CADILLAC CTS V 2006 1.G Owners Manual

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. Do not race
the engine immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently until the
oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the
engine and protects the electrical system. If the
ignition key is turned to the START position,
and then released when the engine begins cranking,
the engine will continue cranking until the vehicle
starts or until it exceeds the maximum cranking time
allowed, approximately 15 seconds to prevent
cranking motor damage. To prevent starter-motor
gear damage, this system also prevents cranking if
the engine is already running. The engine cranking
can be stopped by turning the ignition switch to
the ACCESSORY or OFF position.
2. If your engine will not start, or starts but then stops,
it could be ooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor and holding it there as you turn the key
to START. If the vehicle starts briey but then stops
again, do the same thing.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
2-25

Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may have an engine coolant heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have
an internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This
will prevent operation of the engine coolant heater
when the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as
noted on the cord.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. For
the 2.8L V6 and the 3.6L V6 engines, the cord is
located in the engine compartment on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle in front of the fuse
block. For the 6.0L V8 engine, the cord is located in
the engine compartment on the driver’s side of the
vehicle near the inner fender and above the strut.
Remove the plastic cap to access the plug.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
2-26

Automatic Transmission Operation
The shift lever is located on the center console between
the front seats.
There are several different
positions for the shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-34. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-39.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift
lever and release the button on the shifter handle. Push
the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) while pressing
the button on the shift lever as you maintain brake
application. Then move the shift lever into the gear
desired. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-36.
2-27

Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, you can also use REVERSE (R)
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 4-31for additional information.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. You can also
use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you are:
Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transmission will shift down to a lower gear
and have more power.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
2-28

Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Notice:If you drive your vehicle at high RPMs
without upshifting while using Driver Shift Control
(DSC), you could damage your vehicle. Always
upshift when necessary while using DSC.
Your automatic transmission has a Driver Shift Control
(DSC) feature that allows you to change gears similar to a
manual transmission. To use the DSC feature:
1. Slide the shift lever over from AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) to the right into the DSC area.
The sport mode light in the
instrument panel cluster
will come on.
If you do not move the shift lever forward or
rearward, the vehicle will be in sport mode. When
you are in the sport mode the vehicle will still
shift automatically. While driving in sport mode, the
transmission may remain in a gear longer than it
would in the normal driving mode based on braking,
throttle input, and vehicle lateral acceleration.
2. To enter the DSC mode, press the shift lever
forward to upshift or rearward to downshift.The odometer on the instrument panel cluster will
change from the mileage to a number indicating the
requested gear range when moving the shift lever
forward or rearward. SeeSpeedometer and Odometer
on page 3-33for more information on the odometer.
While using the DSC feature, the vehicle will have rmer
shifting and increased performance. You can use this
for sport driving or when climbing or descending hills, to
stay in gear longer, or to down shift for more power
or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). The transmission will
not automatically shift to the next higher gear if the
engine RPM is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any reason, the currently
selected gear will ash multiple times, indicating that the
transmission has not shifted gears.
While in the DSC mode, the transmission will
automatically downshift when the vehicle comes to a stop
and while quickly applying the accelerator to increase
speed. This will allow for more power during take-off.
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in snowy
and icy conditions, you may want to shift into second
gear. A higher gear ratio allows you to gain more traction
on slippery surfaces.
2-29

Manual Transmission Operation
If your vehicle has a manual transmission, the shift lever
is located on the center console between the front
seats. The following explains how to operate the manual
transmission.
These are the shift patterns for the six-speed manual
transmissions.Here is how to operate your transmission:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
For the CTS, you can shift into FIRST (1) when you are
going less than 25 mph (40 km/h). If you come to a
complete stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the
shift lever in NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
For the CTS-V, you can shift into FIRST (1) when you are
going less than 40 mph (64 km/h).
SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
CTS
CTS-V
2-30

THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6):
Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and
SIXTH (6) the same way you do for SECOND (2). Slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine. Your shift lever is in NEUTRAL when it is
centered in the shift pattern, not in any gear.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press down the clutch
pedal, completely stop the vehicle, and shift into
REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly while
pressing the accelerator pedal.For the CTS, pull the shift lever quickly to the left and
then forward into gear.
For the CTS-V, your six-speed manual transmission has
a safety feature that prevents you from shifting into
REVERSE (R) while the vehicle is driven at speeds
greater than 3 mph (5 km/h). You will be locked out if
you try to shift into REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h). If you have turned
your ignition off and wish to park your vehicle in
REVERSE (R), you will have to overcome the lockout
mechanism by moving the shift lever quickly to the right,
and immediately forward into gear using more force
than a normal shift.
2-31

Shift Speeds (Manual Transmission)
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Do not shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
Notice:If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race the engine when you
release the clutch pedal while downshifting, you
could damage the engine, clutch, driveshaft or the
transmission. Do not skip gears or race the
engine when downshifting.
If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if
the engine is not running smoothly, you should
downshift to the next lower gear. You may have to
downshift two or more gears to keep the engine running
smoothly or for good performance.
Skip Shift (CTS-V)
1r4:This may appear in the message center in the
speedometer during light throttle, low speed maneuvers
(15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h)). When this message
appears, you can only shift from FIRST (1) to
FOURTH (4) instead of FIRST (1) to SECOND (2).
SeeOne-to-Four Shift Message on page 3-52for more
information.
During the shift from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4), pull the
shift lever straight back using light force on the shift
lever. You must complete the shift into FOURTH (4) to
turn off this feature. This helps you get the best
possible fuel economy. The skip shift feature is turned
backed on when the vehicle is at a complete stop.
Notice:Forcing the shift lever into any gear except
FOURTH (4), when the One – to – Four Shift
message comes on, may damage the transmission.
Shift only from FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) when
the One – to – Four Shift message comes on.
This light comes on when:
The engine coolant temperature is higher than
169°F (76°C) and you are going 15 to 19 mph
(24 to 31 km/h).
You are 21 percent throttle or less.
2-32

Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal is
located on the lower
portion of the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking brake
pedal down with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light on
the instrument panel cluster should come on. If it
does not, you need to have your vehicle serviced. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-38for more
information.To release the parking brake, pull the release lever
located to the left of the steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
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 4-39for more information.
2-33

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. 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 you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-39.To shift into PARK (P), use the following steps:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing the
button on the front of the shift lever while pushing
the lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
Release the button.
3. With your right foot still holding the brake pedal
down, set the parking brake with your left foot.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-33for more
information.
4. Turn the key to OFF.
5. Remove the key from the ignition switch and take it
with you. If you can leave your vehicle with the key
in your hand, the vehicle is in PARK (P).
2-34