2008 CADILLAC STS keyless entry

Laws in some local communities may restrict the use of
remote starters. For example, laws may require a
person using remote start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local regulations for any
requirements on remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low
on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
The remote start feature provides two separate starts,
each with 10 minutes of engine running. If you press the
lock button and then hold the remote start button on
the keyless access transmitter again for at least
three seconds before the rst 10 minutes of engine
running time has expired, 10 minutes is added to the
remaining minutes. For example, if the remote start
is initiated again after ve minutes of the engine
run time, 10 minutes is added and you now have
15 minutes with the engine running. Once two remote
starts or 20 minutes of the engine running have
been provided, the vehicle must be started using the
keyless access with pushbutton start feature, if the
engine needs to be restarted. SeeStarting the Engine
on page 2-29for more information regarding the
keyless ignition.The remote start feature will not operate if any of the
following occur:
The check engine light is displayed. See “Check
Engine Light” underMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-68.
The valet lockout switch is on.
The keyless access transmitter is in the vehicle.
The vehicle’s hood is open.
The vehicle personalization feature is not enabled.
An unauthorized vehicle entry or a vehicle theft
was attempted.
Your keyless access transmitter, with the remote start
button, provides an increased range of operation.
However, the range may be less while the vehicle is
running. As a result, you may need to be closer to your
vehicle to turn it off than you were to turn it on.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, seeKeyless Access
System on page 2-5.
2-13

Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers, especially children, can easily
open the doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle
will not open it. You increase the chance
of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can
help prevent this from happening.There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, press the lock or unlock button on
the keyless access transmitter. When you have
your transmitter with you, you may also unlock and
open the door by pulling the door handle. You do not
have to press the unlock button on the transmitter.
Entry occurs when the door handle is pulled and the
vehicle recognizes your transmitter. SeeVehicle
Personalization on page 2-60for information on how to
program the keyless access feature.
From the inside, use the power door lock switches
located on each front door. SeePower Door Locks on
page 2-14for more information. The rear passenger
doors have manual door lock knobs located at the top of
the door panel near the window. Push down the knob
to lock the door. Pull up the knob to unlock the door.
Power Door Locks
The power door lock switches are located on the
front doors.
K(Unlock):Press to unlock the doors.
Q(Lock):Press to lock the doors.
2-14

When you want to open a rear door when the security
lock is on, do the following:
1. Unlock the door using the remote keyless entry
transmitter, if the vehicle has one, the power
door lock switch, or the rear door manual lock.
2. Open the door from the outside.
To cancel the rear door security lock, do the following:
1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Insert the key into the security lock slot and turn it
so the slot is in the vertical position.
Lockout Protection
Your vehicle can be programmed to sound the horn
three times and unlock the driver’s door when all doors
are closed and there is a keyless access transmitter
inside the interior of the vehicle. When the driver’s door
is reopened, the key in reminder chime will sound
continuously. The vehicle will remain locked only when
at least one transmitter has been removed from the
vehicle and both doors are closed. SeeVehicle
Personalization on page 2-60.
Trunk
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You cannot see or
smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and
even death. If you must drive with the trunk lid
open or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the trunk lid:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See Climate Control
System.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-38.
2-16

Trunk Lid Release
There are three ways to open the trunk lid.
V(Trunk Lid Release):Press this button located
on the driver’s door. The vehicle must be in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and the valet mode
turned off. To disable valet mode, seeValet Lockout
Switch on page 2-25.
Press the trunk lid release button on the keyless
access transmitter. SeeKeyless Access System
Operation on page 2-6. The vehicle must be
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and the valet mode
turned off.
Squeeze the trunk release button located on the
rear of the trunk lid above the license plate, as
long as you have your keyless access transmitter
with you. Entry occurs when the button is being
pressed and the vehicle recognizes the transmitter.
The vehicle must be in PARK (P) and the valet
mode turned off.
If your vehicle has lost battery power, you can still
access the trunk by unlocking and lowering the rear seat
pass-through door and pulling the emergency trunk
release handle.
2-17

REMOTE START
If your vehicle has this feature, it allows you to choose
the features you would like to have activated when
you engage the remote start on your vehicle.
These features include the climate control system,
the rear defogger, and the seat temperature, if your
vehicle has this feature. Activating these features helps
provide a more comfortable vehicle upon entry. See
Remote Vehicle Start on page 2-12for more information.
Programmable Modes
Mode 1:ON (default)
Mode 2:OFF
To program the vehicle to a different mode:
1. Enter the PERSONAL SETTINGS MENU by
following the instructions listed previously under
“Entering the Personal Settings Menu.”
2. Turn the tune/select knob until REMOTE START is
highlighted.
3. Press the tune/select knob to switch back and forth
between on and off.
When REMOTE START is on, a check mark will appear
next to the feature name. You can then choose to
activate any or all of the following features by turning
the tune/select knob to highlight the feature, then
pressing the knob to turn it on.CLIMATE CONTROL:The climate control system will
engage when the vehicle is started using the remote
start feature. It will be at the same climate control setting
that was last used by the driver using that keyless
entry transmitter.
REAR WINDOW DEFOG:If this feature is active, the
rear defogger will engage when the vehicle is started
using the remote start feature.
SEAT TEMP (Temperature) CONTROL:If your vehicle
has this feature and this feature is active, the seats
will be heated or cooled when the vehicle is started
using the remote start feature.
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.
2-64

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

California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners, and lithium batteries
contained in remote keyless entry transmitters, may
contain perchlorate materials. Special handling may be
necessary. For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Doing Your Own Service Work
{CAUTION:
You can be injured and your vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts,
and tools before you attempt any vehicle
maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts, and
other fasteners. English and metric
fasteners can be easily confused. If you
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later
break or fall off. You could be hurt.If you want to do some of your own service work, you
should use the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service your vehicle than this
manual can. To order the proper service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting
to do your own service work, seeServicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-64.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. SeeMaintenance Record on page 6-18.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airow around it. This can cause wind
noise and can affect fuel economy and windshield
washer performance. Check with your dealer/retailer
before adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
5-4