2008 CADILLAC CTS warning

After the rst wipe cycle, it can take up to 20 seconds
for each of the remaining cycles. The system will
automatically turn off after four wipe cycles have been
completed or press
_again to turn it off. Heated
Washer Fluid System Off displays on the DIC.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56.
When the heated windshield washer uid system is
activated under certain outside temperature conditions,
steam might ow out of the washer nozzles for a
short period of time before washer uid is sprayed.
This is a normal condition.
Washer Fluid Low Add Fluid displays on the DIC when
the washer uid is low. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-56.
Headlamp Washer
Your vehicle may have headlamp washers.
The headlamp washers clear debris from the
headlamp lenses.
The headlamp washers
are located beneath the
headlamps.
Press the washer button located at the end of the
windshield wiper lever, to wash the headlamps. Both the
headlamps and the windshield will be washed. After
the rst wash, the headlamps will not be washed until
the fth press of the windshield washer button.
The headlamps must be on to be washed. If the
headlamps are off, only the windshield will be washed
when the washer button is pressed. If the washer uid is
low, the headlamp washers will not work.
SeeWindshield Washer on page 3-12for more
information.
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Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located towards the end of
the turn signal/multifunction lever.
O(Exterior Lamp Control):Turn the band with this
symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has four positions:
O(Off):This position turns off all lamps, except the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
AUTO (Automatic):This position puts the headlamps
in automatic mode. AUTO mode turns the exterior
lamps on and off depending upon how much light is
available outside of the vehicle.
;(Parking Lamps):This position turns on the
parking lamps together with the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
5(Headlamps):This position turns on the headlamps,
together with the previously listed lamps and lights.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers have been in use for about
six seconds. For this feature to work, the exterior lamp
control must be in AUTO.
The wiper-activated headlamps immediately turn off,
when the ignition is turned to LOCK/OFF or the
windshield wiper control is turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the exterior lamp control
is left on in either the headlamp or parking lamp position
and the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off.
SeeLights On Reminder on page 3-46for additional
information.
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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

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some warning
lights come on briey when you start the engine just to let
you know they are working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays
on while you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to do about it. Waiting to do repairs
can be costly – and even dangerous. So please get
to know your warning lights and gages. They are a
big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-48
for more information.
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Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer lets you see your speed in either
miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far your vehicle has been
driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
If your vehicle has to have a new odometer installed,
the new one may read the correct mileage. This is
because your vehicle’s computer has stored the mileage
in memory.
While the Driver Shift Control (DSC) feature is active,
the odometer will change to show the gear range.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-38
for more information.
Trip Odometers
The trip odometer can record the number of miles or
kilometers traveled for up to two trips.
The trip odometer is part of the Driver Information
Center (DIC), for more information seeDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-48.
For vehicles that have the navigation system, see your
Navigation System manual for more information.
Tachometer
The tachometer
displays the engine
speed in revolutions per
minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your vehicle
could be damaged, and the damages would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not operate the engine
with the tachometer in the shaded warning area.
Engine Speed Limiter
This feature prevents the engine from operating at too
many revolutions per minute (rpm). When the engine’s
rpms are too high, the throttle is closed to reduce speed.
If this is not sufficient, then the fuel supply to the engine
will be limited. When the rpms return to normal, the fuel
supply will return to normal. This helps prevent damage
to the engine.
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Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light indicates if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the airbag
sensor, the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 1-56.
This light comes on when
the vehicle is started, and
ashes for a few seconds.
The light should go out
when the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is
started or comes on while driving, the airbag system
may not work properly. Have your vehicle serviced
right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the
vehicle is started, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags
in the vehicle may not inate in a crash,
or they could even inate without a crash.
To help avoid injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few seconds
when the engine is started. If the light does not come on
then, have it xed immediately. If there is a problem with
the airbag system, an airbag Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may also come on. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-56for more information.
3-34

Charging System Light
This light comes on briey
when the ignition key is
turned, but the engine has
not started to run, as a
check to show you it
is working.
It should go out once the engine starts. If it stays on,
or comes on while driving, there could be a problem with
the charging system. A charging system message in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) may also appear.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56
for more information. This light could indicate that
there are problems with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all the accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner.
Up-Shift Light
The vehicle may have an
up-shift light.
When this light comes on, shift to the next higher gear if
weather, road, and traffic conditions allow.
SeeManual Transmission Operation on page 2-42for
more information.
3-37

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition to ON/RUN. If it does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake does
not release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake
is fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push, or the pedal may go closer to
the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-28.
{CAUTION:
The brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can
lead to an accident. If the light is still on after
the vehicle has been pulled off the road and
carefully stopped, have the vehicle towed for
service. United StatesCanada
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