automatic transmission CADILLAC CTS 2003 1.G User Guide

2-31
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever.
Push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) while
pressing the button on the shift lever as you maintain
brake application. Then move the shift lever into the
gear you wish. See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in
the Index.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle has stopped.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, you can also use REVERSE (R)
to rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission. See
ªStuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index for
additional information.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, the engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. You can also use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
ªracingº (running at high speed) is dangerous.
Unless your foot is firmly on the brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Don't shift
into a drive gear while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting
out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn't covered by your warranty.

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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transmission will shift down to a lower gear and
have more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, or
if it doesn't seem to shift gears as you accelerate,
something may be wrong with a transmission
system sensor. If you drive very far that way,
your vehicle can be damaged. So if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
you can use FOURTH (4) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.
FOURTH (4): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are examples for using FOURTH (4) instead of
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When going down a steep hill.
THIRD (3): This position gives you more power. You
can use THIRD (3) on hills. It can help control your
speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use your brakes off and on.
If the shift lever is put into THIRD (3), the transmission
won't shift into THIRD (3) until the vehicle is moving
slowly enough.

2-33
SECOND (2): This position gives you even more
power than THIRD (3). You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud. (If the shift lever is put
in SECOND (2), the transmission won't shift into
SECOND (2) until the vehicle is going slowly enough).
NOTICE:
If the vehicle's wheels can't turn, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object. You could damage your transmission.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could cause overheating and damage
the transmission. Use your brakes to hold your
vehicle in position on a hill.
Shift Lock Release
(Automatic Transmission Only)
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, you can still shift the vehicle into PARK (P) and
remove the ignition key. Use the following procedure to
release the shift lever:
1. Pull up on the rear part of the leather boot that
surrounds the shift lever.
2. Fold the boot upward to expose the mechanism
beneath the shift lever.

2-35
Sport Mode Button
(Automatic Transmission Only)
This button allows you to change the driving mode of
the vehicle from the normal driving mode to a sportier
driving mode. In sport mode the vehicle will have firmer
shifting and increased performance.
The sport mode button is
located on the center
console near the
transmission shift lever.
Press the button once to turn on the sport mode.
Press the button again to return to normal driving mode.
This light located on the
instrument panel cluster
will come on when the sport
mode is active.
When you turn off the ignition while driving in sport
mode, the vehicle will remain in sport mode. Press the
sport mode button again to turn off the feature and
return to normal driving mode.

2-36
Winter Driving Mode Button
(Automatic Transmission Only)
This feature provides more traction during slippery
conditions by using THIRD (3) gear instead of
SECOND (2) when you begin to accelerate from a
stopped position.
The winter driving mode
button is located on the
center console near the
transmission shift lever.
Press this button once to turn on the winter driving
mode feature. Press it again to turn the feature off.
The winter driving mode feature works when the vehicle
is in any gear except SECOND (2).
This light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on
when the winter driving
mode is active.
When you turn off the ignition while using this feature,
winter mode is automatically turned off. The vehicle
will return to normal driving mode. You must reselect
the winter driving mode feature each time you restart the
vehicle if you wish to use the feature.
The transmission will be in THIRD (3) gear when the
vehicle begins to move. Once the vehicle is moving, the
vehicle will upshift normally.
The transmission will downshift when the accelerator
pedal is pressed and held for more than two seconds.
This feature is not intended for continuous use or for
use when the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice, snow or
gravel. If your vehicle becomes stuck, see ªRocking
Your Vehicleº in the Index for more information on
how to free it.

2-40
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll. If
you have left the engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle won't move, even when
you're on fairly level ground, use the steps that
follow. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
To shift into PARK (P), use the following steps:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

Press the button on the front of the shift lever as you
push the shift lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle into PARK (P). Release the button.

With your right foot still holding the brake pedal
down, set the parking brake with your left foot. See
ªParking Brakeº in the Index for more information.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
4. Remove the key from the ignition switch and take it
with you. If you can leave your vehicle with the key
in your hand, the vehicle is in PARK (P).

2-41
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission Only)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pushing
the button on the shift lever. If you can, it means that the
shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

2-42
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº in
the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease the pressure
on the shift lever. Push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) while pushing the button on the shift lever as
you maintain brake application. Then move the shift
lever into the gear you want. If you ever hold the pedal
down but still can't shift out of PARK (P), try the
following:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY. Open and
close the driver's door to turn off the RAP feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle firmly apply the
parking brake. Turn the ignition key to OFF, press the
release button and remove the key. See ªManual
Transmission Key Release Buttonº in the Index for
more information.
If you are towing a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.

2-44
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.

Repairs weren't done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
Running Your Engine While You're
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into your
vehicle. See the earlier Caution under ªEngine
Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the fan is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.

2-57
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make the turn signal lamps come
on when the following conditions are met:

It is still daylight and the ignition is in ON
or START,

the exterior lamp control is in OFF or AUTO with
the headlamps off, and

an automatic transmission is not in PARK (P) or the
parking brake is not set on a manual transmission.
When DRL are on, only your turn signal lamps will be on.
No other exterior lamps will be on when the DRL are
being used. Your instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When the exterior lamp control is in AUTO and it's dark
enough outside, the DRL will turn off and the low
-beam
headlamps will turn on. When it's bright enough
outside, the low
-beam headlamps will go off, and the
DRL will turn back on.If it's dark enough outside and the exterior lamp control
is in OFF, a Headlamps Suggested message will appear
on the Driver's Information Center (DIC) display. This
message informs the driver that turning on the exterior
lamps is recommended even though the DRL are still
illuminated. Turning the exterior lamp control to AUTO
or to the low
-beam headlamp position will turn off the
DRL and cancel the Headlamps Suggested message.
If the parking lamps or the fog lamps were turned on
instead, the DRL will still turn off and the Headlamps
Suggested message will be displayed. You can turn it off
by pressing the OK button if you have the Navigation
audio system or the CLR button if you have the base
audio system.
To operate your vehicle with the DRL off, turn the
exterior lamp control to OFF. Then turn on the fog
lamps or parking lamps, and the DRL will turn off.
The Headlamps Suggested message will appear on the
DIC display. This will work regardless of gear position
and whether or not the parking brake is set.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.