CADILLAC CTS 2013 2.G Owners Manual

Black plate (19,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Driving and Operating 9-19
low voltage, try charging or jump
starting the battery. SeeJump
Starting on page 10‑99.
If charging or jump starting the
battery does not work, locate the
hole below the ignition lock. Insert a
flat bladed tool or another key from
the key chain into the opening.
When the lever can be felt, actuate
the lever away from the driver, and
remove the key from the ignition.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear.
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, the keyless access
transmitter must be authenticated in
order for the ignition control knob to
turn. The transmitter can be
authenticated either by putting your
foot on the brake pedal or by
pushing the ignition control knob in. Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, your foot must be
on the brake pedal to start the
engine. To rotate the ignition control
knob, put your foot on the brake
pedal and turn the ignition control
knob to the START position. If the
ignition control knob does not turn,
try pushing the knob in and turning
again. When the engine begins
cranking, let go of the ignition
control knob, it will return to the ON/
RUN position.
If the transmitter is not in the vehicle
or something is interfering with the
transmitter, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display
ELECTRONIC KEY NOT
DETECTED. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑27 for more
information. If the battery in the keyless access
transmitter needs replacing, the DIC
displays REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY. The vehicle can still
be driven. See
“Battery
Replacement” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation (Key Access) on
page 2‑4 orRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation (Keyless
Access) on page 2‑6 for more
information.
Notice: Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in neutral
position and the parking brake
engaged. Hold the clutch pedal
down to the floor and start the
engine. The vehicle will not start if
the clutch pedal is not all the
way down.

Black plate (20,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-20 Driving and Operating
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the acceleratorpedal, turn the ignition key to
START. If the vehicle has the
keyless access system, push the
ignition control knob in and
rotate the knob to the START
position. When the engine starts,
let go of the ignition. The idle
speed will go down as your
engine gets warm. Do not race
the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently to allow
the oil to warm up and lubricate
all moving parts.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking for
a few seconds or until the
vehicle starts. If the engine does
not start and the key is held in START for many seconds,
cranking will be stopped after
15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear
damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine
is already running. Engine
cranking can be stopped by
turning the ignition switch to
ACC/ACCESSORY or
LOCK/OFF.
When first starting the vehicle,
the engine idle speed will be
elevated to allow the catalytic
converter, an emissions control
device, to quickly reach
operating temperature. After
approximately 20 seconds, the
engine will begin to transition to
its normal, quieter idle speed,
which can vary depending on
the temperature. This is normal
operation.
Notice: Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after
five to 10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below 0°F or
−18°C), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing
the accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor and holding it there
as you hold the key in START
for up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to
allow the cranking motor to cool
down. When the engine starts,
let go of the key and accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, do the same
thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not
race the engine immediately
after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently
until the oil warms up and
lubricates all moving parts.

Black plate (21,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Driving and Operating 9-21
Notice:If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment
on page 9‑57.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be
used for up to 10 minutes after the
engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
.Sunroof (if equipped)
Power to the audio system will work
up to 10 minutes or until the driver
door is opened. Power to the
windows or sunroof will work up to
10 minutes or until any door is
opened. For an additional
10 minutes of operation, close all
the doors and turn the key to ON/
RUN and then back to LOCK/OFF.
Engine Coolant Heater
Vehicles with the engine coolant
heater can use this option in cold
weather conditions at or below
−18°C (0°F) for easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine
warm-up. Plug in the coolant heater
at least four hours before starting
your vehicle. An internal thermostat
in the plug-end of the cord may exist
which will prevent engine coolant
heater operation at temperatures
above −18°C (0°F).
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The cord is near
the driver side strut tower.
Remove the plastic cap to
access the plug.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could
overheat and cause a fire. You
could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord will not reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts.
If you do not, it could be
damaged.
Contact your dealer for information
on how long to use the heater in
your particular area.

Black plate (22,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-22 Driving and Operating
Shifting Into Park
Use this procedure to shift into
P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down andset the parking brake.
See Parking Brake (Electric) on
page 9‑33 orParking Brake
(Manual) on page 9‑32 for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by holding in the button on the
shift lever and pushing the lever
all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
4. For vehicles with key access, remove the key and take it with
you. If you can leave the vehicle
with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
For vehicles with the keyless
access system, take the keyless
access transmitter with you.
Leaving the Vehicle With the
Engine Running (Automatic
Transmission)
{WARNING
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire.
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park on
page 9‑22. If you are towing a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9‑51. If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, the vehicle must
be in P (Park) and the parking brake
set. After shifting into P (Park), try to
move the shift lever out without first
pushing the button on the shift lever.
If you can, the shift lever was not
fully locked into P (Park).
Torque Lock (Automatic
Transmission)
Torque lock is when the weight of
the vehicle puts too much force on
the parking pawl in the
transmission. This happens when
parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not
done properly and then it is difficult
to shift out of P (Park). To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into P (Park). To find
out how, see "Shifting Into Park"
listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, the
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to relieve
the parking pawl pressure, so you
can shift out of P (Park).

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Driving and Operating 9-23
Shifting out of Park
This vehicle is equipped with an
electronic shift lock release system.
The shift lock release is
designed to:
.Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
P (Park) with the shift lever
button fully released, for vehicles
with key access.
.Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park), unless the
ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY and the brake
pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9 volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑99 for more information. To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Release the parking brake. See
Parking Brake (Electric) on
page 9‑33 orParking Brake
(Manual) on page 9‑32.
3. Press the shift lever button.
4. Move the shift lever.
If unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift lever
button again.
3. Move the shift lever.
If the shift lever will not move from
P (Park), consult your dealer or a
professional towing service.
Parking (Manual
Transmission)
Before getting out of the vehicle,
place the shift lever in R (Reverse)
and firmly apply the parking brake. For vehicles with the key access
ignition, turn the ignition key to OFF/
LOCK, and remove the key. See
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access)
on page 9‑15
orIgnition Positions
(Key Access) on page 9‑17 for more
information.
For vehicles with the keyless access
ignition, turn the ignition to LOCK/
OFF and remove the keyless
access transmitter.
If towing a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑51.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{WARNING
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.

Black plate (24,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-24 Driving and Operating
Engine Exhaust
{WARNING
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow
that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes).
.The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different.
.The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.
.The vehicle exhaust system
has been modified, damaged,
or improperly repaired.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or aftermarket
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
See Shifting Into Park on page 9‑22
and Engine Exhaust on page 9‑24.
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, see Parking (Manual
Transmission) on page 9‑23.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9‑51.

Black plate (25,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Driving and Operating 9-25
Automatic
Transmission
The shift lever is on the center
console between the front seats.
There are several different positions
for the shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks the
rear wheels. Use this position when
starting the engine because the
vehicle cannot move easily.
{WARNING
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you
have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can
move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park).
See Shifting Into Park on
page 9‑22. If you are pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9‑51.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an electronic shift
lock release system. Fully apply the
regular brakes first and then press the shift lever button before shifting
from P (Park) when the ignition key
is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out
of P (Park), ease pressure on the
shift lever and push the shift lever
all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another
gear. See
Shifting out of Park on
page 9‑23.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only
after the vehicle is stopped.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
At low vehicle speeds, R (Reverse)
can be used to rock the vehicle
back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging your
transmission. See If the Vehicle Is
Stuck on page 9‑9 for additional
information.

Black plate (26,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-26 Driving and Operating
N (Neutral):In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart when the vehicle
is already moving, use N (Neutral)
only. You can also use N (Neutral)
when the vehicle is being towed.
{WARNING
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle. D (Drive):
This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy. If you need more
power for passing, and you are:
.Going less than 55 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
.Going about 55 km/h (35 mph) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
The transmission will shift down
to a lower gear and have more
power.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding; see “Skidding”under
Loss of Control on page 9‑5
When the CTS-V is in D (Drive), the
first forward gear automatic shift
after start will be from 1 (First) gear.
Following starts will begin in
2 (Second) gear. When in M
(Manual Mode), the vehicle will start
in 1 (First) gear every time. M (Manual Mode):
This position
allows the driver to select the range
of gears appropriate for current
driving conditions. See Driver Shift
Control (DSC) later in this section.
Notice: Spinning the tires or
holding the vehicle in one place
on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage
the transmission. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Manual Mode
Driver Shift Control (DSC) or
Tap Shift
Notice: Driving with the engine at
a high rpm without upshifting
while using Driver Shift Control
(DSC), could damage the vehicle.
Always upshift when necessary
while using DSC.

Black plate (27,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Driving and Operating 9-27
Vehicles with DSC may either use
the shift lever or the tap shift
controls on back of the steering
wheel to manually shift the
automatic transmission.
To use the DSC feature using the
shift lever:
1. Move the shift lever to the rightfrom D (Drive) to
M (Manual Mode).
The vehicle will be in sport mode
and will shift automatically if the
shift lever is not moved forward
or rearward. The transmission
may remain in a gear longer
than it would in the normal
driving mode based on braking,
throttle input, and vehicle lateral
acceleration. SPORT MODE will
be displayed in the DIC
momentarily.
2. To go from sport mode to DSC, move the shift lever forward to
upshift or rearward to downshift. 3. To exit DSC and enter sport
mode, hold the shift lever in the
upshift/forward position briefly.
If equipped, the tap shift controls
are on the back of the steering
wheel. The tap shift controls can be
used in D (Drive), M (Manual Mode)
with Sport Mode automatic shift
active, or M (Manual Mode) with
Manual Shifting Mode. To use the DSC feature using the
Tap Shift controls:
1. Move the shift lever to the right
from D (Drive) to
M (Manual Mode).
2. Tap the left control to downshift, and the right control to upshift.
3. To return to sport mode, hold the right upshift control briefly,
or hold the shift lever forward
briefly, or return the shift lever to
D (Drive).
With the shift lever in D (Drive), the
tap shift controls will activate a
temporary tap manual shift mode,
allowing the transmission to be
manually shifted. Automatic shifts
return after no manual shifts have
been done for seven to 10 second.
The temporary tap mode can also
be deactivated by holding the right
upshift control briefly.

Black plate (28,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-28 Driving and Operating
The tachometer display indicates
which gear the vehicle is in. The
number indicates the requested
gear range when moving the shift
lever forward or rearward.
CTS-V vehicles use tracer lights
around the outside of the
tachometer as a performance
upshift light. These tracers flash to
indicate when to shift to the next
higher gear to avoid the engine
speed limit. SeeTachometer on
page 5‑13 for more information. While using the DSC feature, the
vehicle will have firmer, quicker
shifting. You can use this for sport
driving or when climbing or
descending hills, to stay in gear
longer, or to downshift for more
power or engine braking.
The transmission will only allow you
to shift into gears appropriate for the
vehicle speed and engine
revolutions per minute (RPM). The
transmission will not automatically
shift to the next lower gear if the
engine rpm is too high, nor to the
next higher gear when the maximum
engine rpm is reached.
If shifting is prevented for any
reason, the currently selected gear
will flash multiple times, indicating
that the transmission has not shifted
gears.
While in the DSC mode, the CTS
automatic transmission will
automatically downshift when the
vehicle comes to a stop. This will
allow for more power during
acceleration.
The CTS-V automatic transmission
will not automatically downshift on
hard acceleration when in
DSC mode.
When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
it is suggested to shift into second
gear. A higher gear allows the
vehicle to gain more traction on
slippery surfaces.