2008 CADILLAC CTS windshield wipers

Notice:Using a tool to force the key from its
cylinder could cause damage or break the key.
Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If it
is and you have a manual transmission vehicle, turn
the steering wheel left and right while you turn
the key hard. If none of this works, then your vehicle
needs service.
A (LOCK/OFF):This is the only position in which the
key can be inserted or removed. This position locks the
ignition and shifter on automatic transmission vehicles,
and the ignition and steering wheel on manual
transmission vehicles.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position lets you use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers when
the engine is off. This position allows you to turn off
the engine.
C (ON/RUN):This position is for driving. It is the
position the ignition switch returns to after the engine
starts, and the key is released.To shift the transmission out of PARK (P), the ignition
key has to be in ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN.
The battery could be drained if the key is left in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. The vehicle might not start if the battery is allowed
to drain for an extended period of time.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it is
an easy target for joy riders or thieves. A chime sounds
when the driver’s door is opened while the vehicle is
parked and the key is left in the ignition. Always
remember to remove the key from the ignition and take
it with you. This will lock the ignition and transmission.
Also, always remember to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if the key is left in the
ignition while your vehicle is parked. The vehicle might
not start after it has been parked for an extended
period of time.
2-33

Ignition Positions (Keyless Access)
You can turn the ignition control knob to four different
positions.
To shift out of PARK (P), ignition must be in the
ON/RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake
pedal must be applied.
Using a tool to force the ignition control knob from its
cylinder could damage it.
Make sure the keyless access transmitter is inside the
vehicle when trying to turn the ignition control knob.A (LOCK/OFF):The ignition control knob cannot
be removed from the vehicle. The keyless access
transmitter must be inside the vehicle to start the engine.
This position locks the ignition and shifter on automatic
transmission vehicles, and the ignition and steering
wheel on manual transmission vehicles.
B (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position allows you to use
things like the radio and the windshield wipers when
the engine is off. This position will allow you to turn off
the engine.
C (ON/RUN):This position is for driving. It is the
position the ignition switch returns to after the engine
starts, and the control knob is released.
If you need to shift the transmission out of PARK (P),
the ignition control knob has to be in ACC/ACCESSORY
or ON/RUN.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. You may not be able to start your vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended period of time.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
2-34

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

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

Flash-to-Pass
This feature allows you to use the high-beam headlamps
to signal the driver in front of you that you want to pass.
Pull and hold the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you to use this feature. When this is done the following
will occur:
If the headlamps are off, in low-beam or in Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) mode, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They will stay on as long as
the lever is held there. Release the lever to turn
them off.
For vehicles with High Intensity Discharge (HID)
headlamps, the low-beam headlamps must be
on to activate the high-beam headlamps. SeeHigh
Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting on page 5-55.
If the headlamps are already in high-beam mode,
they will remain on high-beam.
Windshield Wipers
The lever on the right side of the steering column
operates the windshield wipers.
7(Mist):Pull the lever down and release it for a
single wiping cycle. The lever will return to its original
position. For more cycles, hold the lever down
before releasing it.
&(Delay):Move the lever to this position to set a
delay between wipes. Turn the delay adjustment band
to set the length of the delay.
6(Delay Adjustment):Use this band to set the length
of the delay between wipes when using the delay
feature. The closer the band is moved towards
7,
the longer the delay. The windshield wiper lever must be
in delay for this feature to work.
3-9

1 (Low Speed):Move the lever to this position for
slow, steady wiping cycles.
2 (High Speed):Move the lever to this position for
rapid wiping cycles.
If the windshield wipers are in use for about six seconds
while you are driving, the exterior lamps come on
automatically if the exterior lamp control is in AUTO.
SeeWiper Activated Headlamps on page 3-17for
more information.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they are frozen to the windshield,
gently loosen or thaw them. If the blades do become
damaged, install new blades. For more information, see
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement on page 5-57.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor.
A circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.Rainsense™ Wipers
Vehicles with Rainsense™ windshield wipers, have a
moisture sensor for this feature mounted on the interior
side of the windshield behind the rearview mirror.
This sensor automatically operates the wipers by
monitoring the amount of moisture build-up on the
windshield. Wipes occur as needed to clear the
windshield depending on driving conditions and the
sensitivity setting. In light rain or snow, fewer wipes
will occur. In heavy rain or snow, wipes occur more
frequently. If the system is left on for long periods of
time, occasional wipes may occur without any moisture
on the windshield. This is normal and indicates that
the Rainsense™ system is activated.
The wiper control should be left in the off position,
unless the wiper is needed.
The Rainsense™ system is sensitive to vibration and
can activate if something hits the windshield or if
the vehicle hits a bump.
3-10

Rainsense™ windshield wipers operate in a delay
mode, as well as a continuous low or high speed as
needed. Move the wiper lever up to the delay position
and turn the band to one of ve settings.
The level one or lowest setting is at the bottom of the
band. This setting lets more rain or snow collect on the
windshield between wipes. Turn the delay band forward
to a higher setting to let less rain or snow collect on
the windshield between wipes.
The top position is the highest setting. A single wipe
occurs each time the delay band is turned to a higher
setting to indicate that the Rainsense
®level has
been increased.
Notice:Going through an automatic car wash with
the wipers on can damage them. Turn the wipers
off when going through an automatic car wash.The mist and wash cycles operate as normal and
are not affected by the Rainsense™ function.
The Rainsense™ system can be overridden at any
time by manually changing the wiper control to low or
high speed. The system will default to normal time delay
operation if the Rainsensor detects something that
would affect Rainsense™ operation.
When Rainsense™ is active, the headlamps turn
on automatically. If it is dark, they remain on.
See “Wiper-Activated Headlamps” underWiper
Activated Headlamps on page 3-17for more
information.
Notice:Do not place stickers or other items on
the exterior glass surface directly in front of
the moisture sensor. Doing this could cause the
moisture sensor to malfunction.
3-11

Windshield Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
K(Washer Fluid):Press the button with this symbol,
located at the end of the windshield washer lever,
to wash the windshield. The washer uid sprays onto
the windshield and the wipers run for a few cycles
to clear the windshield. Press and hold
Kfor more
wash cycles.
Washer Fluid Low Add Fluid displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when the washer uid is low.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56.
If the headlamps are on while the windshield is being
washed, the headlamp washers, if the vehicle has them,
will also turn on. See “Headlamp Washer” following
for more information.
Heated Windshield Washer
For vehicles with the heated windshield washer uid
system it can be used to help clear ice, snow, tree sap,
or bugs from the windshield.
The button is located on
the climate control system
panel.
Push
_to begin four heated wipe cycles. Heating
Washer Fluid Wash Wipes Pending displays on the DIC.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-56.
The rst heated wipe cycle can take up to 40 seconds
to occur, depending on the outside temperature.
3-12