power steering CADILLAC CTS 2005 1.G Owners Manual

3. Insert a narrow, pointed object into the hole in the
steering column cover and press the spring.
4. Then, turn the ignition switch to OFF and remove
the key.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories on your vehicle may be used
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned
from ON to OFF:
Radio
Power Windows
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (if programmed)
Sunroof
Power to these accessories stops after 10 minutes
or if a door is opened. If you want power for another
10 minutes, close all the doors and turn the
ignition key to ON and then back to OFF.
Starting the Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in NEUTRAL and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the oor
and start the engine. Your vehicle will not start if the
clutch pedal is not all the way down — that is a safety
feature.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. Then, let go of the key; the
engine will start automatically. The idle speed
will go down as your engine gets warm.
2-24

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Recongurable Steering Wheel
Controls (SWC) (CTS).................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-8
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-9
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass...............................................3-10
Windshield Wipers........................................3-10
Windshield Washer.......................................3-11
Headlamp Washer........................................3-12
Cruise Control (CTS).....................................3-12
Cruise Control (CTS-V)..................................3-16
Headlamps..................................................3-19
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-20
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-21
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-21
Fog Lamps..................................................3-23
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-23
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-24
Entry Lighting...............................................3-24
Parade Dimming...........................................3-24
Reading Lamps............................................3-25Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-25
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-26
Climate Controls............................................3-27
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-27
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-31
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-32
Steering Wheel Climate Controls (CTS)............3-33
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-34
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-35
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-37
Trip Odometers............................................3-37
Tachometer.................................................3-37
Engine Speed Limiter....................................3-38
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-38
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-38
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-39
Charging System Light..................................3-41
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-41
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-42
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-43
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light (CTS)..............................................3-43
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-44
Tire Pressure Light (CTS-V)...........................3-44
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-31.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.
C. Recongurable Steering Wheel Controls (CTS). See
Recongurable Steering Wheel Controls (SWC)
(CTS) on page 3-7or Message Center Controls
(CTS-V) seeMessage Center (CTS-V) on page 3-51.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-35.
E. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wipers on
page 3-10.
F. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
G. Audio/Navigation System. SeeNavigation/Radio
System on page 3-105.
H. OnStar
®Button (Base Radio) or Voice Recognition
Button (Navigation System) (CTS). SeeAudio
Steering Wheel Controls (CTS) on page 3-105or
Cruise Controls (CTS-V) seeCruise Control
(CTS) on page 3-12orCruise Control (CTS-V) on
page 3-16.I. Audio Volume Knob and Source Button. SeeAudio
Steering Wheel Controls (CTS) on page 3-105
or Cruise Controls (CTS-V) seeCruise Control (CTS)
on page 3-12orCruise Control (CTS-V) on
page 3-16.
J. Storage Compartment or Ashtray. SeeAshtrays and
Cigarette Lighter on page 3-26.
K. Transmission Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-26orManual
Transmission Operation on page 2-31.
L. Accessory Power Outlet or Cigarette Lighter. See
Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-25orAshtrays
and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-26.
M. Climate Control System. SeeDual Climate Control
System on page 3-27.
N. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-50.
3-5

Here are a few concerns some owners have had about
the fuel gage. All of these situations are normal and
do not indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage:
At the gas station the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
The gage may change when you turn, stop quickly
or accelerate quickly.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll the tank than
the gage indicated. For example, the gage may
have indicated that the tank was half full, but
it actually took a little more or less than half the
tank’s capacity to ll the tank.
Message Center
Message Center (CTS-V)
Your vehicle may have a message center that can
display information relating to powertrain uids,
tire pressures, vehicle dynamics, speedometer and
odometer information, and transmission status. It also
displays warning messages. There are two different
areas where message center information will be
displayed. One display is inside of the tachometer and
the other is inside of the speedometer.These are the controls
for the message center.
They are located on
the left spoke of the
steering wheel.
The outboard switch (A and B) controls the display of
information inside of the tachometer. The upper
button (C) on the inboard switch controls the display of
information inside of the speedometer. The lower
button (D) on the inboard switch turns the traction
control on or off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
(CTS) on page 4-8orTraction Control System
(TCS) (CTS-V) on page 4-9for more information.
3-51

g(OnStar/Voice Recognition):Press this button to
interact with the OnStar®system. See the OnStar®
manual provided with your vehicle for more information.
If your vehicle does not have the OnStar
®System,
pressing this button will silence the system. Press this
button again or turn the VOL knob to turn the sound on.
If your vehicle has the navigation system, press this
button to initiate voice recognition. See “Voice
Recognition” in the Navigation System manual for more
information. You may be able to interact with the
OnStar
®system using this button. See the OnStar®
manual provided with your vehicle for more information.
SeeRecongurable
Steering Wheel Controls
(SWC) (CTS) on page 3-7
for more information on
this feature.
Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with each other. Static
can occur on AM stations caused by things like
storms and power lines. Try reducing the treble to
reduce this noise.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give the best sound, but FM signals will
reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to fade in and out.
3-106

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
the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock brakes, 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) (CTS)
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.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-43. 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. Additionally,
turning the traction control system off on some surfaces,
such as deep snow and loose gravel, will assist vehicle
motion at lower speeds. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get
It Out on page 4-33for more information. See alsoWinter
Driving on page 4-28for information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.
4-8

You can turn the system
off by pressing the TC
(traction control) button
located in the glove box.
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 will
turn off. Press the TC button again to turn StabiliTrak®
back on. For more information, seeStabiliTrak®System
on page 4-11.
You can program your steering wheel controls (CTS
only) and/or the buttons on the Base audio system
to turn the TCS on or off. SeeRecongurable Steering
Wheel Controls (SWC) (CTS) on page 3-7and/or
“Congurable Radio Display Keys” underRadio with CD
on page 3-89for programming instructions.
Traction Control
System (TCS) (CTS-V)
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.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-43. 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.
4-9

You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever gets
stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle
is required. Additionally, turning the traction control
system off on some surfaces, such as deep snow and
loose gravel, will assist vehicle motion at lower speeds.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-33
andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-32for more information. See alsoWinter
Driving on page 4-28for information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.
You can turn the system
off by pressing the TC
(traction control) button
located on the steering
wheel.
If you press the TC button once, the traction control
system will turn off and the traction control system
warning light will come on. If you press the TC button
again within ve seconds, the traction control system will
remain off, the warning light will stay on, and the
stability system will enter Competitive Driving Mode.
Competitive Driving will be displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-65for more information.Press the TC button again to turn the system back on.
If you press and hold the TC button for ve seconds,
the StabiliTrak
®and Traction Control systems will turn
off. Press the TC button again to turn StabiliTrak®
and Traction Control back on. For more information, see
StabiliTrak®System on page 4-11.
Competitive Driving Mode (CTS-V)
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range on the engine oil
dipstick. For information on how to add oil, see
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
The driver can select this optional handling mode by
pressing the Traction Control button on the steering
wheel twice within ve seconds. COMPETITIVE
DRIVING will be displayed in the DIC. 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.
4-10

If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak®,a
Service Stability System message will be displayed on
the Driver Information Center. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-65. 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. See
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS) on page 4-8
orTraction Control System (TCS) (CTS-V) on page 4-9.
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 (CTS) on page 3-12orCruise
Control (CTS-V) on page 3-16for more information.
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.
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
If your vehicle has this system, it varies the amount of
effort required to steer the vehicle in relation to the
speed of the vehicle.
4-12

The amount of steering effort required is less at slower
speeds to make the vehicle more maneuverable
and easier to park. At faster speeds, the steering effort
increases to provide a sport-like feel to the steering.
This provides maximum control and stability.
If your vehicle seems harder to steer than normal when
parking or driving slowly, there may be a problem
with the system. You will still have power steering,
but steering will be stiffer than normal at slow speeds.
See your dealer for service.
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.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)
(CTS) on page 4-8orTraction Control System (TCS)
(CTS-V) on page 4-9.
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.
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.
4-13