2006 CADILLAC STS maintenance

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-8
Child Restraints
.......................................1-26
Airbag System
.........................................1-49
Restraint System Check
............................1-64
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-12
Windows
.................................................2-17
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-20
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-24
Mirrors
....................................................2-41
OnStar
®System
......................................2-45
Universal Home Remote System
................2-47
Storage Areas
.........................................2-51
Sunroof
..................................................2-52
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-53
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-48
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-57
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-73
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-94Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-37
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-50
Rear Axle
...............................................5-51
Front Axle
...............................................5-52
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-53
Windshield Replacement
...........................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-55
Tires
......................................................5-56
Appearance Care
.....................................5-94
Vehicle Identication
...............................5-103
Electrical System
....................................5-104
Capacities and Specications
...................5-116
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-13
Index.............................................................. 71
2006 Cadillac STS/STS-V Owner ManualM

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around your vehicle. You do not want the system to
inate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have information about
servicing your vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-14.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still inate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an airbag
when it inates. Avoid yellow connectors. They
are probably part of the airbag system. Be sure
to follow proper service procedures, and make
sure the person performing work for you is
qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, height, front end or side
sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system from
working properly. Also, the airbag system may not
work properly if you relocate any of the airbag
sensors. If you have any questions about this, you
should contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in Step Two
of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure
on page 7-2.
1-63

Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, instrument panel, overhead
console, ceiling headliner, ceiling and pillar garnish
trim, roof-mounted airbag modules, or airbag wiring
can affect the operation of the airbag system. If you
have questions, call Customer Assistance. The
phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from doing
its job, have it repaired. Keep safety belts clean and dry.
SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 5-97for more
information.Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s airbag, or the airbag
covering on the driver’s and right front passenger’s
seatback, or the side impact airbag covering on
the ceiling near the side windows, the bag may
not work properly. You may have to replace
the airbag module in the steering wheel, both the
airbag module and the instrument panel for the right
front passenger’s airbag, the airbag module and
seatback for the driver’s and right front passenger’s
seat-mounted side impact airbags, or side impact
airbag module and ceiling covering for the
roof-mounted side impact airbag. Do not open
or break the airbag coverings.
1-64

You can switch from English to metric units through the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Controls
and Displays on page 3-74.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may notice water dripping underneath
your vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
Manual Operation
yNz(Mode):Pressing the mode switch and
changing the mode cancels automatic operation and
allows the operator to manually select the air delivery
location. Press AUTO to return to automatic operation.
The outboard air outlets will always receive airow
regardless of the mode selected. SeeOutlet
Adjustment on page 3-54to change this airow
from the outboard outlets.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
Y(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level):This mode directs approximately half
of the air to the instrument panel outlets, and then
directs most of the remaining air to the oor outlets.
In automatic operation, cooler air is directed to the
upper outlets and warmer air to the oor outlets.
[(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the outboard
outlets, and a little air directed to the windshield and
side windows.
The mode switch can also be used to select the defog
mode. Information on defogging and defrosting can
be found later in this section.
yAz(Fan):Press this switch to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Pressing this switch cancels
automatic operation and allows the operator to manually
select the amount of airow. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter may
need to be replaced. For more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-55and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
h(Recirculation):This button controls the air source
for the climate control system. If you are in AUTO mode,
pressing this button once will choose recirculation. This
mode keeps outside air from coming in the vehicle and
recirculates the air in the vehicle. It can be used to
prevent outside air and odors from entering your vehicle
or to help cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.
3-49

The air quality sensor will not activate due to organic
odors, like skunk, and may not activate on many
chemical-related odors. If you wish to limit these types of
odors, you may choose to manually select recirculation.
Your vehicle may also be equipped with a charcoal lter
that can limit many odors from being pulled into your
vehicle. This lter, like your engines air cleaner lter, will
need to be changed periodically. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4. The air quality sensor system
does not protect against carbon monoxide (CO), which
you cannot see or smell. SeeEngine Exhaust on
page 2-39.
O(Power Driver’s Temperature):Press the power
button located on the driver’s side of the climate control
panel to turn the entire climate control system on or
off. Turn the knob to increase or decrease the
temperature inside your vehicle.
O(Power Passenger’s Temperature):Press the
power button located on the passenger’s side of
the climate control panel to turn the passenger’s climate
control system on if they wish to have a different
setting than the driver. Turn the knob to increase or
decrease the temperature for the front passenger.Turning the passenger’s side power button off will not
shut off the climate control system for the passenger.
The system will be set to the same setting as the driver.
{(Ventilated Seat):Press this button (if equipped)
to turn on the ventilated seat for the driver’s or
passenger’s side. SeeHeated and Ventilated Seats on
page 1-4.
J(Heated Seat):Press this button (if equipped) to
turn on the heated seat and seatback for the driver’s or
passenger’s side. SeeHeated and Ventilated Seats
on page 1-4.
^(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. To limit fogging on the windshield, the air
conditioning compressor cannot be in off in defrost mode.
3-51

9(Off):This is the off position.
Y(Vent):This mode directs all the rear passenger
airow to the outlets in the console. This is the normal
position for cool down conditions.
\(Bi-Level):This mode directs airow to the console
outlets and the oor.
[(Floor):This mode directs all of the airow to the
oor. This is the normal position for warm up conditions.
The amount of airow to the rear passengers is
controlled automatically by the front climate control
system, regardless of optional equipment. Airow to the
rear system will be turned off when defrost is selected
on the front climate control panel to direct air to clear
the windshield.
Vehicles equipped with a rear climate control panel,
also, have heated rear seats. There are two buttons,
each with three indicator lights, located between the
two climate control knobs on the rear climate control
panel, to control the rear heated seats. SeeHeated
Seats on page 1-7for additional information.
Be sure to keep the area under the front seats clear of
any objects so the air in your vehicle can circulate
effectively.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passenger
compartment air lter. There are two types of lters
available. There is a standard dust lter that traps small
particles including pollen. There is, also, a dust/odor
lter available that traps dust and pollen and also uses
a charcoal element to help reduce many offensive
odors from entering your vehicle. Like your vehicle’s
engine air cleaner/lter, it will need to be changed
periodically. For information on how often to change the
passenger compartment air lter, seeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
Notice:Driving without a passenger compartment
air lter in place can cause water and small
particles, like paper and leaves, to be pulled into
your climate control system which may cause
damage to it. Make sure you always replace the old
lter with a new one.
3-55

Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
This light should come on briey, as a check to show
you it is working, as you start the engine. If the light
does not come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission control
system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the engine off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see
“If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is
still ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your
dealer for service as soon as possible.
3-68

Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the Check
Engine light is on or not working properly.
To perform a Check Engine light bulb check with the
keyless ignition, make sure the transmitter fob is in the
passenger compartment. SeeIgnition Positions on
page 2-24. Press the bottom of the ACC button on
the instrument panel and hold the button down for
ve seconds. The instrument panel, including the Check
Engine light, will light up and the ignition will be on, but
the engine will not start — if you press the bottom of the
ACC button only briey, less than ve seconds, the
accessory power mode will be turned on, but not the
ignition. After the bulb check, be sure to press and
release the ACC button again to turn the ignition off
and avoid draining the vehicle’s battery.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system.The vehicle would be considered not ready for inspection.
This can happen if you have recently replaced your
battery or if your battery has run down. The diagnostic
system is designed to evaluate critical emission control
systems during normal driving. This may take several
days of routine driving. If you have done this and your
vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD
system readiness, your GM dealer can prepare the
vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
3-70