2009 Cadillac STS Owners Manual

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See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10 and StabiliTrak® System on page 4-6 or Enhanced StabiliTrak® on page 4-6. Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect your vehicle’s performance. See Accessories and Modiﬁcations on page 5-3. Braking See Brake System Warning Light on page 3-62. 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. 4-3 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 might 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 could 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 can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push. Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect your vehicle’s performance. See Accessories and Modiﬁcations on page 5-3. Antilock Brake System (ABS) Your vehicle has the Antilock 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 might hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test is going on, and you might 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. See Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light on page 3-63. Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what happens with ABS: A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each wheel. 4-4 ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as required, faster than any driver could. This can help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard. As you brake, the computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly. 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 ﬁrmly and let antilock work for you. You might hear the antilock 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 more than even the very best braking. Brake Assist This vehicle has a Brake Assist feature designed to assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed in emergency driving conditions. This feature uses the stability system hydraulic brake control module to supplement the power brake system under conditions where the driver has quickly and forcefully applied the brake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slow down the vehicle. The stability system hydraulic brake control module increases brake pressure at each corner of the vehicle until the ABS activates. Minor brake pedal pulsations or pedal movement during this time is normal and the driver should continue to apply the brake pedal as the driving situation dictates The Brake Assist feature will automatically disengage when the brake pedal is released or brake pedal pressure is quickly decreased. 4-5 StabiliTrak® System The vehicle has a vehicle stability enhancement system called StabiliTrak. It is an advanced computer controlled system that assists with directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. If the vehicle has all-wheel-drive and has Active Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak, see Enhanced StabiliTrak® on page 4-6. StabiliTrak activates when the computer senses a discrepancy between the intended path and the direction the vehicle is actually traveling. StabiliTrak selectively applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle’s brakes to help steer the vehicle in the intended direction. When the system activates, a STABILITY SYS ACTIVE message will be displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC). See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79. A noise may be heard or a vibration felt in the brake pedal. This is normal. Continue to steer the vehicle in the intended direction. If there is a problem detected with StabiliTrak, a SERVICE STABILITY SYS message will be displayed on the DIC. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79. When this message is displayed, the system is not operational. Driving should be adjusted accordingly. StabiliTrak comes on automatically whenever the vehicle is started. To help assist with directional control of the vehicle, always leave the system on. StabiliTrak can be turned off, however, by using the Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak button. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10. If cruise control is being used when StabiliTrak activates, it will automatically disengage. Cruise control may be reengaged when road conditions allow. See Cruise Control on page 3-16 or Adaptive Cruise Control on page 3-20 for more information. Enhanced StabiliTrak® All-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles with the Active Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak option have an enhanced computer controlled vehicle stability system that assists with directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This system coordinates automatic control of the Active Steering System, the Magnetic Ride Control Suspension System, and the Brake Control System for better vehicle performance. During extreme cold temperature conditions, the active steering function may be temporarily disabled which may cause the steering wheel to be offset from the center position while driving straight. This is normal operation and the vehicle is safe to drive in these cases. 4-6 Stability control activates when the computer senses a difference between the intended path and the direction the vehicle is actually traveling. Stability control automatically adjusts the front road wheel steering angle, modiﬁes the suspension stiffness, and selectively applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle’s brakes to help maintain directional control of the vehicle. When the system activates, a STABILITY SYS ACTIVE message displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC). See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79. It is normal to hear a noise or feel vibration in the brake pedal when the system is working. Continue to steer the vehicle in the intended direction. If cruise control is engaged when Enhanced StabiliTrak activates, the cruise control will automatically disengage. Cruise Control may be re-engaged when road conditions allow. See Cruise Control on page 3-16, or Adaptive Cruise Control on page 3-20 for more information. Enhanced StabiliTrak comes on automatically in the Stability Touring Mode, when the vehicle is started. The Stability Touring Mode is recommended for normal driving. Enhanced StabiliTrak also has Stability Competitive Mode that is turned on by pressing the Traction Control (TC) button twice quickly. This mode is designed to be used by the performance conscious driver who desires less stability control intervention. See Competitive Driving Mode on page 4-11. When the Stability Control Competitive Mode has been activated, traction control operates in competitive mode and cannot be turned off. The STABILITY COMPETITIVE MODE message will be displayed on the DIC. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79. When operating the vehicle in the Stability Competitive Mode, the system provides less stability control intervention. Driving should be adjusted accordingly. When the Stability Competitive Mode has been selected, the Active Steering and Magnetic Ride Control Touring Mode is not available. These systems are automatically changed to the Performance Mode, providing more response to road conditions and quicker steering response. For more information, see “Active Steering and Magnetic Ride Control Mode” in the Index of the vehicle’s Navigation Manual. To assist with directional control of the vehicle, always leave the system on. Stability control can be turned off however, by using the TC button. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10. The STABILITY SYS OFF message will be displayed on the DIC. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79. 4-7 If there is a problem detected with Enhanced StabiliTrak, the SERVICE STABILITY SYS message will be displayed on the DIC. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79. When this message is displayed, the system is not operating. Driving should be adjusted accordingly. When certain faults or vehicle conditions are detected, the Stability control will automatically go into a secure mode and the STABILITY SECURE MODE message will be displayed on the DIC. When the Stability Secure Mode is activated, the stability control system will not respond to driver requests to change the stability mode until the next ignition cycle or until the vehicle condition or fault is returned to normal. When the Stability Secure Mode is activated, other messages may be displayed, such as SERVICE STEERING SYS, SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS or CHECK TIRE PRESSURE on the DIC. When the Stability Secure Mode is activated, a larger degree of steering wheel input at low vehicle speeds and a smaller degree of steering wheel input at high vehicle speeds may be required. Stability Secure Mode will be activated if a compact spare tire is being used. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79 and Compact Spare Tire on page 5-114. Persistent operation of the vehicle in the STABILITY SECURE MODE may be an indication that the vehicle needs to be serviced by your dealer/retailer. When certain faults are present, the vehicle’s speed may be limited and the SPEED LIMITED TO XXX message will be displayed on the DIC. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79. When the vehicle’s speed is limited, other messages may be displayed, such as SERVICE STABILITY SYS, SERVICE STEERING SYS or SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS on the DIC. Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer. Enhanced StabiliTrak and Traction Control Mode Selection Enhanced StabiliTrak can be operated in Touring Mode or Competitive Mode. It can also be turned off. The TC button is used to change stability control modes (Touring, Competitive or Off) as well as to turn traction control on or off. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10. The following information describes the operation of the TC button for changing Traction Control and Stability Control Modes. 4-8 When the vehicle is started, Stability control comes on automatically in the Stability Touring Mode. To change from Stability Touring Mode to Stability Competitive Mode, press the TC button twice quickly and the STABILITY COMPETITIVE MODE message is displayed on the DIC. Enhanced StabiliTrak must be in Stability Touring Mode with TCS on before changing to Stability Competitive Mode. To change from Stability Touring Mode to Stability Off Mode, press and hold the TC button until the STABILITY SYS OFF message is displayed on the DIC. To change from Stability Competitive Mode to Stability Touring Mode, press and release the TC button and the STABILITY TOURING MODE message will be displayed on the DIC. To change from Stability Competitive Mode to Stability Off Mode, press and hold the TC button until the STABILITY SYS OFF message is displayed on the DIC. The DIC will brieﬂy display the STABILITY TOURING MODE message prior to displaying the STABILITY SYS OFF message. To change from Stability Off Mode to Stability Touring Mode, press and release the TC button and the STABILITY TOURING MODE message will be displayed on the DIC. To change from Stability Off Mode to Stability Competitive Mode, press and release the TC button to enter Stability Touring Mode. Press the TC button twice quickly and STABILITY COMPETITIVE MODE displays on the DIC To turn traction control off while in the Stability Touring Mode, press and release the TC button and the traction control system warning light will come on. See Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10. To turn traction control on while in the Stability Touring Mode, press and release the TC button and the traction control system warning light will turn off. 4-9 (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) Traction Control System (TCS) The 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. The system may be heard or felt while it is working, but this is normal. This warning light comes on if there is a problem with TCS. See Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on page 3-63. When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. TCS automatically comes on whenever the vehicle is started. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions, the system should always be left on, but TCS can be turned off if needed. Notice: Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle’s driveline could be damaged. When TCS is switched off on AWD and STS-V vehicles, the system may still be working. This is normal and necessary with the hardware on the vehicle. It may be necessary to turn the system off if the vehicle gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is required. See Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-24 and If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-23 for more information. See Winter Driving on page 4-21 for information on using TCS when driving in snowy or icy conditions. 4-10 To turn the system off, press the TCS/StabiliTrak button located near the shift lever. For AWD vehicles with the Active Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak option, the TCS/StabiliTrak button is used to turn traction control on and off and to select between three stability control modes: Touring, Competitive and Off. See Enhanced StabiliTrak® on page 4-6 for instructions on selecting the proper stability control mode. Press and release the TCS/StabiliTrak button and TCS will turn off and the Traction Control System Warning Light will come on. Press the button again to turn the system back on. Adding non-GM accessories can affect the vehicle’s performance. See Accessories and Modiﬁcations on page 5-3 for more information. Competitive Driving Mode The STS-V driver can select this optional handling mode by pressing the Traction Control button, located near the shift lever, quickly two times. STABILITY COMPETITIVE MODE is displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the system is working. 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 modiﬁed 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 the Traction Control button is pressed again, the Traction Control System will be on. The traction engaged symbol will be displayed brieﬂy in the DIC. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79 for more information. 4-11 Magnetic Ride Control™ Vehicles with this feature automatically adjust the ride of the vehicle based on driving conditions. Magnetic Ride Control monitors the suspension system 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 3-79 for more information. See your dealer/retailer for service. Limited-Slip Rear Axle Vehicles with a limited-slip rear axle can give more traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the time, but when traction is low, this feature allows the drive wheel with the most traction to move the vehicle. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System With this feature, engine power is sent to all four wheels at all times. This is like four-wheel drive, but there is no separate lever or switch to engage or disengage the front axle. It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for road conditions. Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Speed Variable Assist Steering Your vehicle has a steering system that continuously adjusts the effort you feel when steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease when parking, yet a ﬁrm, solid feel at highway speeds. Active Steering All-wheel-drive vehicles with the Active Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak® option have an electronically controlled active steering system. The active steering system uses the steering actuator to automatically adjust the front road wheel turning angle based on vehicle speed and how much you turn the steering wheel. This system reduces steering effort at low speeds, improves steering feel at moderate speeds, and reduces steering sensitivity at higher speeds. 4-12 During some operating conditions, the active steering might deactivate to protect the system from damage. You might notice that the center position of the steering wheel is changed. Unless there is a SERVICE STEERING SYS message, the system will return to normal operation as soon as the condition ceases, usually within a very short period of time. At low speeds, the active steering system requires less movement of the steering wheel to change vehicle direction than the normal power steering system. Adjust your driving accordingly. When certain steering faults are present, the active steering deactivates and vehicle speed might be limited. The SERVICE STEERING SYS and SPEED LIMITED TO XXX messages will be displayed. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79. The normal power steering system is still operational. You might notice that the center position of the steering wheel is changed and that more steering effort at low speeds and less steering effort at high speeds is required. You can continue to drive your vehicle with normal power steering but you should have your dealer/retailer inspect the steering system as soon as possible in order to have the problem corrected and the steering wheel position centered. When stability control activates, the system automatically adjusts the front road wheel steering angle, modiﬁes the suspension stiffness, and selectively applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle’s brakes to help maintain directional control of the vehicle. Adjustments to the steering will not be felt in the steering wheel. See Enhanced StabiliTrak® on page 4-6. It is recommended that the battery not be disconnected when the steering wheel is turned from the center position. If this occurs, the center position of the steering wheel could be temporarily changed a small amount. You can continue to operate your vehicle and, after a short time, the center position of the steering wheel will return to normal. Steering Tips It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed. Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. If you need to reduce speed, do it before you enter the curve, while the front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. 4-13 To help you steer in the direction you want to go, during certain sharp or sudden cornering maneuvers, gear selection is controlled. This will maximize the available drive wheel torque and minimize the transmission response time and shift activity. During this kind of maneuver, the transmission shifts automatically as vehicle speed changes. Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and ﬁnd a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking — if you can stop in time. But sometimes you cannot; there is not room. That is the time for evasive action — steering around the problem. Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply the brakes. See Braking on page 4-3. It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available. 4-14 An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object. The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly. Off-Road Recovery Your vehicle’s right wheels can drop off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while driving. If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. Turn the steering wheel 3 to 5 inches, 76 to 127 mm, (about one-eighth turn) until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway. Passing Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can be dangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing: Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for situations that might affect a successful pass. If in doubt, wait. (cid:129) Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines that could indicate a turn or an intersection. Never cross a solid or double-solid line on your side of the lane. (cid:129) Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility. (cid:129) Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle. (cid:129) When you are being passed, ease to the right. Loss of Control Let us review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems — brakes, steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger. 4-15 (cid:129) Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only the acceleration skid. If your traction control system is off, then an acceleration skid is best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs. You might see the STABILITY SYS ACTIVE message on the Driver Information Center. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79 and StabiliTrak® System on page 4-6 or Enhanced StabiliTrak® on page 4-6. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited. 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 Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid. 4-16 If you use your vehicle for competitive Competitive Driving See your warranty book before using your vehicle for competitive driving. Notice: 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, see Engine Oil on page 5-18. Driving at Night Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue. Night driving tips include: (cid:129) Drive defensively. (cid:129) Do not drink and drive. (cid:129) Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside rearview mirror. (cid:129) Slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles because headlamps can only light up so much road ahead. (cid:129) Watch for animals. (cid:129) When tired, pull off the road. (cid:129) Do not wear sunglasses. (cid:129) Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps. (cid:129) Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle clean — inside and out. (cid:129) Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or curves. No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But, as we get older, these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old. 4-17 Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under your 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 your 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: (cid:129) Allow extra following distance. (cid:129) Pass with caution. (cid:129) Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape. (cid:129) Keep the windshield washer ﬂuid reservoir ﬁlled. (cid:129) Have good tires with proper tread depth. See Tires on page 5-54. Turn off cruise control. Driving in Rain and 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. { CAUTION: 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 your 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. 4-18 (cid:129) Before Leaving on a Long Trip To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing. Things to check on your own include: (cid:129) Windshield Washer Fluid: Reservoir full? Windows clean — inside and outside? (cid:129) Wiper Blades: In good shape? Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: All levels checked? Lamps: Do they all work and are lenses clean? Tires: Are treads good? Are tires inﬂated to recommended pressure? (cid:129) Weather and Maps: Safe to travel? Have up-to-date maps? Highway Hypnosis Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, ﬁnd a safe place to park your vehicle and rest. Other driving tips include: (cid:129) Keep the vehicle well ventilated. (cid:129) Keep interior temperature cool. (cid:129) Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead and to the sides. (cid:129) Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments often. 4-19 (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) Hill and Mountain Roads Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different than driving on ﬂat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving in these conditions include: (cid:129) Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape. (cid:129) Check all ﬂuid levels and brakes, tires, cooling system, and transmission. (cid:129) Going down steep or long hills, shift to a lower gear. { CAUTION: If you do not shift down, the brakes could get so hot that they would not work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let the engine assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope. { CAUTION: Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the ignition off is dangerous. The brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down and they could get so hot that they would not work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill. You could crash. Always have the engine running and the vehicle in gear when going downhill. (cid:129) Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. Top of hills: Be alert — something could be in your lane (stalled car, accident). (cid:129) Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks area, winding roads, long grades, passing or no-passing zones) and take appropriate action. 4-20 (cid:129) Winter Driving Driving on Snow or Ice Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the tires and the road, creating less traction or grip. Wet ice can occur at about 32°F (0°C) when freezing rain begins to fall, resulting in even less traction. Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads can be treated with salt or sand. Drive with caution, whatever the condition. Accelerate gently so traction is not lost. Accelerating too quickly causes the wheels to spin and makes the surface under the tires slick, so there is even less traction. Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface under the tires even more. The Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10 improves the ability to accelerate on slippery roads, but slow down and adjust your driving to the road conditions. When driving through deep snow, turn off the traction control system to help maintain vehicle motion at lower speeds. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-4 improves vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads, but apply the brakes sooner than when on dry pavement. Allow greater following distance on any slippery road and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on otherwise 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, if equipped, on slippery surfaces. 4-21 Blizzard Conditions Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Stay with the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible, use the Roadside Service on page 7-7. To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe: Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6. Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror. { CAUTION: Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to get inside. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If the vehicle is stuck in the snow: (cid:129) Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking the exhaust pipe. (cid:129) Check again from time to time to be sure snow does not collect there. CAUTION: (Continued) 4-22 CAUTION: (Continued) (cid:129) Open a window about two inches on the side of the vehicle that is away from the wind to bring in fresh air. (cid:129) Fully open the air outlets on or under the instrument panel. (cid:129) Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting that circulates the air inside the vehicle and set the fan speed to the highest setting. See Climate Control System in the Index. For more information about carbon monoxide, see Engine Exhaust on page 2-36. Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking the exhaust Run the engine for short periods only as needed to keep warm, but be careful. To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine off and close the window most of the way to save heat. (cid:129) (cid:129) Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about to keep warm also helps. If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then when you run 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 Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-24. If the vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to free a stuck vehicle. Refer to the vehicle’s traction system in the Index. If stuck too severely for the traction system to free the vehicle, turn the traction system off and use the rocking method. { CAUTION: If you let your 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 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer. For information about using tire chains on the vehicle, see Tire Chains on page 5-81. 4-23 Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a 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 directions causes 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 Your Vehicle on page 4-29. Loading the 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 Certiﬁcation label. { CAUTION: Do not load the 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 the 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 the vehicle. 4-24 Tire and Loading Information Label Example Label A vehicle speciﬁc Tire and Loading Information label is attached to the vehicle’s center pillar (B-pillar). With the driver’s door open, you will ﬁnd the label attached below the door lock post (striker). The Tire and Loading Information label shows the number of occupant seating positions (A), and the maximum vehicle capacity weight (B) in kilograms and pounds. The Tire and Loading Information label also shows the tire size of the original equipment tires (C) and the recommended cold tire inﬂation pressures (D). For more information on tires and inﬂation see Tires on page 5-54 and Inﬂation - Tire Pressure on page 5-64. There is also important loading information on the Certiﬁcation label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle; see “Certiﬁcation Label” later in this section. Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard. 2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle. 3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs. 4-25 4. The resulting ﬁgure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and there will be ﬁve 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs (1400 − 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs). 5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4. 6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle. See Towing a Trailer (Vehicles Without Heavy Duty Cooling) on page 4-31 or Towing a Trailer (Vehicles With Heavy Duty Cooling) on page 4-32 for important information on towing a trailer, towing safety rules and trailering tips. 4-26 Example 1 Item Description Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 1 = Subtract Occupant Weight 150 lbs (68 kg) × 2 = Available Occupant and Cargo Weight = Total 1,000 lbs (453 kg) 300 lbs (136 kg) 700 lbs (317 kg) Example 2 Example 3 Item Description Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 2 = Subtract Occupant Weight 150 lbs (68 kg) × 5 = Available Cargo Weight = Total Item 1,000 lbs (453 kg) 750 lbs (340 kg) 250 lbs (113 kg) Description Vehicle Capacity Weight for Example 3 = Subtract Occupant Weight 200 lbs (91 kg) × 5 = Available Cargo Weight = Total 1,000 lbs (453 kg) 1,000 lbs (453 kg) 0 lbs (0 kg) Refer to your vehicle’s Tire and Loading Information label for speciﬁc information about your vehicle’s capacity weight and seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers, and cargo should never exceed your vehicle’s capacity weight. 4-27 Certiﬁcation Label A vehicle speciﬁc Certiﬁcation label is attached to either the driver’s door edge or the lower center pillar on the driver’s side of the vehicle. This label shows the gross weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel, and cargo. The Certiﬁcation label also shows the maximum weights for the front and rear axles, called the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Never exceed the GVWR or the GAWR for either the front or rear axle. 4-28 { CAUTION: Do not load the 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 the 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 the vehicle. Notice: Overloading your vehicle may cause damage. Repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Do not overload your vehicle. If you put things inside your vehicle, like suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else, they will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will keep going. { CAUTION: Things you put inside the vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash. (cid:129) Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a trunk, put them as far forward as you can. Try to spread the weight evenly. (cid:129) Never stack heavier things, like suitcases, inside the vehicle so that some of them are above the tops of the seats. (cid:129) Do not leave an unsecured child restraint in the vehicle. (cid:129) When you carry something inside the vehicle, secure it whenever you can. (cid:129) Do not leave a seat folded down unless you need to. Towing Towing Your Vehicle Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing service if the disabled vehicle needs to be towed. See Roadside Service on page 7-7. To tow the vehicle behind another vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome), see Recreational Vehicle Towing following. Recreational Vehicle Towing Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as “dinghy towing” — towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, and “dolly towing” — towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”. 4-29 Dolly Towing (Rear-Wheel-Drive Vehicles) (STS Only) Notice: Dolly towing or dinghy towing the vehicle may cause damage because of reduced ground clearance. Always tow the vehicle using the towing procedures listed in this section or put the vehicle on a ﬂatbed truck or trailer. Here are some important things to consider before recreational vehicle towing: (cid:129) What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle? Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. (cid:129) What is the distance that will be travelled? Some vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long they can tow. Is the proper towing equipment going to be used? See your dealer/retailer or trailering professional for additional advice and equipment recommendations. Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the vehicle is prepared to be towed. See Before Leaving on a Long Trip on page 4-19. If the vehicle is towed with all four wheels Dinghy Towing Notice: on the ground, the drivetrain components could be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not tow the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. The vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four wheels on the ground. If the vehicle must be towed, use a dolly. See “Dolly Towing” later in this section for more information. 4-30 (cid:129) (cid:129) Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles) Notice: Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle with any of its wheels on the ground. All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles can only be towed on a ﬂat-bed truck or trailer. Towing a Trailer (Vehicles Without Heavy Duty Cooling) Vehicles without heavy duty cooling are neither designed nor intended to tow a trailer. Rear-wheel drive vehicles can be towed using a dolly. To tow the vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps: 1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions. 2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly. 3. Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 2-33. 4. Put the transmission in P (Park). 5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer’s instructions. 6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to ensure that the front wheels are locked into the straight position. 7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. Dolly Towing (STS-V) Notice: Dolly towing or dinghy towing the vehicle may cause damage because of reduced ground clearance. Always put the vehicle on a ﬂatbed truck. The STS-V can only be towed on a ﬂat-bed truck or trailer. 4-31 Towing a Trailer (Vehicles With Heavy Duty Cooling) { CAUTION: The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not work well — or even at all. The driver and passengers could be seriously injured. The vehicle may also be damaged; the resulting repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only if all the steps in this section have been followed. Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and information about towing a trailer with the vehicle. Vehicles with heavy duty cooling can tow a trailer if equipped with the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify the trailering capacity of the vehicle, read the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears later in this section. Trailering is different than just driving the vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in handling, acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly. The following information has many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety and that of your passengers. So please read this section carefully before pulling a trailer. Load-pulling components such as the engine, transmission, rear axle, wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder against the drag of the added weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under greater loads, generating extra heat. The trailer also adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements. 4-32 Pulling A Trailer Here are some important points: (cid:129) Do not tow a trailer at all during the ﬁrst 500 miles (800 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine, axle or other parts could be damaged. Then, during the ﬁrst 500 miles (800 km) that a trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at the heavier loads. (cid:129) 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. (cid:129) Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer. Do not drive faster than the maximum posted speed for trailers, or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear on the vehicle’s parts. Three important considerations have to do with weight: The weight of the trailer. The weight of the trailer tongue. The total weight on the vehicle’s tires. Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg). But even that can be too heavy. It depends on how the rig is used. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how much the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. It can depend on any special equipment on the vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue” later in this section for more information. Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight. Ask your dealer/retailer for our trailering information or advice, or write us at our Customer Assistance Offices. See Customer Assistance Offices on page 7-6 for more information. 4-33 (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total gross weight of the vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo carried in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. If there are a lot of options, equipment, passengers or cargo in the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue weight the vehicle can carry, which will also reduce the trailer weight the vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer, the tongue load must be added to the GVW because the vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See Loading the Vehicle on page 4-24 for more information about the vehicle’s maximum load capacity. 4-34 If using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B). After loading the trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they are not, adjustments might be made by moving some items around in the trailer. Total Weight on the Vehicle’s Tires Be sure the vehicle’s tires are inﬂated to the upper limit for cold tires. These numbers can be found on the Certiﬁcation label or see Loading the Vehicle on page 4-24. Make sure not to go over the GVW limit for the vehicle, or the GAWR, including the weight of the trailer tongue. Hitches It is important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a few reasons why the right hitch is needed. The rear bumper on the vehicle is not intended for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to the bumper. (cid:129) Will any holes be made in the body of the vehicle when the trailer hitch is installed? If so, be sure to seal the holes when the hitch is removed. If they are not sealed, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from the engine’s exhaust can get into the vehicle. See Engine Exhaust on page 2-36. Sealing the holes will also prevent dirt and water from entering the vehicle. Safety Chains Always attach chains between the vehicle and the trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from contacting the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough slack so the rig can turn. Never allow safety chains to drag on the ground. Trailer Brakes Does the trailer have its own brakes? Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so they are installed, adjusted and maintained properly. Because the vehicle has StabiliTrak®, do not try to tap into the vehicle’s hydraulic brake system. If you do, both brake systems will not work well, or at all. Trailer Wiring Harness All of the electrical circuits required for the trailer lighting system can be accessed at the driver side rear lamp connector. This connector is located under the carpet on the rear corner of the trunk compartment. 4-35 (cid:129) Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Get to know the rig before setting out for the open road. Get acquainted with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now longer and not as responsive as the vehicle is by itself. Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts and attachments, safety chains, electrical connectors, lamps, tires and mirror adjustments. If the trailer has electric brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This checks the electrical connection at the same time. During the trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes are still working. Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving the vehicle without a trailer. This can help to avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns. Passing More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer. Because the rig is longer, it is necessary to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to the lane. 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. 4-36 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. Driving On Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before starting 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 5-34. 4-37 Parking on Hills { CAUTION: 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. Leaving After Parking on a Hill 1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you: (cid:129) Start the engine (cid:129) Shift into a gear (cid:129) 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 5-34. 4-38 Section 5 Service and Appearance Care Service ............................................................5-3 Accessories and Modiﬁcations ..........................5-3 California Proposition 65 Warning .....................5-4 California Perchlorate Materials Requirements ......5-4 Doing Your Own Service Work .........................5-4 Adding Equipment to the Outside of the Vehicle .................................................5-5 Fuel ................................................................5-5 Gasoline Octane ............................................5-5 Gasoline Speciﬁcations ....................................5-6 California Fuel ...............................................5-6 Additives .......................................................5-7 Fuels in Foreign Countries ...............................5-7 Filling the Tank ..............................................5-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container .....................5-10 Checking Things Under the Hood ....................5-10 Hood Release ..............................................5-11 Engine Compartment Overview .......................5-12 Engine Oil ...................................................5-18 Engine Oil Life System ..................................5-21 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ................................5-23 Automatic Transmission Fluid .........................5-25 Cooling System ............................................5-26 Engine Coolant .............................................5-27 Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap ..................5-34 Engine Overheating .......................................5-34 Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode ........................................5-36 Power Steering Fluid .....................................5-37 Windshield Washer Fluid ................................5-38 Brakes ........................................................5-39 Battery ........................................................5-42 Jump Starting ...............................................5-42 All-Wheel Drive ..............................................5-47 Rear Axle .......................................................5-48 Front Axle ......................................................5-49 Headlamp Aiming ...........................................5-50 Bulb Replacement ..........................................5-51 High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting ............5-51 Halogen Bulbs ..............................................5-51 Back-Up Lamps ............................................5-52 Replacement Bulbs .......................................5-52 Windshield Replacement .................................5-52 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ..............5-52 Tires ..............................................................5-54 Winter Tires .................................................5-55 Tire Sidewall Labeling ...................................5-56 Tire Terminology and Deﬁnitions .....................5-59 Run-Flat Tires (STS-V) ..................................5-62 Inﬂation - Tire Pressure .................................5-64 High-Speed Operation ...................................5-65 Tire Pressure Monitor System .........................5-66 Tire Pressure Monitor Operation .....................5-68 5-1 Section 5 Service and Appearance Care Tire Inspection and Rotation ...........................5-71 When It Is Time for New Tires .......................5-73 Buying New Tires .........................................5-74 Different Size Tires and Wheels ......................5-76 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ..........................5-77 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ..................5-79 Wheel Replacement ......................................5-79 Tire Chains ..................................................5-81 Lifting the Vehicle (STS-V) .............................5-82 If a Tire Goes Flat ........................................5-84 Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (Without Selector Switch) ............................5-87 Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit (With Selector Switch) ................................5-96 Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit Storage .......5-104 Changing a Flat Tire ...................................5-104 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ..............5-106 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire .........................................5-107 Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools ...........5-112 Compact Spare Tire ....................................5-114 Appearance Care ..........................................5-115 Interior Cleaning .........................................5-115 Fabric/Carpet ..............................................5-116 Leather ......................................................5-117 Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic Surfaces .......................................5-117 5-2 Wood Panels ..............................................5-117 Speaker Covers ..........................................5-118 Care of Safety Belts ....................................5-118 Weatherstrips .............................................5-118 Washing Your Vehicle ..................................5-118 Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses ....................5-119 Finish Care ................................................5-119 Windshield and Wiper Blades .......................5-120 Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels and Trim ................................................5-120 Tires .........................................................5-121 Sheet Metal Damage ...................................5-121 Finish Damage ...........................................5-121 Underbody Maintenance ...............................5-121 Chemical Paint Spotting ...............................5-122 Vehicle Identiﬁcation .....................................5-122 Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) ................5-122 Service Parts Identiﬁcation Label ...................5-122 Electrical System ..........................................5-123 Add-On Electrical Equipment .........................5-123 Headlamp Wiring ........................................5-123 Windshield Wiper Fuses ...............................5-123 Power Windows and Other Power Options ......5-123 Fuses and Circuit Breakers ..........................5-123 Underhood Fuse Block ................................5-124 Rear Underseat Fuse Block ..........................5-128 Capacities and Speciﬁcations ........................5-134 Service For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer. You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and supported service people. Genuine GM parts have one of these marks: Accessories and Modiﬁcations When non-dealer/non-retailer accessories are added to the vehicle, they can affect vehicle performance and safety, including such things as airbags, braking, stability, ride and handling, emissions systems, aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems like antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control. Some of these accessories could even cause malfunction or damage not covered by the vehicle warranty. Damage to vehicle components resulting from the installation or use of non-GM certiﬁed parts, including control module modiﬁcations, are not covered under the terms of the vehicle warranty and may affect remaining warranty coverage for affected parts. GM Accessories are designed to complement and function with other systems on the vehicle. Your GM dealer/retailer can accessorize the vehicle using genuine GM Accessories. When you go to your GM dealer/retailer and ask for GM Accessories, you will know that GM-trained and supported service technicians will perform the work using genuine GM Accessories. Also, see Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-64. 5-3 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 ﬂuids, and some component wear by-products contain and/or emit these chemicals. California Perchlorate Materials Requirements Certain types of automotive applications, such as airbag initiators, seat belt pretensioners, and lithium batteries contained in remote keyless transmitters, may contain perchlorate materials. Special handling may be necessary. For additional information, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. 5-4 Doing Your Own Service Work { CAUTION: You can be injured and the vehicle could be damaged if you try to do service work on a vehicle without knowing enough about it. (cid:129) Be sure you have sufficient knowledge, experience, the proper replacement parts, and tools before attempting any vehicle maintenance task. (cid:129) Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts, and other fasteners. English and metric fasteners can be easily confused. If the wrong fasteners are used, parts can later break or fall off. You could be hurt. If doing some of your own service work, use the proper service manual. It tells you much more about how to service the vehicle than this manual can. To order the proper service manual, see Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15. This vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to do your own service work, see Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-64. Keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the date of any service work performed. See Maintenance Record on page 6-18. Adding Equipment to the Outside of the Vehicle Things added to the outside of the vehicle can affect the airﬂow around it. This can cause wind noise and can affect fuel economy and windshield washer performance. Check with your dealer/retailer before adding equipment to the outside of the vehicle. Fuel Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of the proper maintenance of this vehicle. To help keep the engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle performance, we recommend the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number that identiﬁes the vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the top left of the instrument panel. See Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) on page 5-122. Gasoline Octane If the vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine (VIN Code V), use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87, you might notice an audible knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service. If the vehicle has the 4.6L V8 engine (VIN Code A), use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but the vehicle’s acceleration could be slightly reduced, and you might notice a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could damage the engine. If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service. 5-5 California Fuel If the vehicle is certiﬁed to meet California Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California speciﬁcations. See the underhood emission control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal speciﬁcations, but emission control system performance might be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the vehicle might fail a smog-check test. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-66. If this occurs, return to your authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty. If the vehicle has the 4.4L V8 engine (VIN Code D), use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 91 or higher. For best performance, use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 93. In an emergency, you can use regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher. If 87 octane fuel is used, do not perform any aggressive driving maneuvers such as wide open throttle applications. You might also hear audible spark knock during acceleration. Reﬁll the tank with premium fuel as soon as possible to avoid damaging the engine. If you are using gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service. Gasoline Speciﬁcations At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM speciﬁcation D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of gasolines containing MMT. See Additives on page 5-7 for additional information. 5-6 Additives To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States are now required to contain additives that help prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing the emission control system to work properly. In most cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel. However, some gasolines contain only the minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is the only gasoline additive recommended by General Motors. Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help correct and prevent most deposit-related problems. Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines, if they comply with the speciﬁcations described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that were not designed for those fuels. Notice: This vehicle was not designed for fuel that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage would not be covered under the vehicle warranty. Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance of the emission control system could be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service. Fuels in Foreign Countries If you plan on driving in another country outside the United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard to ﬁnd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil company that does business in the country where you will be driving. 5-7 Filling the Tank { CAUTION: Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel ﬁre can cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to you and others, read and follow all the instructions on the pump island. Turn off the engine when you are refueling. Do not smoke if you are near fuel or refueling the vehicle. Do not use cellular phones. Keep sparks, ﬂames, and smoking materials away from fuel. Do not leave the fuel pump unattended when refueling the vehicle. This is against the law in some places. Do not re-enter the vehicle while pumping fuel. Keep children away from the fuel pump; never let children pump fuel. The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged fuel door on the passenger side of the vehicle. To open the fuel door, push the rearward center edge in and release and it will pop open. To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly counterclockwise. The fuel cap has a spring in it; if the cap is released too soon, it will spring back to the right. While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from the hook on the fuel door. 5-8 { CAUTION: Fuel can spray out on you if you open the fuel cap too quickly. If you spill fuel and then something ignites it, you could be badly burned. This spray can happen if the tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way. Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or overﬁll the tank, and wait a few seconds after you have ﬁnished pumping before removing the nozzle. Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon as possible. See Washing Your Vehicle on page 5-118. When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-66. The CHECK GAS CAP message will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display if the fuel cap is not reinstalled properly. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79 for more information. { CAUTION: If a ﬁre starts while you are refueling, do not remove the nozzle. Shut off the ﬂow of fuel by shutting off the pump or by notifying the station attendant. Leave the area immediately. If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to get Notice: the right type. Your dealer/retailer can get one for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not ﬁt properly. This may cause the malfunction indicator lamp to light and may damage the fuel tank and emissions system. See Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-66. 5-9 Filling a Portable Fuel Container { CAUTION: Never ﬁll a portable fuel container while it is in the vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the container can ignite the fuel vapor. You can be badly burned and the vehicle damaged if this occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others: (cid:129) Dispense fuel only into approved containers. (cid:129) Do not ﬁll a container while it is inside a vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup bed, or on any surface other than the ground. (cid:129) Bring the ﬁll nozzle in contact with the inside of the ﬁll opening before operating the nozzle. Contact should be maintained until the ﬁlling is complete. (cid:129) Do not smoke while pumping fuel. (cid:129) Do not use a cellular phone while pumping fuel. Checking Things Under the Hood { CAUTION: An electric fan under the hood can start up and injure you even when the engine is not running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from any underhood electric fan. { CAUTION: Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and start a ﬁre. These include liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake ﬂuid, windshield washer and other ﬂuids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine. 5-10 Hood Release To open the hood, do the following: 1. Pull the hood release lever with this symbol on it. It is located inside the vehicle on the lower left side of the instrument panel. 2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and ﬁnd the secondary hood release lever. The lever is located under the front edge of the grille near the center. Push the release lever up and raise the hood. Before closing the hood, be sure all the ﬁller caps are on properly. Then pull the hood down and close it ﬁrmly. 5-11 Engine Compartment Overview Your vehicle may be equipped with front compartment underhood sight shields, which surround the vehicle’s engine cover. These sight shields will need to be removed in order to access some of the underhood components in your vehicle. To remove the sight shields, turn the fasteners on each shield to the left until they pop out. Then remove the fasteners and lift the shields up and away from the tower to tower brace. 5-12 3.6L V6 Engine After you have removed the sight shields (if equipped) on the 3.6L V6 engine, here is what you will see: A. Underhood Fuse Block. See Underhood Fuse Block on page 5-124. B. Remote Negative (-) Terminal. See Jump Starting on page 5-42. C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on page 5-42. D. Battery. See Battery on page 5-42. E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-54. F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on page 5-37. G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 5-18. H. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 5-18. I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under Brakes on page 5-39. J. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-34 and Cooling System on page 5-26. K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23. L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38. 5-13 4.6L V8 Engine 5-14 After you have removed the sight shields (if equipped) on the 4.6L V8 engine, here is what you will see: A. Remote Negative (-) Terminal. See Jump Starting on page 5-42. B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on page 5-42. C. Battery. See Battery on page 5-42. D. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-54. E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on page 5-37. F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 5-18. G. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 5-18. H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under Brakes on page 5-39. I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-34 and Cooling System on page 5-26. J. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23. K. Underhood Fuse Block. See Underhood Fuse Block on page 5-124. L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38. 5-15 4.4L V8 STS-V Engine 5-16 After you have removed the sight shields (if equipped) on the 4.4L V8 STS-V engine, here is what you will see: A. Underhood Fuse Block. See Underhood Fuse Block on page 5-124. B. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on page 5-42. C. Remote Negative (-) Terminal. See Jump Starting on page 5-42. D. Battery. See Battery on page 5-42. E. Passenger Compartment Air Filter. See Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-54. F. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer Fluid” under Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-38. G. Intercooler System Pressure Cap. See Engine Coolant on page 5-27. H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on page 5-37. I. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 5-18. J. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking Engine Oil” under Engine Oil on page 5-18. K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under Brakes on page 5-39. L. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 5-34 and Cooling System on page 5-26. M. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-23. If your vehicle is equipped with front compartment underhood sight shields, before closing the hood be sure to reinstall the sight shields. To reinstall the shields, locate the tabs on the left and right sides and insert them into the openings in the tower to tower brace. Then insert the fasteners into the top of the shield and push the fasteners back into place. 5-17 Engine Oil Checking Engine Oil It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground. The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12 for the location of the engine oil dipstick. 1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level. 2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down, and check the level. When to Add Engine Oil V6 Engine V8 Engine 5-18 If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the recommended oil. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see Capacities and Speciﬁcations on page 5-134. Notice: Do not add too much oil. If the engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating range, the engine could be damaged. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12 for the location of the engine oil ﬁll cap. Add enough oil to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in when you are through. 5-19 What Kind of Engine Oil to Use Look for three things: (cid:129) GM4718M This vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this standard may be identiﬁed as synthetic. However, not all synthetic oils will meet this GM standard. Use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M. Notice: Using oils that do not have the GM4718M Standard designation can cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle warranty. 5-20 (cid:129) SAE 5W-30 SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50. (cid:129) American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst symbol Oils meeting these requirements should have the starburst symbol on the container. This symbol indicates that the oil has been certiﬁed by the American Petroleum Institute (API). This vehicle’s engine was ﬁlled at the factory with a Mobil 1® synthetic oil meeting all requirements for this vehicle. Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M might not be available. You can add substitute oil designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all temperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard GM4718M should not be used for an oil change. Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil Flushes Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM standards are all you need for good performance and engine protection. Engine oil system ﬂushes are not recommended and could cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle warranty. Engine Oil Life System When to Change Engine Oil This vehicle has a computer system that lets you know when to change the engine oil and ﬁlter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life system to work properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is changed. Notice: If your vehicle is an STS-V model, the engine uses a special oil ﬁlter. The use of any other engine oil ﬁlter could lead to ﬁlter failure and result in severe engine damage. Damage caused by use of the wrong engine oil ﬁlter would not be covered by your new vehicle warranty. When the system has calculated that oil life has been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message in the DIC will come on. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79. Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system might not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil and ﬁlter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer has trained service people who will perform this work using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also important to check the oil regularly and keep it at the proper level. If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. 5-21 What to Do with Used Oil Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer. Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s

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2009 Cadillac STS Owners Manual