brake light CADILLAC STS 2007 1.G User Guide

To help the generator recharge the battery quickly,
you can reduce the load on the electrical system
by turning off the accessories.
The normal battery voltage range is
11.5 to 15.5 volts. You can monitor battery voltage
on the DIC by pressing the information button
until you nd BATTERY VOLTS.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when service is required
for your vehicle. See your dealer. SeeEngine
Oil on page 380andScheduled Maintenance on
page 505for more information.
When you reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message by clearing it from the display,
you still must reset the engine oil life system
separately. For more information on resetting the
engine oil life system, seeEngine Oil Life
System on page 383.
CHECK BRAKE FLUID
This message displays if the ignition is on to
inform the driver that the brake uid level is low.
Have the brake system serviced by your dealer as
soon as possible. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 248for more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays when the fuel cap has not
been fully tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to
ensure that it is on and tightened properly.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message displays when the tire
pressure in one of the tires needs to be checked.
SeeDIC Controls and Displays on page 258
for more information on checking your vehicle’s
tire pressures. If a tire pressure message appears
on the DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have the
tire pressures checked and set to those shown on
the Tire Loading Information label. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 433and
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 431for more
information. If the tire pressure is low, the low tire
pressure warning light comes on. SeeLow Tire
Pressure Warning Light on page 249.
267

SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem
with the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 244for more information.
SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST
This message displays when a problem with the
panic brake assist system has been detected.
Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer.
SERVICE RADAR CRUISE
This message displays when the Adaptive Cruise
Control system is disabled and needs service.
See your dealer.
SERVICE STABILITY SYS (System)
Your vehicle may have a vehicle stability
enhancement system called StabiliTrak®.
This message displays if there has been a problem
detected with the StabiliTrak
®System.If this message comes on while you are driving,
pull off the road as soon as possible and stop
carefully. Try resetting the system by turning the
ignition off then back on. If this message still stays
on or comes back on again while you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. Have the
StabiliTrak
®System inspected by your dealer as
soon as possible. SeeStabiliTrak®System on
page 326for more information.
SERVICE STEERING SYS (System)
Your vehicle may have a speed variable assist
steering system.
This message displays if a problem is detected
with the speed variable assist steering system.
When this message is displayed, you may notice
that the effort required to steer the vehicle
increases or feels heavier, but you will still be able
to steer the vehicle. SeeSteering on page 327
for more information.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS (System)
This message displays when the suspension
system is not operating properly. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
275

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 323and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 326.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 363.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 248.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
320

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 363.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear
a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you may even notice that the
brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 249.
321

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 the 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
hear the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, 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.
This warning light will
come on to let you
know if there’s a
problem with your
traction control system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 250. When this warning light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
323

The traction control system 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 and STS-V
vehicles, you may still feel the system working.
This is normal and necessary with the 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 349andIf Your Vehicle
is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 348
for more information. See alsoWinter Driving
on page 344for information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.To turn the system off,
press the TC (traction
control) button
located near the
shift lever.
If you press the TC 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 button again to
turn StabiliTrak
®back on. For more information,
seeStabiliTrak®System on page 326.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 363for more information.
324

Competitive Driving Mode (STS-V)
The driver can select this optional handling mode
by pressing the Traction Control button, located
near the shift lever, twice within ve seconds.
Competitive driving mode allows the driver to have
control of the power applied to the rear wheels,
while the StabiliTrak
®system helps steer the
vehicle by selective brake application. In
competitive mode, the levels at which StabiliTrak
®
is engaged have been modied to better suit a
performance driving environment. When the
traction control warning light is on, the Traction
Control System will not be operating. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
When you press the Traction Control button again,
the Traction Control System will be on. The
traction engaged symbol will be displayed
temporarily in the DIC and a chime will be heard.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 264
for more information.
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 264
for more information. See your dealer for service.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your 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.
325

While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best 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. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
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.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for competitive
driving, the engine may use more oil than it
would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil
level often during competitive driving and keep
the level at or near the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. For information on how to
add oil, seeEngine Oil on page 380.
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.
333

{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They
may not work as well in a quick stop and
may cause pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car wash, apply the brake pedal
lightly until the brakes work normally.
Driving too fast through large water puddles or
even going through some car washes can cause
problems, too. The water may affect your
brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But if you cannot,
try to slow down before you hit them.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can
build up under your tires that they can actually ride
on the water. This can happen if the road is wet
enough and you are going fast enough. When your
vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact
with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if
your tires do not have much tread or if the
pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a
lot of water is standing on the road. If you can
see reections from trees, telephone poles,
or other vehicles, and raindrops dimple the water’s
surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds.
There just is not a hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down
when it is raining.
336

Service........................................................ 362
Accessories and Modications................... 363
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 363
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 364
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle................................................... 365
Fuel............................................................. 365
Gasoline Octane........................................ 365
Gasoline Specications.............................. 366
California Fuel........................................... 366
Additives................................................... 367
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 368
Filling the Tank......................................... 368
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 371
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 372
Hood Release........................................... 372
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 373
Engine Oil................................................. 380
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 383
Supercharger Oil....................................... 385
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 386
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 388Engine Coolant.......................................... 389
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 393
Engine Overheating................................... 393
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 395
Cooling System......................................... 396
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 403
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 404
Brakes...................................................... 405
Battery...................................................... 408
Jump Starting............................................ 408
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 414
Rear Axle.................................................... 416
Front Axle................................................... 417
Bulb Replacement....................................... 417
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting..... 418
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 418
Back-Up Lamps......................................... 418
Replacement Bulbs................................... 419
Windshield Replacement............................ 419
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 419
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
359