Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-8
Child Restraints
.......................................1-28
Airbag System
.........................................1-51
Restraint System Check
............................1-66
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-14
Windows
.................................................2-19
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-22
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-27
Mirrors
....................................................2-40
Object Detection Systems
..........................2-45
OnStar
®System
......................................2-48
Universal Home Remote System
................2-51
Storage Areas
.........................................2-58
Sunroof
..................................................2-58
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-60
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-48
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-57
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-74
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-98Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-50
Rear Axle
...............................................5-51
Front Axle
...............................................5-52
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-53
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-54
Windshield Replacement
...........................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-55
Tires
......................................................5-57
Appearance Care
...................................5-107
Vehicle Identi cation
...............................5-116
Electrical System
....................................5-116
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-128
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-16
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Cadillac STS/STS-V Owner ManualM
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
OnStar Virtual Advisor
OnStar Virtual Advisor is a feature of OnStar
Hands-Free Calling that uses your minutes to access
location-based weather, local traffic reports, and
stock quotes. By pressing the phone button and giving
a few simple voice commands, you can browse
through the various topics. See the OnStar Owner’s
Guide for more information (Only available in the
continental U.S.).
OnStar Steering Wheel Controls
Your vehicle may have a Talk/Mute button that can be
used to interact with OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-121for
more information.
On some vehicles, you may have to hold the button for
a few seconds and give the command “ONSTAR” to
activate the OnStar Hands-Free Calling.
On some vehicles, the mute button can be used to dial
numbers into voicemail systems, or to dial phone
extensions. See the OnStar Owner’s Guide for more
information.
How OnStar Service Works
Your vehicle’s OnStar system has the capability of
recording and transmitting vehicle information.
This information is automatically sent to an OnStar
Call Center at the time of an OnStar button press,
Emergency button press or if your airbags or AACN
system deploys. The vehicle information usually includes
your GPS location and, in the event of a crash,
additional information regarding the accident that your
vehicle has been involved in (e.g. the direction from
which your vehicle was hit). When you use the Virtual
Advisor feature of OnStar Hands-Free Calling, your
vehicle also sends OnStar your GPS location so that we
can provide you with location-based services.
OnStar service cannot work unless your vehicle is in a
place where OnStar has an agreement with a wireless
service provider for service in that area. OnStar
service also cannot work unless you are in a place
where the wireless service provider OnStar has hired for
that area has coverage, network capacity and reception
when the service is needed, and technology that is
compatible with the OnStar service. Not all services
are available everywhere, particularly in remote
or enclosed areas, or at all times.
2-50
Vehicle Personalization
Your vehicle has personalization that allows you to
program certain features to a preferred setting for up to
two drivers. The back of the keyless access transmitters
are labelled 1 or 2. Additional keyless access transmitters
programmed to the vehicle, as 3 and/or 4, do not have
a number on the back and are not capable of being
personalized. The number of programmable features
varies depending upon which vehicle options are
purchased.
On all vehicles, features such as climate control settings,
radio and XM™ preset settings, exterior lighting at unlock
and remote lock unlock con rmation, and language have
already been programmed for your convenience. Your
vehicle also has an automatic door locking feature that is
always on. You cannot turn the automatic door locking
feature off. SeeProgrammable Automatic Door Locks on
page 2-15.
Some vehicles have additional features that can be
programmed including the seat, steering column, and
outside rearview mirror position.If your vehicle has the base audio system, the following
information explains the vehicle personalization on
your vehicle.
If your vehicle has the Navigation system, see
“Personalization” in the Index of the Navigation System
manual for information on vehicle personalization.
If your vehicle has the ability to program additional
personalization features, the driver’s preferences
are recalled by pressing any button on the keyless
access transmitter, 1 or 2, by selecting Driver 1 or 2 on
the radio display, or when a valid keyless access
transmitter is detected upon opening the driver’s door.
If more than one valid keyless access transmitter is
detected upon opening the driver’s door, the driver
preferences for the lowest driver number will be recalled.
Certain features can be programmed not to recall until
the ignition is turned off.
The default settings for the personalization features
were set when your vehicle left the factory, but
may have changed from their default state since then.
2-60
3. Press the tune/select knob to enter the
SUSPENSION MODE submenu.
4. Turn the tune/select knob to highlight TOURING or
PERFORMANCE.
5. Press the tune/select knob to select the setting.
The mode you selected is now set. You can either exit
the programming mode by following the instructions
later in this section or program the next feature available
on your vehicle by pressing the F6 (BACK) button,
located on the radio, to return to the PERSONAL
SETTINGS MENU.
Exiting the Personal Settings Menu
Once you have nished making your selections on the
base audio system, you will automatically return to
the main audio screen after 15 seconds. You can also
press the F6 (BACK) button, located on the radio,
to return to the main audio screen.
Memory Seat, Mirrors and
Steering Wheel
If your vehicle has the memory feature, you can
program and recall memory settings for the following
features for up to two drivers:
The driver’s seat position
The outside rearview mirrors position
The power tilt wheel and telescopic steering column
position
The following settings and presets are set automatically:
The language, radio and XM™ presets, tone,
volume, playback mode (AM/FM or CD), last
displayed stations, and compact disc position
The last climate control setting
The Head-Up Display (HUD) position, if your
vehicle has this feature
Other personalization settings, for example,
remote start settings
SeeVehicle Personalization on page 2-60.
2-77
For vehicles with the base audio system, memory
features are programmed and recalled through the radio
from the DRIVER SELECTION and the DRIVER EXIT
SETTINGS submenus. See “Entering the Driver
Selection Submenu” and “Entering the Driver Exit
Settings Submenu” later in this section for more
information on recalling and programming the memory
settings using the base audio system.
For vehicles with the Navigation system, memory
features are programmed and recalled through the
navigation display. See “Personalization” in the Index of
the Navigation System manual for more information
on programming and recalling the memory settings using
the Navigation system.
For vehicles with the Navigation system, you can also
recall the memory features by using voice recognition,
if your vehicle has this feature. See “Voice Recognition”
in the Index of the Navigation System manual for
more information.Entering the Driver Selection Submenu
To enter the memory programming mode for your
driver settings:
1. Be sure the ignition is either on, in ACCESSORY,
or in RAP and place the transmission in PARK (P)
or make sure that the vehicle speed is less than
6 mph (9 km/h).
2. Press any button on the appropriate keyless access
transmitter to identify yourself as Driver 1 or Driver 2.
3. Turn on the radio by pressing the
power/volume knob.
4. Press the CNFG radio button to enter the main
menu of the radio.
5. Turn the tune/select knob and scroll to SETUP.
6. Press the tune/select knob to enter the SETUP menu.
7. Turn the tune/select knob and scroll to DRIVER
SELECTION.
8. Press the tune/select knob to enter the DRIVER
SELECTION submenu. The following items will
appear:
DRIVER 1
DRIVER 2
RECALL DRIVER SETTINGS
STORE DRIVER SETTINGS
2-78
STORE DRIVER SETTINGS
To store driver settings:
1. Adjust your settings for the driver’s seat, the outside
rearview mirrors, and the steering column to a
comfortable driving position.
2. Enter the memory programming mode for your
driver settings by following the instructions listed
previously under “Entering the Driver Selection
Submenu.”
3. From the DRIVER SELECTION submenu, turn the
tune/select knob to scroll to STORE DRIVER
SETTINGS and press in the knob. Two beeps will
sound to con rm that your driver settings are saved.
4. Set the HUD position, if your vehicle has this
feature, the climate control temperature, fan
speed and mode settings, the radio presets, tone,
volume, playback mode (AM/FM, XM™, or CD), and
compact disc position.
Your memory settings are now programmed.
Any changes that are made to the HUD, audio
system, and climate controls while driving will be
automatically stored when the ignition is turned off.
5. Repeat the procedure for a second driver by
programming the other driver number.
Entering the Driver Exit Settings
Submenu
To enter the memory programming mode for your
exit settings:
1. Be sure the ignition is either on, in ACCESSORY,
or in RAP and place the transmission in PARK (P)
or make sure that the vehicle speed is less than
6 mph (9 km/h).
2. Press any button on the appropriate keyless access
transmitter to identify yourself as Driver 1 or Driver 2.
3. Turn on the radio by pressing the
power/volume knob.
4. Press the CNFG radio button to enter the main
menu of the radio.
5. Turn the tune/select knob and scroll to SETUP.
6. Press the tune/select knob to enter the SETUP menu.
7. Turn the tune/select knob and scroll to DRIVER
EXIT SETTINGS.
8. Press the tune/select knob to enter the DRIVER
EXIT SETTINGS submenu. The following items
will appear:
RECALL EXIT SETTINGS
STORE EXIT SETTINGS
2-80
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-57
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-58
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-59
Tachometer.................................................3-59
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-59
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-60
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-61
Charging System Light..................................3-63
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-64
Antilock Brake System Warning Light...............3-65
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-65
Lane Departure Warning Light........................3-66
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-66
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-67
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-67
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-68
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-70
Security Light...............................................3-71
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-72
Lights On Reminder......................................3-72Cruise Control Light......................................3-72
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-72
Fuel Gage...................................................3-73
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-74
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-74
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-80
Other Messages...........................................3-97
Audio System(s).............................................3-98
Setting the Time...........................................3-99
Radio(s) (MP3)...........................................3-100
Using an MP3............................................3-112
XM Radio Messages...................................3-116
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-117
Radio Personalization
..................................3-117
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-121
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-121
Radio Reception.........................................3-123
Backglass Antenna......................................3-124
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-124
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2