CADILLAC STS 2006 1.G Owners Manual

Insuring Your Vehicle
Protect your investment in your GM vehicle with
comprehensive and collision insurance coverage. There
are signicant differences in the quality of coverage
afforded by various insurance policy terms. Many
insurance policies provide reduced protection to your
GM vehicle by limiting compensation for damage repairs
by using aftermarket collision parts. Some insurance
companies will not specify aftermarket collision
parts. When purchasing insurance, we recommend that
you assure your vehicle will be repaired with GM
original equipment collision parts. If such insurance
coverage is not available from your current insurance
carrier, consider switching to another insurance carrier.
If your vehicle is leased, the leasing company may
require you to have insurance that assures repairs with
Genuine GM Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)
parts or Genuine Manufacturer replacement parts. Read
your lease carefully, as you may be charged at the
end of your lease for poor quality repairs.
If an Accident Occurs
Here is what to do if you are involved in an accident.
Try to relax and then check to make sure you are all
right. If you are uninjured, make sure that no one else
in your vehicle, or the other vehicle, is injured.
If there has been an injury, call 911 for help. Do not
leave the scene of an accident until all matters have
been taken care of. Move your vehicle only if its
position puts you in danger or you are instructed to
move it by a police officer.
Give only the necessary and requested information
to police and other parties involved in the accident.
Do not discuss your personal condition, mental frame
of mind, or anything unrelated to the accident. This
will help guard against post-accident legal action.
If you need roadside assistance, call GM Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Service on page 7-5for
more information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where the
towing service will be taking it. Get a card from the
tow truck operator or write down the driver’s name,
the service’s name, and the phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle before it is
towed away. Make sure this includes your insurance
information and registration if you keep these items
in your vehicle.
7-11

Gather the important information you will need from
the other driver. Things like name, address, phone
number, driver’s license number, vehicle license
plate, vehicle make, model and model year, Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN), insurance company and
policy number, and a general description of the
damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance company from the
scene of the accident. They will walk you through
the information they will need. If they ask for a
police report, phone or go to the police department
headquarters the next day and you can get a copy
of the report for a nominal fee. In some states with
“no fault” insurance laws, a report may not be
necessary. This is especially true if there are no
injuries and both vehicles are driveable.
Choose a reputable collision repair facility for your
vehicle. Whether you select a GM dealer or a private
collision repair facility to x the damage, make sure
you are comfortable with them. Remember, you
will have to feel comfortable with their work for a
long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully and
make sure you understand what work will be
performed on your vehicle. If you have a question,
ask for an explanation. Reputable shops welcome
this opportunity.
Managing the Vehicle Damage
Repair Process
In the event that your vehicle requires damage repairs,
GM recommends that you take an active role in its
repair. If you have a pre-determined repair facility of
choice, take your vehicle there, or have it towed there.
Specify to the facility that any required replacement
collision parts be original equipment parts, either new
Genuine GM parts or recycled original GM parts.
Remember, recycled parts will not be covered by your
GM vehicle warranty.
Insurance pays the bill for the repair, but you must live
with the repair. Depending on your policy limits, your
insurance company may initially value the repair
using aftermarket parts. Discuss this with your repair
professional, and insist on Genuine GM parts.
Remember if your vehicle is leased you may be
obligated to have the vehicle repaired with Genuine
GM parts, even if your insurance coverage does not
pay the full cost.
If another party’s insurance company is paying for
the repairs, you are not obligated to accept a repair
valuation based on that insurance company’s collision
policy repair limits, as you have no contractual limits with
that company. In such cases, you can have control of
the repair and parts choices as long as cost stays within
reasonable limits.
7-12

Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it nds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your dealer, or
General Motors.To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov;
or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA
400 Seventh Street, SW.
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may call them at
1-800-333-0510 or write to:
Transport Canada
Place de Ville Tower C
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
7-13

Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you will notify
us. Please call us at 1-800-458-8006, or write:
Cadillac Customer Assistance Center
Cadillac Motor Car Division
P.O. Box 33169
Detroit, MI 48232-5169
In Canada, please call us at 1-888-446-2000. Or, write:
Canadian Cadillac Customer Communication
Centre, 163-005
General Motors of Canada Limited
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specications for
GM transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
7-14

Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-15

✍NOTES
7-16

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-46
Adaptive Cruise Control...................................3-19
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-63
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-104
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-24
Air Conditioning..............................................3-48
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-61
Readiness Light..........................................3-60
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-8
Airbag System................................................1-49
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-63
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-57
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-59
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-63
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-57
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-57
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-55
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-52
All-Wheel Drive...............................................5-50
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System.........................4-12
Antenna, Diversity Antenna System..................3-122Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System........................................3-122
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-65
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-99
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-97
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-101
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-98
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-96
Finish Care.................................................5-98
Finish Damage..........................................5-101
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-97
Leather......................................................5-96
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-100
Speaker Covers..........................................5-97
Tires........................................................5-100
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-101
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials...............5-102
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-98
Weatherstrips..............................................5-97
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-99
Wood Panels..............................................5-97
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-47
Audio System(s).............................................3-94
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-119
Care of Your CD Player..............................3-122
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Care of Your CDs ......................................3-121
Diversity Antenna System............................3-122
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual.................................................3-115
Audio Systems
Radio Personalization.................................3-115
Audio System(s)
Radio with CD............................................3-96
Setting the Time..........................................3-95
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-119
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-120
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-122
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-26
Operation...........................................2-28, 2-32
B
Battery..........................................................5-44
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-38
Inadvertent Power Saver..............................3-40
Load Management.......................................3-40
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-24
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-9
Panic Assist................................................4-12Brake (cont.)
Parking......................................................2-35
System Warning Light..................................3-64
Brakes..........................................................5-41
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-24
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-53
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-54
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-53
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting...........5-53
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-54
Buying New Tires...........................................5-72
C
Calibration...............................................1-7, 2-42
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-116
Carbon Monoxide...................2-14, 2-39, 4-27, 4-40
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-97
Your CD Player.........................................3-122
Your CDs .................................................3-121
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-51
2

Chains, Tire...................................................5-78
Charging System Light....................................3-63
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-67
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-101
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-32
Infants and Young Children...........................1-29
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-37
Older Children.............................................1-26
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-46
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-36
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-47
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-99
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-98
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-96
Finish Care.................................................5-98
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-94
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-97
Leather......................................................5-96
Speaker Covers..........................................5-97
Tires........................................................5-100
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-101Cleaning (cont.)
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-98
Weatherstrips..............................................5-97
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-99
Wood Panels..............................................5-97
Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-55
Dual ..........................................................3-48
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-54
Rear ..........................................................3-54
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-10
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-23
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-94
Compass.................................................1-7, 2-42
Competitive Driving.........................................4-18
Competitive Driving Mode................................4-10
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Net............................................2-51
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-67
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-66
Heater, Engine............................................2-27
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-30
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Cruise Control................................................3-16
Cruise Control, Adaptive..................................3-19
Cruise Control, Forward Collision Alert (FAC)
System........................................................ 3-9
Cruise Control Light........................................3-72
3

Cupholder(s)..................................................2-51
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-14
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-13
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-13
Roadside Service.......................................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-14
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-35
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Diversity Antenna System...............................3-122
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Door
Locks........................................................2-12
Power Door Locks.......................................2-12
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-13
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-13Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-13
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-73
DIC Controls and Displays............................3-74
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-79
Other Messages..........................................3-93
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-18
City ...........................................................4-22
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-25
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-20
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-32
Winter........................................................4-27
Dual Climate Control System............................3-48E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-104
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-105
Headlamp Wiring.......................................5-104
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-105
Rear Underseat Fuse Block.........................5-110
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-106
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-104
4