power steering CADILLAC SRX 2005 1.G Owners Manual

What Will You See After an Airbag
Inates?
After the airbag inates, it quickly deates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the airbag
inated. Some components of the airbag module — the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s airbag, the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag, the
side of the seatback closest to the door for the
seat-mounted side impact airbags and the area along
the ceiling of your vehicle near the side windows — will
be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that
come into contact with you may be warm, but not too
hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deated airbags. Airbag ination
does not prevent the driver from seeing or being able to
steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving
the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag inates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag
inates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag deployment, you
should seek medical attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that will automatically unlock
the doors and turn the interior lamps on when the
airbags inate (if battery power is available). You can
lock the doors again and turn the interior lamps off
by using the door lock and interior lamp controls. The
hazard warning ashers will also come on when
the airbags deploy. If you want to turn them off, press
the hazard warning asher button twice.
1-56

Steering Column Ignition Lock Release
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with
low voltage, you can still release the ignition lock and
remove the key. Use the following procedure to release
the steering column:
1. Locate the plastic screw head on the underside of
the plastic cover for the steering column.
2. Insert a at, thin object into the slot and turn it until
the plastic piece detaches from the steering
column cover.3. Insert a narrow, pointed object into the hole in the
steering column cover and press the spring.
4. Then, turn the ignition switch to OFF and remove
the key.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
The following accessories on your vehicle may be used
for up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned
from ON to OFF:
Radio
Power Windows
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (if programmed)
Sunroof
Power to these accessories stops after 10 minutes or if
a door is opened. If you want power for another
10 minutes, close all the doors and turn the ignition key
to ON and then back to OFF.
2-22

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

Service Steering System
Your vehicle may be equipped with a speed variable
assist steering system. SeeSteering on page 4-12.
The Service Steering System message will be displayed
if a problem is detected with the speed variable assist
steering system. When this message is displayed,
you may notice that the effort required to steer
the vehicle increases or feels “heavier,” but you will still
be able to steer the vehicle.
Service Suspension System
This message is displayed to indicate that the
suspension system is not operating properly. Have your
vehicle serviced at your GM dealer.
Service Theft System
This message means there is a problem with the
immobilizer. SeeImmobilizer on page 2-18for more
information. A fault has been detected in the system
which means that the system is disabled and is
not protecting the vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts,
however, you may want to take your vehicle to your
GM dealer before turning off the engine.
Service Tire Monitor System
This message will appear if the Tire Pressure Monitor
(TPM) system is not working properly. Have your vehicle
serviced at your GM dealer as soon as possible. See
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-61for
more information.
Service Transmission
There is a problem with the transmission of your
vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced at your GM dealer.
Service Vehicle Soon
This message is displayed when a non-emissions
related powertrain malfunction occurs. Have your vehicle
serviced at your GM dealer as soon as possible.
Speed Limited to XXX
This message indicates that your vehicle speed is
limited to XXX (mph in English mode and km/h in Metric
mode) because the vehicle detects a problem in the
suspension system. Have your vehicle serviced at your
GM dealer.
3-63

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering, and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or ice, it
is easy to ask more of those control systems than
the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose
control of your vehicle. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-11.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of your brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake
force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between
hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you
do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic
and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a
lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
4-6

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.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. SeeStabiliTrak
®System
on page 4-11.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
If you have StabiliTrak
®, you may see the STABILITY
SYSTEM ACTIVE message on the message center. See
“Stability System Active Message” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-57.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-12

Approaching a Hill
When you approach a hill, you need to decide if it is
one of those hills that is just too steep to climb, descend
or cross. Steepness can be hard to judge. On a very
small hill, for example, there may be a smooth, constant
incline with only a small change in elevation where
you can easily see all the way to the top. On a large hill,
the incline may get steeper as you near the top, but
you may not see this because the crest of the hill
is hidden by bushes, grass or shrubs.
Here are some other things to consider as you
approach a hill.
Is there a constant incline, or does the hill get
sharply steeper in places?
Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the
surface cause tire slipping?
Is there a straight path up or down the hill so you
will not have to make turning maneuvers?
Are there obstructions on the hill that can block your
path, such as boulders, trees, logs, or ruts?
What is beyond the hill? Is there a cliff, an
embankment, a drop-off, a fence? Get out and walk
the hill if you do not know. It is the smart way to
nd out.
Is the hill simply too rough? Steep hills often have
ruts, gullies, troughs and exposed rocks because
they are more susceptible to the effects of erosion.
Driving Uphill
Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you
need to take some special steps.
Use a low gear and get a rm grip on the steering
wheel.
Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain
your speed. Do not use more power than you
need, because you do not want your wheels to start
spinning or sliding.
Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible. If
the path twists and turns, you might want to nd
another route.
{CAUTION:
Turning or driving across steep hills can be
dangerous. You could lose traction, slide
sideways, and possibly roll over. You could be
seriously injured or killed. When driving up
hills, always try to go straight up.
4-22

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-19
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-28Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-34
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-35
Brakes........................................................5-36
Battery........................................................5-39
Jump Starting...............................................5-40
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-45
Rear Axle.......................................................5-47
Front Axle......................................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-49
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-51
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-52
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-56
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-58
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-61
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-63
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-64
Buying New Tires.........................................5-64
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-67
Wheel Replacement......................................5-67
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-95.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-35.
C. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-39.
D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-32.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-34.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-36.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-26
andCooling System on page 5-29.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
5-13

A. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-95.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-39.
C. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. SeePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 3-32.
D. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-35.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-34.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-36.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-26
andCooling System on page 5-29.
J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.
5-15