brakes CADILLAC CTS V 2007 1.G User Guide

Panic Brake Assist
Your vehicle has a panic brake assist system that
monitors the intention of the driver while braking.
If the system senses that the driver has applied
hard/fast pressure to the brake pedal, the system
will generate additional pressure, making it
easier for the driver to maintain brake application.
When this happens the brake pedal will feel
easier to push. Just hold the brake pedal down
rmly and let the system work for you. You
may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice
some noise but this is normal. The brakes
will return to normal operation after the brake
pedal has been released.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Speed Variable Assist Steering
If your vehicle has this system, it varies the
amount of effort required to steer the vehicle in
relation to the speed of the vehicle.
The amount of steering effort required is less at
slower speeds to make the vehicle more
maneuverable and easier to park. At faster
speeds, the steering effort increases to provide a
sport-like feel to the steering. This provides
maximum control and stability.
If your vehicle seems harder to steer than normal
when parking or driving slowly, there may be a
problem with the system. You will still have power
steering, but steering will be stiffer than normal
at slow speeds. See your dealer for service.
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Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more
effective than braking. For example, you come
over a hill and nd a truck stopped in your lane, or
a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a
child darts out from between parked cars and
stops right in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking — if you can stop in time.
But sometimes you cannot; there is not room.
That is the time for evasive action — steering
around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply your brakes.
SeeBraking on page 290. It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a possible collision.
Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.An emergency like this requires close attention
and a quick decision. If you are holding the
steering wheel at the recommended 9 and
3 o’clock positions, you can turn it a full
180 degrees very quickly without removing either
hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly,
and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you
have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are
always possible is a good reason to practice
defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts
properly.
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Check your vehicle’s mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and start your left lane change
signal before moving out of the right lane to
pass. When you are far enough ahead of
the passed vehicle to see its front in
your vehicle’s inside mirror, activate the right
lane change signal and move back into
the right lane. Remember that your vehicle’s
passenger side outside mirror is convex.
The vehicle you just passed may seem to be
farther away from you than it really is.
Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a
time on two-lane roads. Reconsider before
passing the next vehicle.
Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle too
rapidly. Even though the brake lamps are
not ashing, it may be slowing down or starting
to turn.
If you are being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps
you can ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or
area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by not overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
your wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
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It is always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain
starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may
get wet suddenly when your reexes are tuned for
driving on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.
Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good
shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see
road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings,
the edge of the road, and even people walking.
It is wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment
in good shape and keep your windshield washer
uid reservoir lled with washer uid. Replace your
windshield wiper inserts when they show signs
of streaking or missing areas on the windshield,
or when strips of rubber start to separate from
the inserts.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They
may not work as well in a quick stop and
may cause pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car wash, apply the brake pedal
lightly until the brakes work normally.
Driving too fast through large water puddles or
even going through some car washes can
cause problems, too. The water may affect your
brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But if you cannot,
try to slow down before you hit them.
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Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different
from driving in at or rolling terrain.If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are
planning to visit there, here are some tips that
can make your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check
all uid levels and also the brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transmission. These parts
can work hard on mountain roads.
{CAUTION:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could
get so hot that they would not work well.
You would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine assist
the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
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{CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. The brakes
will have to do all the work of slowing
down. They could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would then have
poor braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Always have the
engine running and your vehicle in gear
when you go downhill.
Know how to go down hills. The most
important thing to know is this: let the engine
do some of the slowing down. Shift to a
lower gear when you go down a steep or
long hill.
Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift
down to a lower gear. The lower gears help
cool the engine and transmission, and you can
climb the hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on
two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Do not
swing wide or cut across the center of the
road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert.
There could be something in your lane, like a
stalled car or an accident.
You may see highway signs on mountains
that warn of special problems. Examples
are long grades, passing or no-passing zones,
a falling rocks area, or winding roads.
Be alert to these and take appropriate action.
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Service........................................................ 332
Accessories and Modications................... 332
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 333
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 333
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 334
Fuel............................................................. 334
Gasoline Octane........................................ 334
Gasoline Specications.............................. 335
California Fuel........................................... 335
Additives................................................... 336
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 336
Filling the Tank......................................... 337
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 339
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 340
Hood Release........................................... 341
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 342
Engine Oil................................................. 346
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 349
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 351
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 353
Manual Transmission Fluid........................ 354Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 356
Engine Coolant.......................................... 356
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 360
Engine Overheating................................... 360
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 362
Cooling System......................................... 363
Power Steering Fluid................................. 368
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 369
Brakes...................................................... 371
Battery...................................................... 375
Jump Starting............................................ 376
Rear Axle.................................................... 382
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 383
Bulb Replacement....................................... 386
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 386
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 386
Front Turn Signal and Fog Lamps............. 387
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps................................. 388
Back-Up and License Plate Lamps............ 389
Replacement Bulbs................................... 389
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
329

Service
Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants
you to be happy with it. We hope you will go
to your dealer for all your service needs. You will
get genuine GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
We hope you will want to keep your GM vehicle
all GM. Genuine GM parts have one of these
marks:
Accessories and Modications
When you add non-GM accessories to your vehicle
they can affect your vehicle’s performance and
safety, including such things as, airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems
like anti-lock brakes, traction control and
stability control. Some of these accessories may
even cause malfunction or damage not covered by
warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on your vehicle.
Your GM dealer/retailer can accessorize your
vehicle using genuine GM Accessories. When you
go to your GM dealer/retailer and ask for GM
Accessories, you will know that GM-trained and
supported service technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM Accessories.
332

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 447.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 369.
C. Battery. SeeBattery on page 375.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 195.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under
Engine Cover). SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 368.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 346.G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 346.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 371.
I. Hydraulic Clutch Reservoir (If Equipped) (Not
Shown). See “When to Check and What to Use”
underHydraulic Clutch on page 356.
J. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 360andCooling System on page 363.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 351.
343

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 447.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 369.
C. Battery. SeeBattery on page 375.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 346.
E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 195.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 346.G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 368.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 371.
I. Hydraulic Clutch Reservoir. See “When to
Check and What to Use” underHydraulic
Clutch on page 356.
J. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCoolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on
page 360andCooling System on page 363.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 351.
345