2006 CADILLAC STS engine warning light

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 (traction control) warning light will come on
briey when you turn the engine 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 (traction control) on/off
button located on the console.
If the TC (traction control) warning light stays on or comes
on while you are driving, pull off the road as soon as
possible and stop carefully. Turn your engine off and then
restart it. If the light still stays on or comes back on again
while you are driving, your vehicle needs service. Have
the traction control system inspected as soon as possible.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-11for more information.
Also seeCompetitive Driving Mode (STS-V) on
page 4-10for more information.
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 5-31.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-30andDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-79for more
information.
3-66

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 5-30for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which monitors
operation of the fuel,
ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The Check Engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good, and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that may
not be covered by your warranty.
3-67

Cruise Control Light
This light comes on
whenever you set your
cruise control.
The light will go out when the cruise control is turned
off. SeeCruise Control on page 3-16andAdaptive
Cruise Control on page 3-19for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on
whenever the high-beam
headlamps are on.
See “Intellibeam™ Intelligent High-Beam Headlamp
Control System” underHeadlamps on page 3-31
andHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8
for more information.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage shows
approximately how much
fuel is in the tank. It
works only when the
engine is on.
If the fuel supply gets low, the Fuel Level Low message
will appear on the DIC and a single chime will sound. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79for more
information.
Here are a few concerns some owners have had about
the fuel gage. All of these situations are normal and
do not indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage:
At the gas station the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
The gage may change when you turn, stop quickly
or accelerate quickly.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll the tank than
the gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated that the tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than half the tank’s capacity
to ll the tank.
3-72

If this message appears immediately after starting the
engine, it is possible that the generator can still recharge
the battery. The battery should recharge while driving
but may take a few hours to do so. Consider using
an auxiliary charger to boost the battery after returning
home or to a nal destination. Make sure you follow
the manufacturer’s instructions.
If this message appears while driving or after starting
your vehicle and stays on, have it checked immediately
to determine the cause of this problem.
To help the generator recharge the battery quickly, you
can reduce the load on the electrical system by
turning off the accessories.
The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
You can monitor battery voltage on the DIC by pressing
the information button until you nd BATTERY VOLTS.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
When this message displays, it means that service is
required for your vehicle. See your GM dealer. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18andScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4for more information.
When you reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
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, see
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-22.
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 5-26for 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. See
Engine Oil on page 5-18for more information on
checking your engine oil.
3-81

COMPETITIVE DRIVING (STS-V Only)
When this message displays, it means that the
competitive driving mode is turned on with the traction
control button. The TC (traction control) 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. SeeCompetitive Driving Mode (STS-V) on
page 4-10for more information.
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
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 5-30for more information.
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 3-66.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-31for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
3-83

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.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications
on page 5-3.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
ABS 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
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-65.
4-7

Using ABS
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 ABS, 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.
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 and STS-V
vehicles, you may still feel the system working. This is
normal and necessary with the AWD hardware on
your vehicle.
4-9

While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle for
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 5-18.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare
from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so much
road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
4-18