traction CADILLAC XLR 2005 1.G User Guide

TOP INOP – VALET ON:This message will display
when the retractable hardtop button is pressed and the
valet switch is on. Turn off the valet switch before
using the retractable hardtop.
TOP INOP OUT OF PARK:This message will display if
the retractable hardtop button is pressed while the
vehicle is not in PARK (P).
TOP MOTOR OVER TEMP:This message will display
when the retractable hardtop button is pressed and
the hardtop pump motor temperature is over
221°F (105°C). Wait for the hardtop pump motor to cool
down before using the retractable hardtop.
TOP NOT SECURE:This message will display when
the retractable hardtop button is released before the top
open or close operation is complete. Press and hold
the retractable hardtop button to fully open or close
the top.
TRAC SYSTEM ACTIVE:When your traction control
system is limiting wheel spin, the TRACTION SYSTEM
ACTIVE message will be displayed. Slippery road
conditions may exist if this message is displayed, so
adjust your driving accordingly. This message will stay
on for a few seconds after the traction control system
stops limited wheel spin.TRAC/STABILITRAK OFF:This message indicates
that both the Traction Control System (TCS) and
StabiliTrak
®are off. The message will remain until the
systems are turned on again.
TRAC/STABILITRAK ON:This message indicates that
both the Traction Control System (TCS) and the
StabiliTrak
®are on.
TRACTION SYSTEM OFF:This message indicates
that the Traction Control System (TCS) is off but
StabiliTrak
®remains on.
TRACTION SYSTEM ON:This message indicates that
the Traction Control System (TCS) is on, but
StabiliTrak
®is off.
TRUNK AJAR:This message indicates that the trunk is
open while the vehicle is running and not in PARK (P).
WAIT FOR STABILITRAK:This message will be
displayed after driving 19 mph (30 km/h) for 10 seconds
if the steering is not centered. StabiliTrak
®is not
available until the steering centers itself and the
STABILITRAK READY message is displayed in the DIC.
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Diversity Antenna System
The AM-FM antennas are located under the decklid
surface in the trunk compartment. the antennas
are hidden from view and are not accessible.
If adding an aftermarket cellular telephone to your
vehicle, do not attach the antenna to the rear glass. This
would interfere with the convertible top retraction
operation and could cause damage to the
nished/painted surfaces.
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System
The XM™ Satellite Radio antenna is located on the
trunk of your vehicle. Keep this antenna clear of snow
and ice build up for clear radio reception.
3-81

Getting Started
Before you begin to operate the navigation system, read
this manual thoroughly to become familiar with it and
to understand how the system works.
The navigation system allows you to do the following:
Plan a route with provided turn-by-turn route
and map guidance with voice prompts. See
Plan Route on page 4-13for more information.
Select a destination using various methods and
choices.
Receive broadcast announcements on traffic and
emergency alert communications.
The information in the system may not always be
complete. Road conditions such as prohibited turns,
detours, and construction zones, change frequently. It is
important to consider whether you can follow the
directions given by the system for the current conditions.When getting started, you may set the navigation
system to your preference using various options. To do
so, reference the following topics:
To adjust screen appearance, language, clock,
English/metric measurements, or other options, see
“Main Audio Menu” underNavigation Audio
System on page 4-45.
To adjust voice guidance volume or other navigation
settings, seeSetup Menu on page 4-7.
Features and Controls
Using the Navigation System
This section presents basic information you will need to
know to operate the navigation system.
Use the keys located on each side of the navigation
screen, as well as the available touch-sensitive screen
buttons, to operate the system. SeeNavigation System
Overview on page 4-2for more information on location.
Once the vehicle is moving, various functions will be
disabled to reduce driver distraction.
4-4

Tourist Attraction:This command will cause the
system to display tourist attraction POI icons.
Winery:This command will cause the system to
display winery POI icons.
City Hall:This command will cause the system to
display city hall POI icons.
Police Station:This command will cause the system to
display police station POI icons.
Library:This command will cause the system to
display library POI icons.
Hospital:This command will cause the system to
display hospital POI icons.
Park & Recreation, Parks & Recreation:These
commands will cause the system to display parks and
recreation POI icons.
Civic Center, Community Center:These commands
will cause the system to display community center
POI icons.
Convention Center, Exhibition Center:These
commands will cause the system to display convention
center POI icons.
Court House:This command will cause the system to
display court house POI icons.Train Station:This command will cause the system to
display train station POI icons.
Airport:This command will cause the system to
display airport POI icons.
Bus Station:This command will cause the system to
display bus station POI icons.
Commuter Rail Station:This command will cause the
system to display commuter rail station POI icons.
Ferry Terminal:This command will cause the system
to display ferry terminal POI icons.
Park & Ride:This command will cause the system to
display park & ride POI icons.
Rest Area, Rest Stop:These commands will cause
the system to display rest area POI icons.
Tourist Information:This command will cause the
system to display tourist information POI icons.
Historical Monument:This command will cause the
system to display historical monument POI icons.
Performing Arts:This command will cause the system
to display performing arts POI icons.
Museum:This command will cause the system to
display museum POI icons.
4-76

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........5-2
Defensive Driving...........................................5-2
Drunken Driving.............................................5-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................5-5
Braking.........................................................5-5
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................5-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................5-8
Traction Control System (TCS).........................5-8
Magnetic Ride Control.....................................5-9
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................5-9
StabiliTrak
®System......................................5-10
Steering......................................................5-11
Off-Road Recovery.......................................5-13
Passing.......................................................5-14
Loss of Control.............................................5-15
Driving at Night............................................5-16Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................5-18
City Driving..................................................5-20
Freeway Driving...........................................5-21
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................5-22
Highway Hypnosis........................................5-23
Hill and Mountain Roads................................5-23
Winter Driving..............................................5-25
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow........5-29
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................5-30
Loading Your Vehicle....................................5-30
Towing..........................................................5-35
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................5-35
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................5-35
Towing a Trailer...........................................5-35
Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
5-1

{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Please do not drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a
cab; or if you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.
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 5-8andStabiliTrak
®System on page 5-10.
Braking
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 (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
5-5

Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear
a motor or clicking noise and feel the brake pedal
move a little during a stop, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, 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. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system works the rear brakes and reduces engine
power to limit wheel spin.
The TRAC SYSTEM ACTIVE message will display on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the traction
control system is limiting wheel spin. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-64. You may feel or hear
the system working, but this is normal.If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. SeeAdaptive Cruise
Control on page 3-16.
This warning light will
come on to let you know if
there is a problem with
your traction control
system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-53. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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. 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 5-30andIf You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow on page 5-29for more information.
5-8

To turn the system off,
press the front part of the
traction control button
located on the center
console.
The TRACTION SYSTEM-OFF message will display on
the DIC and the traction control system warning light
will come on. If the system is limiting wheel spin when
you press the button, the TRACTION SYSTEM-OFF
message will display – but the system will not turn
off right away. It will wait until there is no longer
a current need to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. The TRACTION SYSTEM-ON
message should display briey on the Driver Information
Center.Magnetic Ride Control
Magnetic Ride Control 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 RIDE CONTROL message. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-64for 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.
5-9

StabiliTrak®System
The StabiliTrak®System is a computer controlled
system that helps the driver maintain directional control
of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This is
accomplished by selectively applying any one of the
vehicle’s brakes.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to drive
away (6 mph (10 km/h)), especially during cold weather,
the message STABILITRAK WARMING may be
displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC), the
instrument cluster light will be on, and a chime will
sound. This is normal. You can acknowledge this
message by pressing the RESET button. The
StabiliTrak
®System performance is affected until the
message, STABILITRAK READY, is displayed in
the DIC. This can take up to 15 minutes.
The WAIT FOR STABILITRAK message may be
displayed in the DIC after exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h)
for 10 seconds if the steering is not centered. The
system is off until the STABILITRAK ACTIVE message
is displayed.The STABILITRAK ACTIVE message will come on when
the system is operating. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-64for more information. You may
also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.
The instrument cluster light
will come on and a chime
will sound to let you
know if there is a problem
with the system.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message will also be
displayed. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-64for more information.
When this light and the SERVICE STABILITRAK
message are on, the system is not operational. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
The system comes on automatically whenever you start
your vehicle. To help maintain directional control of the
vehicle, you should always leave the system on. You can
turn the system off if you ever need to. If you turn the
STABILITRAK
®System off, the Traction Control System
will also be turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.
5-10

To turn the system off,
press and hold the front
part of the traction
control button on the
console for ve seconds
with the vehicle stopped.
You can turn the
system back on at any
time by pressing the
button.
The DIC will display the appropriate message when you
push the button, either TRAC/STABILITRAK ON or
TRAC/STABILITRAK OFF.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.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering
Your vehicle is equipped with 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
Driving on Curves
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.
5-11