Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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180 DRIVING AND OPERATING
be applied sooner than when on
dry pavement. SeeAntilock Brake
System (ABS) 0200.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas. The
surface of a curve or an overpass
can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid
sudden steering maneuvers and
braking while on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stay with the vehicle unless there is
help nearby. If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside Service 0350.
To get help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may cause
exhaust gases to get inside. Engine
exhaust contains carbon monoxide
(CO), which cannot be seen or
smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side that
is away from the wind, to
bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set the
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Warning (Continued)
fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control
Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0193.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then
shut the engine off and partially close
the window. Moving about to keep
warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle speed.
This keeps the battery charged to
restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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200 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.If no gear number is displayed
while the shift lever is in gear,
service is required. ARM will be
disabled, and the malfunction
indicator lamp will be on. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) 0120. The clutch and
manual transmission will continue
to operate normally.
ARM will also:
. Be active above 14 km/h (9 mph).
. Match engine speed up to
6100 rpm.
. Not operate when the accelerator
pedal is applied.
. Be disabled when the coolant
temperature is below 0 °C (32 °F).Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature always send
engine power to all four wheels. It is
fully automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic
braking system that helps prevent a
braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself. A momentary
motor or clicking noise may be heard
while this test is going on, and it may
even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 123.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 201
If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to avoid
a sudden obstacle, a computer senses
the wheels are slowing down. If one of
the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure to
each wheel, as required, faster than
any driver could. This can help you
steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the
time needed to get a foot up to the
brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close
to the vehicle in front of you, there
will not be enough time to apply the
brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows
or stops. Always leave enough room
up ahead to stop, even with ABS.Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the
brake pedal down firmly and let ABS
work. You may hear the ABS pump or
motor operating and feel the brake
pedal pulsate. This is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake at
the same time. In many emergencies,
steering can help more than even the
very best braking.
Parking Brake (Electric)
Automatic Transmission
Manual Transmission
If equipped with an Electric Parking
Brake (EPB), the switch is on the
center console for manual
transmission vehicles, or on the left
side of the instrument panel for
automatic transmission vehicles. The
EPB can always be activated, even if
the ignition is off. To prevent draining
the battery, avoid repeated cycles of
the EPB when the engine is not
running.
Cadillac ATS/ATS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 203
away. Avoid rapid acceleration when
the EPB is applied, to preserve parking
brake lining life.
The EPB can also be used to prevent
roll back for vehicles with a manual
transmission taking off on a hill.
When no roll back is desired, an
applied EPB will allow both feet to be
used for the clutch and accelerator
pedals in preparation for starting the
vehicle moving in the intended
direction. In this case, there is no
need to press the switch to release
the EPB.
Parking Brake (Manual)
To set the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then push
the parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the brake system
warning light will come on. SeeBrake
System Warning Light 0122.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system and
cause premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the brake warning light is off
before driving.
To release the parking brake, hold the
regular brake pedal down, then push
down momentarily on the parking
brake pedal until you feel the pedal
release. Slowly pull your foot up off
the parking brake pedal. If the parking
brake is not released when you begin
to drive, the brake system warning
light will be on and a chime will
sound warning you that the parking
brake is still on.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist feature
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle speed
in emergency driving conditions. This
feature uses the stability system
hydraulic brake control module to
supplement the power brake system
under conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the vehicle
until the ABS activates. Minor brake
pedal pulsation or pedal movement
during this time is normal and the
driver should continue to apply the
brake pedal as the driving situation
dictates. The brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake pedal
pressure is quickly decreased.
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VEHICLE CARE 265
many other ways if the wrong
replacement brake parts are installed
or parts are improperly installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with GM approved
DOT 3 brake fluid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview 0246 for the location of the
reservoir.
Checking Brake Fluid
Place the vehicle in P (Park) or
Neutral with the parking brake applied
if equipped with a manual
transmission. On a level surface, the
brake fluid level should be between
the minimum and maximum marks
on the brake fluid reservoir. There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in the reservoir may
go down:
.
Normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are installed, the fluid
level goes back up.
. A fluid leak in the brake/clutch
hydraulic system. Have the brake/
clutch hydraulic system fixed.
With a leak, the brakes will not
work well.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir
cap and the area around the cap
before removing it.
Do not top off the brake/clutch fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are installed.
Add or remove fluid, as necessary,
only when work is done on the brake/
clutch hydraulic system.
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You or
others could be burned, and the
vehicle could be damaged. Add
brake fluid only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic
system.
When the brake/clutch fluid falls to a
low level, the brake warning light
comes on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0122.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid at
the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0327.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3 brake
fluid from a clean, sealed container.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0337.
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266 VEHICLE CARE
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the paint
finish can be damaged. Immediately
wash off any painted surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove the
cap and do not add fluid.
The battery is in the trunk, beneath
the trim panel, on the driver side of
the vehicle. Refer to the replacement
number shown on the original battery
label when a new battery is needed.The vehicle has an Absorbed Glass
Mat (AGM) 12-volt battery.
Installation of a standard 12-volt
battery will result in reduced 12-volt
battery life.
When using a 12-volt battery charger
on the 12-volt AGM battery, some
chargers have an AGM battery setting
on the charger. If available, use the
AGM setting on the charger, to limit
charge voltage to 14.8 volts. Follow
the charger manufacturer's
instructions.
{Warning
WARNING:
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.
Batteries also contain other
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer. WASH
HANDS AFTER HANDLING. For
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition 65 Warning
0 243 and the back cover.
After a power loss, such as
disconnecting the battery or removing
the maxi fuses in the power
distribution fuse block, the following
steps must be performed to calibrate
the electronic throttle control. If this
is not done, the engine will not run
properly. 1. Turn the ignition on but do not start the engine.
2. Leave the ignition on for at least three minutes so that the
electronic throttle control will
cycle and relearn its home
position.
3. Turn the ignition off.
4. Start and run the engine for at least 30 seconds.
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278 VEHICLE CARE
To install the end cover, insert the
tabs on the back of the cover into the
slots in the instrument panel at the
points shown. Align the clips with the
slots in the instrument panel, and
press the cover into place.
The vehicle may not be equipped with
all of the fuses and relays shown.
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318 VEHICLE CARE
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.
Use a de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, and have the
locks greased after using. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0337.
Washing the Vehicle
To preserve the vehicle's finish, wash
it often and out of direct sunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based, acidic,
or abrasive cleaning agents as they
can damage the vehicle's paint,
metal, or plastic parts. If damage
occurs, it would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Approved
cleaning products can be obtained
from your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions, and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care
product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure washes
closer than 30 cm (12 in) to the
surface of the vehicle. Use of power
washers exceeding 8,274 kPa
(1,200 psi) can result in damage or
removal of paint and decals.
Caution
Do not power wash any component
under the hood that has this
e
symbol.
This could cause damage that
would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If using an automatic car wash, follow
the car wash instructions. The
windshield wiper and rear window
wiper, if equipped, must be off.
Remove any accessories that may be
damaged or interfere with the car
wash equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before washing
and after, to remove all cleaning
agents completely. If they are allowed
to dry on the surface, they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces are
damaged, see your dealer to have the
damage assessed and repaired. Foreign
materials such as calcium chloride
and other salts, ice melting agents,
road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial
chimneys, etc., can damage the
vehicle's finish if they remain on
painted surfaces. Wash the vehicle as