tow CADILLAC CTS 2007 1.G Owner's Manual

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.
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.
184

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.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management
(EPM) that estimates the battery’s temperature and
state of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for
best performance and extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the
voltage is raised slightly to quickly put the charge
back in. When the state of charge is high, the
voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging.
If the vehicle has a voltmeter gage or voltage
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC), you
may see the voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be
displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for all
vehicles. This is because the generator (alternator)
may not be spinning fast enough at idle to
produce all the power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.
185

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 141.
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.
194

3. Open the hood to access the engine
compartment. SeeHood Release on page 341
for 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 475for the correct part number
for the lter.
8. Reverse Steps 1 through 6 to reinstall
the cover.Steering Wheel Climate
Controls (CTS)
Your vehicle may have four controls that can be
programmed for use with the climate control
system.
The controls are located
on the left side of the
steering wheel.
SeeRecongurable Steering Wheel Controls
(SWC) (CTS) on page 169for more information on
programming these controls.
196

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

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
possibleIf 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.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 337.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. A
loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the
light off.
210

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

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 293orTraction Control System (TCS)
(CTS-V) on page 295. 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 326.
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.
321

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.
Your vehicle is not designed nor intended to
tow any trailer.
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
323

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 488.
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”).
326