2009 CADILLAC CTS warning light

Charging System Light
This light comes on briey
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it
stays on, or comes on while driving, there could be a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
message in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-58
for more information. This light could indicate that
there are problems with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. If the vehicle must be driven a short distance with
the light on, turn off accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Up-Shift Light
The vehicle may have an
up-shift light, it shows
when to shift to the next
higher gear for best
fuel economy.
SeeManual Transmission Operation on page 2-40
for more information.
For the CTS-V, the tracer lights function as a
performance up-shift light.
These tracers ash to indicate when to shift to the
next higher gear to avoid the engine speed limit.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-36
orManual Transmission Operation on page 2-40
for more information.
3-38

Brake System Warning Light
This vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking both
parts need to be working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when the ignition is
turned to ON/RUN. If it does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn if there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when the parking brake is set.
The light will ash or stay on if the parking brake is not
fully released.If the light stays on after the parking brake is fully
released there is a base brake problem.
For vehicles with the Electric Park Brake (EPB), if the
light continues ashing after the brake is released,
or while driving, there is a problem with the Electric
Parking Brake system.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal may be harder to push, or
the pedal may go closer to the oor. The vehicle may
take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-26.
{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service. United States
Canada
3-39

For vehicles with the Electric Park Brake (EPB), this
light should come on briey when ignition is turned
to ON/RUN. If it does not come on then, have it xed so
it will be ready to warn if there is a problem.
If this light comes on there is a problem with a system
on the vehicle that is causing the park brake system
to work at a reduced level. The vehicle can still be
driven, but should be taken to a dealer/retailer as soon
as possible.
SeeElectric Parking Brake on page 2-44for more
information.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also on,
the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-39.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-58for all
brake related DIC messages.
3-40

StabiliTrak®/Traction Control
System (TCS) Warning Light
The Traction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
warning light should
come on briey when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on or stays on while driving, there
may be a problem with the TCS/StabiliTrak and the
vehicle may need service. When this warning light is on,
the system does not limit wheel spin. Adjust driving
accordingly.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on while driving, the
vehicle may have a problem with the cooling system.
Stop the vehicle and turn off the engine as soon
as possible to avoid damage to the engine. A warning
chime sounds when this light is on.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-37for more
information.
3-41

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the engine coolant overheats the engine coolant
temperature warning light will come on. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-37andEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on page 3-41for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a tire
pressure light, this light
comes on briey when the
engine is started and
provides information about
tire pressures and the
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires is signicantly
underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information Center
(DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-58for more information. Stop and
check the tires as soon as it is safe to do so. If a tire is
underinated, inate to the proper pressure. SeeTires on
page 5-61for more information.
When the Light Flashes First and Then is
On Steady
This indicates that there could be a problem with the
Tire Pressure Monitor System. The light ashes for
about a minute and stays on steady for the remainder
of the ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with
every ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 5-71for more information. United States
Canada
3-42

Engine Oil Pressure Gage
For vehicles with an engine oil pressure gage. It shows
the engine oil pressure in psi (pounds per square inch)
when the engine is running. Canadian vehicles indicate
pressure in kPa (kilopascals).
Oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but if readings are outside
the normal operating range, the oil pressure light will
come on. SeeOil Pressure Light on page 3-46for more
information.A reading outside the normal operating range may be
caused by a dangerously low oil level or some other
problem causing low oil pressure. Oil should be
checked as soon as possible. See Oil pressure Low
Stop Engine underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-58andEngine Oil on page 5-18.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
The engine can become so hot that it catches re.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance can
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil. United States
Canada
3-47

Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps
are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-8
for more information.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage shows
approximately how much
fuel is in the fuel tank.
It works only when
the ignition is in the
ON/RUN position.
An arrow on the fuel gage indicates the side of the
vehicle the fuel door is on.If the fuel supply gets low, the Fuel Level Low message
will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
and a single chime will sound. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-58for more information.
Here are a few concerns some owners have had about
the fuel gage. All of these situations are normal and
do not indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage:
At the gas station the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
The gage may change when you turn, stop quickly
or accelerate quickly.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll the tank than
the gage indicated. For example, the gage may
have indicated that the tank was half full, but
it actually took a little more or less than half the
tank’s capacity to ll the tank.
3-49

Boost Gage
For the CTS-V, this gage is located in the instrument
panel cluster.
This gage indicates positive manifold pressure which is
the induction air pressure level in the intake manifold
before it enters the combustion chamber. This gage
reads zero under light throttle before boost is generated.
This gage automatically resets to zero every time the
engine is started.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) gives you the
status of many of your vehicle’s systems. The DIC is
also used to display warning/status messages. All
messages appear in the DIC display located at the
bottom of the instrument panel cluster. The DIC buttons
are located on the instrument panel, next to the
steering wheel.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC displays the information that was last
displayed before the engine was turned off.
The top line of the DIC display shows the DIC
information. The bottom line of the DIC display shows
the compass. The compass displays in the trip/fuel
menus and in some vehicle information menus.
If a problem is detected, a warning message appears
on the display. Take any message that appears on
the display seriously and remember that clearing
the message only makes the message disappear,
and does not correct the problem. United States
Canada
3-50