2008 CADILLAC CTS instrument panel

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

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
Your instrument panel has a passenger airbag status
indicator.
When you start the vehicle, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on
and off, for several seconds as a system check. If you
use remote start to start your vehicle from a distance,
if equipped, you may not see the system check.
Then, after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol
to let you know the status of the right front passenger’s
frontal and seat-mounted side impact airbags.If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact
airbag are enabled (may inate).
{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have
a rear-facing child restraint installed in the
right front passenger’s seat, it means that
the passenger sensing system has not
turned off the passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag (if equipped).
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s airbag inates. This is because the
back of the rear-facing child restraint would be
very close to the inating airbag. Do not use a
rear-facing child restraint in the right front
passenger’s seat if the airbag is turned on. United States
Canada
3-35

{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact
airbag (if equipped) if the system detects a
rear-facing child restraint, no system is
fail-safe, and no one can guarantee that an
airbag will not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is turned off.
We recommend that rear-facing child restraints
be secured in a rear seat, even if the airbag is
or airbags are off.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the passenger
sensing system has turned off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-65for more
on this, including important safety information.If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-34for more on this, including
important safety information.
3-36

Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) gives you the
status of many of your vehicle’s systems. The DIC is
also used to display warning/status messages.
All messages appear in the DIC display located at the
bottom of the instrument panel cluster. The DIC buttons
are located on the instrument panel, next to the
steering wheel.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC displays the information that was last
displayed before the engine was turned off.
The top line of the DIC display shows the DIC
information. The bottom line of the DIC display shows
the compass. The compass displays in the trip/fuel
menus and in some vehicle information menus.
If a problem is detected, a warning message appears
on the display. Take any message that appears on
the display seriously and remember that clearing
the message only makes the message disappear,
and does not correct the problem.
DIC Operation and Displays
The Driver Information
Center (DIC) has different
displays which can be
accessed by pressing the
DIC buttons located on
the instrument panel, next
to the steering wheel.
3Trip/Fuel:Press this button to scroll through the
trip and fuel displays. See “Trip/Fuel Display Menu
Items” following for more information on these displays.
TVehicle Information:Press this button to scroll
through the vehicle information displays. See “Vehicle
Information Display Menu Items” following for more
information on these displays.
UCustomization:Press this button to scroll through
each of the customization features. SeeDIC Vehicle
Customization on page 3-69for more information on the
customization features.
3-48

DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver
that the status of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by the driver to correct the
condition. Multiple messages may appear one after
another.
Some messages may not require immediate action, but
you can press any of the DIC buttons on the instrument
panel to acknowledge that you received the messages
and to clear them from the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC
display because they are more urgent. These messages
require action before they can be cleared. You should
take any messages that appear on the display seriously
and remember that clearing the messages will only
make the messages disappear, not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them.
Accessory Mode Active
If your vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays when the accessory mode is active.
SeeIgnition Positions (Key Access) on page 2-32
orIgnition Positions (Keyless Access) on page 2-34
for more information.
AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting)
Lamps Need Service
This message displays when the Adaptive Forward
Lighting (AFL) system is disabled and needs service.
See your dealer/retailer. SeeAdaptive Forward Lighting
System on page 3-19for more information.
All Wheel Drive Off
If your vehicle has the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system,
this message displays when there is a temporary
condition making the AWD system unavailable.
Your vehicle will run in 2WD. This could be caused by:
Loss of wheel or vehicle speed
AWD system overheat
Certain vehicle electrical conditions
This message turns off when the above conditions are no
longer present and by resetting the warning message.
To reset the warning message, turn the ignition off and
then back on again after 30 seconds. If the message
stays on, see your dealer/retailer right away. See
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System on page 4-9for more
information.
3-56

Electronic Key Not Detected Restart
Allowed
If your vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays when the keyless access transmitter
is not detected inside the vehicle while you are trying
to turn the ignition off. Your vehicle may be near a strong
radio antenna signal causing the keyless access
system to be jammed. The vehicle will remain in
ACC/ACCESSORY until the vehicle is turned off or is
started, or ve minutes has expired. If you turn the
ignition off and you cannot nd the keyless access
transmitter, you will not be able to restart the vehicle.
The keyless access transmitter needs to be inside of the
vehicle in order for the vehicle to start. SeeStarting
the Engine on page 2-35for more information.
Engine Hot A/C (Air Conditioning) Off
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-40.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor automatically turns 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/retailer as soon as possible
to avoid damage to the engine.
Engine Oil Low Add Oil
If your vehicle has an oil level sensor, this message
displays if the oil level in the vehicle is low. Check the oil
level and correct it as necessary. You may need to let
the vehicle cool or warm up and cycle the ignition
to be sure this message clears.
This message clears itself after 10 seconds, until the
next ignition cycle. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16
for additional information.
Engine Overheated 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 5-31for more information.
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 3-40.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-33for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
3-60

Left Rear Door Open
This message displays when the driver side rear door is
not closed completely. Make sure that the door is
closed completely.
Maximum # Electronic Keys Learned
If your vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays when the maximum number of
transmitters have been learned. SeeKeyless Access
System Operation on page 2-10for more information.
Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle
until the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-16for more information.
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
oil pressure is low. The oil pressure light may also
appear on the instrument panel cluster. SeeOil
Pressure Light on page 3-44. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-16for more information.Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can
result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure.
Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible when this message is displayed.
Parking Assist Off
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) system, after the vehicle has been started, this
message displays to remind the driver that the URPA
system has been turned off. Press the set/reset button to
acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC
display. To turn the URPA system back on, see “Parking
Assist” underDIC Operation and Displays on page 3-48.
SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 2-52for more information.
Passenger Door Open
This message displays when the passenger side front
door is not closed completely. Make sure that the door is
closed completely.
3-62

Rotate Control To Off Position
If your vehicle has the keyless access system,
this message displays when the ignition is in
ACC/ACCESSORY and the shift lever has just been
moved to PARK (P). The message displays as a
reminder to turn the ignition off. To avoid draining the
battery, make sure the ignition is turned off before
leaving the vehicle.
Service Air Bag
This message displays when there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-34for more information.
Service A/C System
This message displays when the electronic sensors that
control the air conditioning and heating systems are
no longer working. Have the climate control system
serviced by your dealer/retailer if you notice a drop in
heating and air conditioning efficiency.
Service All Wheel Drive
This message displays if a problem occurs with the
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. Your vehicle will run in
2WD. This could be caused by:
An electronics problem
An AWD system oil overheat
Worn out or overheated clutch plates
Various electrical issues
If this message appears, stop as soon as possible and
turn off the ignition for 30 seconds. Restart the
vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display.
If the message is still displayed or appears again
when you begin driving, the system needs service.
See your dealer/retailer right away.
Service Battery Charging System
This message displays when there is a problem with the
generator and battery charging systems. Driving with
this problem could drain the battery. Turn off all
unnecessary accessories. Stop and turn off the vehicle
as soon as it is safe to do so. Have the electrical
system checked by your dealer/retailer. Under certain
conditions, the charging system light may also turn on in
the instrument panel cluster. SeeCharging System
Light on page 3-37for more information.
3-64