traction control CADILLAC STS 2007 1.G User Guide

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 316
Defensive Driving...................................... 316
Drunken Driving........................................ 317
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 320
Braking...................................................... 320
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 321
Braking in Emergencies............................. 323
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 323
Competitive Driving Mode (STS-V)............ 325
Magnetic Ride Control............................... 325
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 325
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 326
Panic Brake Assist.................................... 327
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.................. 327
Steering.................................................... 327
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 330
Passing..................................................... 330
Loss of Control.......................................... 332Competitive Driving................................... 333
Driving at Night......................................... 333
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 335
City Driving............................................... 338
Freeway Driving........................................ 339
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 340
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 341
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 342
Winter Driving........................................... 344
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 348
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 349
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 349
Towing........................................................ 355
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 355
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 355
Towing a Trailer........................................ 357
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
315

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 323and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 326.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 363.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 248.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
320

Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not
have time to apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may
hear the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your 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.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
This warning light will
come on to let you
know if there’s a
problem with your
traction control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 250. When this warning light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
323

The traction control system automatically comes
on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you
should always leave the system on. But you
can turn the traction control system off if you
ever need to.
Notice:Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when the TCS is off. You could
damage your vehicle’s driveline.
When the TCS is switched off on AWD and STS-V
vehicles, you may still feel the system working.
This is normal and necessary with the hardware on
your vehicle.
You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever
gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking
the vehicle is required. SeeRocking Your Vehicle
to Get It Out on page 349andIf Your Vehicle
is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 348
for more information. See alsoWinter Driving
on page 344for information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.To turn the system off,
press the TC (traction
control) button
located near the
shift lever.
If you press the TC button once, the traction
control system will turn off and the traction control
system warning light will come on. Press the
TC button again to turn the system back on. If you
press and hold the TC button for ve seconds,
the StabiliTrak
®system and the traction control
system will turn off. Press the TC button again to
turn StabiliTrak
®back on. For more information,
seeStabiliTrak®System on page 326.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 363for more information.
324

Competitive Driving Mode (STS-V)
The driver can select this optional handling mode
by pressing the Traction Control button, located
near the shift lever, twice within ve seconds.
Competitive driving mode allows the driver to have
control of the power applied to the rear wheels,
while the StabiliTrak
®system helps steer the
vehicle by selective brake application. In
competitive mode, the levels at which StabiliTrak
®
is engaged have been modied to better suit a
performance driving environment. When the
traction control warning light is on, the Traction
Control System will not be operating. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
When you press the Traction Control button again,
the Traction Control System will be on. The
traction engaged symbol will be displayed
temporarily in the DIC and a chime will be heard.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 264
for more information.
Magnetic Ride Control
Your vehicle may have Magnetic Ride Control that
automatically adjusts the ride of your vehicle.
Automatic ride control is achieved through
a computer used to control and monitor the
suspension system. The controller receives input
from various sensors to determine the proper
system response. If the controller detects a
problem within the system, the DIC will display a
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS message. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 264
for more information. See your dealer for service.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your limited-slip rear axle can give you additional
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It
works like a standard axle most of the time, but
when one of the rear wheels has no traction
and the other does, this feature will allow
the wheel with traction to move the vehicle.
325

StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle is equipped with a vehicle stability
enhancement system called StabiliTrak®.It
is an advanced computer controlled system that
assists you with directional control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak
®activates when the computer senses a
discrepancy between your intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak
®selectively applies braking pressure at
any one of the vehicle’s brakes to help steer the
vehicle in the direction which you are steering.
When the system activates, a STABILITY SYS
ACTIVE message will be displayed on the Driver
Information Center. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 264. You may also hear a
noise or feel vibration in the brake pedal. This is
normal. Continue to steer the vehicle in the
direction you want it to go.If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak
®,a
SERVICE STABILITY SYS message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 264. When
this message is displayed, the system is not
operational. Driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
StabiliTrak
®comes on automatically whenever you
start your vehicle. To help assist you with
directional control of the vehicle, you should
always leave the system on. You can turn
StabiliTrak
®off if you ever need to through the
TC (traction control) on/off button. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 323.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
StabiliTrak
®activates, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may reengage
the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on
page 193orAdaptive Cruise Control on page 197
for more information.
326

Panic Brake Assist
Your vehicle has a panic brake assist system that
monitors the intention of the driver while braking. If
the system senses that the driver has applied
hard/fast pressure to the brake pedal, the system
will generate additional pressure, making it easier
for the driver to maintain brake application. When
this happens the brake pedal will feel easier to
push. Just hold the brake pedal down rmly and let
the system work for you. You may feel the brakes
vibrate, or you may notice some noise but this is
normal. The brakes will return to normal operation
after the brake pedal has been released.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, engine
power is sent to all four wheels all the time.
This is like four-wheel drive, but it is fully
automatic.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning, you
can steer but it will take much more effort.
Speed Variable Assist Steering
Your vehicle has a steering system that
continuously adjusts the effort you feel when
steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease
when parking, yet a rm, solid feel at highway
speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
327

The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 323
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 326.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the
way you want it to go, and slow down.
Since your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak
®,
the system may be active. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 264andStabiliTrak
®System
on page 326.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are 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.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 363.
328

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.
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 your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
your 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.A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps
avoid only the acceleration skid. If your traction
control system is off, then an acceleration
skid is also best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
If your 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, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid
if it occurs.
With StabiliTrak
®, you may see the STABILITY
SYS ACTIVE message on the Driver Information
Center. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 264.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to 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.
332

Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires
meet the road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires
and the road, you can have a very slippery
situation. You will have a lot less traction, or grip,
and will need to be very careful.What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on.
But wet ice can be even more trouble because it
may offer the least traction of all. You can get
wet ice when it is about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and
freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed,
blowing, or loose snow — drive with caution.
Traction control improves your ability to accelerate
when driving on a slippery road. Even though your
vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS), you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to the
road conditions. Under certain conditions, you may
want to turn the TCS off, such as when driving
through deep snow and loose gravel, to help
maintain vehicle motion at lower speeds. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 323,
StabiliTrak
®System on page 326,Rocking Your
Vehicle to Get It Out on page 349, and “Winter
Tires” underTires on page 421.
345