,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
10-74 Vehicle Care
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified
government test course.
For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a
half (1½) times as well on
the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices
and differences in road
characteristics and climate.Traction
–AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions
on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based
on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics. Temperature
–A, B, C
The temperature grades
are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause
the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels
of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.