2008 CADILLAC STS ignition

Programmable Automatic
Door Locks
Your vehicle was programmed from the factory so that
when the doors are closed, the ignition is on and the shift
lever is moved out of PARK (P), all the doors will lock.
The front doors can still be opened from the inside while
the doors are locked. If a rear passenger needs to
exit the vehicle, have that person use the manual knob
or use the power door lock switch on either front
door. When the door is closed again, it will not lock
automatically. Use the manual knob or the power door
lock switch to lock the door.
The doors were also programmed from the factory to
unlock every time the shift lever is moved back into
PARK (P).
The power door locks can be programmed through the
radio display. The radio display allows you to choose
various lock and unlock settings. For more information on
programming, seeVehicle Personalization on page 2-60.
Rear Door Security Locks
Your vehicle has rear door security locks. These
prevent passengers from opening the rear doors from
the inside.
The rear door security
locks are located on the
inside edge of each
rear door. The rear doors
must be open to access
them. The label showing
lock and unlock positions is
located near the lock.
To set the locks, do the following:
1. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it
so the slot is in the horizontal position.
2. Close the door.Lock Label shown
2-15

Power Windows
{CAUTION:
Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a
vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome from extreme heat in
warm or hot weather and suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke.
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons, children or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the keys in the
ignition and they could be seriously injured or
killed if caught in the path of a closing window.
Do not leave keys in a vehicle with children.
When there are children in the rear seat use the
window lockout button to prevent unintentional
operation of the windows.The power window switches are located on the armrest
near each window. Press the front of the switch
to the rst position to open the window to the desired
level. Lift up the front of the switch to the rst position
to close the window.
Your vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP) that
allows you to use the power windows once the engine
has been turned off. For more information, seeRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on page 2-29.
2-20

Express-Down/Up Window
Any window can be lowered or raised all the way
without holding the switch.
Press the front of the window switch to the second
position and release to activate the express-down
feature. To stop the window, briey pull up the switch.
Lift the front of the switch briey to activate the
express-up feature. To stop the window, briey press
the switch.
Programming the Power Windows
If the battery on your vehicle has been recharged,
disconnected, or is not working, each window must be
reprogrammed for the express-up feature to work.
To program each window:
1. With the ignition on or in ACC/ACCESSORY, or
while RAP is active, close all doors.
2. Press and hold the power window switch until the
window has fully opened.
3. Continue holding the switch for approximately
two seconds.
4. Pull up the power window switch until the window
is fully closed.
Repeat the process for all windows.
Express Window Anti-Pinch Feature
If any object is in the path of the window when
the express-up is active, the window will stop at the
obstruction and auto-reverse to a preset factory position.
Weather conditions such as severe icing may also
cause the window to auto-reverse. The window will
return to normal operation once the obstruction
or condition is removed.
Express Window Anti-Pinch Override
{CAUTION:
If express override is activated, the window
will not reverse automatically. You or others
could be injured and the window could be
damaged. Before you use express override,
make sure that all people and obstructions are
clear of the window path.
In an emergency, the anti-pinch feature can be
overridden in a supervised mode. Hold the window switch
all the way up in the express position. The window will
rise for as long as the switch is held. Once the switch is
released, the express mode is re-activated.
In this mode, the window can still close on an object in
its path. Use care when using the override mode.
2-21

Window Lockout
o
(Window Lockout):Press to disable the rear
window controls. The light on the button illuminates,
indicating that the feature is in use. The rear windows
can still be raised or lowered using the driver’s window
switches. To restore power to the rear windows, press the
button again. The light on the button will go out.
The front passenger window can be programmed to be
disabled using the window lockout button. SeeVehicle
Personalization on page 2-60.
Secure Car Feature
The windows can be closed by pressing the lock button
on the keyless access transmitter. SeeKeyless Access
System Operation on page 2-6for more information.
If any window is unable to close completely, it reverses
and the horn chirps. See “Anti-Pinch Feature” previously.
The engine must be off to operate this feature.
Sun Visors
Swing down the visor or detach it from the center mount
and move to the side to block out glare. The visors also
have side-to-side slide capability for greater coverage.
Pull the visor down and lift the cover. Move the slide
switch up or down to brighten or dim the lamp.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Theft-Deterrent System
Your vehicle has a theft-deterrent alarm system.
The security light is
located on the instrument
panel cluster.
If the ignition is off and a door is open, the security light
will ash, reminding you to arm the theft-deterrent
system.
2-22

Immobilizer
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Immobilizer Operation
Your vehicle has a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the ignition
mode transitions to off.
The immobilization system is disarmed when the ignition
mode transitions to OFF/ACCESSORY or START and
a valid transmitter is found in the vehicle.
You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
The system has one or more keyless access
transmitters that are matched to an immobilizer control
unit in your vehicle. Only a correctly matched keyless
access transmitter will start the vehicle. If the keyless
access transmitter is ever damaged, you may not
be able to start your vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, if the engine does not
start and the security light comes on, there may be
a problem with your immobilizer system. Press
the START button again.
2-26

Ignition Positions
Your vehicle has an
electronic keyless ignition
with pushbutton start.
To shift out of PARK (P), the vehicle must be running or
in ACCESSORY mode and the regular brake pedal
must be applied.
/(START):Press this button while your foot is on the
brake to start the engine. The shifter must be in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to start the engine and the
keyless access transmitter must be in the vehicle for
the ignition to work.
9/Acc. (OFF/ACCESSORY):When this button is
pressed, the engine will turn off even if the shifter is not
in PARK (P). If the shifter is in PARK (P), the ignition
mode will change to RAP, if all doors are closed.
The ignition mode will change to off, if a front door is
opened. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 2-29for more information. If the shifter is not in
PARK (P), the ignition mode will change to Acc.
SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-36.
When the engine is off, press this button to place the
vehicle in accessory mode. ACCESSORY ACTIVE
will display on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
This mode allows you to use things like the radio and
the windshield wipers while the engine is off. Use
accessory mode if you must have your vehicle in motion
while the engine is off, for example, if your vehicle is
being towed. If the door is open while in accessory
mode, the key in reminder chime will sound
continuously.
If the push-button start is not working, your vehicle
may be near a strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the keyless access system. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-80for more
information.
After being in Acc. for about 20 minutes, the vehicle will
automatically enter RAP or will turn off, depending on
if the doors are opened or closed.
2-28

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
20 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Power Windows
Power to these accessories will work up to 20 minutes
or until one of the front doors is opened. For an
additional 20 minutes of operation, close all the doors
and press Acc. to place the vehicle in accessory mode.
Press the button again to return to RAP.
Starting the Engine
To place the transmission in the proper gear:
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
To restart when you are already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N).
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
The keyless access transmitter must be inside the
vehicle for the ignition to work.Cell phone chargers can interfere with the operation of
the Keyless Access System. Battery chargers should
not be plugged in when starting or turning off the engine.
To start your vehicle, do the following:
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot on the brake pedal, press the
START button located on the instrument panel.
If there is not a keyless access transmitter in
the vehicle or if there is something causing
interference with it, the DIC will display NO FOBS
DETECTED. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-80for more information.
2. When the engine begins cranking, let go of the
button and the engine cranks automatically until
it starts. If the battery in the keyless access
transmitter is weak, the DIC displays KEY FOB
BATTERY LOW. You can still drive the vehicle.
See “Battery Replacement” underKeyless Access
System Operation on page 2-6for more information.
If the fob battery is dead, you need to insert the
fob into the fob slot to enable engine starting.
See “No Fobs Detected” underDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-80.
3. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.
2-29

The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). The transmission will
not automatically shift to the next higher gear if the
engine RPM is too high.
If shifting is prevented for any reason, the selected gear
will ash multiple times, indicating that the transmission
has not shifted gears.
The transmission will allow you to shift to the gear
selected and will automatically downshift when
the vehicle comes to a stop. This will allow for more
power during take-off and passing.
Parking Brake
The parking brake pedal
is located on the lower
portion of the instrument
panel to the left of the
steering wheel.This vehicle has a push-to-release parking brake pedal.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal down with your left foot.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light on
the instrument panel cluster should come on. If it
does not, you need to have your vehicle serviced.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-64for
more information.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down with your right foot and push the parking brake
pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left foot,
the parking brake releases.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the vehicle begins to move.
To stop the chime, fully release the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer (Vehicles With Heavy Duty
Cooling) on page 4-34orTowing a Trailer (Vehicles
Without Heavy Duty Cooling) on page 4-40for
more information.
2-35