2009 CADILLAC CTS brake

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on
all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make either the reduced intensity
low-beam headlamps or dedicated DRL’s come on
when the following conditions are met:
It is still daylight and the ignition is in ON/RUN
or START.
The exterior lamp control is in off or AUTO and the
headlamps are off.
The automatic transmission is not in P (Park).
When DRL’s are on, only the reduced intensity
low-beam headlamps or dedicated DRL’s will be on.
The other exterior lamps and the instrument panel
cluster will not be on.When the exterior lamp control is in AUTO and it is dark
enough outside, the DRL turns off and the low-beam
headlamps will turn on. When it is bright enough outside,
the low-beam headlamps will go off, and the DRL will
turn back on. If the vehicle is started in a dark garage,
the automatic headlamp system comes on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage, it takes about
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
the instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness
lever is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-20.
Turning the exterior lamp control to off or to the
low-beam headlamp position will turn off the DRL.
If the parking lamps or the fog lamps were turned on
instead, the DRL will still turn off.
This will work regardless of gear position and whether
or not the parking brake is set.
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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.
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Stop the vehicle immediately, as engine damage can
result from driving a vehicle with low oil pressure.
Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible when this message is displayed.
Park Brake Released
For vehicles with the Electric Parking Brake, this
message displays when the parking brake has been
released from the set position. SeeElectric Parking
Brake on page 2-44for more information.
Park Brake Set
For vehicles with the Electric Parking Brake, this
message displays when the parking brake has been
applied to the set position. SeeElectric Parking Brake
on page 2-44for more information.
Parking Assist Off
If the vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) system, after the vehicle has been started, this
message displays to remind the driver that the URPA
system has been turned off. Press the set/reset button to
acknowledge this message and clear it from the DIC
display. To turn the URPA system back on, see “Parking
Assist” underDIC Operation and Displays on page 3-51.
SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 2-54for more information.
Passenger Door Open
This message displays when the passenger side front
door is not closed completely. Make sure that the door
is closed completely.
Press Brake Pedal to Release Park
Brake
For vehicles with the Electric Parking Brake, this
message displays if you try to release the park
brake system without rst pressing the brake pedal.
SeeElectric Parking Brake on page 2-44for more
information.
Press Brake To Start Engine
(Automatic Transmission Only)
If the vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays if you try to start the engine without
having the brake pressed. The brake needs to be
pressed when starting the engine. SeeIgnition Positions
(Key Access) on page 2-31orIgnition Positions
(Keyless Access) on page 2-32for more information.
Press Start Control To Learn Keys
If the vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays when matching new transmitters to
the vehicle. SeeKeyless Access System Operation
on page 2-8for more information.
3-65

Rainsense Wipers Active
If the vehicle has this feature, this message displays
while the Rainsense™ wipers are active. See
Rainsense™ Wipers on page 3-10for more information.
Ready To Learn Electronic Key # X
If the vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays while matching new transmitters to
the vehicle. SeeKeyless Access System Operation
on page 2-8for more information.
Release Park Brake Switch
For vehicles with the Electric Parking Brake, this
message displays if the Park Brake switch is pulled
while the vehicle is moving. SeeElectric Parking Brake
on page 2-44for more information.
Remote Key Learning Active
If the vehicle has the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system, this message displays while matching
new transmitters to the vehicle. See “Matching
Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle” underRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2-6and
DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-51for more
information.
Replace Battery In Remote Key
This message displays when the battery in the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) or keyless access transmitter
needs to be replaced. To replace the battery, see
“Battery Replacement” underRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on page 2-6orKeyless Access
System Operation on page 2-8.
Right Rear Door Open
This message displays when the passenger side rear
door is not closed completely. Make sure that the door is
closed completely.
Rotate Control To Off Position
If the vehicle has the keyless access system,
this message displays when the ignition is in
ACC/ACCESSORY and the shift lever has just been
moved to P (Park). The message displays as a reminder
to turn the ignition off. To avoid draining the battery,
make sure the ignition is turned off before leaving
the vehicle.
Service Air Bag
This message displays when there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-36for more information.
3-66

Service A/C System
This message displays when the electronic sensors that
control the air conditioning and heating systems are
no longer working. Have the climate control system
serviced by your dealer/retailer if you notice a drop in
heating and air conditioning efficiency.
Service All Wheel Drive
This message displays if a problem occurs with the
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. The vehicle will run in
2WD. This could be caused by:
An electronics problem
An AWD system oil overheat
Worn out or overheated clutch plates
Various electrical issues
If this message appears, stop as soon as possible
and turn off the ignition for 30 seconds. Restart
the vehicle and check for the message on the DIC
display. If the message is still displayed or appears
again when you begin driving, the system needs service.
See your dealer/retailer right away.
Service Battery Charging System
This message displays when there is a problem with the
generator and battery charging systems. Driving with this
problem could drain the battery. Turn off all unnecessary
accessories. Stop and turn off the vehicle as soon as it is
safe to do so. Have the electrical system checked by your
dealer/retailer. Under certain conditions, the charging
system light may also turn on in the instrument panel
cluster. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-38for
more information.
Service Brake Assist
This message displays if there is a problem with the
brake system. The brake system warning light and the
antilock brake system (ABS) warning light may also
display on the instrument panel cluster. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-39andAntilock Brake
System (ABS) Warning Light on page 3-40for more
information. Stop as soon as possible and turn off the
vehicle. Restart the vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message displays immediately
or again after you begin driving, the brake system
needs service. See your dealer/retailer as soon as
possible. SeeBrakes on page 5-42for more information.
3-67

Service Brake System
This message displays, while the ignition is on, when
the brake uid level is low. The brake system warning
light on the instrument panel cluster also comes on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-39for more
information. Have the brake system serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
Service Keyless Start System
If the vehicle has the keyless access system, this
message displays when there is a problem with this
feature. See your dealer/retailer.
Service Park Brake
For vehicles with the Electric Parking Brake, this
message displays if a problem is detected with the
electric parking brake system. See your dealer/retailer
for service.
Service Parking Assist
If the vehicle has the Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) system, this message displays if there is
a problem with the URPA system. SeeUltrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-54for more
information. See your dealer/retailer for service.
Service Power Steering
This message displays if a problem is detected with
the speed variable assist steering system. When
this message is displayed, you may notice that the
effort required to steer the vehicle increases or feels
heavier, but you will still be able to steer the vehicle.
SeeSteering on page 4-9.
Service Stabilitrak
This message displays if there has been a
problem detected with the StabiliTrak®system.
The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument
panel cluster also comes on.
If this message comes on while you are driving, pull
off the road as soon as possible and stop carefully.
Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off then
back on. If this message still stays on or comes back
on again while you are driving, the vehicle needs
service. Have the StabiliTrak system inspected by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible. SeeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-6for more information.
Service Suspension System
This message displays when there is a problem with the
Magnetic Ride Control system. SeeMagnetic Ride
Control™ on page 4-8for more information. Have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
3-68

Speed Limited To XXX MPH (km/h)
This message displays when the vehicle speed is limited
to 80 mph (128 km/h) because the vehicle detects a
problem in the speed variable assist steering, magnetic
ride control, or automatic leveling control systems.
Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
Sport Mode
This message displays when the vehicle is in sport
mode. See “Driver Shift Control (DSC)” underAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-36for more
information.
Stabilitrak Competitive Mode
This message displays when the Competitive Driving
mode is selected. When in this mode, the Traction
Control System (TCS) will not be operating and
the TCS/StabiliTrak warning light will turn on. Adjust
your driving accordingly. See “Competitive Driving
Mode” underTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-6for more information.
Stabilitrak Not Ready
This message may display after rst driving the vehicle
and exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h) for 30 seconds.
The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument
panel cluster also comes on. The StabiliTrak system is
not functional until the message has turned off. See
StabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6for more information.
Stabilitrak Off
This message displays when you turn off StabiliTrak,
or when the stability control has been automatically
disabled. The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on
the instrument panel cluster also comes on.
To realize the full benets of the stability enhancement
system, you should normally leave StabiliTrak on.
To turn the StabiliTrak system on or off, seeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-6.
There are several conditions that can cause this message
to appear.
One condition is overheating, which could occur if
StabiliTrak activates continuously for an extended
period of time.
The message also displays if the brake system
warning light is on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-39.
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