traction control CADILLAC STS 2006 1.G Owner's Manual

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That
will clear the area around your front wheels. You should
turn your traction control system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-9. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release
the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is
in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking
motion that may free your vehicle. If that does not get
you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed
out. If you do need to be towed out, seeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-37.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
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 your vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and the
Certication label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either
the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on your
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of your vehicle.
4-32

Service
Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you
to be happy with it. We hope you will go to your dealer
for all your service needs. You will get genuine GM
parts and GM-trained and supported service people.
We hope you will want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modications
When you add non-GM accessories to your vehicle
they can affect your vehicle’s performance and safety,
including such things as, airbags, braking, stability,
ride and handling, emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems like anti-lock brakes,
traction control and stability control. Some of these
accessories may even cause malfunction or damage
not covered by warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on your vehicle. Your
GM dealer can accessorize your vehicle using genuine
GM Accessories. When you go to your GM dealer and
ask for GM Accessories, you will know that GM-trained
and supported service technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM Accessories.
California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive
harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and systems
(including some inside the vehicle), many uids, and
some component wear by-products contain and/or emit
these chemicals.
5-3

Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specic tires for your
vehicle. The original equipment tires installed on
your vehicle, when it was new, were designed to meet
General Motors Tire Performance Criteria Specication
(TPC Spec) system rating. If you need replacement
tires, GM strongly recommends that you get tires with
the same TPC Spec rating. This way, your vehicle
will continue to have tires that are designed to give the
same performance and vehicle safety, during normal
use, as the original tires.
GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system considers over a
dozen critical specications that impact the overall
performance of your vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling, traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring performance. GM’s TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire’s sidewall by the tire
manufacturer. If the tires have an all-season tread design,
the TPC Spec number will be followed by an MS for mud
and snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on page 5-58for
additional information.The optional 18-inch performance tires, size 255/45ZR18
99Y, used on some vehicles, meet the General Motors
Tire Performance Criteria Specication (TPC Spec) rating
but the TPC Spec code has not been molded onto the
tire’s sidewall. If your vehicle has these tires, and you
need to replace them, you can still get these TPC Spec
rated tires by asking your GM dealer. Your GM dealer can
order these tires by part number. This way, your vehicle
will continue to give the proper endurance, handling,
traction, and ride as the original tires.
Winter tires with the same speed rating as your original
equipment tires may not be available for H, V, W, Y
and ZR speed rated tires. If you choose snow tires with
a lower speed rating, never exceed the tire’s maximum
speed capability.
5-72

Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitoring system
may give an inaccurate low-pressure warning if non-TPC
Spec rated tires are installed on it. Non-TPC Spec
rated tires may give a low-pressure warning that
is higher or lower than the proper warning level you
would get with TPC Spec rated tires. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 5-66.
Your vehicle’s original equipment tires are listed on
the Tire and Loading Information Label. This label
is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar). See
Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-32, for more information
about the Tire and Loading Information Label and its
location on your vehicle.
Vehicles that have performance tires P235/50R17 95V
(front axle) and P255/45R17 98V (rear axle) are mounted
on wheels with different rim widths. The front axle tires
are mounted on rims 7.5 inches (19.05 cm) wide and the
rear axle tires require wheels with a minimum rim width
of 8 inches (20.32 cm). The original equipment wheels
designed for P255/45R17 98V size tires are etched
with the words REAR ONLY. When replacing
P255/45R17 98V size tires have them mounted on
wheels with a minimum width of 8 inches (20.32 cm)
and marked REAR ONLY. SeeWheel Replacement
on page 5-76.Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this may
affect the way your vehicle performs, including its
braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability,
and resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle
has electronic systems such as, anti-lock brakes,
traction control, and electronic stability control, the
performance of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your
vehicle may not provide an acceptable
level of performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are selected.
You may increase the chance that you will
crash and suffer serious injury. Only use GM
specic wheel and tire systems developed for
your vehicle, and have them properly installed
by a GM certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-72andAccessories
and Modications on page 5-3for additional information.
5-74

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which grades
tires by treadwear, traction, and temperature
performance. This applies only to vehicles sold in the
United States. The grades are molded on the sidewalls
of most passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality
Grading (UTQG) system does not apply to deep
tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver, or temporary
use spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices,
and differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA,
A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Warning:The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.
5-75

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P255/45R17, P255/45R18,
P275/40R19, or 255/45ZR18 size tires, do not
use tire chains, as there is not enough
clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust, or remove the
device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do
not spin your vehicle’s wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires only.Notice:If your vehicle has P235/50R17 95S size
tires, use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only SAE Class S-type chains that
are the proper size for your tires. Install them on the
rear tires and tighten them as tightly as possible
with the ends securely fastened. Drive slowly
and follow the chain manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the chains contacting your vehicle,
stop and retighten them. If the contact continues,
slow down until it stops. Driving too fast or spinning
the wheels with chains on will damage your
vehicle.
5-78

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-45
K
Keyless Access System..................................... 2-4
Keyless Access System, Operation...................... 2-5
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-58
Lamps
Battery Load Management............................3-40
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-38
Fog ...........................................................3-37
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver....................3-40
Reading.....................................................3-40
Twilight Sentinel
®........................................3-37
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-37
Lifting Your Vehicle, Tires.................................5-79
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-60
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-65
Brake System Warning.................................3-64
Charging System.........................................3-63
Cruise Control.............................................3-72Light (cont.)
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-66
Fog Lamp ..................................................3-71
Highbeam On.............................................3-72
Lights On Reminder.....................................3-71
Low Tire Pressure Warning Light...................3-65
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-67
Oil Pressure...............................................3-70
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-61
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder....................3-60
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-59
Security.....................................................3-71
TCS Warning Light......................................3-66
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-66
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-39
Parade Dimming..........................................3-39
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................4-11
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-32
Lockout Protection..........................................2-14
Locks
Door ..........................................................2-12
Lockout Protection.......................................2-14
Power Door ................................................2-12
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-13
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-13
Loss of Control...............................................4-17
Lumbar
Power Controls............................................. 1-2
7

Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-38
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-40
Your Vehicle...............................................4-37
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-66
Limited-Slip Rear Axle..................................4-11
Magnetic Ride Control..................................4-11
StabiliTrak
®System.....................................4-11
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-26
Transmission Operation, Automatic............2-28, 2-32
Trunk............................................................2-14
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
Twilight Sentinel
®............................................3-37
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)...............3-44
Understanding Radio Reception.......................3-120
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-75
Universal Home Remote System.......................2-47
Operation...................................................2-48
V
Valet Lockout Switch.......................................2-23
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-6
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-32
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders.................................................... 7-8
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)............................................5-103
Service Parts Identication Label..................5-103
Vehicle Personalization....................................2-53
Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel......2-70
Ventilated Seats............................................... 1-4
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-54
Visors...........................................................2-20
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