warning light CADILLAC CTS 2011 2.G Owner's Manual

Black plate (18,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
5-18 Instruments and Controls
The airbag readiness light comes on
and stays on for several seconds
when the vehicle is started. Then
the light goes out.
{WARNING
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 inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. SeePassenger
Sensing System
on page 3‑37for
important safety information. The
instrument panel has a passenger
airbag status indicator.
United States
Canada and Mexico
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light the words ON and OFF,
or the symbols for on and off, for several seconds as a system check.
If the vehicle has remote start, and it
is being used to start the vehicle
from a distance, you may not see
the system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status
indicator will light either ON or OFF,
or either the on or off symbol, to let
you know the status of the right front
passenger frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the outboard
front passenger frontal airbag is
enabled (may inflate).
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the outboard front
passenger frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both 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.

Black plate (19,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-19
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light
on page 5‑17for more
information, including important
safety information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running, as
a check to show the light is working.
It should go out when the engine is
started. If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) also
displays a message.
See
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages on page 5‑31.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to
produce a cleaner environment.
This light should come on when the
ignition is on, 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.
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp
comes on and stays on while the
engine is running, this indicates that
there is an OBD II problem and
service is required.

Black plate (22,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
5-22 Instruments and Controls
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
.The malfunction indicator lamp is
on with the engine running, or if
the light does not come on when
the ignition is turned to ON/RUN
while the engine is off.
.The critical emission control
systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the
system. This can happen if the
battery has recently been
replaced or if the battery has run
down. The diagnostic system
evaluates critical emission
control systems during normal
driving. This can take
several days of routine driving.
If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the
inspection, your dealer can
prepare the vehicle for
inspection.
Brake System Warning
Light
The vehicle brake system consists
of two hydraulic circuits. If one
circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the
vehicle. For normal braking
performance, both circuits need to
be working
If the warning light comes on, there
is a brake problem. Have the brake
system inspected right away.
EnglishMetric
This light should come on briefly
when the ignition is placed in ON/
RUN. If it does not come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to
warn if there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light also comes on
when the parking brake is set.
The light flashes or stays 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.

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-23
{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.
For vehicles with the Electric Park
Brake (EPB), this red brake warning
light comes on when the park brake
is applied. If the light continues
flashing after the park brake is
released, or while driving, there is a
problem with the Electric Parking
Brake system.
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, see your dealer.
For vehicles with the Electric Park
Brake (EPB), this park brake status
light should come on briefly when
ignition is placed in ON/RUN. If it
does not come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn if there is
a problem.
If this park brake 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
See Brake Assist (Except CTS-V)
on page 9‑36for more information.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light comes on
briefly when the engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
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. A chime may also sound when
the light comes on steady. If this
happens, start the engine again to
reset the system. If the ABS light
stays on, or comes on again while
driving, the vehicle needs service.

Black plate (24,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
5-24 Instruments and Controls
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 5‑22.
For vehicles with a Driver
Information Center (DIC), see Driver
Information Center (DIC)
on
page 5‑27for all brake related DIC
messages.
Up-Shift Light
The vehicle may have an up-shift
light. It indicates when to shift to the
next higher gear for best fuel
economy. See
Manual Transmission
on
page 9‑30for more information.
For the CTS-V, the tracer lights
function as a performance up-shift
light.
The tracers flash to indicate
when to shift to the next higher gear
to avoid the engine speed limit.
See Automatic Transmission
on
page 9‑26or Manual Transmissionon page 9‑30for more information.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
The Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak warning light should
come on briefly when the engine is
started. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on or stays on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the TCS/StabiliTrak
and the vehicle may need service.
When this warning light is on, the
system does not limit wheel spin.
Adjust driving accordingly.
See
Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑37andStabiliTrak
Systemon page 9‑38for more
information.

Black plate (25,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-25
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on briefly when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on
while driving, the vehicle may have
a problem with the cooling system.
Stop the vehicle and turn off the
engine to avoid damage to the
engine. A warning chime sounds
when this light is on.
SeeEngine Overheating
on
page 10‑24for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a Tire Pressure
Monitor System, this light comes on
briefly when the engine is started.
It provides information about tire
pressures and the Tire Pressure
Monitor System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A tire pressure message can
accompany the light. See Tire
Messages
on page 5‑43for more
information. Stop as soon as
possible, and inflate the tires to the
pressure value shown on the Tire
and Loading Information Label. See
Tire Pressure
on page 10‑74for
more information. When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there may be a
problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System. The light flashes
for about a minute and stays on
steady for the remainder of the
ignition cycle. This sequence
repeats with every ignition cycle.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
on page 10‑77for more
information.

Black plate (26,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
5-26 Instruments and Controls
Engine Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
The oil pressure light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.
Security Light
This light flashes when the security
system is activated.
For more information, see Vehicle
Security on page 2‑23.
High-Beam on Light
The high-beam on light comes on
when the high-beam headlamps are
in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
on page 6‑2for more
information.

Black plate (27,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-27
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light comes on when
the fog lamps are in use.
The light goes out when the fog
lamps are turned off. SeeFog
Lamps
on page 6‑5for more
information.
Lamps on Reminder
This light comes on whenever the
parking lamps are on.
See Exterior Lamps Off Reminder
on page 6‑2for more information.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on whenever the
cruise control is active.
The light goes out when the cruise
control is turned off. See Cruise
Control
on page 9‑40for more
information.
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
provides status of many vehicle
systems. The DIC displays warning/
status messages. The DIC display
is at the bottom of the instrument
panel cluster. The DIC buttons are
on the instrument panel next to the
steering wheel.
The DIC comes on when the ignition
is on. After a short delay, the DIC
displays the information that was
last displayed before the engine
was turned off.
The top line of the DIC display
shows the DIC information. The
bottom line shows the compass.
The compass displays in the trip/
fuel menus and in some vehicle
information menus.

Black plate (33,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-33
Press Brake To Start Engine
(Automatic Transmission Only)
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays if you try to start the engine
without having the brake pressed.
The brake needs to be pressed
when starting the engine. See
Ignition Positions (Key Access)
on
page 9‑16or Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access)on page 9‑18for
more information.
Release Park Brake Switch
For vehicles with the Electric
Parking Brake, this message
displays if the Park Brake switch is
pulled while the vehicle is moving.
See the Electric Parking Brake
information under Parking Brake
(Manual)
on page 9‑33or Parking
Brake (Electric)on page 9‑34for
more information.
Service Brake Assist
This message displays if there is a
problem with the brake system. The
brake system warning light and the
antilock brake system (ABS)
warning light may also display on
the instrument panel cluster. See
Brake System Warning Light
on
page 5‑22and Antilock Brake
System (ABS) Warning Lighton
page 5‑23for more information.
Stop as soon as possible and turn
off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle
and check for the message on the
DIC display. If the message displays
immediately or again after you begin
driving, the brake system needs
service. See your dealer as soon as
possible. See Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
on page 9‑32for
more information.
Service Brake System
This message displays, while the
ignition is on, when the brake fluid
level is low. The brake system
warning light on the instrument
panel cluster also comes on. See Brake System Warning Light
on
page 5‑22for more information.
This message may also be
displayed for other brake system
problems. Have the brake system
serviced by your dealer as soon as
possible.
Service Park Brake
For vehicles with the Electric
Parking Brake, this message
displays if a problem is detected
with the electric parking brake
system. See your dealer for service.
Step On Brake To Release
Park Brake
For vehicles with the Electric
Parking Brake, this message
displays if you try to release the
park brake system without first
pressing the brake pedal. See the
Electric Parking Brake information
under Parking Brake (Manual)
on
page 9‑33or Parking Brake
(Electric)on page 9‑34for more
information.

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-35
Engine Cooling System
Messages
Engine Hot A/C (Air
Conditioning) Off
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
on page 5‑16. To avoid
added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor
automatically turns off. When the
coolant temperature returns to
normal, the air conditioning
compressor turns back on. You can
continue to drive the vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
Engine Overheated Idle Engine
Notice: If you drive your vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may
occur. If an overheat warning
appears on the instrument panel
cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Do
not increase the engine speed
above normal idling speed. See
Engine Overheating
on page 10‑24for more information.
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. If the
message does not clear in a
few minutes or if the overheat light
stays on, shut the vehicle off and
have it serviced before driving
again. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light
on
page 5‑25.
See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
on page 10‑25for
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Engine Oil Messages
Change Engine Oil Soon
When this message displays, it
means that service is required for
the vehicle. See your dealer. See
Scheduled Maintenance
on
page 11‑3and Engine Oilon
page 10‑11for more information.
When you reset the Change Engine
Oil Soon message by clearing it
from the display, you still must reset
the engine oil life system separately.
For more information on resetting
the engine oil life system, see
Engine Oil Life System
on
page 10‑14.
Engine Oil Low Add Oil
If the vehicle has an oil level sensor,
this message displays if the oil level
in the vehicle is low. Check the oil
level and correct it as necessary.
You may need to let the vehicle cool
or warm up and cycle the ignition to
be sure this message clears.