traction control CADILLAC STS 2007 1.G User Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: CADILLAC, Model Year: 2007, Model line: STS, Model: CADILLAC STS 2007 1.GPages: 560, PDF Size: 2.92 MB
Page 315 of 560
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 316
Defensive Driving...................................... 316
Drunken Driving........................................ 317
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 320
Braking...................................................... 320
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 321
Braking in Emergencies............................. 323
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 323
Competitive Driving Mode (STS-V)............ 325
Magnetic Ride Control............................... 325
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 325
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 326
Panic Brake Assist.................................... 327
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.................. 327
Steering.................................................... 327
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 330
Passing..................................................... 330
Loss of Control.......................................... 332Competitive Driving................................... 333
Driving at Night......................................... 333
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 335
City Driving............................................... 338
Freeway Driving........................................ 339
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 340
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 341
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 342
Winter Driving........................................... 344
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 348
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 349
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 349
Towing........................................................ 355
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 355
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 355
Towing a Trailer........................................ 357
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
315
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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
Modi cations 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
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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.
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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
Modi cations on page 363for more information.
324