stop start CADILLAC STS 2009 1.G User Guide

This light comes on during a malfunction in one of
two ways:
Light Flashing:A misre condition has been detected.
A misre increases vehicle emissions and could damage
the emission control system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more serious damage to the
vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds, and restart
the engine. If the light is still ashing, follow the previous
steps and see your dealer/retailer for service as soon
as possible.
Light On Steady:An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.An emission system malfunction might be corrected by
doing the following:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. SeeFilling
the Tank on page 5-8. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven through a deep puddle
of water, the vehicle’s electrical system might be wet.
The condition is usually corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving trips should turn the
light off.
Make sure to fuel the vehicle with quality fuel. Poor
fuel quality causes the engine not to run as efficiently
as designed and may cause: stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is changed into gear,
misring, hesitation on acceleration, or stumbling on
acceleration. These conditions might go away once
the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions occurs, change the
fuel brand used. It will require at least one full tank of
the proper fuel to turn the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 5-5.
3-67

Oil Pressure Light
For vehicles with an oil
pressure light, if there
is a problem with the oil,
the light may stay on
after the engine is started,
or comes on while
driving.
This light indicates that oil is not going through the
engine quickly enough to keep it lubricated. The engine
could be low on oil or could have some other oil problem.
Have it xed right away.
The oil light could also come on in the following
situations:
The light comes on briey when the ignition is
turned on to show that it is working properly.
If it does not come on with the ignition on, there
may be a problem with the fuse or bulb. Have
it xed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, a
chime sounds and the light may blink on and off.
This is normal.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
The engine can become so hot that it catches re.
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.
Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle’s
security system, see
Theft-Deterrent System
on page 2-21.
3-69

SPEED LIMIT: XXX MPH (SPEED LIMIT:
XXX Km/h) or ADVISORY: XXX MPH
(ADVISORY: XXX Km/h)
(On Vehicles without HUD)
This display will show the speed limit or the advised
speed as determined by the information on the map
disc in the navigation system. If there is no map disc in
the navigation system, this display will not be available.
The speed limit and speed advisory displays on the
DIC and the HUD, if equipped, are for reference only.
There may be segments of road where speed data
has not been captured or times where incorrect speed
data, or no speed data, will be displayed by the DIC and
the HUD due to the navigation system not correctly
matching the vehicle’s position to the actual road.
Be aware of this and obey posted speed limits
wherever you drive.
SPEED ALERT
This display will allow you to customize the speed alert
warning. You can choose to have no warning display,
or to have it display at the limit, at 5 mph (km/h) over
the limit, or at 10 mph (km/h) over the limit. The DIC
will toggle between OFF, AT LIMIT, +5, +10 (MPH
or Km/h). Press the reset button to make your selection.
TIMER OFF
This display can be used like a stopwatch. You can
record the time it takes to travel from one point to
another. To access the timer, press the information
button until 00:00:00 TIMER OFF displays. To turn on
the timer, press the reset button until TIMER ON displays.
The timer will then start. To turn off the timer, press the
reset button again until TIMER OFF displays. The timer
will stop and display the end timing value. To reset the
timer, press and hold the reset button after the timer has
been stopped. The display will return to zero.
BATTERY VOLTS
This display shows the current battery voltage. If the
voltage is in the normal range, the value will display.
For example, the display may read 13.2 BATTERY
VOLTS. If the voltage is low, the display will have LOW
after it. If the voltage is high, the display will have HIGH
after it. Your vehicle’s charging system regulates voltage
based on the state of the battery. The battery voltage
may uctuate when viewing this information on the DIC.
This is normal. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-61
for more information.
If there is a problem with the battery charging system,
the DIC may display a message. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-79andElectric Power
Management on page 3-42for more information.
3-76

OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle
until the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18for more information.
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
oil pressure is low.
A multiple chime sounds when this message is
displayed. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18for more
information.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can
result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure.
Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible when this message is displayed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays when the passenger side front
door is not closed completely. Make sure that the door is
closed completely.
PRESS START AND BRAKE TO START
ENGINE
This message displays when you need to press down
on the brake pedal while pressing the start button on
the electronic keyless ignition when trying to start
your vehicle. SeeStarting the Engine on page 2-27
for more information.
3-88

STABILITY COMPETITIVE MODE
If your All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle has the Active
Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak option, this message
displays when the Competitive Mode for stability control
has been turned on using the TC (traction control) button.
SeeEnhanced StabiliTrak
®on page 4-6for more
information. When the Enhanced StabiliTrak Competitive
Mode has been activated, traction control operates in
competitive mode and cannot be turned off. Also, the
Active Steering and the Magnetic Ride Control systems
operate in the Performance Mode. For more information,
see “Active Steering and Magnetic Ride Control” in the
Index in the Navigation manual.
STABILITY SECURE MODE
If your All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle has the Active
Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak option, this message
displays when the stability control system is in the
secure mode. Stability Secure Mode is set automatically
when certain system faults or vehicle conditions are
detected. When the Stability Secure Mode is activated,
the stability control system will not respond to driver
requests to change the stability mode until the next
ignition cycle or until the vehicle condition or fault
is returned to normal. SeeEnhanced StabiliTrak
®
on page 4-6for more information.
STABILITY SYS (System) ACTIVE
This message displays any time the StabiliTrak system
or Enhanced StabiliTrak system is actively assisting
with directional control of the vehicle. Slippery road
conditions may exist when this message is displayed,
so adjust your driving accordingly. This message
may stay on for a few seconds after StabiliTrak
stops assisting with directional control of the vehicle.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6orEnhanced
StabiliTrak®on page 4-6for more information.
STABILITY SYS (System) NOT READY
This message displays if the StabiliTrak system is
not ready. Two conditions may cause this message
to display:
The vehicle needs to be driven in a straight line
until the sensors are centered. Once the sensors
are centered, the StabiliTrak system is ready
and the STABILITY SYS READY message displays.
The system needs to warm up. This may occur
when rst starting your vehicle and driving away
during cold winter weather. This is normal.
To acknowledge this message, press the
reset button.
The StabiliTrak performance is affected until the
STABILITY SYS READY message is displayed in the
DIC. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6for more
information.
3-93

Radio Message
THEFTLOCK:Displays when the THEFTLOCK®
system has been activated. Take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer for service.
XM Satellite Radio Service
XM is a satellite radio service that is based in the
48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian provinces.
XM Satellite Radio has a wide variety of programming
and commercial-free music, coast-to-coast, and in
digital-quality sound. During your trial or when you
subscribe, you will get unlimited access to XM Radio
Online for when you are not in the vehicle. A service
fee is required to receive the XM service. For more
information, contact XM at xmradio.com or call
1-800-929-2100 in the U.S. and xmradio.ca or
call 1-877-438-9677 in Canada.
Radio Messages for XM Only
SeeXM Radio Messages on page 3-114XM Radio
Messages later in this section for further detail.
Using the Single CD Player
Load a CD partway into the slot, label side up.
The player pulls it in. The CD player can play the
smaller 3 inch (8 cm) single CDs with an adapter ring.
Full-size CDs and the smaller CDs are loaded in
the same manner.
The CD begins playing after it is loaded if the
ignition and the radio are on.
The CD starts to play where it was last stopped if it
was the last selected audio source when the radio
is turned on.
The CD stays in the player when the ignition or
radio is turned off.
A CD can be loaded with the radio off, but it does
not start playing until the radio is turned on.
When a CD is loaded, CD displays and the CD
functions display above the pushbuttons in place of the
programmed preset stations. The track number displays
as each new track starts to play.
F1
{(Reverse):Press and hold to reverse quickly
within a track. Release to resume playback. The elapsed
time of the track displays.
F2
|(Forward):Press and hold to advance quickly
within a track. Release to resume playback. The elapsed
time of the track displays.
3-106

Press and hold F1rto advance quickly within a track.
Release to resume playback. FWD and the elapsed
time of the track displays.
Pressing F2
[while in folder random mode goes to
the next folder and plays the tracks in that folder
in random order.
F3 RDM (Random):Press to listen to the tracks in a
random, rather than sequential order. Random can
be used on the entire disc or the current folder.
While in random, pressing and releasing
©or¨goes
to the previous or to the next random track.
To play the tracks on entire disc in random, press
and release F3 RDM until RDM TRCK displays.
Once all of the tracks in the current folder or playlist
have played, the system moves on to the next folder
or playlist and plays all of the tracks in random order.
To play the tracks in the current folder in random,
press and release F3 RDM until RDM FLDR
displays. This feature does not work with playlists.
To turn random off, press and release F3 RDM until
NORMAL displays.F4 RPT (Repeat):Single tracks or folders can be
repeated.
To repeat the current track, press and release
F4 RPT until RPT TRCK displays.
To repeat the tracks in the current folder, press and
release F4 RPT until RPT FLDR displays.
To turn repeat off, press and release F4 RPT until
NORMAL displays.
F6 DISP (Display):Press to switch between the
elapsed time of the track and the MP3 playback
information.
©¨(Seek):Press and release to go to the start of
the previous track or the start of the next track. Press and
hold for more than two seconds to search the previous or
next tracks at two tracks per second. Release to stop
searching and to play the track.
©¨(Scan):Press to scan the tracks in each folder.
The radio goes to the next track, plays for 10 seconds,
then goes to the next track. Press again to stop
scanning.
3-113

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool between
hard stops. The brakes will wear out much faster if you do
a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic
and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a
lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do, the
pedal could get harder to push down. If the engine stops,
you will still have some power brake assist. But you will
use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up,
it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be
harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test is going on, and
you might even notice that the brake pedal moves
a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on
page 3-63.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
4-4

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration
skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid
only the acceleration skid. If your traction control system
is off, then an acceleration skid is best handled by
easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.You might see the STABILITY SYS ACTIVE message
on the Driver Information Center. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-79andStabiliTrak®System on
page 4-6orEnhanced StabiliTrak®on page 4-6.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-16

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel ash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps also ash, telling other drivers the vehicle
is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. For this reason you may think other
drivers are seeing the signal when they are not.
It is important to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
The vehicle has bulb warning lights. When a trailer
lighting system is plugged into the vehicle’s lighting
system, its bulb warning lights may not let you know if
one of the lamps goes out. So, when the trailer lighting
system is plugged in, be sure to check the vehicle and
trailer lamps from time to time to be sure they are all
working. Once the trailer lamps are disconnected, the
bulb warning lights again can tell you if one of the vehicle
lamps is out.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission to
a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If the engine is
turned off immediately after towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, the vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run while
parked, preferably on level ground, with the automatic
transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes before turning
the engine off. If the overheat warning comes on, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-34.
4-37