2008 CADILLAC STS charging

After you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P),
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst
pushing the button on the shift lever. If you can, it means
that the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, see “Shifting
Into PARK (P)” listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent shifting out of PARK (P) unless the vehicle
is running or in Accessory mode and the regular brake
pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-45
To shift out of PARK (P) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the
shift lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
2-37

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

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

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

TIMER OFF
This display can be used like a stopwatch. You can
record the time it takes to travel from one point to
another. To access the timer, press the information
button until 00:00:00 TIMER OFF displays. To turn
on the timer, press the reset button until TIMER
ON displays. The timer will then start. To turn off
the timer, press the reset button again until TIMER OFF
displays. The timer will stop and display the end
timing value. To reset the timer, press and hold
the reset button after the timer has been stopped.
The display will return to zero.
BATTERY VOLTS
This display shows the current battery voltage. If the
voltage is in the normal range, the value will display. For
example, the display may read 13.2 BATTERY VOLTS.
If the voltage is low, the display will have LOW after it.
If the voltage is high, the display will have HIGH after it.
Your vehicle’s charging system regulates voltage based
on the state of the battery. The battery voltage may
uctuate when viewing this information on the DIC.
This is normal. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-63
for more information.
If there is a problem with the battery charging system,
the DIC may display a message. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-80andElectric Power Management
on page 3-42for more information.
Tire Pressure
This display shows the pressure for each tire in either
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). If the
tire pressure is normal, the value will display. If the tire
pressure is low or high, LOW or HIGH will appear on
the display with the value. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-66andDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-80for more information. Press the information
button to scroll through the following displays:
LF TIRE:This display shows the pressure in the driver
side front tire.
RF TIRE:This display shows the pressure in the
passenger side front tire.
LR TIRE:This display shows the pressure in the driver
side rear tire.
RR TIRE:This display shows the pressure in the
passenger side rear tire.
If the tire pressure display shows dashes instead of
a value, there may be a problem with your vehicle.
If this consistently occurs, see your dealer/retailer
for service.
3-78

AUTOMATIC LIGHTS OFF
This message displays when the automatic headlamps
are turned off. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-33for
more information.
AUTOMATIC LIGHTS ON
This message displays when the automatic headlamps
are turned on. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-33for
more information.
BATTERY NOT CHARGING SERVICE
CHARGING SYS (System)
This symbol appears
with this message.This message displays when a problem with the
charging system has been detected. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the system detects that
the battery voltage is dropping beyond a reasonable
level. The battery saver system starts reducing
certain features of the vehicle that may be noticeable.
At the point that the features are disabled, this message
is displayed. It means that the vehicle is trying to
save the charge in the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories to allow the
battery to recharge.
The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
To monitor battery voltage on the DIC, press the
information button until BATTERY VOLTS displays.
3-81

BATTERY VOLTAGE HIGH
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays when the electrical charging
system is overcharging the battery. When the system
detects that the battery voltage is above an estimated
16 volts, this message displays.
To reduce the charging overload, use the vehicle’s
accessories:
Turn on the exterior lamps and radio.
Set the climate control on AUTO and the
fan speed on the highest setting.
Turn the rear window defogger on.
The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts
when the engine is running. To monitor battery
voltage on the DIC, press the information button until
BATTERY VOLTS displays.
BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays when the electrical system is
charging less than 10 volts or the battery has been
drained.
If this message appears immediately after starting the
engine, it is possible that the generator can still recharge
the battery. The battery should recharge while driving,
but may take a few hours to do so. Consider using
an auxiliary charger to boost the battery after returning
home or to a nal destination. Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions.
If this message appears while driving or after starting
your vehicle and stays on, have it checked immediately
to determine the cause of this problem.
To help the generator recharge the battery quickly,
reduce the load on the electrical system by turning off
the accessories.
The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
To monitor battery voltage on the DIC, press the
information button until BATTERY VOLTS displays.
3-82