2005 CADILLAC CTS V warning

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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Driver Door Ajar
When this message appears on the display, it means
that the driver’s door was not closed completely.
You should make sure that the driver’s door is closed
completely.
Engine Coolant Hot – Idle Engine
This message will appear when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to idle
until it cools down.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine is
overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-28for more information.
Engine Coolant Hot – AC
(Air Conditioning) Off
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor is automatically turned off.
When the coolant temperature returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor will turn back on. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the system
repaired by your GM dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine or transmission.
Engine Overheated – Stop Engine
This message will appear when the engine has
overheated. Stop the vehicle and turn the engine off
immediately to avoid severe engine damage. See
Engine Overheating on page 5-28. A chime will also
sound when this message is displayed.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine is
overheating, severe engine damage may occur. If
an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-28for more information.
3-69

Engine Power Reduced
This message informs you that the vehicle is reducing
engine power to try to protect the engine or transmission
from damage due to extreme operating conditions.
This also can affect the vehicle’s ability to accelerate.
Fuel Level Low
When this message appears on the display, it means
that your vehicle is low on fuel. You should rell the tank
as soon as possible. A single chime will sound when
this message is displayed.
Headlamps Suggested
This message will appear when the amount of available
light outside the vehicle is low and the exterior lamp
control is off. This message informs the driver that
turning on the exterior lamps is recommended even
though the daytime running lamps (DRL) are still
illuminated and it has become dark enough outside to
require the headlamps and/or other exterior lamps.
This message will also appear when the windshield
wipers have been on for more than six seconds and the
exterior lamp control is off or in the parking lamp
position.
Ice Possible
This message appears when the outside temperature is
cold enough to create icy road conditions.
Left Rear Door Ajar
When this message appears on the display, it means
that the driver’s side rear door was not closed
completely. You should make sure that the door is
closed completely.
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 5-16for more information.
Passenger Door Ajar
When this message appears on the display, it means
that the passenger’s side front door was not closed
completely. You should make sure that the door
is closed completely.
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To program the vehicle to a different mode, use the
following procedure:
1. Enter the personalization portion of the SETUP
menu following the instructions listed previously.
2. Scroll to MIRROR TO CURB IN REV using the
TUNE/SEL knob to highlight it.
3. Press the TUNE/SEL knob to switch back and forth
between on and off.
When the mode is turned on, a check mark will
appear next to the feature name.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Enhanced Chime Volume
This feature allows you to adjust the volume level of the
vehicle’s warning chimes. The chime volume cannot
be turned off, only adjusted.
Programmable Modes
Mode 1:NORMAL
Mode 2:LOUD
Before your vehicle was shipped from the factory, it was
programmed to Mode 1. The mode to which the
vehicle was programmed may have been changed since
it left the factory.To program the vehicle to a different mode, use the
following procedure:
1. Enter the personalization portion of the SETUP
menu following the instructions listed previously.
2. Scroll to ENHANCED CHIME VOLUME using the
TUNE/SEL knob to highlight it.
3. Press the TUNE/SEL knob to switch back and forth
between the normal and loud settings.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle.
Exiting the Personalization Menu
To exit the personalization portion of the SETUP menu,
press the BACK key once you have nished making
your selections. You will return to the main audio screen.
3-87

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.
4-8

You can turn the system
off by pressing the TC
(traction control) button
located in the glove box.
If you press the TC button once, the traction control
system will turn off and the traction control system
warning light will come on. Press the TC button again to
turn the system back on. If you press and hold the
TC button for ve seconds, the StabiliTrak
®system will
turn off. Press the TC button again to turn StabiliTrak®
back on. For more information, seeStabiliTrak®System
on page 4-11.
You can program your steering wheel controls (CTS
only) and/or the buttons on the Base audio system
to turn the TCS on or off. SeeRecongurable Steering
Wheel Controls (SWC) (CTS) on page 3-7and/or
“Congurable Radio Display Keys” underRadio with CD
on page 3-89for programming instructions.
Traction Control
System (TCS) (CTS-V)
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.
4-9

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 4-33
andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-32for more information. See alsoWinter
Driving on page 4-28for information on using TCS when
driving in snowy or icy conditions.
You can turn the system
off by pressing the TC
(traction control) button
located on the steering
wheel.
If you press the TC button once, the traction control
system will turn off and the traction control system
warning light will come on. If you press the TC button
again within ve seconds, the traction control system will
remain off, the warning light will stay on, and the
stability system will enter Competitive Driving Mode.
Competitive Driving will be displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-65for more information.Press the TC button again to turn the system back on.
If you press and hold the TC button for ve seconds,
the StabiliTrak
®and Traction Control systems will turn
off. Press the TC button again to turn StabiliTrak®
and Traction Control back on. For more information, see
StabiliTrak®System on page 4-11.
Competitive Driving Mode (CTS-V)
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range on the engine oil
dipstick. For information on how to add oil, see
Engine Oil on page 5-16.
The driver can select this optional handling mode by
pressing the Traction Control button on the steering
wheel twice within ve seconds. COMPETITIVE
DRIVING will be displayed in the DIC. Competitive driving
mode allows the driver to have control of the power
applied to the rear wheels, while the StabiliTrak
®system
helps steer the vehicle by selective brake application.
4-10