2008 CADILLAC STS warning

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

Using this Manual
Many people read the owner manual from beginning to
end when they rst receive their new vehicle to learn
about the vehicle’s features and controls. Pictures
and words work together to explain things.
Index
A good place to quickly locate information about the
vehicle is the Index in the back of the manual. It is
an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and
the page number where it can be found.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
There are a number of safety cautions in this book.
A box with the word CAUTION is used to tell about
things that could hurt you or others if you were to ignore
the warning.
{CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
We tell you what the hazard is and what to do to help
avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions.
If you do not, you or others could be hurt.
A circle with a slash
through it is a safety
symbol which means
“Do Not,” “Do Not do
this” or “Do Not let this
happen.”
iii

Vehicle Damage Warnings
You will also nd notices in this manual.
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice tells about something that can damage the
vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered
by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly.
The notice tells what to do to help avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors
or in different words.
There are also warning labels on the vehicle which
use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along
with the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specic component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
iv

{CAUTION:
When an airbag inates, there may be dust in
the air. This dust could cause breathing
problems for people with a history of asthma or
other breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone
in the vehicle should get out as soon as it is
safe to do so. If you have breathing problems
but cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag
inates, then get fresh air by opening a window
or a door. If you experience breathing problems
following an airbag deployment, you should
seek medical attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically
unlock the doors, turn the interior lamps on, and turn
the hazard warning ashers on when the airbags inate.
You can lock the doors, turn the interior lamps off,
and turn the hazard warning ashers off by using the
controls for those features.In many crashes severe enough to inate the airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger airbag.Airbags are designed to inate only once. After an
airbag inates, you will need some new parts for
the airbag system. If you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help protect you in
another crash. A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
Your vehicle has a crash sensing and diagnostic
module which records information after a crash.
SeeVehicle Data Recording and Privacy on
page 7-16andEvent Data Recorders on page 7-16.
Let only qualied technicians work on the airbag
systems. Improper service can mean that an
airbag system will not work properly. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
1-59

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar®and Compass........................2-41
Outside Power Heated Mirrors........................2-43
Outside Automatic Dimming Mirror..................2-44
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-44
Outside Parallel Park Assist Mirror..................2-44
Object Detection Systems...............................2-45
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)............2-45
Side Blind Zone Alert....................................2-47
Lane Departure Warning................................2-47
OnStar
®System.............................................2-48
Universal Home Remote System......................2-51
Universal Home Remote System.....................2-51
Universal Home Remote System Operation
(With Three Round LED)............................2-52Storage Areas................................................2-58
Glove Box...................................................2-58
Cupholder(s)................................................2-58
Center Console Storage.................................2-58
Convenience Net..........................................2-58
Sunroof.........................................................2-58
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-60
Memory Seat, Mirrors and Steering Wheel.......2-77
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-2

Remote Vehicle Start
This feature allows you to start the engine from outside
the vehicle.
Before the remote vehicle start system can be operated,
it must be turned on through the vehicle personalization
system.
You can also program the remote vehicle start system to
start up the vehicle’s automatic climate control system. If
this feature is turned on, the system monitors the outside
temperature and turns on the rear window defogger, front
window defogger, and heated or ventilated seats, if your
vehicle has them. See “Personal Settings Menu” under
Vehicle Personalization on page 2-60.
/(Remote Start):This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if you have remote start.
To start the vehicle using the remote start feature:
1. Aim the remote keyless access transmitter at the
vehicle.
2. Press the transmitter’s lock button, release it, and
then immediately press and hold the transmitter’s
remote start button for at least three seconds or until
the vehicle’s turn signal lamps ash. The vehicle’s
doors will be locked.
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn
on and remain on while the vehicle is running.3. If it is the rst remote start since the vehicle has been
driven, repeat these steps, while the engine is still
running, to extend the engine running time by
10 minutes. Remote start can be extended one time.
If the vehicle is left running it will automatically shut off
after 10 minutes unless a time extension has been
done. To manually shut off a remote start, do one of the
following:
Aim the keyless access transmitter at the vehicle
and press the remote start button until the parking
lamps turn off.
Turn on the hazard warning ashers.
Press the Acc. button (ignition switch). SeeIgnition
Positions on page 2-28.
Turn on the valet lockout switch. SeeValet Lockout
Switch on page 2-25.
When you enter the vehicle during a remote start, press
the brake pedal and press the start button on the
keyless ignition switch to transition from remote start
operation to normal vehicle operation.
2-12

If the vehicle does not start and the keyless access
transmitter appears to be undamaged, try another
keyless access transmitter. Or, you may try placing the
transmitter in the transmitter pocket. See “NO FOBS
DETECTED” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-80for additional information. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-117. If the engine still
does not start with the other transmitter, your vehicle
needs service. If the engine does start, the rst
transmitter may be faulty. See your dealer/retailer
who can service the theft-deterrent system and have
a new keyless access transmitter programmed to
the vehicle.
It is possible for the immobilizer system to learn new
or replacement keyless access transmitters. Up to
4 keyless access transmitters can be programmed for
the vehicle. To program additional transmitters, see
“Matching transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle” underKeyless
Access System Operation on page 2-6.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time the new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing
a Trailer (Vehicles With Heavy Duty Cooling) on
page 4-34orTowing a Trailer (Vehicles Without
Heavy Duty Cooling) on page 4-40for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
2-27

Ignition Positions
Your vehicle has an
electronic keyless ignition
with pushbutton start.
To shift out of PARK (P), the vehicle must be running or
in ACCESSORY mode and the regular brake pedal
must be applied.
/(START):Press this button while your foot is on the
brake to start the engine. The shifter must be in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to start the engine and the
keyless access transmitter must be in the vehicle for
the ignition to work.
9/Acc. (OFF/ACCESSORY):When this button is
pressed, the engine will turn off even if the shifter is not
in PARK (P). If the shifter is in PARK (P), the ignition
mode will change to RAP, if all doors are closed.
The ignition mode will change to off, if a front door is
opened. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 2-29for more information. If the shifter is not in
PARK (P), the ignition mode will change to Acc.
SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-36.
When the engine is off, press this button to place the
vehicle in accessory mode. ACCESSORY ACTIVE
will display on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
This mode allows you to use things like the radio and
the windshield wipers while the engine is off. Use
accessory mode if you must have your vehicle in motion
while the engine is off, for example, if your vehicle is
being towed. If the door is open while in accessory
mode, the key in reminder chime will sound
continuously.
If the push-button start is not working, your vehicle
may be near a strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the keyless access system. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-80for more
information.
After being in Acc. for about 20 minutes, the vehicle will
automatically enter RAP or will turn off, depending on
if the doors are opened or closed.
2-28