tow CADILLAC CTS 2006 1.G Owner's Manual

Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the parking lamps or headlamps have been left on,
the exterior lamps will turn off about 10 minutes after
the ignition is turned to OFF. This protects against
draining the battery in case the headlamps or parking
lamps have been left on. The battery saver does
not work if the headlamps are turned on after the
ignition is turned to OFF.
If you need to leave the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, use the exterior lamp control to turn
the lamps back on.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The lever for this
feature is located on the
overhead console.
Slide the lever toward the symbol to brighten the lights
or away from it to dim them.
If you slide the lever all the way toward the symbol past
the resistance point, the interior lamps will come on.
To turn them off, slide the lever back toward the
minimum brightness setting.
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Entry Lighting
The entry lighting system turns on the reading and dome
lamps and the backlighting to the exterior lamp control
when a door is opened or if the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter unlock button is pressed. If activated by
the (RKE), the lighting will remain active for about
25 seconds. The entry lighting system uses the light
sensor on the instrument panel; so it must be dark
outside in order for the lamps to turn on. The lamps turn
off about 25 seconds after the last door is closed. They
will dim to off if the ignition key is turned to ON, or
immediately turn off if the power locks are used.
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits dimming of the instrument panel
displays and backlighting during daylight hours when
the key is in the ignition and the headlamps are on.
This feature operates with the light sensor and is fully
automatic. When the light sensor reads darkness outside
and the parking lamps are active, the instrument
panel displays can be adjusted by sliding the instrument
panel brightness lever toward the symbol to brighten
or away from the symbol to dim the lighting.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the overhead console.
These lamps come on automatically when any door is
opened.
For manual operation, press the button next to each
lamp to turn it on or off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
With accessory power outlets, you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or
CB radio.
The front accessory power outlet is located in the
ashtray on the instrument panel below the climate
control system. The outlet will have a cigarette lighter if
your vehicle has this option. Remove the cigarette
lighter to access the outlet.
The rear accessory power outlet is located on the back
of the center console.
Your vehicle may have a small cap that must be
removed to access the accessory power outlet. If it
does, when not using the outlet be sure to cover it with
the protective cap.
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=(Rear Window Defogger):Press this button to
turn the rear window defogger on or off. Be sure to clear
as much snow from the rear window as possible.
The rear window defogger will turn off about 10 minutes
after the button is pressed, but if the vehicle’s speed
is above 30 mph (48 km/h), the rear defogger will stay
on continuously. If turned on again, the defogger
will only run for about ve minutes before turning off.
The defogger can also be turned off by pressing
the button again or by turning off the engine.
The heated outside rearview mirrors will heat to help
clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when the
rear window defogger button is on. SeeOutside
Heated Mirrors on page 2-43.
Notice:Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield and rear
window with a razor blade or anything else that is
sharp. This may damage the rear window defogger
grid and affect your radio’s ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the knobs located in the center of each outlet to
change the direction of the airow. Use the thumbwheels
to open or close the outlets.
j(Side Window Defog):Turn the thumbwheel to this
symbol to use the side window defog setting. The air
coming through the outlets will be directed toward
the side windows to clear fog.
k(Open):Turn the thumbwheel to this symbol to open
the outlets completely and allow the maximum amount
of air to enter your vehicle. A small amount of air will still
be directed to the side windows.
l(Closed):Turn the thumbwheel to this symbol to
close the outlets and minimize the amount of air entering
the vehicle.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at
the highest setting, the passenger compartment
air lter may need to be replaced. For more
information, seePassenger Compartment Air Filter
on page 3-29.
3-28

Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The passenger compartment air lter traps most of the
pollen from the air entering your vehicle. Like your
vehicle’s engine air cleaner/lter, it needs to be changed
periodically. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
Using the climate control system without the passenger
air lter installed may allow water or other debris to
enter the system. This could cause a water leak
or noises. Make sure to install a new air lter after
removing the old one.
The passenger compartment air lter is located
underneath the hood below the windshield wiper arm on
the passenger’s side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.Use the procedure listed below to replace the passenger
compartment air lter:
1. Turn the ignition to ON with the engine off.
2. Turn on the windshield wipers and turn them off
again when the wipers are straight on the
windshield.
This allows you access to the leaf screen. The
passenger compartment air lter is located under
the leaf screen.
3. Open the hood to access the engine compartment.
SeeHood Release on page 5-11for more
information.
4. Remove the four screws that hold the leaf screen in
place and lift off the screen by lifting and sliding
toward the center of the vehicle.
5. Pull out on the two tabs located on each end of the
lter cover.
6. Lift the lter cover off by pulling it straight upward.
7. Remove the old lter and insert a new one.
Make sure the arrow on the lter is pointing toward
the passenger compartment.
SeeNormal Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 6-15for the correct part number for the lter.
8. Reverse Steps 1 through 6 to reinstall the cover.
3-29

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake does
not release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push, or the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-37.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning
light on can lead to an accident. If the light
is still on after you have pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service. United StatesCanada
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Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light does not come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your
vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is
still ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your
dealer for service as soon as possible.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-9
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS)................4-9
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS-V)...........4-10
Competitive Driving Mode (CTS-V)..................4-12
Limited-Slip Rear Axle...................................4-12
StabiliTrak
®System......................................4-12
Panic Brake Assist........................................4-13
Steering......................................................4-13
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-16
Passing.......................................................4-16
Loss of Control.............................................4-17
Competitive Driving.......................................4-18Driving at Night............................................4-19
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-20
City Driving..................................................4-22
Freeway Driving...........................................4-23
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-24
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-25
Winter Driving..............................................4-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-31
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-32
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-32
Towing..........................................................4-37
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-37
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-37
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-39
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right. That will clear
the area around the front wheels. You should turn the
traction control system off. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) (CTS) on page 4-9orTraction Control System
(TCS) (CTS-V) on page 4-10. Then shift back and
forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
or with a manual transmission, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R), spinning the wheels as
little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning the
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If that
does not get your vehicle out after a few tries, it may
need to be towed out. If your vehicle does need to
be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-37.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo, and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on your vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the
Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either
the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on your
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of your vehicle.
4-32

4. The resulting gure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example,
if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and there will
be ve 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
If your vehicle can tow a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 4-39for important information on towing a
trailer, towing safety rules, and trailering tips.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight for Example 1 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract
Occupant Weight
150 lbs (68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant
and Cargo Weight =700 lbs (317 kg) Example 1
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If you put things inside your vehicle, like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else, they will go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they will keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service
if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Service on page 7-7.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see Recreational Vehicle Towing following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind
a motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as “dinghy
towing” (towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground) and “dolly towing” (towing your vehicle
with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up
on a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
4-37