ESP CADILLAC SRX 2007 1.G User Guide

Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not
have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice
some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. On a rear-wheel-drive
vehicle, the system operates if it senses that
one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. On an All-Wheel-Drive
(AWD) vehicle, the system will operate if it
senses that any of the wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system brakes the spinning wheel(s) and/or
reduces engine power to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
The TCS warning light will also ash to indicate
that the traction control system is active.
This warning light will
come on to let you
know if there is
a problem with your
traction control system.
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SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 206. When this warning light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
The TCS automatically comes on whenever you
start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, you should always
leave the system on. But you can turn the traction
control system off if you ever need to.
Notice:Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when the TCS is off. You could
damage your vehicle’s driveline.
When the TCS is switched off on AWD vehicles,
you may still feel the system working. This is
normal and necessary with the AWD hardware on
your vehicle.
You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever
gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking
the vehicle is required. SeeRocking Your Vehicle
to Get It Out on page 322andIf Your Vehicle
is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 321
for more information. See alsoWinter Driving
on page 317for information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.To turn the system off,
press the TC (traction
control) button
located on the console
under the climate
controls.
If you press the TC (traction control) button once,
the traction control system will turn off and the
traction control system warning light will come on.
Press the TC button again to turn the system
back on. If you press and hold the TC button for
ve seconds, the StabiliTrak
®system and the
traction control system will turn off. Press the TC
(traction control) button again to turn StabiliTrak
®
back on. For more information, seeStabiliTrak®
System on page 283.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 347for more information.
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Magnetic Ride Control
Your vehicle may have Magnetic Ride Control
that automatically adjusts the ride of your vehicle.
Automatic ride control is achieved through a
computer used to control and monitor the
suspension system. The controller receives input
from various sensors to determine the proper
system response. If the controller detects a
problem within the system, the DIC will display a
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS message. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 220
for more information. See your dealer for service.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your vehicle may have this feature. A limited-slip
rear axle can give you additional traction on
snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but when one of
the rear wheels has no traction and the other does,
this feature will allow the wheel with traction to
move the vehicle.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle is equipped with a vehicle stability
enhancement system called StabiliTrak®.It
is an advanced computer controlled system that
assists you with directional control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak
®activates when the computer senses
a discrepancy between your intended path
and the direction the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak
®selectively applies braking pressure
at any one of the vehicle’s brakes to help steer the
vehicle in the direction which you are steering.
When the stability control system activates,
the traction control system and StabiliTrak
®light
will ash on the instrument panel cluster. This also
occurs when traction control is activated. You
may also hear a noise or feel vibration in the brake
pedal. This is normal. Continue to steer the
vehicle in the direction you want it to go.
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So here are some tips for passing:
Drive ahead. Look down the road, to the
sides, and to crossroads for situations
that might affect your passing patterns. If you
have any doubt whatsoever about making
a successful pass, wait for a better time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings,
and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead
that might indicate a turn or an intersection,
delay your pass. A broken center line
usually indicates it is all right to pass, providing
the road ahead is clear. Never cross a solid
line on your side of the lane or a double solid
line, even if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want
to pass while you are awaiting an opportunity.
For one thing, following too closely reduces
your area of vision, especially if you are
following a larger vehicle. Also, you will not
have adequate space if the vehicle ahead
suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming
up, start to accelerate but stay in the right
lane and do not get too close. Time your move
so you will be increasing speed as the time
comes to move into the other lane. If the way
is clear to pass, you will have a running
start that more than makes up for the distance
you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel
your pass, you need only slow down and drop
back again and wait for another opportunity.
If other vehicles are lined up to pass a slow
vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that
someone is not trying to pass you as you pull
out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to
glance over your shoulder and check the
blind spot.
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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, if 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.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
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Off-Road Driving
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have
all-wheel drive. If your vehicle does not have
all-wheel drive, you should not drive off-road unless
you are on a level, solid surface.
Many of the same design features that help make
your vehicle responsive on paved roads during
poor weather conditions — features like all-wheel
drive — help make it much better suited for
off-road use. Its higher ground clearance also
helps your vehicle step over some off-road
obstacles. But your vehicle does not have features
like special underbody shielding and a transfer
case low gear range, things that are usually
thought necessary for extended or severe off-road
service.
Also, seeBraking on page 278.
The airbag system is designed to work properly
under a wide range of conditions, including off-road
usage. Observe safe driving speeds, especially
on rough terrain. As always, wear your safety belt.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does
have some denite hazards. The greatest of these
is the terrain itself.“Off-roading” means you have left the North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes are
not marked. Curves are not banked. There are no
road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough,
uphill, or downhill. In short, you have gone right
back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that
is why it is very important that you read this
guide. You will nd many driving tips and
suggestions. These will help make your off-road
driving safer and more enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out.
For example, be sure to have all necessary
maintenance and service work done. Check to
make sure all underbody shields, if the vehicle has
them, are properly attached. Is there enough
fuel? Is the spare tire fully inated? Are the uid
levels up where they should be? What are
the local laws that apply to off-roading where you
will be driving? If you do not know, you should
check with law enforcement people in the
area. Will you be on someone’s private land? If
so, be sure to get the necessary permission.
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Environmental Concerns
Off-road driving can provide wholesome and
satisfying recreation. However, it also raises
environmental concerns. We recognize these
concerns and urge every off-roader to follow these
basic rules for protecting the environment:
Always use established trails, roads, and areas
that have been specially set aside for public
off-road recreational driving; obey all
posted regulations.
Avoid any driving practice that could damage
the environment — shrubs, owers, trees,
grasses — or disturb wildlife. This includes
wheel-spinning, breaking down trees, or
unnecessary driving through streams or over
soft ground.
Always carry a litter bag — make sure all
refuse is removed from any campsite
before leaving.
Take extreme care with open res where
permitted, camp stoves, and lanterns.
Never park your vehicle over dry grass or
other combustible materials that could
catch re from the heat of the vehicle’s
exhaust system.
Traveling to Remote Areas
It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when
going to a remote area. Know the terrain and plan
your route. You are much less likely to get bad
surprises. Get accurate maps of trails and terrain.
Try to learn of any blocked or closed roads.
It is also a good idea to travel with at least one
other vehicle. If something happens to one
of them, the other can help quickly.
Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving
It is a good idea to practice in an area that is safe
and close to home before you go into the
wilderness. Off-road driving does require some new
and different driving skills. Here is what we mean.
Tune your senses to different kinds of signals.
Your eyes, for example, need to constantly sweep
the terrain for unexpected obstacles. Your ears
need to listen for unusual tire or engine sounds.
With your arms, hands, feet, and body, you
will need to respond to vibrations and vehicle
bounce.
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Controlling your vehicle is the key to successful
off-road driving. One of the best ways to control
your vehicle is to control your speed. Here are
some things to keep in mind. At higher speeds:
You approach things faster and you have less
time to scan the terrain for obstacles.
You have less time to react.
You have more vehicle bounce when you drive
over obstacles.
You will need more distance for braking,
especially since you are on an unpaved
surface.
{CAUTION:
When you are driving off-road, bouncing
and quick changes in direction can easily
throw you out of position. This could
cause you to lose control and crash. So,
whether you are driving on or off the road,
you and your passengers should wear
safety belts.
Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different
kinds of terrain. You need to be familiar with
the terrain and its many different features. Here
are some things to consider.
Surface Conditions:Off-roading can take you
over hard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand,
mud, snow, or ice. Each of these surfaces
affects the steering, acceleration, and braking of
your vehicle in different ways. Depending upon the
kind of surface you are on, you may experience
slipping, sliding, wheel spinning, delayed
acceleration, poor traction, and longer braking
distances.
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Surface Obstacles:Unseen or hidden obstacles
can be hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut, or
bump can startle you if you are not prepared for
them. Often these obstacles are hidden by
grass, bushes, snow, or even the rise and fall of
the terrain itself. Here are some things to consider:
Is the path ahead clear?
Will the surface texture change abruptly up
ahead?
Does the travel take you uphill or downhill?
There is more discussion of these subjects
later.
Will you have to stop suddenly or change
direction quickly?
When you drive over obstacles or rough terrain,
keep a rm grip on the steering wheel. Ruts,
troughs, or other surface features can jerk
the wheel out of your hands if you are not
prepared.
When you drive over bumps, rocks, or other
obstacles, your wheels can leave the ground. If
this happens, even with one or two wheels,
you cannot control the vehicle as well or at all.Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it is
especially important to avoid sudden acceleration,
sudden turns, or sudden braking.
In a way, off-road driving requires a different kind
of alertness from driving on paved roads and
highways. There are no road signs, posted speed
limits, or signal lights. You have to use your
own good judgment about what is safe and what
is not.
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on
any road. And this is certainly true for off-road
driving. At the very time you need special alertness
and driving skills, your reexes, perceptions,
and judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You could have a serious — or
even fatal — accident if you drink and drive or
ride with a driver who has been drinking.
SeeDrunken Driving on page 275.
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After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on
the underbody, chassis, or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake
linings cleaned and checked. These substances
can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the
body structure, steering, suspension, wheels,
tires, and exhaust system for damage. Also, check
the fuel lines and cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service
due to off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule for additional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need
to slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
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