2009 CADILLAC CTS ignition

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
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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

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

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.
This light should come on
when the ignition is on, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working.
If it does not come on, have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer.
If the check engine light comes on and stays on, while
the engine is running, this indicates that there is an
OBD II problem and service is required.Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. Being aware of the light
can prevent more serious damage to the vehicle.
This system assists the service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is continually driven with
this light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, the 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 the vehicle warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of the
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty.
This could also result in a failure to pass a
required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and Modifications on page 5-3.
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If none of the above have made the light turn off, your
dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. The dealer/retailer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to
x any mechanical or electrical problems that might have
developed.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
might begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on the vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection
could prevent getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things to know to help the vehicle pass
an inspection:
The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on with the engine running, or if the
key is in the ON/RUN and the light is not on.
For vehicles with a Keyless Access ignition,
make sure the transmitter is in the passenger
compartment. SeeIgnition Positions (Key Access)
on page 2-31orIgnition Positions (Keyless Access)
on page 2-32.
The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD II
(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 the battery has recently been replaced or if the
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control
systems during normal driving. This can take several
days of routine driving. If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the inspection for lack of
OBD II system readiness, your dealer/retailer can
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
3-45

Oil Pressure Light
For vehicles with an oil
pressure light, if there
is a problem with the oil,
the light may stay on
after the engine is started,
or comes on while
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 the
vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
The oil light could also come on in the following
situations:
The light comes 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 the
vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, a
chime sounds and the light may blink on and off.
This is normal.
{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.
3-46

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
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