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
Engine Speed Limiter
This feature prevents the engine from operating at too
many revolutions per minute (rpm). When the engine’s
rpms are too high, the throttle is closed to reduce
speed. If this is not sufficient, then the fuel supply to the
engine will be limited. When the rpms return to
normal, the fuel supply will return to normal. This helps
prevent damage to the engine.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for several seconds to remind people to fasten
their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for several seconds, then it
will ash for several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the airbag sensors, the
airbag modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag system, see
Airbag System on page 1-50.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. Then the
light should go out. This
means the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your
airbag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
3-38
Buckle Passenger
This message reminds you to buckle the passenger’s
seat belt.
This message will display and a chime will sound when
the ignition is on, the driver’s seat belt is buckled, the
passenger’s seat belt is unbuckled with the passenger
airbag enabled and the vehicle is in motion. You should
have the passenger buckle their seat belt.
The reminder will be repeated if the ignition is on, the
vehicle is in motion, the driver is unbuckled and the
passenger is still unbuckled and the passenger airbag is
enabled. If the passenger’s seat belt is already
buckled, this message and chime will not come on.
Buckle Seat Belt
This message reminds you to buckle the driver’s
seat belt.
This message will display and a chime will sound when
the ignition is on, the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled
and the vehicle is in motion. You should buckle
your seat belt.If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is on
and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will be
repeated. If the driver’s seat belt is already buckled, this
message and chime will not come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the Safety
Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster. See
Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-38for more
information.
Change Engine Oil
This message indicates that the life of the engine oil
has expired and it should be changed and that
your vehicle is due for service. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-16andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for
more information.
When you reset the Change Engine Oil message by
clearing it from the display, you still must reset the
engine oil life system separately. For more information
on resetting the engine oil life system, seeEngine
Oil Life System on page 5-19.
3-67
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive
defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
vehicle: Buckle up. SeeSafety Belts: They Are for
Everyone on page 1-9.
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.”
On city streets, rural roads, or freeways, it means
“always expect the unexpected.”
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to
be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what
they might do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following
distance. It is the best defensive driving maneuver, in
both city and rural driving. You never know when the
vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.
Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate on
the driving task. Anything that distracts from the
driving task — such as concentrating on a cellular
telephone call, reading, or reaching for something on
the oor — makes proper defensive driving more difficultand can even cause a collision, with resulting injury.
Ask a passenger to help do things like this, or pull off the
road in a safe place to do them yourself. These simple
defensive driving techniques could save your life.
Drunken Driving
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a national tragedy. It is the number one contributor
to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims
every year.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle:
Judgment
Muscular Coordination
Vision
Attentiveness
Police records show that almost half of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was
drinking and driving. In recent years, more than
16,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been
associated with the use of alcohol, with more than
300,000 people injured.
4-2