warning CADILLAC CTS 2009 2.G Owner's Manual

After the rst wipe cycle, it can take up to 20 seconds
for each of the remaining cycles. The system will
automatically turn off after four wipe cycles have been
completed or press
_again to turn it off. Heated
Washer Fluid System Off displays on the DIC.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-58.
When the heated windshield washer uid system is
activated under certain outside temperature conditions,
steam might ow out of the washer nozzles for a
short period of time before washer uid is sprayed.
This is a normal condition.
Washer Fluid Low Add Fluid displays on the DIC
when the washer uid is low. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-58.
Headlamp Washer
Your vehicle may have headlamp washers.
The headlamp washers clear debris from the
headlamp lenses.
The headlamp washers
are located beneath the
headlamps.
Press the washer button located at the end of the
windshield wiper lever, to wash the headlamps. Both
the headlamps and the windshield will be washed.
After the rst wash, the headlamps will not be washed
until the fth press of the windshield washer button.
The headlamps must be on to be washed. If the
headlamps are off, only the windshield will be washed
when the washer button is pressed. If the washer uid is
low, the headlamp washers will not work.
SeeWindshield Washer on page 3-12for more
information.
3-13

Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located towards the end of
the turn signal/multifunction lever.
O(Exterior Lamp Control):Turn the band with this
symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has four positions:
O(Off):Turns off all lamps, except the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL).
AUTO (Automatic):Turns the headlamps on and off
automatically, depending upon how much light is
available outside of the vehicle.
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the parking lamps
together with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
5(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps, together
with the previously listed lamps and lights.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking
lamps after the windshield wipers have been in use
for about six seconds. For this feature to work,
the exterior lamp control must be in AUTO.
The wiper-activated headlamps immediately turn off,
when the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF or the
windshield wiper control is turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp control
is left on in either the headlamp or parking lamp position
and the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off.
SeeLights On Reminder on page 3-48for additional
information.
3-17

Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the overhead console.
These lamps come on automatically when any door is
opened.
For manual operation, press the button next to each
lamp to turn it on or off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of charge.
It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and
extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly bring the charge back up. When
the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly
to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter
gage or a voltage display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up or down.
This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be
displayed.The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power that
is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following are on: headlamps, high beams, fog lamps,
rear window defogger, climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer loads, and
loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE,
BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or LOW BATTERY. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-58.
3-21

To replace the passenger compartment air lter:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
2. Turn on the windshield wipers and turn the
ignition off again when the wipers are straight up
on the windshield.
This allows access to the leaf screen.
The passenger compartment air lter is located
under the screen.
3. Open the hood to access the engine compartment.
SeeHood Release on page 5-12for more
information.
4. Remove the three screws that hold the screen in
place and lift off the screen by lifting and sliding it
toward the center of the vehicle.
5. Pull out on the two tabs located on each end of the
lter cover.
6. Lift the lter cover off by pulling it straight up.
7. Remove the old lter and insert a new one.
SeeMaintenance Replacement Parts on page 6-16
for the correct part number for the lter.
8. Reverse Steps 1 through 6 to reinstall the cover.Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
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 prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of the vehicle’s functions. Some
warning lights come on briey when the engine is
started to indicate they are working.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of the vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to indicate a problem with
the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while driving, or when one of the gages shows there
may be a problem, check the section that explains what
to do. Follow this manual’s advice. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
3-30

Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:If the engine is operated with the tachometer
in the shaded warning area, the vehicle could be
damaged, and the damages would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not operate the engine with
the tachometer in the shaded warning area.The CTS-V tachometer has tracer lights that follow the
movement of the tachometer indicator. The tracer lights
can be turned off in the DIC Vehicle Customization.
SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on page 3-72for more
information.
For the CTS-V, the tracer lights also ash when it is
time to up-shift to avoid the engine speed limit.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-36
orManual Transmission Operation on page 2-40
for more information.
Engine Speed Limiter
This feature prevents the engine speed from reaching
an unsafe level. If the level is too high, the throttle closes
or limits the fuel supply until the engine speed returns
to a safe level. Throttle operation and fuel supply returns
to normal when engine speed is lowered.
For the CTS-V, the tachometer tracer lights ashes prior
to reaching engine speed limit. The tracer lights also
ash on automatic transmission vehicles while in
the DSC or Tap Shift modes. United States and
Canada Automatic,
V-Series Similar
3-34

Safety Belt Reminders
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime sounds for
several seconds to remind people to fasten their safety
belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light comes
on and stays on for
several seconds, then
ashes for several more.
This chime and light are repeated if the driver remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion. If the driver’s
safety belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
Several seconds after the engine is started, a
chime sounds for several seconds to remind the front
passenger to buckle their safety belt. This only occurs
if the passenger airbag is enabled. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-67for more information.
The passenger safety belt light, located on the instrument
panel, comes on and stays on for several seconds and
then ashes for several more.
This chime and light are
repeated if the passenger
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger safety belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt warning light and chime
may turn on if an object is put on the seat such as a
briefcase, handbag, or grocery bag. To turn off the
warning light and/or chime, remove the object from the
seat or buckle the safety belt.
3-35

Airbag Readiness Light
The system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
possible malfunctions. If the light stays on it indicates
there is an electrical problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensor, the pretensioners, the
airbag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing
and diagnostic module. For more information on the
airbag system, seeAirbag System on page 1-58.
The airbag readiness light
ashes for a few seconds
when the engine is
started. If the light does
not come on then, have it
xed immediately.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the
vehicle is started or comes on while driving, it
means the airbag system might not be working
properly. The airbags in the vehicle might not
inate in a crash, or they could even inate
without a crash. To help avoid injury, have the
vehicle serviced right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag system, an airbag
Driver Information Center (DIC) message can also come
on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-58
for more information.
3-36

Charging System Light
This light comes on briey
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it
stays on, or comes on while driving, there could be a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
message in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-58
for more information. This light could indicate that
there are problems with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. If the vehicle must be driven a short distance with
the light on, turn off accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Up-Shift Light
The vehicle may have an
up-shift light, it shows
when to shift to the next
higher gear for best
fuel economy.
SeeManual Transmission Operation on page 2-40
for more information.
For the CTS-V, the tracer lights function as a
performance up-shift light.
These tracers ash to indicate when to shift to the
next higher gear to avoid the engine speed limit.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-36
orManual Transmission Operation on page 2-40
for more information.
3-38

Brake System Warning Light
This vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking both
parts need to be working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when the ignition is
turned to ON/RUN. If it does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn if there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when the parking brake is set.
The light will ash or stay on if the parking brake is not
fully released.If the light stays on after the parking brake is fully
released there is a base brake problem.
For vehicles with the Electric Park Brake (EPB), if the
light continues ashing after the brake is released,
or while driving, there is a problem with the Electric
Parking Brake system.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal may be harder to push, or
the pedal may go closer to the oor. The vehicle may
take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-26.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service. United States
Canada
3-39

For vehicles with the Electric Park Brake (EPB), this
light should come on briey when ignition is turned
to ON/RUN. If it does not come on then, have it xed so
it will be ready to warn if there is a problem.
If this light comes on there is a problem with a system
on the vehicle that is causing the park brake system
to work at a reduced level. The vehicle can still be
driven, but should be taken to a dealer/retailer as soon
as possible.
SeeElectric Parking Brake on page 2-44for more
information.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also on,
the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-39.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-58for all
brake related DIC messages.
3-40