The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Then move the steering wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
Recon gurable Steering Wheel
Controls (SWC) (CTS)
If your vehicle has this feature, it allows you to
customize the four steering wheel controls to work with
the OnStar
®, the climate controls, audio, and traction
control systems.
The controls for this
feature are located
on the left spoke of
the steering wheel.
If your vehicle has the base audio system, do the
following:
1. Access the main menu of the audio system by
pressing the TUNE/SEL (SELECT) knob located
at the lower right of the audio system.
2. Scroll through the menu by turning the knob.
3. When SETUP appears on the display, press the
knob once to select it.
3-7
Cruise Control
These controls are located
on the end of the
multifunction lever.
9(Off):This position turns the system off.
R(On):This position turns the system on.
+ (Resume/Accelerate):Push the lever to this symbol
to make the vehicle resume to a previously set speed
or to accelerate when cruise is already active.
T(Set/Decrease):Press this button to set the speed
or to decrease the speed when cruise is already active.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise
control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the Traction
Control System (TCS) begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS) on page 4-9or
Traction Control System (TCS) (CTS-V) on page 4-10
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-12. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may turn
the cruise control back on.
3-13
QPWRR(Power/Passenger’s Temperature):Press
the PWR button located on the passenger’s side of
the climate control panel to allow the passenger’s
climate control setting to be different than the driver’s.
Press the up or down arrow on the switch to increase or
decrease the temperature for the front passenger.
A/C OFF (Air Conditioning):Press this button to
manually turn off the air conditioning compressor. Press
AUTO to return to automatic operation or press the
A/C OFF button again.
Sensors
There is a solar sensor located on the instrument panel,
near the windshield.There is also an interior
temperature sensor
located to the right of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
These sensors monitor the solar radiation and the air
inside your vehicle, they use the information to maintain
the selected temperature by adjusting to the
temperature, the fan speed, and the air delivery system.
The system may also supply cooler air to the side of
the vehicle facing the sun. The recirculation mode
will also be activated, as necessary. Do not cover the
sensors or the automatic climate control system will not
work properly.
3-26
Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog from
your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear the
windows of fog or moisture and warm the passengers.
Use the defrost mode to remove fog or frost from
the windshield more quickly.
yNz(Mode):Press this button until defog appears
on the display.
-(Defog):This mode directs the air between the
windshield, oor outlets and side windows. When this
mode is selected, the system turns off recirculation and
runs the air-conditioning compressor unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. If recirculation mode
is selected while in defog mode, it will be cancelled after
10 minutes.
If there is fog on the side windows, turn the thumbwheel
on the outboard outlets to the side window defog position.
SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-28for more
information.
0(Defrost):Pressing defrost directs most of the air
to the windshield, with some air directed to the side
windows. In this mode, the system will automatically turn
off recirculation and run the air-conditioning compressor,
unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing.
This mode may also cause the fan speed and air
temperature to increase.
If there is fogging on the side windows, turn the
thumbwheel on the outboard outlets to the side window
defog position. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-28
for more information. Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in ON.
3-27
=(Rear Window Defogger):Press this button to
turn the rear window defogger on or off. Be sure to clear
as much snow from the rear window as possible.
The rear window defogger will turn off about 10 minutes
after the button is pressed, but if the vehicle’s speed
is above 30 mph (48 km/h), the rear defogger will stay
on continuously. If turned on again, the defogger
will only run for about ve minutes before turning off.
The defogger can also be turned off by pressing
the button again or by turning off the engine.
The heated outside rearview mirrors will heat to help
clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when the
rear window defogger button is on. SeeOutside
Heated Mirrors on page 2-43.
Notice:Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield and rear
window with a razor blade or anything else that is
sharp. This may damage the rear window defogger
grid and affect your radio’s ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the knobs located in the center of each outlet to
change the direction of the air ow. Use the thumbwheels
to open or close the outlets.
j(Side Window Defog):Turn the thumbwheel to this
symbol to use the side window defog setting. The air
coming through the outlets will be directed toward
the side windows to clear fog.
k(Open):Turn the thumbwheel to this symbol to open
the outlets completely and allow the maximum amount
of air to enter your vehicle. A small amount of air will still
be directed to the side windows.
l(Closed):Turn the thumbwheel to this symbol to
close the outlets and minimize the amount of air entering
the vehicle.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood de ectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
If the air ow seems low when the fan speed is at
the highest setting, the passenger compartment
air lter may need to be replaced. For more
information, seePassenger Compartment Air Filter
on page 3-29.
3-28
Steering Wheel Climate
Controls (CTS)
Your vehicle may have four controls that can be
programmed for use with the climate control system.
The controls are located
on the left side of the
steering wheel.
SeeRecon gurable Steering Wheel Controls (SWC)
(CTS) on page 3-7for more information on programming
these controls.
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that may
be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them.Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some warning
lights come on brie y when you start the engine just to let
you know they are working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells
you what to do about it. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly – and even dangerous. So please get to know your
warning lights and gages. They are a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-53for
more information.
3-30
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), the light will
come on when your
engine is started and stay
on for several seconds.
This 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 brake system warning light is not on,
you still have brakes, but you do not have anti-lock
brakes. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-38
for more information.
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. SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 3-38for more information.The ABS warning light should come on brie y when you
turn the ignition key to ON. If the light does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If the TC (traction control)
warning light comes on
and stays on, there may be
a problem with the
traction control system.
The TC warning light will come on brie y when you turn
the ignition to ON. If it does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
The light will also come on if you turn the traction
control system off using the TC on/off button located in
the glove box for the CTS and on the steering wheel
for the CTS-V.
3-39