2008 CADILLAC STS ECU

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 airbag.
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 is 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. 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.
{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag 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
the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag. SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-60
for more on this, including important safety information.
3-62

If the vehicle has an oil problem, this light may stay
on after the engine is started, or come on while you
are driving.
This light indicates that oil is not going through the engine
quickly enough to keep it lubricated. The engine could
be low on oil or could have some other oil problem.
Have it xed right away.
The oil light could also come on in the following
situations:
The light will come on briey when the ignition
is turned on to show that it is working properly.
If it does not come on with the ignition on,
there may be a problem with the fuse or bulb.
Have it xed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop,
a chime will sound and the light may blink on
and off. This is normal.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for changing engine oil.
Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle’s
security system, see
Theft-Deterrent System
on page 2-22.
3-71

SERVICE STEERING SYS (System)
Your vehicle has a speed variable assist steering
system. Your All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle may
have the Active Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak
®
option. See “Active Steering” underSteering on
page 4-13.
This message displays if a problem is detected with
the speed variable assist steering system or the
Active Steering system. When this message is
displayed, you may notice that the effort required to
steer the vehicle increases or feels heavier, but you
will still be able to steer the vehicle. SeeSteering
on page 4-13for more information. Have the steering
system inspected by your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible.
If the SERVICE STEERING SYS message appears
because the Active Steering system needs service,
normal power steering is still operational. However,
compared to Active Steering, normal power steering
requires a larger degree of steering wheel input at
low vehicle speeds and a smaller degree of steering
wheel input at high vehicle speeds. The center position
of the steering wheel may be different. You may
continue to drive your vehicle with normal power
steering, but have the steering system inspected by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.If the Active Steering system needs service, the system
may be operating in the Stability Secure Mode and
the STABILITY SECURE MODE message will display.
SeeEnhanced StabiliTrak
®on page 4-9.
When certain steering faults are present, the vehicle
speed may be limited. If vehicle speed is limited,
the SPEED LIMITED TO XXX message will display.
See “Active Steering” underSteering on page 4-13.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS (System)
This message displays when the suspension system
is not operating properly. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.
If your All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle has the Active
Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak
®option and
the suspension system needs service, the Enhanced
StabiliTrak
®system may be operating in the Stability
Secure Mode and the STABILITY SECURE MODE
message will display. SeeEnhanced StabiliTrak
®
on page 4-9.
3-92

STABILITY COMPETITIVE MODE
If your All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle has the
Active Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak®option,
this message displays when the Competitive Mode
for stability control has been turned on using the
TC (traction control) button. SeeEnhanced StabiliTrak
®
on page 4-9. When the Enhanced StabiliTrak®
Competitive Mode has been activated, traction control
operates in competitive mode and cannot be turned
off. Also, the Active Steering and the Magnetic
Ride Control systems operate in the Performance
Mode. For more information, see “Active Steering
and Magnetic Ride Control” in the Index in the
Navigation manual.
STABILITY SECURE MODE
If your All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle has the
Active Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak®option,
this message displays when the stability control system
is in the secure mode. Stability Secure Mode is set
automatically when certain system faults or vehicle
conditions are detected. When the Stability Secure
Mode is activated, the stability control system will
not respond to driver requests to change the stability
mode until the next ignition cycle or until the vehicle
condition or fault is returned to normal. SeeEnhanced
StabiliTrak
®on page 4-9.
STABILITY SYS (System) ACTIVE
This message displays any time the StabiliTrak®system
or Enhanced StabiliTrak®system is actively assisting
with directional control of the vehicle. Slippery road
conditions may exist when this message is displayed,
so adjust your driving accordingly. This message
may stay on for a few seconds after StabiliTrak
®
stops assisting with directional control of the vehicle.
SeeStabiliTrak®System on page 4-8orEnhanced
StabiliTrak®on page 4-9for more information.
STABILITY SYS (System) NOT READY
This message displays if the StabiliTrak®system is
not ready. Two conditions may cause this message
to display:
The vehicle needs to be driven in a straight line
until the sensors are centered. Once the sensors
are centered, the StabiliTrak
®system is ready and
the STABILITY SYS READY message displays.
The system needs to warm up. This may occur
when rst starting your vehicle and driving away
during cold winter weather. This is normal. To
acknowledge this message, press the reset button.
The StabiliTrak
®performance is affected until the
STABILITY SYS READY message is displayed in the
DIC. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-8for more
information.
3-94

STABILITY SYS (System) OFF
This message displays any time StabiliTrak®or
Enhanced StabiliTrak®is turned off using the TC
(traction control) on/off button. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-6and “Enhanced StabiliTrak
®
and Traction Control Mode Selection” underEnhanced
StabiliTrak®on page 4-9for more information. When
this message has been displayed, StabiliTrak®or
Enhanced StabiliTrak®is no longer available to assist
with directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-8or
Enhanced StabiliTrak®on page 4-9for more information.
STABILITY SYS (System) READY
This message displays any time StabiliTrak®is turned
back on using the TC (traction control) on/off button.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6
for more information. When this message has been
displayed, StabiliTrak
®is ready to assist with directional
control of the vehicle, if needed. SeeStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-8for more information.
STABILITY TOURING MODE
If your All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle has the
Active Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak®option,
this message displays when the Stability Touring
Mode is re-activated by using the traction control
button after:
Driving in the Stability Competitive Mode.
The stability control system is turned off
by the driver.
This message may also display after exiting
STABILITY SECURE MODE when certain system
faults or vehicle conditions have been cleared.
SeeEnhanced StabiliTrak
®on page 4-9.
STARTING DISABLED THEFT
PROBLEM
This message displays when incorrect conditions
exist within the theft-deterrent system. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
3-95

XM Radio Messages
XL (Explicit Language Channels):These channels,
or any others, can be blocked at a customer’s request,
by calling 1-800-852-XMXM (9696).
XM Updating:The encryption code in the receiver is
being updated, and no action is required. This process
should take no longer than 30 seconds.
No XM Signal:The system is functioning correctly,
but the vehicle is in a location that is blocking the XM™
signal. When the vehicle is moved into an open area,
the signal should return.
Loading XM:The audio system is acquiring and
processing audio and text data. No action is needed.
This message should disappear shortly.
Channel Off Air:This channel is not currently in
service. Tune in to another channel.
Channel Unavail:This previously assigned channel
is no longer assigned. Tune to another station.
If this station was one of the presets, choose another
station for that preset button.
No Artist Info:No artist information is available at this
time on this channel. The system is working properly.No Title Info:No song title information is available at
this time on this channel. The system is working
properly.
No CAT Info:No category information is available at this
time on this channel. The system is working properly.
No Information:No text or informational messages are
available at this time on this channel. The system is
working properly.
CAT Not Found:There are no channels available for
the selected category. The system is working properly.
XM Theftlocked:The XM™ receiver in your vehicle
could have previously been in another vehicle. For
security purposes, XM™ receivers cannot be swapped
between vehicles. If this message is received after having
your vehicle serviced, check with your dealer/retailer.
XM Radio ID:If tuned to channel 0, this message
alternates with the XM™ Radio 8 digit radio ID label.
This label is needed to activate the service.
Unknown:If this message is received when tuned to
channel 0, there could be a receiver fault. Consult
with your dealer/retailer.
Check XM Receivr:If this message does not clear
within a short period of time, the receiver could have a
fault. Consult with your dealer/retailer.
3-116

When certain faults or vehicle conditions are detected,
the Stability control will automatically go into a secure
mode and the STABILITY SECURE MODE message will
be displayed on the DIC. When the Stability Secure Mode
is activated, the stability control system will not respond
to driver requests to change the stability mode until the
next ignition cycle or until the vehicle condition or fault is
returned to normal. When the Stability Secure Mode is
activated, you may see other messages, such as
SERVICE STEERING SYS, SERVICE SUSPENSION
SYS or CHECK TIRE PRESSURE on the DIC. When the
Stability Secure Mode is activated, a larger degree of
steering wheel input at low vehicle speeds and a smaller
degree of steering wheel input at high vehicle speeds
may be required. Stability Secure Mode will be activated
if you are using a compact spare tire. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-80andCompact Spare Tire on
page 5-106.
Persistent operation of your vehicle in the STABILITY
SECURE MODE may be an indication that your vehicle
needs to be serviced by the dealer/retailer.
When certain faults are present, the vehicle’s speed may
be limited and the SPEED LIMITED TO XXX message
will be displayed on the DIC. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-80. When the vehicle’s speed is
limited, you may see other messages, such as SERVICE
STABILITY SYS, SERVICE STEERING SYS or
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS on the DIC. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.Enhanced StabiliTrak®and Traction
Control Mode Selection
Enhanced StabiliTrak®can be operated in Touring Mode
or Competitive Mode. It can also be turned off. The
traction control button is used to change stability control
modes (Touring, Competitive or Off) as well as to turn
traction control on or off. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-6. The following information describes
the operation of the traction control button for changing
Traction Control and Stability Control Modes.
When you start your vehicle, Stability control comes on
automatically in the Stability Touring Mode.
To change from Stability Touring Mode to Stability
Competitive Mode, press and hold the traction
control button for about three seconds until
the STABILITY COMPETITIVE MODE message is
displayed on the DIC.
To change from Stability Touring Mode to Stability
Off Mode, press and hold the traction control
button for about ve seconds until the STABILITY
SYS OFF message is displayed on the DIC.
The DIC will temporarily display the STABILITY
COMPETITIVE MODE message prior to displaying
the STABILITY SYS OFF message.
4-11

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
You might want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight, a red
cloth, and a couple of reective warning triangles. And,
if you will be driving under severe conditions, include
a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 5-57.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires and the
road, you can have a very slippery situation. You have a
lot less traction, or grip, and need to be very careful.What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold snow
or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice
can be even more trouble because it can offer the least
traction of all. You can get wet ice when it is about
freezing, 32°F (0°C), and freezing rain begins to fall. Try
to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed, blowing,
or loose snow — drive with caution.
4-22