2003 CADILLAC CTS warning lights

iv
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could damage
your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different
colors or in different words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle.
They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:

ªEngine Compartment Overviewº

ªInstrument Panelº

ªComfort Controlsº

ªAudio Systemsº
Also see ªWarning Lights and Gagesº in the Index.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-5 Keys
2
-7 Door Locks
2
-10 Remote Keyless Entry System
2
-16 Trunk Lid
2
-19 Theft
2
-21 Immobilizer
2
-24 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-24 Ignition Positions
2
-27 Starting Your Engine
2
-28 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-30 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-37 Manual Transmission Operation
2
-38 Parking Brake
2
-40 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-42 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
2
-42 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Only)2
-43 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-44 Engine Exhaust
2
-44 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transmission)
2
-46 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-56 Exterior Lamps
2
-59 Interior Lamps
2
-60 Mirrors
2
-70 OnStar
System (If Equipped)
2
-74 Sunroof (Option)
2
-75 HomeLink
Transmitter (If Equipped)
2
-80 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-85 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2
-99 Driver Information Center (DIC)
2
-130 Vehicle Programming and
Personalization Features
2
-153 Navigation (Option)

2-47
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for approximately 1 mile
(1.61 km), a warning chime will sound and the
Turn Signal On message will appear on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) display. See ªTurn Signal
On Messageº later in this section for more information.
Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located at the end of the
turn signal/multifunction lever.
: Turn the control with this symbol on it to operate
the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has three positions:
: Turning the control to this position turns off all
lamps except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
: Turning the control to this position turns on the
parking lamps together with the following:

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
: Turning the control to this position turns on the
headlamps, together with the previously listed lamps
and lights.
AUTO (Automatic): Turning the control to this
position puts the headlamps in automatic mode. AUTO
mode will turn the exterior lamps on and off depending
upon how much light is available outside of the vehicle.
Wiper
-Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for
approximately six seconds. For this feature to work, the
exterior lamp control must be in AUTO.
When the exterior lamp control is off or in the parking
lamp position and the windshield wiper control is in any
position except off, the Headlamps Suggested message
will appear on the DIC display. See ªHeadlamps
Suggested Messageº later in this section for more
information.
When the ignition is turned to OFF, the wiper
-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off. They will also turn
off if the windshield wiper control is turned off.

2-85
Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
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
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle's functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they're working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle's functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there's a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with the warning lights and gages. See
ªDriver Information Center (DIC)º later in this section
for more information.

6-25
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.