2007 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 395. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 393andDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 264for 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 393for more information.
251

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 211andHeadlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 183for 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. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 264for 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.
257

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.
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.
BATTERY VOLTS
This display shows the current battery voltage.
If the voltage is in the normal range, the value will
display. For example, the display may read
13.2 BATTERY VOLTS. If the voltage is low, the
display will have LOW after it. If the voltage is high,the display will have HIGH after it. 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 247for more information.
If there is a problem with the battery charging
system, the DIC may display a message. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 264and
Electric Power Management on page 221for
more information.
Tire Pressure
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this display shows the air pressure of
each road tire in either pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). If the tire pressure
is normal, the value will display. If the tire
pressure is low, LOW will appear on the display
with the value. If the tire pressure is high,
HIGH will appear on the display with the value.
Press the information button to scroll through the
following displays:
LF TIRE:This display shows the air pressure in
the driver’s side front tire.
RF TIRE:This display shows the air pressure in
the passenger’s side front tire.
262

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
This message displays when service is required
for your vehicle. See your dealer. SeeEngine
Oil on page 380andScheduled Maintenance on
page 505for 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, seeEngine Oil Life
System on page 383.
CHECK BRAKE FLUID
This message displays if the ignition is on to
inform the driver that the brake uid level is low.
Have the brake system serviced by your dealer as
soon as possible. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 248for more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays when the fuel cap has not
been fully tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to
ensure that it is on and tightened properly.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
If your vehicle has a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system, this message displays when the tire
pressure in one of the tires needs to be checked.
SeeDIC Controls and Displays on page 258
for more information on checking your vehicle’s
tire pressures. If a tire pressure message appears
on the DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have the
tire pressures checked and set to those shown on
the Tire Loading Information label. SeeTire
Pressure Monitor System on page 433and
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 431for more
information. If the tire pressure is low, the low tire
pressure warning light comes on. SeeLow Tire
Pressure Warning Light on page 249.
267

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 393
for more information.
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays 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 251.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode on page 395for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
ENGINE HOT –
AC (Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating
temperature. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 251. To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning compressor is
automatically turned off. When the coolant
temperature returns to normal, the air conditioning
compressor turns back on. You can continue to
drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the
system repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible to avoid damage to the engine.
269

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go
where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the
steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the tires
meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 323and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 326.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 363.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 248.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
320

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. The brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. The 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 vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the 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 363.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 the 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 the
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 249.
321

Remember: ABS 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 the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
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 250. When this warning light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
323