traction control CADILLAC SRX 2016 2.G User Guide

Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369636) - 2016 -
crc - 6/1/15
Driving and Operating 161
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 165
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 166
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 167
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 172
Adjustable Throttle and BrakePedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Starting the Gasoline Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 176 Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 178
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Fuel Economy Mode . . . . . . . . . 181
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 185
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Limited-Slip Rear Axle . . . . . . . . 187
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . 188
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . 190
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 198
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 198
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Front Automatic Braking (FAB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . 219

Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369636) - 2016 -
crc - 6/1/15
162 Driving and Operating
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, always
keep your eyes on the road, hands
on the wheel, and mind on the drive.
. Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices.
. Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions. .
Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
. Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.

Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369636) - 2016 -
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Driving and Operating 165
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate. Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.
Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0258.
. Turn off cruise control.

Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369636) - 2016 -
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166 Driving and Operating
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0186.
. Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops, but the brakes
should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
0182.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise

Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369636) - 2016 -
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Driving and Operating 167
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.
Blizzard Conditions
Stay with the vehicle unless there is
help nearby. 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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0177 in the
index. To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running 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. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 186.

Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369636) - 2016 -
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168 Driving and Operating
{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 56 km/h (35 mph).
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 low
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 directionscauses 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 0283.
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 may
show how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.
{Warning
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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
reduce stopping distance,
damage the tires, and shorten
the life of the vehicle.

Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369636) - 2016 -
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186 Driving and Operating
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the
vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the intended path. Trailer Sway Control
(TSC) is also on automatically when
the vehicle is started. See
Trailer
Sway Control (TSC) 0219.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak begins
to limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0167
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.

Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369636) - 2016 -
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Driving and Operating 187
2. Turn the engine off and wait15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak
is on the center stack.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged. To turn off only TCS, press and
release the
gbutton. The traction
off light
idisplays in the instrument
cluster. The appropriate message is
displayed in the DIC. See Ride
Control System Messages 0133.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release the
gbutton. The traction
off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off. The
appropriate message is displayed in
the DIC. See Ride Control System
Messages 0133.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
the
gbutton is pressed, the system
will not turn off until the wheels stop
spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the
gbutton until
the traction off light
iand the
StabiliTrak OFF light
gcome on
and stay on in the instrument
cluster. The appropriate message is
displayed in the DIC. See Ride
Control System Messages 0133. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release the
g
button. The traction off lightiand
the StabiliTrak OFF light
gin the
instrument cluster turn off. The
appropriate message is displayed in
the DIC. See Ride Control System
Messages 0133.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 222.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear axle
can give more traction on snow,
mud, ice, sand, or gravel. When
traction is low, this feature allows
the drive wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle. The
limited-slip rear axle also gives the
driver enhanced control when
cornering hard or completing a
maneuver, such as a lane change.

Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369636) - 2016 -
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188 Driving and Operating
Selective Ride Control
The vehicle may have a ride control
system called Selective Ride
Control. The setting can be changed
at any time. Based on road
conditions, steering wheel angle,
and the vehicle speed, the system
automatically adjusts to provide the
best handling while providing a
smooth ride. The Tour and Sport
modes will feel similar on a
smooth road.
Tour :Use for normal city and
highway driving. This setting
provides a smooth, soft ride.
Sport : Use where road conditions
or personal preference demand
more control. This setting provides
more “feel,” or response to road
conditions through increased
steering effort and suspension
control. Transmission shift points
and shift firmness are also
enhanced.
The vehicle is normally in the Tour
Mode. To switch from Tour Mode to
Sport Mode, move the shift lever to
the left while the transmission is in
D (Drive). Sport Mode is automatically engaged when the
shift lever is moved to the left.
Moving the shift lever forward or
rearward will put the transmission in
the M (Manual) Mode.
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
will display SPORT MODE ON
when the Sport Mode has been
activated. When the shift lever is
moved to the right in D (Drive), the
system will revert back to Tour
Mode. See
Manual Mode 0180.
If there is a problem detected with
Selective Ride Control, SERVICE
SUSPENSION SYSTEM displays
on the DIC. See Ride Control
System Messages 0133. Driving
should be adjusted accordingly.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can
be maintained without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
If the StabiliTrak
®system begins to
limit wheel spin while using cruise
control, the cruise control
automatically disengages. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0186. If a collision alert

Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-MidEast-9369636) - 2016 -
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Driving and Operating 191
maintain the selected following gap.
To disengage ACC, apply the brake.
If ACC is controlling your vehicle
speed when the traction control
system (TCS) or electronic stability
control system activates, the ACC
may automatically disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control0186. When road
conditions allow ACC to be safely
used, the ACC can be turned
back on.
ACC will not engage if the TCS or
StabiliTrak electronic stability control
system is disabled.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability
and may not have time to slow
the vehicle down enough to avoid
a collision with another vehicle
you are following. This can occur
when vehicles suddenly slow or
stop ahead, or enter your lane.
Also see “Alerting the Driver” in
this section. Complete attention is
always required while driving and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
you should be ready to take
action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving0163.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for
children, pedestrians, animals,
or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
. On winding and hilly roads
or when the sensors are
blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
The system may not detect
a vehicle ahead. Keep the
entire front of the vehicle
clean.
. Visibility is low, such as in
fog, rain, or snow
conditions. ACC
performance is limited under
these conditions.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.On slippery roads where
fast changes in tire traction
can cause excessive
wheel slip.
J(On/Off) : Press to turn the
system on or off. A white cruise
control indicator comes on.
+RES (Resume/Accelerate) :
Press the control up briefly to
resume to the previous set speed or