2008 CADILLAC CTS seats

Remote Vehicle Start
This vehicle may have a remote starting feature that
starts the engine from outside of the vehicle. It may also
start the vehicle’s automatic climate control system.
When the remote start system is active, the climate
control system heats and cools the inside of the vehicle
according to the previous settings of the system
before turning the vehicle off. The windshield defroster
or rear window defogger turn on if it is cold outside.
If the vehicle has heated seats, they also turn on. See
Heated and Ventilated Seats on page 1-6for additional
information. Normal operation of the climate control
system returns after the ignition is turned to ON/RUN.
SeeDual Climate Control System on page 3-24.
Laws in some communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, some laws may require a
person using remote start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local regulations for any
requirements on remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if the vehicle is low
on fuel. The vehicle may run out of fuel.
If this vehicle has the remote start feature, the RKE
transmitter functions have an increased range of
operation. However, the range may be less while
the vehicle is running.There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, seeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2-6orKeyless Access
System on page 2-9for additional information.
/(Remote Start):Press and release the lock button
and then press and hold this button to use the remote
start feature.
To start the vehicle using the remote start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button,
then immediately press and hold the transmitter’s
remote start button until the turn signal lights ash or
if the vehicle’s lights are not visible, press and hold
the remote start button for at least four seconds.
The vehicle’s doors lock. Pressing the remote start
button again after the vehicle has started turns off
the ignition.
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps turn on
and remain on while the vehicle is running.
3. If it is the rst remote start since the vehicle has
been driven, repeat these steps, while the engine is
still running, to extend the engine running time by
10 minutes. Remote start can be extended one time.
After entering the vehicle during a remote start, press
the brake pedal and turn the ignition to ON/RUN to drive
the vehicle.
2-16

Automatic Transmission Operation
The shift lever is located on the center console between
the front seats.
There are several different
positions for the shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine because
your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure the vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set the parking brake and move the shift lever
to P (Park). SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-45. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-30.
2-38

Manual Transmission Operation
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, the
shift lever is located on the
center console between the
front seats. The following
explains how to operate the
manual transmission.
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.
Shift into FIRST (1) when you are going less than
25 mph (40 km/h). If you come to a complete stop and
it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift lever in
NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch
pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as you let up
on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6):Shift
into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5) and SIXTH (6)
the same way you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on
the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine. Your shift lever is in NEUTRAL when it
is centered in the shift pattern, not in any gear.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press down the clutch
pedal, completely stop the vehicle, and shift into
REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch pedal slowly
while pressing the accelerator pedal.
2-42

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-28.
B. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-48.
C. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-20.
D. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-31.
F. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wipers
on page 3-9.
G. Traction Control System (TCS) Disable Button.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
H. Analog Clock. SeeAnalog Clock on page 3-23.
I. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
J. Audio (Base Audio System) or Audio/Navigation
System (If Equipped). SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-82orNavigation/Radio System on
page 3-111.
K. Parking Brake Release. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-44.L. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-12.
M. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-14.
N. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt and Telescopic Steering
Wheel on page 3-6orPower Tilt Wheel and
Telescopic Steering Column on page 3-7.
O. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
P. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-124.
Q. Heated and Ventilated Seats. SeeHeated and
Ventilated Seats on page 1-6.
R. Dual Climate Control System. SeeDual Climate
Control System on page 3-24.
S. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-38orManual Transmission Operation
on page 2-42.
T. Storage Compartment. SeeInstrument Panel
Storage on page 2-63. Accessory Power Outlet.
SeeAccessory Power Outlet(s) on page 3-22.
U. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-62.
3-5

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

Sensors
There is a solar sensor,
located on the instrument
panel, near the windshield.
There is also an interior
temperature sensor,
located to the right of the
steering wheel, on the
instrument panel.By monitoring the solar radiation and the air inside the
vehicle, these sensors help maintain the selected
temperature by adjusting the fan speed, and the air
delivery system. In order to do this, the system can also
supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing the
sun. The recirculation mode will also be activated,
as necessary. Do not cover the sensors or the automatic
climate control system will not work properly.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the air outlets located in the center and on the side
of the instrument panel to direct the airow. Use the
thumbwheels near the air outlets to open or close off
the airow.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from air inlets
at the base of the windshield that could block the
ow of air into the vehicle.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors can
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Check with your dealer/retailer before adding
equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
3-28

3. Press and hold the lock and unlock buttons on
the rst transmitter at the same time for about
15 seconds.
On vehicles with memory recall seats, the rst
transmitter learned will match driver 1 and
the second will match driver 2.
A chime sounds indicating that the transmitter is
matched.
4. To match additional transmitters at this time,
repeat Step 3.
Each vehicle can have a maximum of eight
transmitters matched to it.
5. To exit the programming mode, you must cycle
the key to LOCK/OFF.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
DIC Compass
Your vehicle may have a compass in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
Compass Zone
The zone is set to zone eight upon leaving the factory.
Your dealer/retailer will set the correct zone for your
location.
Under certain circumstances, such as during a long
distance cross-country trip or moving to a new state
or province, it will be necessary to compensate for
compass variance by resetting the zone through the
DIC if the zone is not set correctly.
Compass variance is the difference between the earth’s
magnetic north and true geographic north. If the
compass is not set to the zone where you live, the
compass may give false readings. The compass must
be set to the variance zone in which the vehicle is
traveling.
3-53

Compass Calibration
The compass can be manually calibrated. Only calibrate
the compass in a magnetically clean and safe location,
such as an open parking lot, where driving the vehicle
in circles is not a danger. It is suggested to calibrate
away from tall buildings, utility wires, manhole covers, or
other industrial structures, if possible.
If CAL should ever appear in the DIC display, the
compass should be calibrated.
If the DIC display does not show a heading, for example,
N for North, or the heading does not change after
making turns, there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may
be caused by a magnetic CB or cell phone antenna
mount, a magnetic emergency light, magnetic note
pad holder, or any other magnetic item. Turn off
the vehicle, move the magnetic item, then turn on
the vehicle and calibrate the compass.To calibrate the compass, use the following procedure:Compass Calibration Procedure
1. Before calibrating the compass, make sure the
compass zone is set to the variance zone in
which the vehicle is located. See “Compass
Variance (Zone) Procedure” earlier in this section.
Do not operate any switches such as window,
sunroof, climate controls, seats, etc. during
the calibration procedure.
2. Press the vehicle information button until
Press
VTo Calibrate Compass displays.
3. Press the set/reset button to start the compass
calibration.
4. The DIC will display Calibrating Drive In Circles.
Drive the vehicle in tight circles at less than
5 mph (8 km/h) to complete the calibration. The DIC
will display Calibration Complete for a few seconds
when the calibration is complete. The DIC display
will then return to Press
VTo Calibrate Compass.
3-55