trailer CADILLAC STS 2011 1.G Owner's Manual

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that hand to
the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand
to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel flash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps also flash, telling other drivers the
vehicle is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel flash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. For this reason you may think other drivers
are seeing the signal when they are not. It is important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
The vehicle has bulb warning lights. When a trailer
lighting system is plugged into the vehicle's lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of the lamps goes out. So, when the trailer lighting
system is plugged in, be sure to check the vehicle and
trailer lamps from time to time to be sure they are all
working. Once the trailer lamps are disconnected, the
bulb warning lights again can tell you if one of the
vehicle lamps is out.
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Black plate (37,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle's speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission to
a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If the engine
is turned off immediately after towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, the vehicle may show signs similar
to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, see Engine Overheating on page 6‑30.
Parking on Hills
{WARNING:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always park the rig on
a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
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Black plate (38,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine
.Shift into a gear
.Release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. See this manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good idea to inspect these
before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See Engine Overheating
on page 6‑30.
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Black plate (31,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment
{WARNING:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Turn it off and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there is no
sign of steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the vehicles engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop the engine if it
overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode
on page 6‑32for information on driving to
a safe place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
An overheat warning, can indicate a serious problem.
If an engine overheat warning is displayed but no steam
can be seen or heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot
when the vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of
steam: 1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
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Black plate (32,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
If the engine coolant temperature gauge is no longer in
the overheat zone or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive
the vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front of you. If the
warning does not come back on, continue to drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park the
vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down. Also,
see "Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode"
later in this section.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This operating mode allows your vehicle to be driven to
a safe place in an emergency. Should an overheated
engine condition exist, an overheat protection mode
which alternates firing groups of cylinders helps prevent
engine damage. In this mode, you will notice a loss in
power and engine performance. An engine overheat
warning will indicate that an overheat condition exists.
Driving extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in
the overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss and change the oil.
See Engine Oil on page 6‑16.
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Black plate (6,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Once Every Two Years
.Vehicles using DOT 4 brake fluid only: Brake fluid
replacement.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
40 000 km/25,000 Miles
.Passenger compartment air filter replacement
(or every 24 months, whichever occurs first).
More frequent replacement may be needed if
you drive in areas with heavy traffic, areas with
poor air quality, or areas with high dust levels.
Replacement may also be needed if you notice
reduced air flow, windows fogging up, or odors.
Your dealer can help you determine when it is the
right time to replace the filter.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
80 000 km/50,000 Miles
.Engine air cleaner filter replacement. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑21.
.Automatic transmission fluid and filter change
(severe service) for vehicles mainly driven in heavy
city traffic in hot weather, in hilly or mountainous
terrain, when frequently towing a trailer, or used for
taxi, police, or delivery service. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6‑23.
.All‐wheel drive only: Transfer case fluid change
(severe service) for vehicles mainly driven when
frequently towing a trailer, or used for taxi, police,
or delivery service. Check vent hose at transfer
case for kinks and proper installation. Check to be
sure vent hose is unobstructed, clear, and free of
debris.
.Evaporative control system inspection. Check all
fuel and vapor lines and hoses for proper hook‐up,
routing, and condition. Check that the purge valve,
if the vehicle has one, works properly. Replace as
needed. An Emission Control Service. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency or the California
Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not
nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability
prior to the completion of the vehicle's useful life.
We, however, urge that all recommended
maintenance services be performed at the
indicated intervals and the maintenance be
recorded.
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Black plate (7,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4, 2-5
HeaterEngine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
High-Speed Operation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-60
Highbeam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-68
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Hood Checking Things Under . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-38
Inflation - Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-58
Instrument Panel
Brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35
Instrument Panel Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-52
Integrated Trailer Brake Control System (ITBC) . . . . 5-31
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-2
J
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-38
K
Keyless Access System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Keyless Access System, Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-5
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-52
Lamps Back-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-48
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-32
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-35
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-62
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Twilight Sentinel
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-47
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-60
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-28
LATCH System for Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-45
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Parade Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-36
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-27 Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-54
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-59
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-58
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-57
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-67
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Black plate (13,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-50Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels,
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-112
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-67
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-74
Changing a Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-94
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-113
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-105
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-70
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-60
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-74
Inflation - Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-58
Inspection and Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-65
Installing the Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-97
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-62
Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-62
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-60
Removing the Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-97
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-96
Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . 6-76, 6-85, 6-94
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-52
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools . . . . . . . . . . .6-103
Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-55
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-71
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-72
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-72
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-67
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-51 Towing
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Control System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-60
Enhanced StabiliTrak
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Limited-Slip Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
StabiliTrak
®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-23
Transmission Operation, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Transportation Program, Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
Twilight Sentinel
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-34
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-71
Universal Home Remote System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
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