CADILLAC SRX 2005 1.G Owners Manual

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.
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). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-30. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-52.
2-25

Ensure 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. 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 you wish. SeeShifting
Out of Park (P) on page 2-32.
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 4-43for 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.
2-26

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.
FOURTH (4):This position is also used for normal
driving. However, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are examples for using FOURTH (4) instead of
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When going down a steep hill.
This position may also offer improved trailer towing
performance in certain driving conditions.
Driver Shift Control (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.
When the transmission is
in DSC mode 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. While
driving in sport mode, the transmission may remain
in a gear longer than it would in normal driving
mode based on braking, throttle input and vehicle
lateral acceleration.
2. Press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward
to downshift.
2-27

The odometer on the instrument panel cluster will
change to show the requested gear range when moving
the shift lever forward or rearward.
While using the DSC feature the vehicle will have rmer
shifting and increased performance. You can use this
for sport driving or when climbing 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 rpm. The
transmission will not automatically shift to the next
higher gear if the engine rpm is too high.
All-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, engine
power is sent to all four wheels all the time.
This is like four-wheel drive, but it is fully automatic.
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.
2-28

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 4-52for more information.
2-29

Shifting Into Park (P)
{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 4-52.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 2-28for 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).
2-30

Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pushing
the button on the shift lever. If you can, it means that
the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, see “Shifting
Into PARK (P)” listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-31

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-25for more information.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease the pressure
on the shift lever. Push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) while pushing the button on the shift lever
as you maintain brake application. Then move the
shift lever into the gear you want. If you ever hold the
pedal down but still cannot shift out of PARK (P), try the
following:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACCESSORY. Open and
close the driver’s door to turn off the RAP feature.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle xed as soon as you can.
Shift Lock Release
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, you can still shift the vehicle into PARK (P)
and remove the ignition key. Use the following
procedure to release the shift lever:
1. Use a tool to remove
the cap with the lock
symbol located
next to the shift lever.
2. Using a narrow, pointed tool, press down on the
mechanism under the cap so that you can move
the shift lever.
2-32

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see
or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and
death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-33

Running the Engine 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 2-33.
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.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-39.
{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. 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-30.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-52.
2-34