traction control CADILLAC CTS 2004 1.G Owner's Manual

If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want to
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you are stuck, but
you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
And, the transmission or other parts of the
vehicle can overheat. That could cause an
engine compartment re or other damage.
When you are stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Do not spin the wheels above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transmission
back and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 5-78.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. You should turn
your traction control system off. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) (CTS) on page 4-8orTraction Control
System (TCS) (CTS-V) on page 4-9. Then shift back and
forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear.
By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and
reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion that
may free your vehicle. If that does not get you out after a
few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do need to
be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Service on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see Recreational Vehicle Towing following.
4-32

{CAUTION:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control
while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes
or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the
vehicle may not handle properly, and you could
have a crash. Using tires of different sizes may
also cause damage to your vehicle. Be sure to
use the same size and type tires on all wheels.
It’s all right to drive with your compact spare
temporarily, it was developed for use on your
vehicle. SeeCompact Spare Tire on page 5-91.
{CAUTION:
If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the
wheel rim anges 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 your vehicle.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
5-75

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) 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 signicantly 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 specied 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 specied 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 Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underination, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
5-76

Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used
or how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause a crash. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Don’t use tire chains. There’s not enough
clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle without
the proper amount of clearance can cause
damage to the brakes, suspension or other
vehicle parts. The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose control of your
vehicle and you or others may be injured in a
crash. Use another type of traction device only
if its manufacturer recommends it for use on
your vehicle and tire size combination and
road conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t
spin your wheels. If you do nd traction devices
that will t, install them on the rear tires.
5-78

K
Key Release Button (Manual Transmission)........2-23
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-24
Interior.......................................................3-26
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-15, 1-23
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-43
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
(Automatic Transmission)..............................2-37
Left Rear Door Ajar.........................................3-78
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-42
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-44
Brake System Warning.................................3-43
Charging System.........................................3-43
Cruise Control.............................................3-52
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-45
Fog Lamp..................................................3-51Light (cont.)
Highbeam On.............................................3-52
Lights On Reminder.....................................3-51
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-47
Oil Pressure...............................................3-49
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-41
Security.....................................................3-51
Sport Mode................................................3-50
TCS Warning Light......................................3-45
Tire Pressure..............................................3-46
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-45
Winter Driving Mode....................................3-50
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirror...............................2-17
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................4-11
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-34
Lockout Protection..........................................2-11
Locks
Central Door Unlocking System....................... 2-9
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-9
Door........................................................... 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-11
Lockout Protection.......................................2-11
Power Door.................................................. 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Loss of Control...............................................4-17
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-3
9

Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-60
Tire Size.......................................................5-62
Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-63
Tires.............................................................5-58
Buying New Tires........................................5-74
Chains.......................................................5-78
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-81
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-91
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-79
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-67
Inspection and Rotation................................5-72
Pressure Monitor System..............................5-70
Run-Flat.....................................................5-66
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-75
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-77
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-77
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-73
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-26
Top Speed – Fuel Cut Off................................3-86
Top Strap......................................................1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-40
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)...............2-38
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-41
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-33
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-39
Your Vehicle...............................................4-32Traction
Control System (TCS).............................4-8, 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-45
Limited-Slip Rear Axle..................................4-11
Stabilitrak
®System......................................4-11
Traction Engaged............................................3-87
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-42
Trans (Transmission) Hot – Idle Engine..............3-87
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-25
Fluid Hot Message......................................3-57
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-27
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-26
Transmission Operation, Manual........................2-33
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trip Odometers..............................................3-40
Trunk............................................................2-12
Trunk Lock Release........................................2-12
Trunk Open...................................................3-87
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.........................3-10
Turn Signal On...............................................3-88
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever..........................3-10
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-44
16