brake CADILLAC CTS 2007 1.G Owner's Manual

If it is dark enough outside and the exterior lamp
control is 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 on. 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 (Clear) button if you have the base audio
system.
To drive your vehicle with the DRL off, turn the
exterior lamp control 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.Light Sensor
The light sensor for the DRL and AUTO headlamp
feature is located on top of the instrument panel.
If you cover the sensor, it will prevent it from
sensing light, and the exterior lamps or the
Headlamps Suggested message will appear on
the DIC whenever the ignition is on.
182

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 326.
{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
205

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS),
the light will come
on when your engine is
started and stay on
for several seconds.
This is normal.
If the ABS warning light comes on and stays on,
there may be a problem with the anti-lock
portion of the brake system. If the brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but you do not have anti-lock brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 205for more
information.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. If the
light comes on when you are driving, stop as
soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then
start the engine again to reset the system. If
the light still stays on, or comes on again while
you are driving, your vehicle needs service.If the regular brake system warning light is not on,
you still have brakes, but you do not have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you do not have anti-lock
brakes and there is a problem with your regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 205for more information.
The ABS warning light should come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If the TC (traction
control) warning light
comes on and stays on,
there may be a
problem with the traction
control system.
206

Change Engine Oil
This message indicates that the life of the engine
oil has expired and it should be changed and
that your vehicle is due for service. See your
dealer. SeeEngine Oil on page 346and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 462for more
information.
When you reset the Change Engine Oil message
by clearing it from the display, you still must
reset the engine oil life system separately. For
more information on resetting the engine oil
life system, seeEngine Oil Life System on
page 349. If you clear this message from the
display, it will not re-appear.
Change Trans (Transmission) Fluid
(Automatic Transmission)
This message indicates that the life of the
transmission uid has expired and it should be
changed. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 462andRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 473for the proper uid and
change intervals.When you reset the Change Trans Fluid message
by clearing it from the display, you still must
reset the transmission uid life monitor separately.
For more information on resetting the transmission
uid life monitor, seeAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 353.
Check Brake Fluid
This message will display if the ignition is in ON to
inform the driver that the brake uid level is low.
Have the brake system serviced by your dealer as
soon as possible. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 205andBrakes on page 371
for more information.
Check Gas Cap
When this message appears on the display, the
gas cap has not been fully tightened. You
should recheck the gas cap to ensure that it is on
and tightened properly. See “If the Light Is On
Steady” underMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 209for more information.
235

Ice Possible
This message appears when the outside
temperature is cold enough to create icy road
conditions.
Left Rear Door Ajar
When this message appears on the display, it
means that the driver’s side rear door was
not closed completely. You should make sure that
the door is closed completely.
Oil Pressure Low – Stop Engine
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
engine oil pressure is low, severe engine
damage may occur. If a low oil pressure
warning appears on the instrument panel
cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not drive the vehicle until the
cause of the low oil pressure is corrected. See
Engine Oil on page 346for more information.
Passenger Door Ajar
When this message appears on the display, it
means that the passenger’s side front door was
not closed completely. You should make sure that
the door is closed completely.
Right Rear Door Ajar
When this message appears on the display, it
means that the passenger’s side rear door was not
closed completely. You should check to make
sure that the door is closed completely.
Service AC (Air Conditioning) System
This message appears when the electronic
sensors that control the air conditioning and
heating systems are no longer working. Have the
climate control system serviced by your dealer
if you notice a drop in heating and air conditioning
efficiency.
Service Air Bag
There is a problem with the airbag system when
this message appears. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 201for more information.
Service Brake Assist
This message will display when a problem with
the panic brake assist system has been detected.
Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer.
238

On all vehicles, features such as climate control
settings, radio preset settings, exterior lighting
at unlock, remote lock and unlock conrmation,
and automatic door locks have already been
programmed for your convenience.
Some vehicles have additional features that can
be programmed including the seat and outside
rearview mirror position.
If your vehicle has the ability to program additional
personalization features, the driver’s preferences
are recalled by pressing the unlock button on
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
1 or 2, or by pressing the appropriate memory
button, 1 or 2, located on the driver’s door. Certain
features can be programmed not to recall until
the key is placed in the ignition. To change feature
preferences, see “Entering the Personalization
Menu” following.Entering the Personalization Menu
To enter the feature programming mode, use the
following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition to ON, but do not start the
engine. Make sure an automatic transmission
is in PARK (P) or a manual transmission
has the parking brake set.
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are
turned off.
2. If your vehicle has memory settings, press the
appropriate memory button, 1 or 2, located on
the driver’s door armrest. The DIC display
will show either Driver 1 or 2 depending
on which button was selected.
3. Press the PWR/VOL knob to turn the radio on.
4. Press the TUNE/SEL knob once to access the
main menu of the DIC.
5. Turn the TUNE/SEL knob until SETUP is
highlighted.
243

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 286
Defensive Driving...................................... 286
Drunken Driving........................................ 287
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 290
Braking...................................................... 290
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 291
Braking in Emergencies............................. 293
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS)........ 293
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS-V).... 295
Competitive Driving Mode (CTS-V)............ 296
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 297
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 297
Panic Brake Assist.................................... 298
Steering.................................................... 298
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 301
Passing..................................................... 301
Loss of Control.......................................... 303Competitive Driving................................... 304
Driving at Night......................................... 305
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 306
City Driving............................................... 310
Freeway Driving........................................ 311
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 312
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 313
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 314
Winter Driving........................................... 316
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 320
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 321
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 321
Towing........................................................ 326
Towing Your Vehicle................................. 326
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 326
Towing a Trailer........................................ 328
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
285

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 are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) (CTS) on page 293or
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS-V) on
page 295.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 332.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 205.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is 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 three-fourths 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 is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
290

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic
and allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 332.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear
a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you may even notice that the
brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 206.
291

Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed
to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
292