2008 CADILLAC STS maintenance

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 Identication
...............................5-116
Electrical System
....................................5-116
Capacities and Specications
...................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

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Safety Belts
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety
belt system from doing its job, have it repaired. Torn or
frayed safety belts may not protect you in a crash.
They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is torn
or frayed, get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder light is working.
SeeSafety Belt Reminders on page 3-59for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry. SeeCare of Safety
Belts on page 5-110.
Airbags
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled
maintenance or replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-60for more information.
Notice:If an airbag covering is damaged, opened,
or broken, the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag coverings. If there
are any opened or broken airbag covers, have
the airbag covering and/or airbag module replaced.
For the location of the airbag modules, seeWhat
Makes an Airbag Inflate? on page 1-57. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
1-66

The mode switch can also be used to select the defog
mode. Information on defogging and defrosting can
be found later in this section.
yAz(Fan):Press this switch to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Pressing this switch cancels
automatic operation and allows the operator to manually
select the amount of airow. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation.
If the airow seems low when the fan speed is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air lter
may need to be replaced. For more information,
seePassenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-55
andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
h(Recirculation):Press this button to control the
air source for the climate control system. If in AUTO
mode, press this button once to select recirculation.
This mode keeps outside air from coming in the vehicle
and recirculates the air in the vehicle. It can be used
to prevent outside air and odors from entering the
vehicle or to help cool the air inside the vehicle
more quickly.
Recirculation is not available in the defrost mode
and shuts off when defog mode is selected. Both of
these features are designed to limit fogging in the
vehicle. If recirculation is selected during defog mode,
it automatically turns off after 10 minutes to limit
problems with fogging.In some conditions, using recirculation for long periods
of time can cause the air inside the vehicle to become
too dry or stuffy. To prevent this from happening,
after the air in the vehicle has cooled, select AUTO to
return to automatic climate control operation or push
the recirculation button again to select outside air.
Press this button a second time to select outside air.
:(Outside Air):This mode forces the system to
pull air from outside the vehicle. It can be used to bring
fresh air into the vehicle.
Air Quality Sensor:Your vehicle could have an air
quality sensor to help limit the climate control system
from pulling in some harmful exhaust fumes from older,
poorly running, or diesel-equipped vehicles that are
driving near you. This sensor, when active, monitors the
air quality in front of your vehicle and switches to air
recirculation when poor quality air is detected outside
your vehicle. Press the AUTO button on the climate
control to activate the air quality sensor. The word AUTO
comes on the center of the climate control display.
While the air quality sensor senses poor quality air,
the recirculation graphic displays.
3-50

Under some conditions, the air quality sensor system
does not operate. In cold weather, the system might
not be active (even if AUTO is displayed) because
of concerns of fogging your windows, which may occur
by activating recirculation mode. Also, the air quality
sensor system does not remain in recirculation mode
for extended periods of time that could cause stuffy
or very dry conditions in the vehicle. Following a poorly
running vehicle for an extended period of time may
not keep recirculation active indenitely.
The air quality sensor does not activate due to organic
odors, like skunk, and may not activate on many
chemical-related odors. If you wish to limit these types
of odors, manually select recirculation. Your vehicle
could also have a charcoal lter that can limit many
odors from being pulled into your vehicle. This
lter needs to be changed periodically. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4. The air quality sensor
system does not protect against carbon monoxide (CO),
which you cannot see or smell. SeeEngine Exhaust
on page 2-38.
O(Power Driver’s Temperature):Press the power
button located on the driver’s side of the climate
control panel to turn the entire climate control system
on or off. Turn the knob to increase or decrease
the temperature inside the vehicle.
O(Power Passenger’s Temperature):Press the
power button located on the passenger’s side of
the climate control panel to turn the passenger’s climate
control system on if they wish to have a different
setting than the driver. Turn the knob to increase or
decrease the temperature for the front passenger.
Turning the passenger’s side power button off will not
shut off the climate control system for the passenger.
The system is set to the same setting as the driver.
{(Ventilated Seat):Press this button, to turn
on the driver or passenger’s side ventilated seat,
if the vehicle has this feature. SeeHeated and
Ventilated Seats on page 1-3.
J(Heated Seat):Press this button, to turn on the
driver or passenger’s side heated seat and seatback,
if the vehicle has this feature. SeeHeated and
Ventilated Seats on page 1-3.
^(Air Conditioning):Press this button to manually
turn off the air conditioning compressor. Press AUTO
to return to automatic operation. To limit fogging on
the windshield, the air conditioning compressor
cannot be off while in the defrost mode.
3-51

The right knob controls the air delivery to the rear
passengers. Turning the knob all the way to the left will
shut off airow to the rear passengers. Operating with
the rear air delivery off may make the entire vehicle
warm or cool less quickly. It may also increase the air
rush sound of the front system.
9(Off):This is the off position.
Y(Vent):This mode directs all the rear passenger
airow to the outlets in the console. This is the
normal position for cool down conditions.
\(Bi-Level):This mode directs airow to the
console outlets and the oor.
[(Floor):This mode directs all of the airow to the
oor. This is the normal position for warm up conditions.
The amount of airow to the rear passengers is
controlled automatically by the front climate control
system, regardless of optional equipment. Airow to
the rear system will be turned off when defrost is
selected on the front climate control panel to direct
air to clear the windshield.
Vehicles equipped with a rear climate control panel,
also, have heated rear seats. There are two buttons,
each with three indicator lights, located between thetwo climate control knobs on the rear climate control
panel, to control the rear heated seats. SeeHeated
Seats on page 1-7for additional information.
Be sure to keep the area under the front seats clear
of any objects so the air in your vehicle can circulate
effectively.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passenger
compartment air lter. There are two types of lters
available. There is a standard dust lter that traps small
particles including pollen. There is, also, a dust/odor
lter available that traps dust and pollen and also uses
a charcoal element to help reduce many offensive
odors from entering your vehicle. The lter will need
to be changed periodically. For information on how
often to change the passenger compartment air lter,
seeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
Notice:Driving without a passenger compartment
air lter in place can cause water and small particles,
like paper and leaves, to be pulled into your climate
control system which may cause damage to it. Make
sure you always replace the old lter with a new one.
3-55

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems. It makes
sure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life of
the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment.
The check engine light
comes on to indicate
that there is an OBD II
problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. This can prevent more serious
damage to your vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by your warranty.Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This could
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
This light comes on briey, as a check to show it is
working, as you start the engine. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light also comes
on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has been
detected. A misre increases vehicle emissions
and could damage the emission control system
on your vehicle. Diagnosis and service might
be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
3-68

Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
might begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on or not working properly.
To perform a check engine light bulb check with the
keyless ignition, make sure the transmitter fob is in the
passenger compartment. SeeIgnition Positions on
page 2-28. Press the bottom of the Acc. button on the
instrument panel and hold the button down for ve
seconds. The instrument panel, including the check
engine light, will light up and the ignition will be on,
but the engine will not start — if you press the bottom
of the Acc. button only briey, less than ve seconds,
the accessory power mode will be turned on, but not
the ignition. After the bulb check, be sure to press and
release the Acc. button again to turn the ignition off
and avoid draining the vehicle’s battery.Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced the battery or if the battery
has run down. The diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control systems during normal
driving. This may take several days of routine driving.
If you have done this and your vehicle still does not pass
the inspection for lack of OBD system readiness, your
dealer/retailer can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
Your vehicle may have
this feature.
3-70

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