tow CADILLAC CTS 2008 2.G User Guide

Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply your regular brakes rst and then press the
shift lever button before you can shift from P (Park)
when the ignition key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot
shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever
and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park on page 2-47.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, you can also use R (Reverse)
to rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice, or sand without damaging your transmission.
SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or
Snow on page 4-21for additional information.N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use N (Neutral) only. You can also
use N (Neutral) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
2-39

A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on, and the vehicle begins to move.
To stop the chime, fully release the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-30for more information.
Shifting Into Park
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
use the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-30.Use this procedure to shift into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-44for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by holding in the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. For vehicles with key access, remove the key and
take it with you. If you can leave your vehicle with
the ignition key in your hand, your vehicle is in
P (Park). Vehicles with the keyless access system,
take the keyless access transmitter with you.
2-45

Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) with the shift lever button
fully released, for vehicles with key access.
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
PARK (P), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal
is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-45for more
information.
To shift out of PARK (P) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Parking the Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, place the shift
lever in R (Reverse) and rmly apply the parking brake.
For vehicles with the key access ignition, turn the ignition
key to OFF/LOCK, press the release button and remove
the key. See “Key Release Button” underIgnition
Positions (Key Access) on page 2-32orIgnition Positions
(Keyless Access) on page 2-34for more information.
For vehicles with the keyless access ignition, turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF and remove the keyless
access transmitter.
If you are towing a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-30.
2-47

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-48.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Also see “If You Are Caught in a Blizzard”
underWinter Driving on page 4-17.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the automatic transmission shift lever is not
fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave your
vehicle when the engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the engine running,
the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when it is on fairly level
ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transmission shift lever
to PARK (P), or the manual transmission shift
lever to NEUTRAL.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-45andParking the Vehicle (Manual
Transmission) on page 2-47.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-30.
2-49

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
This vehicle has an automatic dimming inside rearview
mirror with OnStar®controls. For more information
about OnStar®, seeOnStar®System on page 2-55.
O(On/Off):The on/off button on the lower left side of
the mirror, is used for the automatic dimming functions
of the rearview mirror.
Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming feature comes on each time
the vehicle is started. Automatic dimming reduces
the glare of lights from behind the vehicle.
To turn the automatic dimming feature on or off, press
and release the on/off button. The indicator light
comes on when this feature is on.
Cleaning the Mirror
While cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Outside Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver door armrest.
To adjust each mirror:
1. Press (A) or (B) to select the driver or passenger
side mirror.
2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control
pad to move the mirror to the desired direction.
3. Adjust each outside mirror so that you can see a
little of your vehicle, and the area behind your
vehicle.
4. Press either (A) or (B) again to deselect the mirror.
2-50

Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To fold, push
the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror outward, to
return to its original position.
Park Tilt Mirrors
If the vehicle has the memory package, the passenger
and/or driver outside mirror tilts to a preselected
position when the vehicle is in REVERSE (R). This
allows the driver to view the curb when parallel parking.
When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE (R) and
after a ve-second delay, the mirrors return to their
original position.
The park tilt can be turned on or off through the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle Customization
on page 3-69for more information.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat. It also makes things, like other vehicles,
look farther away than they really are.
Outside Heated Mirrors
When the rear window defogger is turned on, it also
warms both outside rearview mirrors to help clear them
of fog or ice. See “Rear Window Defogger” underDual
Climate Control System on page 3-24for more
information.
2-51

When the System Does Not Seem to
Work Properly
If the URPA system will not activate due to a temporary
condition, the message PARKING ASSIST OFF will be
displayed on the DIC and a red light will be shown on the
rear URPA display when the shift lever is moved into
REVERSE (R). This occurs under the following
conditions:
The driver disables the system.
The parking brake pedal is depressed.
The ultrasonic sensors are not clean. Keep the
vehicle’s rear bumper free of mud, dirt, snow, ice and
slush. For cleaning instructions, seeWashing Your
Vehicle on page 5-116.
A trailer was attached to the vehicle, or a bicycle or
an object was hanging out of the trunk during the last
drive cycle, the red light may illuminate in the rear
display. Once the attached object is removed, URPA
will return to normal operation.
A tow bar is attached to the vehicle.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
2-54

Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column
If your vehicle has this
feature, the power tilt
wheel control is located
on the left side of the
steering column.
To operate the power tilt feature, push the control up
and the steering wheel tilts up. Push the control
down and the steering wheel goes down.
Push the control forward and the steering wheel moves
toward the front of the vehicle. Push the control rearward
and the steering wheel moves toward the rear of the
vehicle.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
GTurn and Lane-Change Signals. SeeTurn
and Lane-Change Signals on page 3-8.
PExterior Lamp Control. SeeHeadlamps
on page 3-17.
3Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 3-8.
Flash-To-Pass Feature. SeeFlash-to-Pass on
page 3-9.
-Fog Lamps. SeeFog Lamps on page 3-19.
3-7

Flash-to-Pass
This feature allows you to use the high-beam headlamps
to signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass.
Pull and hold the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you to use this feature. When this is done the following
will occur:
If the headlamps are off, in low-beam or in Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) mode, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They will stay on as long as
the lever is held there. Release the lever to turn
them off.
For vehicles with High Intensity Discharge (HID)
headlamps, the low-beam headlamps must be
on to activate the high-beam headlamps. SeeHigh
Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting on page 5-55.
If the headlamps are already in high-beam mode,
they will remain on high-beam.
Windshield Wipers
The lever on the right side of the steering column
operates the windshield wipers.
7(Mist):Pull the lever down and release it for a
single wiping cycle. The lever will return to its original
position. For more cycles, hold the lever down
before releasing it.
&(Delay):Move the lever to this position to set a
delay between wipes. Turn the delay adjustment band
to set the length of the delay.
6(Delay Adjustment):Use this band to set the length
of the delay between wipes when using the delay
feature. The closer the band is moved towards
7,
the longer the delay. The windshield wiper lever must be
in delay for this feature to work.
3-9

Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located towards the end of
the turn signal/multifunction lever.
O(Exterior Lamp Control):Turn the band with this
symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has four positions:
O(Off):This position turns off all lamps, except the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
AUTO (Automatic):This position puts the headlamps
in automatic mode. AUTO mode turns the exterior
lamps on and off depending upon how much light is
available outside of the vehicle.
;(Parking Lamps):This position turns on the
parking lamps together with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
5(Headlamps):This position turns on the headlamps,
together with the previously listed lamps and lights.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for about
six seconds. For this feature to work, the exterior lamp
control must be in AUTO.
The wiper-activated headlamps immediately turn off,
when the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF or the
windshield wiper control is turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp control
is left on in either the headlamp or parking lamp position
and the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off.
SeeLights On Reminder on page 3-46for additional
information.
3-17