2005 CADILLAC STS warning light

Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning light
will come on when the
engine is very hot.
This light will also come on briey when the vehicle is
started.
If the light does not go out or comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the cooling
system. Driving with engine coolant temperature light on
could cause your vehicle to overheat, seeOverheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode on page 5-26.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-24andDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-78for more
information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant
temperature.
It can be used to see when your engine has warmed up
and to make sure your cooling system is operating
properly. If the gage pointer moves into the shaded area,
the engine coolant is too hot and the engine coolant
temperature warning light will come on. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-24for more information.
3-67

Your vehicle’s charging system regulates voltage based
on the state of the battery. The battery voltage may
uctuate when viewing this information on the DIC. This
is normal. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-64for
more information.
If there is a problem with the battery charging system,
the DIC may display a message. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-78for more information.
TIMER OFF
This display can be used like a stopwatch. You can
record the time it takes to travel from one point to
another. To access the timer, press the information
button until 00:00:00 TIMER OFF displays. To turn on
the timer, press the reset button until TIMER ON
displays. The timer will then start. To turn off the timer,
press the reset button again until TIMER OFF
displays. The timer will stop and display the end timing
value. To reset the timer, press and hold the reset
button after the timer has been stopped. The display
will return to zero.
AVG MPH (AVG km/h)
This display shows the average speed of the vehicle in
miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
This average is calculated based on the various vehicle
speeds recorded since the last reset of this display.
To reset AVG MPH, press the reset button. The display
will return to zero.
GAL FUEL USED (L FUEL USED)
This display shows the number of gallons or liters of
fuel used since the last reset of this display. To
reset GAL FUEL USED, press the reset button. The
display will return to zero.
MPG INST (L/100 km INST)
This display shows the current fuel economy. This
number reects only the fuel economy that the vehicle
has right now and will change frequently as driving
conditions change. Unlike average fuel economy, this
display cannot be reset.
MPG AVG (L/100 km AVG)
This display shows the approximate average miles per
gallon (mpg) or liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km).
This number is calculated based on the number of
mpg (L/100 km) recorded since the last time this display
was reset. To reset MPG AVG, press the reset button.
The display will return to zero.
MILES RANGE (km RANGE)
This display shows the approximate number of
remaining miles or kilometers you can drive
without relling your fuel tank. This estimate is
based on the current driving conditions and will
change if the driving conditions change.
3-77

CHECK BRAKE FLUID
This message will display if the ignition is 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 3-64
for more information.
CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
This message will display 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 5-22for more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
When this message displays, the gas cap has not been
fully tightened. You should recheck the gas cap to
ensure that it is on and tightened properly.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
This message will display when the oil level is low.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for more information on
checking your engine oil.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This symbol appears
with the CHECK TIRE
PRESSURE message.
If your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitor,
this message will display when one or more of the
vehicle’s tires are low or high. SeeDIC Controls and
Displays on page 3-74for information on checking your
vehicle’s tire pressures.
3-81

CHECK WASHER FLUID
This symbol appears with
the CHECK WASHER
FLUID message.
When this message displays, it means that your vehicle
is low on windshield washer uid. You should rell
the tank as soon as possible. SeeWindshield Washer
Fluid on page 5-32for more information.
CLEAN RADAR
When this message displays, it means that the Adaptive
Cruise Control system is disabled because the radar
is blocked and cannot detect vehicles in your path.
It may also activate during heavy rain or due to road
spray. To clean the system, see “Cleaning the System”
underAdaptive Cruise Control on page 3-20.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
This symbol appears with
the DRIVER DOOR AJAR
message.
When this message displays, 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 symbol appears with
the ENGINE COOLANT
HOT IDLE ENGINE
message.
This message will display when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to idle
until it cools down. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light on page 3-67.
3-82

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 3-65.
4-6

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
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)
Your vehicle has a traction control system that limits
wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. On a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, the
system operates if it senses that one or both of the rear
wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction. On
an All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) vehicle the system will
operate if it senses that any of the 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 3-66. When this warning light is on, the system will
not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
4-8

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.
Notice:Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when the TCS is off. You could damage your
vehicle’s driveline.
When the TCS is switched off on AWD vehicles, you
may still feel the system working. This is normal
and necessary with the AWD hardware on your vehicle.
You should turn the system off if your vehicle ever
gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle
is required. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
on page 4-30andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow on page 4-29for more information. See
alsoWinter Driving on page 4-25for information
on using TCS when driving in snowy or icy conditions.
To turn the system off,
press the TC (traction
control) button located
near the shift lever.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 and
the traction control system will turn off. Press the
TC button again to turn StabiliTrak
®back on. For more
information, seeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-10.
Magnetic Ride Control
Your vehicle may have Magnetic Ride Control that
automatically adjusts the ride of your vehicle. Automatic
ride control is achieved through a computer used to
control and monitor the suspension system. The
controller receives input from various sensors to
determine the proper system response. If the controller
detects a problem within the system, the DIC will
display a Service Suspension System message. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-78for
more information. See your dealer for service.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your limited-slip rear axle can give you additional traction
on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but when one of the rear
wheels has no traction and the other does, this feature
will allow the wheel with traction to move the vehicle.
4-9

Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle.
If you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
If you try to drive through owing water, as
you might at a low water crossing, your vehicle
can be carried away. As little as six inches of
owing water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore police
warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth.
SeeTires on page 5-53.
4-19