CADILLAC SRX 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Tow/Haul Mode
The vehicle may be equipped with a Tow/Haul mode.
The button is located on instrument panel under
the climate controls. You should use this feature
to assist when towing or hauling a heavy load.
When Tow/Haul is
activated the Tow/Haul
symbol will illuminate on
the instrument panel
cluster. SeeTow/Haul
ModeunderTowing a
Trailer on page 4-39
for more information.
Grade Braking
Grade Braking assists when driving on a downhill
grade. It maintains vehicle speed by automatically
implementing a shift schedule that uses the engine
and the transmission to slow the vehicle. This reduces
wear on the brakes system and increases control of the
vehicle. The system constantly monitors vehicle speed,
acceleration, throttle position, and whether the brake
pedal is being pressed, and determines when to keep the
current vehicle speed or to slow down. The system will
then automatically command downshifts that reduce
vehicle speed, until the brake pedal is no longer being
pressed. This indicates the desired vehicle speed has
been reached.
The tow/haul mode and grade braking shift modes can
be activated by pressing the button on the instrument
panel console. While in the DSC mode, grade braking
is deactivated, allowing the driver to select a gear.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-27.
2-31

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 brake pedal down,
then push the parking brake pedal down.
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 the vehicle serviced.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-36for
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. Make sure
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.
2-32

Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the 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.Use this procedure to shift into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) 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. Continue to hold the brake pedal down, and set the
parking brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-32for
more information.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key from the ignition switch and take it
with you. If you can leave the vehicle with the key
in your hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
2-33

Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly if
the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) 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 the vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is
rmly set before you leave it. After you have moved the
shift lever into P (Park), hold the regular brake pedal
down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever away
from P (Park) without rst pushing the button on the shift
lever. If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked into P (Park).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into P (Park) 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 P (Park). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the
driver seat. To nd out how, see “Shifting Into P (Park)”
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 P (Park).
2-34

Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in P (Park) with the shift lever button fully
released, and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
P (Park), unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake
pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-38for more information.
To shift out of P (Park) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer/retailer.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under the vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other things
that can burn.
2-35

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation
(parking garages, tunnels, deep snow that
may block underbody airow or tail pipes).
The exhaust smells or sounds strange or
different.
The exhaust system leaks due to corrosion or
damage.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

The vehicle’s exhaust system has been
modied, damaged or improperly repaired.
There are holes or openings in the
vehicle body from damage or after-market
modications that are not completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is suspected
that exhaust is coming into the vehicle:
Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine running in an
enclosed area such as a garage or a building that
has no fresh air ventilation.
2-36

Running the Vehicle 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 a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine ExhaustEngine Exhaust on page 2-36.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if
the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set. The
vehicle can roll. Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake
and move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-33.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-39.
2-37

Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an inside rearview mirror with
automatic dimming and OnStar®controls; or it may have
OnStar®and a compass display. SeeOnStar®System
on page 2-43and/orCompass on page 2-38for
more information.
O(On/Off):Press to turn the dimming feature on
or off.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
Automatic dimming reduces the glare of lights from
behind the vehicle. The dimming feature comes on
and the indicator light illuminates each time the vehicle
is started.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the mirror.
Use a soft towel dampened with water.
Compass
Compass Operation
PressOto turn the compass on or off.
Turn the ignition and compass feature on. After a few
seconds, the mirror displays the current compass
direction.
Compass Calibration
If after a few seconds the display does not show a
compass direction, (N for North for example), there
may be a strong magnetic eld interfering with the
compass. Interference can be caused by a magnetic
antenna mount, note pad holder, or similar object. If the
letter C appears in the compass window, the compass
may need to be reset or calibrated.
Calibrate the compass by driving the vehicle in circles at
5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display reads a direction.
Compass Variance
The mirror is set to zone eight. If you do not live in zone
eight or drive out of the area, the compass variance
needs to be changed to the appropriate zone.
2-38

To adjust for compass variance:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the zone map that follows.
2. Press and hold
Ountil a zone number displays.
3. Once the zone number displays, press
O
repeatedly until the correct zone number if reached.
If C appears in the compass window, the compass
may need calibration. See “Compass Calibration”
listed previously.
Outside Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver’s door
armrest.
1. Press (A) or (B) to select the driver’s or passenger
side mirror. The LED indicator turns on to show that
this mirror is selected.
2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control
pad to move the mirror to the desired direction.
3. Press (A) or (B) again to deselect the mirror.
The LED indicator will turn off.
The preferred position can be stored in memory if the
vehicle has the memory option. SeeMemory Seat
and Mirrors on page 1-5for more information.
Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To fold, push
the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror outward,
to return to its original position.
2-39

Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror
The driver’s outside mirror may have an automatic
dimming feature that helps reduce glare from other
vehicle headlamps. This feature is controlled by the on
and off settings on the automatic dimming rearview
mirror. SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
on page 2-38.
Park Tilt Mirrors
If the vehicle has memory seat and mirrors, the driver’s
or passenger mirror can tilt to a pre-selected position
when the vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse). Shift the
vehicle out of R (Reverse) and after a short delay, both
mirrors return to their original position. Use this feature
to view the curb when parallel parking.
Select either mirror, or both mirrors through the Driver
Information Center (DIC) to activate this feature.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-60for
more information.
Use the mirror controls to make further adjustments
after the mirror is tilted. SeeOutside Power Mirrors on
page 2-39for more information.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you could
hit a vehicle on the right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from
the driver’s seat.
Outside Heated Mirrors
<(Rear Window Defogger):Press to heat the
mirrors. See “Rear Window Defogger” underDual
Climate Control System on page 3-22for more
information.
2-40