service CADILLAC CTS 2018 User Guide

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
74 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
Each time the vehicle is started with
the front seat belts buckled, the
system activates once to tighten the
seat belts when the forward vehicle
speed exceeds the threshold for
activation.
The system also activates during
emergency braking and/or sudden
driving maneuvers and releases when
driving conditions return to normal.
The system turns off whenever
Competitive Driving Mode is activated,
and will turn back on when
Competitive Driving Mode is
deactivated. SeeCompetitive Driving
Mode (V-Sport Only) 0211.
The system will not activate if the
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control system is not functioning
properly. See Traction Control/
Electronic Stability Control 0206.
If there is a problem with the
Automatic Seat Belt Tightening
System, a message displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). If a
system unavailable message displays
repeatedly or a service message
displays, see your dealer. Other seat belt functions are not affected by the
Automatic Seat Belt Tightening
System.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has seat belt
pretensioners for front outboard
occupants. Although the seat belt
pretensioners cannot be seen, they are
part of the seat belt assembly. They
can help tighten the seat belts during
the early stages of a moderate to
severe frontal, near frontal, or rear
crash if the threshold conditions for
pretensioner activation are met. Seat
belt pretensioners can also help
tighten the seat belts in a side crash
or a rollover event.
Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash, the
pretensioners and probably other
parts of the vehicle's seat belt system
will need to be replaced. See
Replacing
Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash
0 76. Do not sit on the outboard seat belt
while entering or exiting the vehicle or
at any time while sitting in the seat.
Sitting on the seat belt can damage
the webbing and hardware.Rear Seat Belt Comfort Guides
Rear seat belt comfort guides may
provide added seat belt comfort for
older children who have outgrown
booster seats and for some adults.
When installed on a shoulder belt, the
comfort guide positions the shoulder
belt away from the neck and head.
Comfort guides are available through
your dealer for the rear outboard
seating positions. Instructions are
included with the guide.
Seat Belt Use During
Pregnancy
Seat belts work for everyone,
including pregnant women. Like all
occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured if they do not wear
seat belts.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
82 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
airbag inflation, after an event that
exceeds a predetermined threshold.
After turning the ignition off and then
on again, the fuel system will return
to normal operation; the doors can be
locked, the interior lamps can be
turned off, and the hazard warning
flashers can be turned off using the
controls for those features. If any of
these systems are damaged in the
crash they may not operate as normal.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate the
airbags may have also damaged
important functions in the vehicle,
such as the fuel system, brake and
steering systems, etc. Even if the
vehicle appears to be drivable after
a moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could make
it difficult to safely operate the
vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
.
Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag inflates,
you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not
get them, the airbag system will
not be there to help protect you in
another crash. A new system will
include airbag modules and
possibly other parts. The service
manual for the vehicle covers the
need to replace other parts.
. The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a crash.
See Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy 0369 and Event Data
Recorders 0369.
. Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Passenger Sensing System
The vehicle has a passenger sensing
system for the front outboard
passenger position. The passenger
airbag status indicator will light on
the overhead console when the vehicle
is started.
United States
Canada and Mexico
The words ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, will be visible during
the system check. When the system
check is complete, either the word ON

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
84 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
.There is a critical problem with
the airbag system or the passenger
sensing system.
When the passenger sensing system
has turned off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag, the off indicator will light and
stay lit as a reminder that the airbags
are off. See Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator 0126.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn on the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee airbag anytime the system
senses that a person of adult size is
sitting properly in the front outboard
passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing system
has allowed the airbags to be enabled,
the on indicator will light and stay lit
as a reminder that the airbags are
active.
For some children, including children
in child restraints, and for very small
adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee airbag, depending upon the person’s seating posture and body
build. Everyone in the vehicle who has
outgrown child restraints should wear
a seat belt properly
—whether or not
there is an airbag for that person.
{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. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0126 for
more information, including
important safety information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a
Child Restraint
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee airbag if the system determines
that an infant is present in a child
restraint. If a child restraint has been
installed and the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off. 2. Remove the child restraint from
the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint following the directions provided
by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to
Securing Child Restraints (With the
Seat Belt in the Rear Seat) 0101
or Securing Child Restraints (With
the Seat Belt in the Front Seat)
0 103.
5. If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still
lit, turn the vehicle off. Then
slightly recline the vehicle
seatback and adjust the seat
cushion, if adjustable, to make
sure that the vehicle seatback is
not pushing the child restraint
into the seat cushion.
Also make sure the child
restraint is not trapped under the
vehicle head restraint. If this

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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86 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
A thick layer of additional material,
such as a blanket or cushion,
or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat
massagers can affect how well the
passenger sensing system operates.
We recommend that you not use seat
covers or other aftermarket equipment
except when approved by GM for your
specific vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 087 for
more information about modifications
that can affect how the system
operates.
A wet seat can affect the performance
of the passenger sensing system. Here
is how:
. The passenger sensing system may
turn off the passenger frontal
airbag and passenger knee airbag
when liquid is soaked into the
seat. If this happens, the off
indicator will be lit, and the airbag
readiness light on the instrument
panel will also be lit.
. Liquid pooled on the seat that has
not soaked in may make it more
likely that the passenger sensing
system will turn on the passenger frontal airbag and passenger knee
airbag while a child restraint or
child occupant is on the seat.
If the passenger frontal airbag and
passenger knee airbag are turned
on, the on indicator will be lit.
If the passenger seat gets wet, dry the
seat immediately. If the airbag
readiness light is lit, do not install a
child restraint or allow anyone to
occupy the seat. See Airbag Readiness
Light 0126 for important safety
information.
The on indicator may be lit if an
object, such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop, or other electronic
device, is put on an unoccupied seat.
If this is not desired, remove the
object from the seat.
{Warning
Stowing articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should
be serviced. There are parts of the
airbag system in several places around
the vehicle. Your dealer and the
service manual have information
about servicing the vehicle and the
airbag system. To purchase a service
manual, see Service Publications
Ordering Information 0366.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the battery
is disconnected, an airbag can still
inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an
airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the airbag system.
Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the
person performing work for you is
qualified to do so.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11349156) - 2018 - CRC - 9/29/17
SEATS AND RESTRAINTS 87
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet metal
may keep the airbag system from
working properly. The operation of the
airbag system can also be affected by
changing any parts of the front seats,
seat belts, airbag sensing and
diagnostic module, steering wheel,
instrument panel, inner door seals
including the speakers, any of the
airbag modules, ceiling or pillar
garnish trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors, or airbag
wiring.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location of
the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, and airbag wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the front
outboard passenger position, which
includes sensors that are part of the
passenger seat. The passenger sensing
system may not operate properly if
the original seat trim is replaced withnon-GM covers, upholstery, or trim; or
with GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort-enhancing pad or
device, installed under or on top of
the seat fabric, could also interfere
with the operation of the passenger
sensing system. This could either
prevent proper deployment of the
passenger airbag(s) or prevent the
passenger sensing system from
properly turning off the passenger
airbag(s). See
Passenger Sensing
System 082.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail
airbags, see Different Size Tires and
Wheels 0311 for additional important
information.
If you have to modify your vehicle
because you have a disability and have
questions about whether the
modifications will affect the vehicle's
airbag system, or if you have
questions about whether the airbag
system will be affected if the vehicle is
modified for any other reason, call
Customer Assistance. See Customer
Assistance Offices 0359.
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See Airbag
Readiness Light 0126.
Caution
If an airbag covering is damaged,
opened, or broken, the airbag may
not work properly. Do not open or
break the airbag coverings. If there
are any opened or broken airbag
coverings, have the airbag covering
and/or airbag module replaced. For
the location of the airbags, see
Where Are the Airbags? 078. See
your dealer for service.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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88 SEATS AND RESTRAINTS
Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash
{Warning
A crash can damage the airbag
systems in the vehicle. A damaged
airbag system may not properly
protect you and your passenger(s)
in a crash, resulting in serious
injury or even death. To help make
sure the airbag systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See your
dealer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes
on when you are driving, the airbag
system may not work properly. Have
the vehicle serviced right away. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0126.
Child Restraints
Older Children
Older children who have outgrown
booster seats should wear the vehicle’s
seat belts.
The manufacturer instructions that
come with the booster seat state the
weight and height limitations for that
booster. Use a booster seat with a
lap-shoulder belt until the child
passes the fit test below: .
Sit all the way back on the seat.
Do the knees bend at the seat
edge? If yes, continue. If no, return
to the booster seat.
. Buckle the lap-shoulder belt. Does
the shoulder belt rest on the
shoulder? If yes, continue. If no,
try using the rear seat belt
comfort guide, if available. See
“Rear Seat Belt Comfort Guides”
under Lap-Shoulder Belt 071. If a
comfort guide is not available, or if
the shoulder belt still does not rest
on the shoulder, then return to the
booster seat.
. Does the lap belt fit low and snug
on the hips, touching the thighs?
If yes, continue. If no, return to
the booster seat.
. Can proper seat belt fit be
maintained for the length of the
trip? If yes, continue. If no, return
to the booster seat.
Q: What is the proper way to wear seat belts?
A: An older child should wear a
lap-shoulder belt and get the
additional restraint a shoulder belt

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 109
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . 110
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . 110
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . 110
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . 111
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Boost Gauge (Performance Configuration Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Engine Oil Temperature Gauge
(Performance
Configuration Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . 126
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Brake System Warning Light . . . . 129
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . 130
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . 131
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . 131
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Driver Mode Control Light (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . 134 Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 134
Auto Stop Mode (Uplevel
Cluster Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . . . . . 140
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Engine Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . 143
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . 144
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . . . . 144
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . . . . . 149
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 123
When the ignition is on, the fuel
gauge indicates about how much fuel
is left in the tank.
There is an arrow near the fuel gauge
pointing to the side of the vehicle the
fuel door is on.
When the indicator nears empty, the
low fuel light comes on. There still is
a little fuel left, but the vehicle should
be refueled soon.
Here are four things that some owners
ask about. None of these show a
problem with the fuel gauge:
.At the service station, the fuel
pump shuts off before the gauge
reads full.
. It takes a little more or less fuel to
fill up than the gauge indicated.
For example, the gauge may have
indicated the tank was half full,
but it actually took a little more or
less than half the tank's capacity
to fill the tank.
. The gauge moves a little while
turning a corner or speeding up. .
The gauge takes a few seconds to
stabilize after the ignition is
turned on, and goes back to empty
when the ignition is turned off.
Boost Gauge (Performance
Configuration Only)
Metric 6.2 Engine (LT4) Shown, 3.6L
Engine (LF3) Similar
English 6.2 Engine (LT4) Shown, 3.6L Engine (LF3) Similar
This gauge indicates boost under
heavier throttle.
It displays the air pressure level in the
intake manifold before it enters the
engine's combustion chamber.
The gauge is automatically centered at
zero every time the engine is started.
Actual boost is displayed from this
zero point. Changes in ambient
pressure, such as driving in mountains
and changing weather, will slightly
change the zero reading.

Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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126 INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to
remind passengers to fasten their seat
belt. Then the light stays on solid
until the belt is buckled. This cycle
continues several times if the
passenger remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.
If the passenger seat belt is buckled,
neither the chime nor the light
comes on.
The front passenger seat belt reminder
light and chime may turn on if an
object is put on the seat such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag,
laptop, or other electronic device. To
turn off the reminder light and/or
chime, remove the object from the
seat or buckle the seat belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an
electrical problem with the airbag
system. The system check includes
the airbag sensor(s), the passenger
sensing system, the pretensioners, the
airbag modules, the wiring, and the
crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag
system, seeAirbag System 076.
The airbag readiness light comes on
for several seconds when the vehicle is
started. If the light does not come on
then, have it fixed immediately.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may also come on.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger sensing
system. See Passenger Sensing System
0 82 for important safety information.
The passenger airbag status indicator
is in the overhead console.

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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 127
United States
Canada and Mexico
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator will
light ON and OFF, or the symbol for
on and off for several seconds as a
system check. Then, after several more
seconds, the status indicator will light
either ON or OFF, or the on or off
symbol to let you know the status of
the front outboard passenger frontal
airbag and knee airbag. If the word ON or the on symbol is lit
on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee airbag are allowed to inflate.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit
on the airbag status indicator, it
means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag and
knee 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.
{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. See
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Airbag Readiness Light0126 for
more information, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
On some vehicles 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. For vehicles with
a reconfigurable cluster, this light may
not come on when the ignition is
turned on.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a problem
with the electrical charging system.