CADILLAC SRX 2012 2.G Owners Manual

Black plate (9,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-9
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
.Be alert on top of hills,
something could be in your lane
(stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C
(32°F) when freezing rain begins to
fall, resulting in even less traction.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
The
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 9‑30 improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
slippery roads, but apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain icy
when the surrounding roads are
clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped,
on slippery surfaces.

Black plate (10,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-10 Driving and Operating
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Service (U.S. and Canada) on
page 13‑7 orRoadside Service
(Mexico) on page 13‑9. To get help
and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about
5 cm (2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan
speed to the highest setting.
See“Climate Control
Systems” in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑24.
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm, but
be careful.

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-11
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method.
{WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and
you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat,
causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and
avoid going above 55 km/h
(35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑70.
Rocking the Vehicle to
Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. To prevent transmission
wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while
shifting, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward
and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the
vehicle. If that does not get the
vehicle out after a few tries, it might
need to be towed out. If the vehicle
does need to be towed out, see
Towing the Vehicle on page 10‑92.

Black plate (12,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-12 Driving and Operating
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory‐installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle
show how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification label.
{WARNING
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Tire and Loading Information
Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Tire and
Loading Information label is
attached to the vehicle's center
pillar (B-pillar). With the driver
door open, the label is attached
near the door lock post. The Tire
and Loading Information label
shows the number of occupant
seating positions (A), and the
maximum vehicle capacity
weight (B) in kilograms and
pounds.
The Tire and Loading
Information label also shows
the tire size of the original
equipment tires (C) and the
recommended cold tire inflation
pressures (D). For more
information on tires and inflation
see Tires on page 10‑49 and
Tire Pressure on page 10‑56.

Black plate (13,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-13
There is also important loading
information on the Certification
label. It tells you the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
and the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for the front and
rear axle. See“Certification
Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1.Locate the statement
“The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs” on your vehicle's
placard.
2.Determine the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined
weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
4.The resulting figure equals
the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs and
there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400 −750 (5 x 150)
= 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, the load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo
and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
See Trailer Towing on page 9‑56
for important information on
towing a trailer, towing safety
rules and trailering tips.

Black plate (14,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-14 Driving and Operating
Example 1
A.
Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 1 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
@ 68 kg (150 lbs) × 2 =
136 kg (300 lbs).
C.Available Occupant and
Cargo Weight = 317 kg
(700 lbs).
Example 2
A.
Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 2 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
@ 68 kg (150 lbs) × 5 =
340 kg (750 lbs).
C.Available Cargo Weight =
113 kg (250 lbs).
Example 3
A.
Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 3 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
@ 91 kg (200 lbs) × 5 =
453 kg (1,000 lbs).
C.Available Cargo Weight =
0 kg (0 lbs).

Black plate (15,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-15
Refer to the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information label for
specific information about the
vehicle's capacity weight and
seating positions. The combined
weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification/
Tire label is attached to the
rear edge of the driver's door.
The label shows the size of the
vehicle's original tires and the
inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity
of the vehicle. This is called
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, and cargo.
The Certification/Tire label also
tells you the maximum weights
for the front and rear axles,
called Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). To find out the actual
loads on the front and rear
axles, you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh the vehicle.
Your dealer can help you with
this. Be sure to spread out the
load equally on both sides of the
center line.Never exceed the GVWR for the
vehicle, or the GAWR for either
the front or rear axle.
If the vehicle is carrying a heavy
load, it should be spread out.
See
“Steps for Determining
Correct Load Limit” earlier in
this section.
{WARNING
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
This can cause systems to
break and change the way the
vehicle handles. This could
cause loss of control and a
crash. Overloading can also
shorten the life of the vehicle.

Black plate (16,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-16 Driving and Operating
Your warranty does not cover
parts or components that fail
because of overloading.
The label will help you decide
how much cargo and installed
equipment your vehicle can
carry.
Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change your
weight ratings. Ask your dealer
to help you load your vehicle the
right way.
If you put things inside your
vehicle–like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything
else –they will go as fast as
the vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is
a crash, they will keep going.{WARNING
Things inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. In the
cargo area, put them as
far forward as possible.
Try to spread the weight
evenly.
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the
vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat folded
down unless needed.
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice: The vehicle does not
need an elaborate break-in. But it
will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
.Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the first 805 km (500 mi).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
.During the first 1 000 km
(600 mi), avoid using more
than moderate acceleration
in lower gears and avoid
vehicle speeds above
110 km/h (68 mph).
.Between the first
1 000 km (600 mi) and
5 000 km (3,000 mi),
heavy acceleration in
lower gears can be used.

Black plate (17,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-17
Vehicle speeds above
110 km/h (68 mph) should be
limited to five minutes
per use.
.Avoid making hard stops for
the first 322 km (200 mi) or
so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake
linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during
break-in. SeeDriving
Characteristics and Towing
Tips on page 9‑53 for the
trailer towing capabilities of
your vehicle and more
information.
Following break‐in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Adjustable Throttle and
Brake Pedal
If the vehicle has this feature,
the position of the throttle and
brake pedals can be adjusted.
The switch used to adjust the
pedals is located on the right
side of the steering column,
below the wiper stalk. Pull the switch toward you to move
the pedals further from the floor,
or push the switch away from you to
move the pedals closer to the floor.
Adjust the throttle and brake pedals
while the vehicle is in P (Park)
without pressing on the pedals.
The pedals cannot be adjusted
while the vehicle is in R (Reverse)
or when cruise control is engaged.
The throttle and brake pedals can
also be adjusted while driving.

Black plate (18,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-18 Driving and Operating
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an electronic
keyless ignition with pushbutton
start.
Pressing the button cycles it through
three modes, ACC/ACCESSORY,
ON/RUN/START and STOPPING
THE ENGINE/OFF.
If the pushbutton start is not
working, the vehicle may be near a
strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the keyless entrysystem. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑28 for more
information.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle
must be in ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN mode and the brake pedal
must be applied.
STOPPING THE ENGINE/OFF
(No LED Lights): When the
vehicle is stopped, press the engine
START/STOP button once to turn
the engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the
ignition will turn off, and Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) will remain
active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 9‑22 for
more information.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park),
the ignition will return to ACC/
ACCESSORY and display the
message SHIFT TO PARK in the
Driver Information Center (DIC). See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑28 for more information.
When the vehicle is shifted into
P (Park), the ignition system will
switch to OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a
safe location.