2005 CADILLAC CTS brake light

Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp control
is left on in either the headlamp or parking lamp position
and the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off.
SeeLights On Reminder on page 3-49for additional
information.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make the turn signal lamps come
on when the following conditions are met:
It is still daylight and the ignition is in ON
or START,
the exterior lamp control is in off or AUTO with the
headlamps off, and
an automatic transmission is not in PARK (P) or the
parking brake is not set on a manual transmission.When DRL are on, only your front turn signal lamps will
be on. No other exterior lamps will be on when the
DRL are being used. Your instrument panel won’t be lit
up either.
When the exterior lamp control is in AUTO and it’s dark
enough outside, the DRL will turn off and the low-beam
headlamps will turn on. When it’s bright enough
outside, the low-beam headlamps will go off, and the
DRL will turn back on. If you start your vehicle in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp system will come on
immediately. Once you leave the garage, it will take
about one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
your instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure your instrument panel brightness
lever is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-24.
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If it’s dark enough outside and the exterior lamp control
is off, a Headlamps Suggested message will appear
on the Driver’s Information Center (DIC) display.
This message informs the driver that turning on the
exterior lamps is recommended even though the DRL
are still illuminated. Turning the exterior lamp control to
AUTO or to the low-beam headlamp position will
turn off the DRL and cancel the Headlamps Suggested
message. If the parking lamps or the fog lamps were
turned on instead, the DRL will still turn off and the
Headlamps Suggested message will be displayed. You
can turn it off by pressing the OK button if you have
the Navigation audio system or the CLR button if
you have the Base audio system.
To operate your vehicle with the DRL off, turn the
exterior lamp control off. Then turn on the fog lamps or
parking lamps, and the DRL will turn off. The
Headlamps Suggested message will appear on the DIC
display. This will work regardless of gear position
and whether or not the parking brake is set.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.Light Sensor
The light sensor for the DRL and AUTO headlamp
feature is located on top of the instrument panel. If you
cover the sensor, it will read dark, and the exterior
lamps or the Headlamps Suggested message will
appear on the DIC whenever the ignition is on.
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Charging System Light
When you turn the key to
ON or START, this light
will come on briey
to show that the generator
and battery charging
systems are working
properly.
If this light stays on, your vehicle needs service. You
should take your vehicle to the dealer at once. To save
your battery until you get there, turn off all accessories.
For more information seeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-65.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
United StatesCanada
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When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push, or the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-38.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on for
several seconds. That is
normal.
If the ABS warning light comes on and stays on, there
may be a problem with the anti-lock portion of the brake
system. If the red BRAKE light is not on, you still
have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock brakes. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-41.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. If the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you are driving, your vehicle
needs service. If the regular brake system warning light
is not on, you still have brakes, but you do not have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-41.
3-42

Change Trans (Transmission) Fluid
(Automatic Transmission)
This message indicates that the life of the transmission
uid has expired and it should be changed within
200 miles (320 km). SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4andRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12for the proper uid and change intervals.
When you reset the Change Trans Fluid message by
clearing it from the display, you still must reset the
transmission uid life monitor separately. For more
information on resetting the transmission uid life
monitor, seeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on
page 5-22.
Check Brake Fluid
This message will display if the ignition is in ON to
inform the driver that the brake uid level is low. Have
the brake system serviced by your GM dealer as
soon as possible. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-41for more information.
Check Coolant Level
This message will appear when there is a low level of
engine coolant. Have the cooling system serviced
by your GM dealer as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-25for more information.
Check Gas Cap
When this message appears on the display, the gas cap
has not been fully tightened. You should recheck the
gas cap to ensure that it is on and tightened properly.
See “If the Light Is On Steady” underMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-45for more information.
Check Washer Fluid
When this message appears on the display, it means
that your vehicle is low on windshield washer uid. You
should rell the tank as soon as possible. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-37for more
information.
Competitive Driving (CTS-V)
When competitive driving mode is turned on with the
traction control button, this message will be displayed on
the DIC. The TC light will be on when the competitive
driving mode is on. The traction control system will
not operate while in competitive driving mode.
You should adjust your driving accordingly. See the
CTS-V portion ofTraction Control System (TCS) (CTS)
on page 4-8orTraction Control System (TCS)
(CTS-V) on page 4-9for more information.
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Entering the Personalization Menu
To enter the feature programming mode, use the
following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition to ON, but do not start the engine.
Make sure an automatic transmission is in PARK (P)
or a manual transmission has the parking brake set.
2. If your vehicle has memory settings, press the
appropriate memory button, 1 or 2, located on
the driver’s door armrest. The DIC display will show
either Driver 1 or 2 depending on which button
was selected.
3. Press the TUNE/SEL knob once to access the main
menu of the DIC.
4. Turn the TUNE/SEL knob until SETUP is
highlighted.
5. Press the TUNE/SEL knob once to access the
SETUP menu.
6. Scroll to the feature you want to change, and press
the TUNE/SEL knob to turn the feature on or off. If
the feature is turned on, a check mark will appear
next to the feature name.
If none of the personalization items are turned on,
turn on the personalization menu by pressing
the TUNE/SEL knob. The list of features will then
appear, and you can repeat Step 6.
Personalization Features
The following choices are available for programming:
Personalization Name
This feature allows you to type in a name that will
appear on the DIC display whenever the corresponding
remote keyless entry transmitter is used or one of
the buttons on the driver’s door armrest (1 or 2) is
pressed.
If a customized name is not programmed, the system
will show Driver 1 or Driver 2 to correspond with
the numbers on the back of the remote keyless entry
transmitters.
To program a name, use the following procedure:
1. Enter the Personalization menu following the
instructions listed previously.
2. Select the PERSONALIZATION NAME menu item
by pressing the TUNE/SEL knob once.
You will see a cursor on the screen.
3. Turn the TUNE/SEL knob until you reach the rst
letter you want; the letter will be highlighted. There
is a complete alphabet with both upper and
lower case letters and the numbers zero through
nine. Also included are spaces and other non-letter
characters such as the ampersand (&).
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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. Your brakes may not have time to cool between
hard stops. Your 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 engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your 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 may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that your
brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-42.
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Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may hear
the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock brakes, you can steer and brake at the
same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control
System (TCS) (CTS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system brakes the spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.This warning light will
come on to let you know if
there’s a problem with
your traction control
system.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 3-43. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The traction control system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should always
leave the system on. But you can turn the traction control
system off if you ever need to. You should turn the
system off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or
snow and rocking the vehicle is required. Additionally,
turning the traction control system off on some surfaces,
such as deep snow and loose gravel, will assist vehicle
motion at lower speeds. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get
It Out on page 4-33for more information. See alsoWinter
Driving on page 4-28for information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.
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