traction control CADILLAC CTS 2003 1.G Owners Manual

2-14
3. Insert the new battery as the instructions under the
cover indicate.
4. Snap the transmitter back together tightly to be sure
no moisture can enter.
5. Press any button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter to resynchronize the transmitter.
6. Check the operation of the transmitter.
Reconfigurable Steering Wheel
Controls (SWC)
This feature allows you to customize the four steering
wheel controls to work with the OnStar
, the climate
control, audio and traction control systems.
The controls for this feature
are located on the left spoke
of the steering wheel.
To program one of these controls, use one of the
following procedures:
If your vehicle is equipped with the Base audio system,
do the following:
1. Access the main menu of the audio system by
pressing the TUNE/SEL knob located at the lower
right of the audio system.

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Cruise Control
: On/Off
+: Resume/Accelerate, Set
-: Coast/Decelerate, Set
The buttons used to operate cruise control are located at
the bottom of the steering wheel.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of
approximately 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This is helpful on
long trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds below
about 25 mph (40 km/h).When you apply your brakes, the cruise control
shuts off.
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. See ªTraction
Control Systemº and ªStabilitrak Systemº in the Index.
When road conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may turn the cruise control back on.

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Traction Control System Warning
(TRAC OFF) Light
If the TRAC OFF
warning light comes on
and stays on, there may
be a problem with the
traction control system.
The TRAC OFF light will come on briefly when you
turn the ignition to ON. If it doesn't come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there is
a problem.The light will also come on if you turn the traction
control system OFF using the Traction On/Off button.
The traction control TC button is located in the
glove box.
If the TRAC OFF light stays on or comes on while you
are driving, pull off the road as soon as possible and stop
carefully. Try resetting the system by turning the
ignition off then back on. If the light still stays on or
comes back on again while you are driving, your vehicle
needs service. Have the traction control system
inspected as soon as possible. See ªTraction Control
Systemº in the Index.

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Stability Sys Engaged Message
This symbol appears with
the Stability System
Engaged message.
The Stability Sys Engaged message will be displayed
any time Stabilitrak (if equipped) is actively assisting
you with directional control of the vehicle. Slippery road
conditions may exist when this message is displayed, so
adjust your driving accordingly. This message may stay
on for a few seconds after Stabilitrak stops assisting you
with directional control of the vehicle.Stability Sys Off MessageThis symbol appears
with the Stability
System Off message.
The Stability Sys Off message will be displayed any
time you turn off Stabilitrak (if equipped) using the
Traction On/Off button. When this message has been
displayed, Stabilitrak is no longer available to assist you
with directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your
driving accordingly.

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Stability Sys Ready Message
This symbol appears
with the Stability System
Ready message.
The Stability Sys Ready message will be displayed any
time you turn back on Stabilitrak (if equipped) using the
Traction On/Off button. When this message has been
displayed, Stabilitrak is ready to assist you with
directional control of the vehicle if needed.Service Steering SystemThis symbol appears
with the Service Steering
System message.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a speed variable
assist steering system. See ªSpeed Variable Assist
Steeringº in the Index.
The Service Steering System message will be displayed
if a problem is detected with the speed variable assist
steering system. When this message is displayed, you
may notice that the effort required to steer the vehicle
increases or feels ªheavier,º but you will still be able to
steer the vehicle.

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Traction Engaged
This symbol appears
with the Traction
Engaged message.
This message will appear when the traction control
system is actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery road
conditions may exist if this message is displayed, so
adjust your driving accordingly. The message will stay
on for a few seconds after the traction control system
stops limiting wheel spin. See ªTraction Control
Systemº in the Index for more information.Traction SuspendedThis symbol appears
with the Traction
Suspended message.
This message will appear when the traction control
system has been temporarily shut off because your
vehicle's brakes have overheated. This message does not
indicate a problem with your vehicle's traction control
system. See ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index for
more information.

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TCS (Traction Control System): You can enable
or disable the traction control system using this menu
item. Press the TUNE/SEL knob to switch between on
and off.
You can also turn the traction control system off using
the traction control button located in the glove box or
by programming one of the steering wheel controls
(1, 2, 3 or 4) or audio system softkeys to enable/disable
the TCS. See ªReconfigurable Steering Wheel Controlsº
and ªConfigurable Radio Display Keysº in the Index for
more information.
When you disable the traction control system, the
Traction Suspended message will appear on the DIC and
the traction control system warning light on the
instrument panel cluster will come on. See ªDriver
Information (DIC) Messagesº and ªTraction Control
System Warning Lightº listed previously in this section
for more information.SET CLOCK
Use this menu item to
set the time on the
vehicle's clock.
See ªSetting the Clockº in the Index for more
information.
SETUP: When you select this menu item, the following
submenu is available:

Personalization

Configure Display Keys

Configure SWC (Steering Wheel Control) Keys

Clear Tape Hours
You can use the items on this submenu to customize
your vehicle's audio system and optional memory
features. See ªVehicle Programming and Personalization
Features,º ªReconfigurable Steering Wheel Controlsº
and ªCare of Your Cassette Tape Playerº in the Index for
more information on these menu items.

4-
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We've also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4
-2 Defensive Driving
4
-3 Drunken Driving
4
-6 Control of a Vehicle
4
-6 Braking
4
-9 Traction Control System
4
-10 Stabilitrak
- Vehicle Stability Enhancement
System (If Equipped)
4
-11 Steering
4
-13 Off-Road Recovery
4
-14 Passing
4
-15 Loss of Control4
-16 Driving at Night
4
-18 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4
-21 City Driving
4
-22 Freeway Driving
4
-23 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
-24 Highway Hypnosis
4
-24 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-26 Winter Driving
4
-30 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
-32 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-34 Towing a Trailer

4-6
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're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle. Also see ªTraction Control Systemº in
the Index.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That's perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That's reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But
that's 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 3/4 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's 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.

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Remember: Anti-lock doesn't 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 won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly 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 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
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 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.
See ªTraction Control System Warning Lightº in the
Index. When this warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
When the system is limiting wheel spin, the Traction
Control System warning light will be blinking.
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. See ªRocking Your Vehicleº in the Index.