2008 CADILLAC CTS Battery

Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
The exterior lamps turn off about 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF, if the parking lamps
or headlamps have been left on. This protects against
draining the battery. The battery saver does not
work if the headlamps are turned on after the ignition
is turned to LOCK/OFF.
To keep the lamps on for more than 10 minutes, turn
the lamps back on with the exterior lamp control.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The knob with this symbol
is located on the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering column.
Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to brighten
or dim the lights.
Turn the knob completely clockwise to turn on the
interior lamps.
Entry Lighting
The entry lighting system turns on the reading and
dome lamps and the backlighting to the exterior lamp
control, when a door is opened or if the transmitter
unlock button is pressed. If activated by the transmitter,
the lighting stays on for about 25 seconds. The entry
lighting system uses the light sensor on the instrument
panel; so it must be dark outside in order for the
lamps to turn on. The lamps turn off about 25 seconds
after the last door is closed. They dim then turn
off if the ignition key is turned to ON/RUN. They
immediately turn off if the power locks are used.
Parade Dimming
This feature does not let the instrument panel backlight
dim during daylight hours while the key is in the
ignition and the headlamps are on. Parade dimming
automatically works with the light sensor, located on top
of the dashboard. If it is dark enough outside and the
parking lamps are on, the backlight on the instrument
panel can be adjusted by turning the instrument panel
brightness knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
brighten or dim the lighting. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-20.
3-20

Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the overhead console.
These lamps come on automatically when any door is
opened.
For manual operation, press the button next to each
lamp to turn it on or off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of charge.
It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and
extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage
is raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in.
When the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a
voltmeter gage or a voltage display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), you may see the voltage
move up or down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power that
is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at
high speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to
the driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as Battery Saver
Active or Service Battery Charging System. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the
driver reduce the electrical loads as much as possible.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56.
3-21

Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a feature to help prevent battery drain
if accessory lamps are left on or something is left plugged
into the accessory power outlet or cigarette lighter, if the
vehicle has one. If accessory lamps such as the vanity
mirror, cargo, reading, console, or glove box are left on,
they automatically time-out after about 20 minutes.
To reset the battery protection, all of the above lamps
must be turned off or the ignition must be in the ACC/
ACCESSORY position.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
auxiliary electrical equipment, such as a cellular
telephone or CB radio.
There are three accessory power outlets. There is an
outlet located in the front storage area below the climate
control system, one inside the center console storage
bin, and one on the rear of the center console.
To use an outlet, remove the protective cap. When not
in use, always cover the outlet with the protective cap.
The accessory power outlet is operational at all times.Notice:If electrical devices are left plugged into a
power outlet, the battery may drain causing your
vehicle not to start or damage to the battery.
This would not be covered by the warranty.
Always unplug all electrical devices when turning
off your vehicle.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience
a problem see your dealer/retailer for additional
information on accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to the
vehicle can damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not use
equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating
of 20 amperes. Check with your dealer/retailer before
adding electrical equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.
3-22

An emission system malfunction might be corrected by
doing the following:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. SeeFilling
the Tank on page 5-9. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven through a deep
puddle of water, the vehicle’s electrical system
might be wet. The condition is usually corrected
when the electrical system dries out. A few driving
trips should turn the light off.
Make sure to fuel the vehicle with quality fuel.
Poor fuel quality causes the engine not to run
as efficiently as designed and may cause: stalling
after start-up, stalling when the vehicle is changed
into gear, misring, hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration. These conditions
might go away once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions occurs, change
the fuel brand used. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 5-7.
If none of the above have made the light turn off,
your dealer/retailer can check the vehicle.The dealer/retailer has the proper test equipment
and diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or
electrical problems that might have developed.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
might begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on the vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection
could prevent getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things to know to help the vehicle pass
an inspection:
The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on or not working properly.
The 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 the battery has recently been replaced or if the
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control
systems during normal driving. This can take several
days of routine driving. If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack of
OBD system readiness, your dealer/retailer can
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
3-43

Tire Pressure
The pressure for each tire can be viewed in the DIC.
The tire pressure is shown in either pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). Press the vehicle
information button until the DIC displays Front Tire
PSI (kPa) Left ## Right ##. Press the vehicle information
button again until the DIC displays Rear Tire PSI (kPa)
Left ## Right ##.
If a low or high tire pressure condition is detected by
the system while driving, a message advising you
to check the pressure in a specic tire appears in the
display. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-66and
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56for more
information.
Battery Voltage
This display shows the current battery voltage. 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.
If there is a problem with the battery charging system,
the charging system light illuminates and/or the DIC
displays a message. SeeCharging System Light
on page 3-37,DIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-56andElectric Power Management on
page 3-21for more information.
Calibrate Compass
Your vehicle may have this feature. The compass can
be manually calibrated. To calibrate the compass
through the DIC, seeDIC Compass on page 3-53.
Change Compass Zone
Your vehicle may have this feature. To change the
compass zone through the DIC, seeDIC Compass on
page 3-53.
Relearn Remote Key
If your vehicle has the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system, this display allows you to match the transmitter
to your vehicle. If your vehicle has the keyless access
system, seeKeyless Access System Operation on
page 2-10for instructions on matching a keyless access
transmitter to your vehicle. To match an RKE transmitter
to your vehicle:
1. Press the vehicle information button until
Press
VTo Relearn Remote Key displays.
2. Press the set/reset button until Remote Key
Learning Active is displayed.
3-52

Automatic Light Control Off
This message displays when the automatic headlamps
are turned off.
Automatic Light Control On
This message displays when the automatic headlamps
are turned on.
Battery Saver Active
This message displays when the system detects that
the battery voltage is dropping below expected levels.
The battery saver system starts reducing certain
features of the vehicle that you may be able to notice.
At the point that the features are disabled, this message
is displayed. It means that the vehicle is trying to save
the charge in the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories to allow the battery
to recharge.
The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
You can monitor battery voltage on the DIC by pressing
the vehicle information button until Battery Voltage is
displayed.
Battery Volts Low
This message displays when the electrical system is
charging less than 10 volts or the battery has been
drained.
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 vehicle information button until Battery Voltage is
displayed.
3-57

Electronic Key Already Known
If your vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays if you try to match a transmitter that
has already been learned. SeeKeyless Access
System Operation on page 2-10for more information.
Electronic Key Not Detected
If your vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays if the vehicle does not detect
the presence of a transmitter when you have attempted
to start the vehicle or a vehicle door has just closed.
The following conditions may cause this message
to appear:
Driver-added equipment plugged into the accessory
power outlet on the center console is causing
interference. Examples of these devices are cell
phones and cell phone chargers, two-way radios,
power inverters, or similar items. Try moving
the keyless access transmitter away from these
devices when starting the vehicle. In addition,
PDA devices and remote garage and gate openers
may also generate Electromagnetic Interference
(EMI) that may interfere with the keyless access
transmitter. Do not carry the keyless access
transmitter in the same pocket or bag as these
devices.
The vehicle is experiencing Electromagnetic
Interference (EMI). Some locations, such as
airports, automatic toll booths, and some gas
stations have EMI elds which may interfere with
the keyless access transmitter.
If moving the transmitter to
different locations within
the vehicle does not
help, place the transmitter
in the center console
transmitter pocket with
the buttons facing the
front of the vehicle
and then press the
START button.
The vehicle’s battery voltage is low. The battery
voltage must be above 10 volts for the keyless
access transmitter to be detected properly.
3-59

Press Brake To Start Engine
(Automatic Transmission Only)
If your vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays if you try to start the engine without
having the brake pressed. The brake needs to be
pressed when starting the engine. SeeIgnition Positions
(Key Access) on page 2-32orIgnition Positions
(Keyless Access) on page 2-34for more information.
Press Start Control To Learn Keys
If your vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays when matching new transmitters to
the vehicle. SeeKeyless Access System Operation
on page 2-10for more information.
Rainsense Wipers Active
If your vehicle has this feature, this message
displays while the Rainsense™ wipers are active.
SeeRainsense™ Wipers on page 3-10for
more information.
Ready To Learn Electronic Key # X
If your vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays while matching new transmitters to
the vehicle. SeeKeyless Access System Operation
on page 2-10for more information.
Remote Key Learning Active
If your vehicle has the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system, this message displays while matching new
transmitters to the vehicle. See “Matching Transmitter(s)
to Your Vehicle” underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-7andDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-48for more information.
Replace Battery In Remote Key
This message displays when the battery in the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) or keyless access transmitter
needs to be replaced. To replace the battery, see
“Battery Replacement” underRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on page 2-7orKeyless Access
System Operation on page 2-10.
Right Rear Door Open
This message displays when the passenger side rear
door is not closed completely. Make sure that the door is
closed completely.
3-63