warning light CADILLAC CTS 2007 1.G User Guide

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle. The pictures help to locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is wrong before it becomes serious enough to
cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying
attention to the warning lights and gages could also
save you or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As
the details show on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the
engine just to let you know they are working. If
you are familiar with this section, you should
not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often
gages and warning lights work together to let you
know when there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and
stays on as you are driving, or when one of the
gages shows there may be a problem, check
the section that tells you what to do about
it. Please follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
So please get to know your vehicle’s warning lights
and gages. They can be a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information
Center (DIC) that works along with the warning
lights and gages. SeeDriver Information Center
(DIC) on page 222for more information.
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If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or comes on while you are driving,
your airbag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after
you start your vehicle, it means the airbag
system may not be working properly. The
airbags in your vehicle may not inate in
a crash, or they could even inate without
a crash. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle serviced right
away if the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle.
If there is a problem with the airbag system in
your vehicle, the Service Air Bag message
will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
display. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 232for more information.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your rearview mirror has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
When the ignition key is turned to ON or START,
the passenger airbag status indicator will light
ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
for several seconds as a system check.
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If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there
may be a problem with the lights or the passenger
sensing system. See your dealer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on together, it
means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens,
have the vehicle serviced promptly,
because an adult-size person sitting in the
right front passenger seat may not have
the protection of the frontal airbag. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 201.
Charging System Light
When you turn the key
to ON or START, this
light will come on briey
to show that the
generator and battery
charging systems
are working properly.
If this light stays on, your vehicle needs service.
You should take your vehicle to the dealer at once.
To save your battery until you get there, turn off
all accessories. For more information seeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 232.
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Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to ON. If it does not come on then,
have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push, or the pedal may
go closer to the oor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed
for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 326.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
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Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS),
the light will come
on when your engine is
started and stay on
for several seconds.
This is normal.
If the ABS warning light comes on and stays on,
there may be a problem with the anti-lock
portion of the brake system. If the brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but you do not have anti-lock brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 205for more
information.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. If the
light comes on when you are driving, stop as
soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then
start the engine again to reset the system. If
the light still stays on, or comes on again while
you are driving, your vehicle needs service.If the regular brake system warning light is not on,
you still have brakes, but you do not have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you do not have anti-lock
brakes and there is a problem with your regular
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 205for more information.
The ABS warning light should come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If the TC (traction
control) warning light
comes on and stays on,
there may be a
problem with the traction
control system.
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The TC warning light will come on briey when
you turn the ignition to ON. If it does not come on
then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
The light will also come on if you turn the traction
control system off using the TC on/off button
located in the glove box for the CTS and on the
steering wheel for the CTS-V.
If the TC warning light stays on or comes on while
you are driving, pull off the road as soon as
possible and stop carefully. Try resetting the
system by turning the ignition off then back on.
If the light still stays on or comes back on
again while you are driving, your vehicle needs
service. Have the Traction Control System (TCS)
inspected as soon as possible. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) (CTS) on page 293
orTraction Control System (TCS) (CTS-V) on
page 295for more information.Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light (CTS)
This light will come on
when you rst start the
vehicle as a check
to let you know that the
light is working.
It will go out after a few seconds. If the light does
not come on, see your dealer.
If the light does not go out or if the light comes on
and stays on while you are driving, your vehicle
may have a problem with the cooling system. You
should stop the vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible to avoid damage to the
engine. A warning chime will also sound when this
light is on.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 360for more
information.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature. If the gage
pointer moves into
the shaded area, the
engine is too hot.
That reading means the same thing as the
warning light – the engine coolant is very hot.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 360.
Tire Pressure Light (CTS-V Only)
If the vehicle has the
Tire Pressure Monitor
System, this light
will come on if the
system detects low
tire pressure.
This light will also come on for a bulb check when
the vehicle is started.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 405
for more information.
For more information on the proper tire pressure,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 321. For
more information on your tires, seeTires on
page 392.
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Cruise Control Light
This light comes on
whenever you set the
cruise control.
The light goes out when the cruise control is
turned off. SeeCruise Control on page 176for
more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on
when the high-beam
headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on
page 172for more information.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage shows
approximately how
much fuel is in the fuel
tank. It works only
when the ignition is in
the ON position.
If the fuel supply gets low, the Fuel Level Low
message will appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) and a single chime will sound. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 232for
more information.
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Transmission Fluid Hot Message
When you see this
ashing symbol, the
transmission uid
temperature is high
(290°F (143°C)).
To acknowledge this warning, press either button
on the outboard switch on the left spoke of the
steering wheel. After you press this button, the
warning will redisplay every 10 minutes until the
temperature returns to the normal operating range.
If this message appears, you may continue to drive
at a slower speed while monitoring the transmission
uid temperature. Ideally, the transmission oil
temperature should not rise above 265°F (129°C). If
you regularly experience temperatures above this
limit due to high performance operation, it is
recommended to use an auxiliary uid cooler for the
transmission and differential. See your dealer for
details. If this warning is displayed during normal
vehicle operation on at roads, your vehicle may
need service. See your dealer for an inspection.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 232and
Manual Transmission Fluid on page 354for more
information.
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message
When you see this
ashing symbol, the
engine coolant
temperature is high
(257°F (125°C)).
To acknowledge this warning, press either button
on the outboard switch on the left spoke of the
steering wheel. After you press a button, this
warning will come on every 10 minutes until the
temperature returns to the normal operating range.
Driving aggressively or driving on long hills can
cause the engine coolant temperature to be higher
than normal. The Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light should also come on. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light (CTS) on
page 207for more information. If this warning is
displayed during normal vehicle operation on
at roads, your vehicle may need service.
See your dealer for an inspection.
219

Check Engine Oil Pressure Message
Your vehicle may have
this feature. When you
see this ashing
symbol, the engine oil
pressure is low.
To acknowledge this warning, press either button
on the outboard switch on the left spoke of the
steering wheel. After you press this button,
the warning will redisplay every 10 minutes until
the pressure returns to the normal operating
range. Oil pressure should be 20 to 80 psi
(140 to 550 kPa). In certain situations such as
long, extended idles on hot days, it could read as
low as 6 psi (40 kPa) and still be considered
normal. It may vary with engine speed, outside
temperature and oil viscosity. The Oil Pressure
Light should also come on. SeeOil Pressure Light
on page 212for more information.
Oil Temperature Warning Message
When you see this
ashing symbol, the
engine oil temperature
is high.
To acknowledge this warning, press either button
on the outboard switch on the left spoke of the
steering wheel. After you press a button, the
warning will come on every 10 minutes until the
temperature returns to the normal operating range.
Driving aggressively or driving on long hills can
cause the engine oil temperature to be higher than
normal. If this warning is displayed during
normal vehicle operation on at roads, your vehicle
may need service. See your dealer for an
inspection. SeeEngine Oil on page 346for more
information.
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