2011 CADILLAC STS wheel

Black plate (8,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
To assist with directional control of the vehicle, always
leave the system on. Stability control can be turned off
however, by using the TC button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS)
on page 5‑9. The STABILITY SYS
OFF message will be displayed on the DIC. See DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 4‑76.
If there is a problem detected with Enhanced
StabiliTrak, the SERVICE STABILITY SYS message
will be displayed on the DIC. See DIC Warnings and
Messages
on page 4‑76. When this message is
displayed, the system is not operating. Driving should
be adjusted accordingly.
When certain faults or vehicle conditions are detected,
the Stability control will automatically go into a secure
mode and the STABILITY SECURE MODE message
will be displayed on the DIC. When the Stability Secure
Mode is activated, the stability control system will not
respond to driver requests to change the stability mode
until the next ignition cycle or until the vehicle condition
or fault is returned to normal. When the Stability Secure
Mode is activated, other messages may be displayed,
such as SERVICE STEERING SYS, SERVICE
SUSPENSION SYS or CHECK TIRE PRESSURE on
the DIC. When the Stability Secure Mode is activated,
a larger degree of steering wheel input at low vehicle
speeds and a smaller degree of steering wheel input at
high vehicle speeds may be required. Stability Secure Mode will be activated if a compact spare tire is being
used. See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑76andCompact Spare Tire on page 6‑105.
Persistent operation of the vehicle in the STABILITY
SECURE MODE may be an indication that the vehicle
needs to be serviced by your dealer.
When certain faults are present, the vehicle’s speed
may be limited and the SPEED LIMITED TO XXX
message will be displayed on the DIC. See DIC
Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑76. When the
vehicle’s speed is limited, other messages may be
displayed, such as SERVICE STABILITY SYS,
SERVICE STEERING SYS or SERVICE SUSPENSION
SYS on the DIC. Have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
Enhanced StabiliTrak and Traction Control
Mode Selection
Enhanced StabiliTrak can be operated in Touring Mode.
It can also be turned off. The TC button is used to
change stability control modes (Touring or Off) as well
as to turn traction control on or off. See Traction Control
System (TCS)
on page 5‑9. The following information
describes the operation of the TC button for changing
Traction Control and Stability Control Modes.
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Black plate (9,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
When the vehicle is started, Stability control comes on
automatically in the Stability Touring Mode.
.To change from Stability Touring Mode to Stability
Off Mode, press and hold the TC button until the
STABILITY SYS OFF message is displayed on
the DIC.
.To change from Stability Off Mode to Stability
Touring Mode, press and release the TC button
and the STABILITY TOURING MODE message will
be displayed on the DIC.
.To turn traction control off while in the Stability
Touring Mode, press and release the TC button
and the traction control system warning light will
come on. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on
page 5‑9.
.To turn traction control on while in the Stability
Touring Mode, press and release the TC button
and the traction control system warning light will
turn off.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road
conditions. On a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, the system
operates if it senses that one or both of the rear wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose traction. On an
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) vehicle, the system will operate
if it senses that any of the wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system brakes the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working, but
this is normal.
This warning light comes
on if there is a problem
with TCS.
See Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on
page 4‑60. When this warning light is on, the system
will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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Black plate (10,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
TCS automatically comes on whenever the vehicle is
started. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, the system should always be left on, but
TCS can be turned off if needed.
Notice:Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle's driveline
could be damaged.
When TCS is turned off on a vehicle with AWD, the
system may still be working. This is normal and
necessary with the hardware on the vehicle.
It may be necessary to turn the system off if the vehicle
gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle
is required. See Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
on
page 5‑23and If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snowon page 5‑22for more information. See
Winter Drivingon page 5‑20for information on using
TCS when driving in snowy or icy conditions.
To turn the system off,
press the TCS/StabiliTrak
button located near the
shift lever.
For AWD vehicles with the Active Steering with
Enhanced StabiliTrak option, the TCS/StabiliTrak button
is used to turn traction control on and off and to turn
StabiliTrak on and off. See Enhanced StabiliTrak
®on
page 5‑7for instructions on selecting the proper
stability control mode.
Press and release the TCS/StabiliTrak button and TCS
will turn off and the Traction Control System Warning
Light will come on. Press the button again to turn the
system back on.
Adding non‐GM accessories can affect the vehicle's
performance. See Accessories and Modifications
on
page 6‑4for more information.
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Black plate (11,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear axle can give more
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like
a standard axle most of the time, but when traction is
low, this feature allows the drive wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
With this feature, engine power is sent to all four wheels
at all times. It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
Steering
Power Steering
If power steering assist is lost because the engine stops
or the system is not functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
Speed Variable Assist Steering
The vehicle has a steering system that continuously
adjusts the effort felt when steering at all vehicle
speeds. It provides ease when parking, yet a firm,
solid feel at highway speeds.
Active Steering
All‐wheel‐drive vehicles with the Active Steering with
Enhanced StabiliTrak®option have an electronically
controlled active steering system. The active steering
system uses the steering actuator to automatically
adjust the front road wheel turning angle based on
vehicle speed and how much the steering wheel is
turned. This system reduces steering effort at low
speeds, improves steering feel at moderate speeds,
and reduces steering sensitivity at higher speeds.
During some operating conditions, the active steering
might deactivate to protect the system from damage.
You might notice that the center position of the steering
wheel is changed. Unless there is a SERVICE
STEERING SYS message, the system will return to
normal operation as soon as the condition ceases,
usually within a very short period of time.
At low speeds, the active steering system requires
less movement of the steering wheel to change vehicle
direction than the normal power steering system. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
When certain steering faults are present, the active
steering deactivates and vehicle speed might be
limited. The SERVICE STEERING SYS and SPEED
LIMITED TO XXX messages will be displayed.
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Black plate (12,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
SeeDIC Warnings and Messageson page 4‑76. The
normal power steering system is still operational. You
might notice that the center position of the steering
wheel is changed and that more steering effort at low
speeds and less steering effort at high speeds is
required. You can continue to drive the vehicle with
normal power steering but you should have your dealer
inspect the steering system as soon as possible in
order to have the problem corrected and the steering
wheel position centered.
When stability control activates, the system
automatically adjusts the front road wheel steering
angle, modifies the suspension stiffness, and selectively
applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle's
brakes to help maintain directional control of the
vehicle. Adjustments to the steering will not be felt in
the steering wheel. See Enhanced StabiliTrak
®on
page 5‑7.
It is recommended that the battery not be disconnected
when the steering wheel is turned from the center
position. If this occurs, the center position of the
steering wheel could be temporarily changed a small
amount. You can continue to operate the vehicle and,
after a short time, the center position of the steering
wheel will return to normal.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before entering
the curve, while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
To help you steer in the direction you want to go, during
certain sharp or sudden cornering maneuvers, gear
selection is controlled. This will maximize the available
drive wheel torque and minimize the transmission
response time and shift activity. During this kind of
maneuver, the transmission shifts automatically as
vehicle speed changes.
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Black plate (13,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. These
problems can be avoided by braking—if you can stop
in time. But sometimes you cannot stop in time because
there is no room. That is the time for evasive
action —steering around the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply the brakes. See Braking
on
page 5‑4. It is better to remove as much speed as
possible from a collision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right depending on the space
available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If holding the steering wheel at the
recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, it can be
turned a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
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Black plate (14,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the edge of a
road onto the shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
so that the vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
Turn the steering wheel 8 to 13 cm (3 to 5 inches),
about one-eighth turn, until the right front tire contacts
the pavement edge. Then turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Passing
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can be
dangerous. 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
side of 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 what
happens when the three control systems—brakes,
steering, and acceleration —do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area of less
danger.
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Black plate (15,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by
not overdriving those conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types of skids correspond to the vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid,
too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid
only the acceleration skid. If the traction control system
is off, then an acceleration skid is best handled by
easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
the vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.You might see the STABILITY SYS ACTIVE message
on the Driver Information Center. See
DIC Warnings
and Messageson page 4‑76and StabiliTrak®Systemon page 5‑6orEnhanced StabiliTrak®on page 5‑7.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, slow
down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is
important to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the
tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues —such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only the
braking skid.
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