How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, the
shift lever is located on the center console between the
front seats.
There are several different
positions for the shift lever.PARK (P):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your 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 your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-34. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-40.
2-26
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission
shift lock control system. You must fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever. Push the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) while pressing the
button on the shift lever as you maintain brake
application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you
wish. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-35.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, you can also use REVERSE (R)
to rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice or sand without damaging your transmission.
SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow on page 4-32for additional information.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. You can also
use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting your vehicle.
2-27
Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal is
located on the lower
portion of the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking brake
pedal down with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light on
the instrument panel cluster should come on. If it
does not, you need to have your vehicle serviced.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-41
for more information.To release the parking brake, pull the release lever
located to the left of the steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the vehicle begins to move.
To stop the chime, fully release the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40for more information.
2-33
OnStar®Personal Calling
As an OnStar®subscriber, the Personal Calling
capability is a hands-free wireless phone that is
integrated into the vehicle. Calls can be placed
nationwide using simple voice commands with no
additional contracts and no additional roaming charges.
To nd out more about OnStar
®Personal Calling,
refer to the OnStar®user’s guide in the vehicle’s glove
box, visit www.onstar.com or www.onstarcanada.com;
or speak to an OnStar
®advisor by pressing the OnStar®
button or calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar®Personal Calling
that uses minutes to access up-to-date weather and
traffic reports for your area, news and sports updates,
stock quotes, entertainment, and more. Customize
your information pro le at www.myonstar.com. See the
OnStar
®user’s guide for more information.
OnStar®Steering Wheel Controls
A steering wheel control on the CTS can be used to
interact with the OnStar®personal calling feature.
Press the control with
this symbol on the CTS
steering wheel to make
a phone call.
When calling into voice mail systems, or to dial directory
numbers, press the control, say the number(s), then
say “dial.”
See the OnStar
®user’s guide for more information.
2-45
Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Recon gurable Steering Wheel
Controls (SWC) (CTS).................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-8
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-9
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Flash-to-Pass...............................................3-10
Windshield Wipers........................................3-10
Windshield Washer.......................................3-11
Headlamp Washer........................................3-12
Cruise Control (CTS).....................................3-12
Cruise Control (CTS-V)..................................3-16
Headlamps..................................................3-19
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-20
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-21
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-21
Fog Lamps..................................................3-23
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-23
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-24
Entry Lighting...............................................3-24
Parade Dimming...........................................3-24
Reading Lamps............................................3-25Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-25
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-26
Climate Controls............................................3-27
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-27
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-31
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-32
Steering Wheel Climate Controls (CTS)............3-33
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-34
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-35
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-37
Trip Odometers............................................3-37
Tachometer.................................................3-37
Engine Speed Limiter....................................3-38
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-38
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-38
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-39
Charging System Light..................................3-41
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-41
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-42
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-43
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light (CTS)..............................................3-43
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-44
Tire Pressure Light (CTS-V)...........................3-44
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-45
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-48
Winter Driving Mode Light
(Automatic Transmission)............................3-48
Sport Mode Light (Automatic Transmission)......3-49
Security Light...............................................3-49
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-49
Lights On Reminder......................................3-49
Cruise Control Light......................................3-50
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-50
Fuel Gage...................................................3-50
Message Center.............................................3-51
Message Center (CTS-V)...............................3-51
Transmission Fluid Hot Message.....................3-55
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning Message.....3-55
Check Engine Oil Pressure Message...............3-56
Oil Temperature Warning Message..................3-56
Tire Pressure Warning Message.....................3-57Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-57
System Controls...........................................3-58
Status of Vehicle Systems.............................3-58
DIC Main Menu............................................3-62
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-65
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-74
Audio System(s).............................................3-88
Setting the Time...........................................3-88
Radio with CD..............................................3-89
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-105
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-105
Audio Steering Wheel Controls (CTS)............3-105
Radio Reception.........................................3-106
Care of Your CDs.......................................3-107
Care of the CD Player.................................3-107
Diversity Antenna System.............................3-108
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-108
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2
The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-31.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.
C. Recon gurable Steering Wheel Controls (CTS). See
Recon gurable Steering Wheel Controls (SWC)
(CTS) on page 3-7or Message Center Controls
(CTS-V) seeMessage Center (CTS-V) on page 3-51.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-35.
E. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wipers on
page 3-10.
F. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
G. Audio/Navigation System. SeeNavigation/Radio
System on page 3-105.
H. OnStar
®Button (Base Radio) or Voice Recognition
Button (Navigation System) (CTS). SeeAudio
Steering Wheel Controls (CTS) on page 3-105or
Cruise Controls (CTS-V) seeCruise Control
(CTS) on page 3-12orCruise Control (CTS-V) on
page 3-16.I. Audio Volume Knob and Source Button. SeeAudio
Steering Wheel Controls (CTS) on page 3-105
or Cruise Controls (CTS-V) seeCruise Control (CTS)
on page 3-12orCruise Control (CTS-V) on
page 3-16.
J. Storage Compartment or Ashtray. SeeAshtrays and
Cigarette Lighter on page 3-26.
K. Transmission Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-26orManual
Transmission Operation on page 2-31.
L. Accessory Power Outlet or Cigarette Lighter. See
Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-25orAshtrays
and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-26.
M. Climate Control System. SeeDual Climate Control
System on page 3-27.
N. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-50.
3-5