2008 CADILLAC STS ignition

If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once you
leave the garage, it will take about one minute for the
automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if it is
light outside. During that delay, the instrument panel
cluster might not be as bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness control is in full bright
position. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-41
for more information.
You can idle the vehicle with the lamps off, even when
it is dark outside. First set the parking brake while
the ignition is in OFF/ACCESSORY. Then start the
vehicle. The lamps will stay off until the parking brake
is released.
Twilight Sentinel
®also provides exterior illumination
as you leave the vehicle. If Twilight Sentinel®has
turned on the lamps when you turn off the ignition,
the lamps will remain on until:
The exterior lamp switch is moved from off to
the parking lamp position.
A delay time that you select has elapsed.SeeVehicle Personalization on page 2-60to select
the delay time that you want. You can also select
no delay time.
If the ignition is turned off with the exterior lamp switch
in the parking lamp or headlamp position, the Twilight
Sentinel
®delay will not occur. The lamps will turn off
as soon as the switch is turned off.
As with any vehicle, the regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the parking lamps or headlamps have been left on,
the exterior lamps will turn off about 10 minutes after
the ignition is turned off. This protects against draining
the battery in case you have accidentally left the
headlamps or parking lamps on. The battery saver
does not work if the headlamps are turned on after
the ignition is turned off.
If you need to leave the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, use the exterior lamp control to turn
the lamps back on.
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Instrument Panel Brightness
Press the center knob on the DIC control panel until
the knob pops out. Then turn the knob clockwise
to brighten the lights or counterclockwise to dim
them. If the knob is turned completely clockwise,
the interior lamps turn on.
Entry Lighting
The entry lighting system turns on the reading and
dome lamps and the backlighting to the exterior lamp
control when a door is opened or if you press the
remote keyless entry transmitter unlock button.
If activated by the transmitter, the lighting will remain
active for about 25 seconds. The entry lighting system
uses the light sensor; it must be dark outside in order
for the lamps to turn on. The lamps turn off about
25 seconds after the last door is closed. They will dim
to off if the ignition is on, or immediately deactivate if
the power locks are activated.
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits dimming of the instrument panel
displays and backlighting during daylight hours when
the key is in the ignition and the headlamps are on.
This feature operates with the light sensor and is fully
automatic. When the light sensor reads darkness outside
and the parking lamps are active, the instrument panel
displays can be adjusted by turning the instrument panel
brightness knob. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness
on page 3-41for additional information. Base Level Shown,
Uplevel Similar
3-41

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.
Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle’s electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle
at a higher revolutions per minute (rpm) setting
than normal to make sure the battery charges.
High electrical loads may occur when several of the
following are on: headlamps, high beams, fog lamps,
rear window defogger, the climate control fan at
high speeds, heated seats and engine cooling fans.If the battery continues to discharge, even with the
engine idling at a higher rpm setting, some electrical
loads will automatically be reduced. When this occurs,
the rear window defogger may take slightly longer
to clear the glass and the fan may cut back to a lower
speed. For more battery saving information, see
“Battery Saver Active Message” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-80.
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.
3-42

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 3-80.Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect your vehicle’s battery
against drainage from the interior lamps, trunk lamp,
glove box lamp, or the garage door opener. When the
ignition is turned off, the power to these features will
automatically turn off after 10 minutes (three minutes if
a new car has 15 miles (24 km) or less). Power will
be restored for an additional 10 minutes if any door is
opened, the trunk is opened or the courtesy lamp switch
is turned on.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{CAUTION:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in
your eld of view, it may take you more time
to see things you need to see when it is dark
outside. Be sure to keep the HUD image dim
and placed low in your eld of view.
For vehicles with the Head-Up Display (HUD), it projects
some of the driver information that appears on the
instrument panel cluster onto the windshield.
3-43

As light shines out from the HUD, it is possible for light
to shine back in. In rare occurrences, when the sun
is at a specic angle and position, the sun’s rays can
shine back into the HUD. When this occurs, the display
device within the HUD will be temporarily illuminated.
The event will end when the vehicle’s angle to the
sun changes.
Clean the inside of the windshield as needed to remove
any dirt or lm that reduces the sharpness or clarity
of the HUD image.
To clean the HUD, spray household glass cleaner on a
soft, clean cloth. Wipe the HUD lens gently, then dry it.
Notice:When cleaning, be careful not to scratch the
HUD or camera lenses. Do not spray glass cleaner
directly on the HUD lens because the cleaner could
leak inside the unit and cause damage.
If the ignition is on and you cannot see the HUD image,
check to see if:
Something is covering the HUD unit.
The brightness is adjusted properly.
The HUD image is adjusted to the proper height.
Ambient light in the direction your vehicle is
facing is low.
A fuse is blown. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-117.The windshield is part of the HUD system.
SeeWindshield Replacement on page 5-55.
The following Adaptive Cruise Control message
may appear in the HUD:
The PEDAL APPLIED ACC OVERRIDE message
indicates that you are pressing your foot on the
accelerator pedal and overriding Adaptive Cruise
Control. While this is being done, the system will not
automatically apply the brakes. Once you remove
your foot from the accelerator pedal, Adaptive Cruise
Control will return to normal operation and be able
to apply the brakes, if needed.
An Adaptive Cruise Control active symbol, alert symbol
or vehicle ahead symbol may also appear. SeeAdaptive
Cruise Control on page 3-20for more information.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Your vehicle is equipped with accessory power outlets.
The outlets can be used to plug in electrical equipment
such as a cellular telephone, CB radio, etc.
Your vehicle has one outlet in front of the center
console, one in the center console lid and there may be
an additional outlet in the rear of the center console.
Your vehicle may have a small cap that must be
removed to access the accessory power outlet.
If it does, when not using the outlet be sure to cover
it with the protective cap.
3-46

If there is fogging on the side windows, remain in
defog or defrost mode until they clear.
0(Defrost):Press this button to direct most of the
air to the windshield, with some air directed to the
side windows and outboard panel outlets. In this mode,
the system automatically turns off recirculation and
runs the air-conditioning compressor, unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation
cannot be selected while in the defrost mode.
This mode can also cause the fan speed and air
temperature to increase.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
The rear window defogger only works when the
ignition is on or during remote start, if programmed.
See “Personal Settings Menu” underVehicle
Personalization on page 2-60for additional information.
=(Rear Window Defogger):Press this button to
turn the rear window defogger on or off. Be sure to
clear as much snow from the rear window as possible.
The rear window defogger turns off about 10 minutes
after the button is pressed. If the vehicle’s speed
is above 30 mph (48 km/h), the rear defogger stays
on continuously. If turned on again, the defogger
only runs for about ve minutes before turning off.
The defogger can also be turned off by pressing the
button again or by turning off the engine.
The heated outside rearview mirrors also heat to help
clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when
the rear window defogger is on. SeeOutside Power
Heated Mirrors on page 2-43.
Notice:Do not use a razor blade or sharp object
to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
3-53

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 3-60for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
This light will come
on briey when you
turn on the ignition,
but the engine is not
running, as a check to
show you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have
a problem with the charging system. A charging system
Driver Information Center (DIC) message may also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-80
for more information. This light could indicate that
you have problems with a generator drive belt,
or another electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. If you must drive a short distance with the
light on, be certain to turn off all your accessories,
such as the radio and air conditioner.
3-63

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t 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
engine on. 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 4-31.
{CAUTION:
Your 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 you have pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service. United StatesCanada
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