2008 CADILLAC CTS change time

This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. GM reserves the right to make changes
after that time without notice. For vehicles rst sold
in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors
of Canada Limited” for Cadillac Motor Car Division
wherever it appears in this manual.
This manual describes features that may or may not be
on your specic vehicle.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.
Canadian Owners
A French language copy of this manual can be obtained
from your dealer/retailer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
helminc.com
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français
auprès de concessionnaire ou à l’adresse suivante:
Helm Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
helminc.com
Using this Manual
Read this owner manual from beginning to end to learn
about the vehicle’s features and controls. Pictures
and words work together to explain things.
Index
To quickly locate information about the vehicle use the
Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical
list of what is in the manual and the page number where
it can be found.
iii

Infants and Young Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes
infants and all other children. Neither the distance
traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes
the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact,
the law in every state in the United States and in every
Canadian province says children up to some age must
be restrained while in a vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Children can be seriously injured or strangled
if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck
and the safety belt continues to tighten. Never
leave children unattended in a vehicle and never
allow children to play with the safety belts.
Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,
they should have the protection provided by appropriate
restraints. Children who are not restrained properly can
strike other people, or can be thrown out of the vehicle.
In addition, young children should not use the vehicle’s
adult safety belts alone; they need to use a child restraint.
1-35

Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in neutral position and the
parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal down
to the oor and start the engine. Your vehicle will
not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down.
That is a safety feature.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. If your vehicle has the keyless
access system, make sure there is a keyless access
transmitter in the vehicle. When the engine starts,
let go of the ignition. The idle speed will go down
as your engine gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up and
lubricate all moving parts.
Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine
and protects components. If the ignition key is turned
to the START position, and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts.
If the engine does not start and the key is held in
START for many seconds, cranking will be stopped
after 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage.
To prevent gear damage, this system also prevents
cranking if the engine is already running. Engine
cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition
switch to ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to let the cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F or−18°C),
it could be ooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the oor
and holding it there as you hold the key in START
for up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the cranking
motor to cool down. When the engine starts, let go of
the key and accelerator. If the vehicle starts briey
but then stops again, do the same thing. This clears
the extra gasoline from the engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting it. Operate the
engine and transmission gently until the oil warms
up and lubricates all moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed to work with the
electronics in the vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, the
engine might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
2-36

Shift Speeds (Manual Transmission)
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Do not shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
Notice:If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race the engine when you
release the clutch pedal while downshifting, you
could damage the engine, clutch, driveshaft or
the transmission. Do not skip gears or race
the engine when downshifting.
If the vehicle speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h),
or if the engine is not running smoothly, you should
downshift to the next lower gear. You may have
to downshift two or more gears to keep the engine
running smoothly or for good performance.
Up-Shift Light
Vehicles with a manual
transmission may have
an up-shift light on the
instrument panel. This light
will show you when to shift
to the next higher gear for
the best fuel economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road, and traffic conditions allow.
For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and
shift when the light comes on.
While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go
on and off if you quickly change the position of
the accelerator. Ignore the light when you downshift.
2-43

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel...................3-6
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering
Column......................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Rainsense™ Wipers......................................3-10
Windshield Washer.......................................3-12
Headlamp Washer........................................3-13
Cruise Control..............................................3-14
Headlamps..................................................3-17
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-17
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-17
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-18
Adaptive Forward Lighting System...................3-19
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-19
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-20
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-20
Entry Lighting...............................................3-20
Parade Dimming...........................................3-20
Reading Lamps............................................3-21
Electric Power Management...........................3-21Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-22
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-22
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-23
Analog Clock...............................................3-23
Climate Controls............................................3-24
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-29
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-30
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-31
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-32
Trip Odometers............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Engine Speed Limiter....................................3-32
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-33
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-34
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-35
Charging System Light..................................3-37
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-37
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-38
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-39
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®
Warning Light...........................................3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-41
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
The lever returns automatically when the turn is
complete.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster ashes in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to ash
to signal a lane change. Hold it briey until the lane
change is complete. The arrow will automatically ash
three times The lever returns to its original position when
it is released.
Rapid ashing of arrows when signaling for a turn or
lane change can be caused by a burned-out signal bulb.
Other drivers will not see the signal.
Replace burned-out bulbs to help avoid possible
accidents. Check the fuse for burned-out bulbs if the
arrow fails to work when signaling a turn. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-123for more information.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for about 1 mile (1.6 km),
a warning chime will sound and the TURN SIGNAL ON
message will appear on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) display. See “Turn Signal On” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-56for more information.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Push forward on the turn signal/multifunction lever to
change the headlamps from low to high beam. Pull the
lever back and then release it to change from high
to low beam.
If the vehicle is turned off while the high beams are on,
they will come on the next time the vehicle is started.
The highbeam light on the
instrument panel cluster,
comes on while the
high-beam headlamps
are on.
3-8

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make either the reduced intensity
low-beam headlamps or dedicated DRL’s come on
when the following conditions are met:
It is still daylight and the ignition is in ON/RUN or
START.
The exterior lamp control is in off or AUTO and the
headlamps are off.
The automatic transmission is not in PARK (P).
When DRL’s are on, only the reduced intensity
low-beam headlamps or dedicated DRL’s will be on.
No other exterior lamps will be on. The instrument panel
cluster will not be lit up either.When the exterior lamp control is in AUTO and it is dark
enough outside, the DRL turns off and the low-beam
headlamps will turn on. When it is bright enough outside,
the low-beam headlamps will go off, and the DRL will
turn back on. If the vehicle is started in a dark garage,
the automatic headlamp system comes on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage, it takes about
one minute for the automatic headlamp system
to change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
the instrument panel cluster may not be as bright as
usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness lever
is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-20.
Turning the exterior lamp control to off or to the
low-beam headlamp position will turn off the DRL.
If the parking lamps or the fog lamps were turned on
instead, the DRL will still turn off.
This will work regardless of gear position and whether
or not the parking brake is set.
3-18

Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can
be controlled with this system.
O(Power):Press this button to turn the climate control
system on or off. When the climate control system is
turned off the air inlet defaults to outside air.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):When this button is pressed and
the temperature is set, the system automatically
controls the inside temperature, the air delivery mode,
the air conditioning compressor, and the fan speed.When the indicator light is on, the system is in full
automatic operation. If the air delivery mode or fan
setting is manually adjusted, the auto indicator turns off
and displays will show the selected settings.
1. Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting
between 60°F (15.5°C) and 90°F (32.2°C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature setting
will not cause the system to heat or cool any faster.
If the system is set at the warmest temperature
setting, it remains in manual mode at that
temperature and it will not go into automatic mode.
In cold weather, the system starts at reduced fan
speeds to avoid blowing cold air into the vehicle
until warmer air is available. The system begins
blowing air at the oor but may change modes
automatically as the vehicle warms up to maintain
the chosen temperature setting. The length of
time the system needs to warm up depends on the
outside temperature and the length of time that
has elapsed since the vehicle was last driven.
3. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take from
10 to 30 minutes. Then adjust the temperature,
if necessary.
You can switch from English to metric units through the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-69.
3-24