tow CADILLAC CTS 2003 1.G Owners Manual

1-32
How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside
of the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protection
provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body,
stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal air
bags would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts, and many side
impacts, primarily because an occupant's motion is not
toward the air bag. Side impact air bags would not help
you in many types of collisions, including frontal or
near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts,
primarily because an occupant's motion is not toward
those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as
anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and
then only in moderate to severe frontal or near
-frontal
collisions for the driver's and right front passenger's
frontal air bags, and only in moderate to severe side
collisions for the side impact air bags.What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module
-- the
steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, the
instrument panel for the right front passenger's bag, the
side of the seatback closest to the door for the
seat
-mounted side impact air bags and the area along the
ceiling of your vehicle near the side windows
-- will be
hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come into
contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch.
There will be some smoke and dust coming from the
vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn't
prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the
vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.

1-45
CAUTION:
The body structure of a young child is quite
unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom
the safety belts are designed. A young child's hip
bones are still so small that the vehicle's regular
safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones,
as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the
child's abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply
force on a body area that's unprotected by any
bony structure. This alone could cause serious or
fatal injuries. Young children always should be
secured in appropriate child restraints.
Restraint Systems for Children
An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a
motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to
restrain or position a child on a continuous flat surface.
Make sure that the infant's head rests toward the center
of the vehicle.

1-59
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt. The
belt can't properly spread the impact forces. In a
crash, the two children can be crushed together
and seriously injured. A belt must be used by
only one person at a time.
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child's face or neck?
A:If the child is sitting in a seat next to a window,
move the child toward the center of the vehicle. If
the child is sitting in the center rear seat passenger
position, move the child toward the safety belt
buckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt
still is on the child's shoulder, so that in a crash the
child's upper body would have the restraint that
belts provide. If the child is sitting in a rear seat
outside position, see ªRear Safety Belt Comfort
Guidesº in the Index.

2-24
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the
long run if you follow these guidelines for the
first 500 miles (805 km):

Don't drive at any one speed -- fast or slow.

Do not exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).

Don't make full
-throttle starts, also refrain
from using the full throttle while driving.
If these procedures are not followed your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking
-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don't tow a trailer during break-in. See ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index for more information.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the key
to four different positions.

2-30
Automatic Transmission Operation
The automatic transmission shift lever is located on the
center console between the front seats.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.PARK (P): This position locks the rear wheels. It's the
best position to use when you start the engine because
your vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is 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.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. 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, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.

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.

2-39
To release the parking brake, pull the release lever
located to the left of the steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
on the instrument panel cluster should come on. If it
doesn't, you need to have your vehicle serviced. See
ªBrake System Warning Lightº in the Index for more
information.
NOTICE:
Do not drive your vehicle with the parking brake
on. Driving with the parking brake engaged can
cause your vehicle's rear brakes to overheat. You
may have to replace them, and you could also
damage other parts of your vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the vehicle begins to move. To
stop the chime, fully release the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a hill, see
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for more information.

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).

2-42
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.

2-45
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.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've 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, always set your parking brake after
you move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Horn
Press on the pad near the horn symbols to sound
the horn.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest level
to give your legs more room when you exit and enter
the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Then move the steering wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.