2009 CADILLAC DTS instrument panel

ENGINE HOT – A/C
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-60.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor automatically turns off.
When the coolant temperature returns to normal,
the air conditioning compressor turns back on.
You can continue to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the system
repaired by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible
to avoid damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not increase the engine speed above
normal idling speed. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-28for more information.This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle
to idle until it cools down. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on page 3-59.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-30for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
is overheating, severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears on the instrument
panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the vehicle as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-28
for more information.
This message displays when the engine has overheated.
Immediately look for a safe place to pull your vehicle
over and turn the engine off right away to avoid severe
engine damage. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-28
andOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 5-30. A chime also sounds when this message
is displayed.
3-75

NO CRUISE BRAKING GAS PEDAL
APPLIED
This message displays when the Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) is engaged and you are pressing the
accelerator pedal enough to disable ACC automatic
braking. SeeAdaptive Cruise Control on page 3-19
for more information.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the engine
oil pressure is low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure warning appears on
the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Do not drive the vehicle
until the cause of the low oil pressure is corrected.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for more information.
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
oil pressure is low. The oil pressure light also appears
on the instrument panel cluster. SeeOil Pressure
Light on page 3-64.
A multiple chime sounds when this message is
displayed. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for more
information.
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.
PARKING ASSIST OFF
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Front and Rear
Parking Assist (UFRPA) system, after the vehicle is
shifted out of P (Park), this message displays to remind
the driver that the UFRPA system has been turned off.
Press the set/reset button to acknowledge this message
and clear it from the DIC display. To turn the UFRPA
system back on, see “PARKING ASSIST” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-68. SeeUltrasonic
Front and Rear Parking Assist (UFRPA) on page 2-42
for more information.
PASSENGER DOOR OPEN
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays when the passenger side front
door is not closed completely. Make sure that the door is
closed completely.
3-78

SERVICE A/C SYSTEM
This message displays when the air delivery mode door
or 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 BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
This message displays when a problem with the
charging system has been detected. The charging
system light also displays on the instrument panel
cluster. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-56
for more information. Have your vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer.
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 warning light may also be
displayed on the instrument panel cluster. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-56andAntilock BrakeSystem (ABS) Warning Light on page 3-57for more
information. If this happens, 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 is displayed
or appears again when you begin driving, the brake
system needs service. See your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible. SeeBrakes on page 5-33for more
information.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays if the ignition is on to inform the
driver that the brake uid level is low. Have the brake
system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as
possible.
SERVICE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
system, this message may display to indicate that the
LDW system is not working properly. If this message
remains on after continued driving, the system needs
service. See your dealer/retailer. SeeLane Departure
Warning (LDW) on page 2-49for more information.
3-80

SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT
SYSTEM OFF
If your vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system, this message displays when the SBZA system
has been turned off. SeeSide Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) on
page 2-45andDIC Operation and Displays on page 3-68
for more information.
SIDE BLIND ZONE SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE
If your vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system, this message displays when the SBZA system is
disabled because the sensor is blocked and cannot
detect vehicles in your blind zone. The sensor may be
blocked by mud, dirt, snow, ice, or slush. This message
may also display during heavy rain or due to road spray.
It may also come on when driving in isolated areas with
no guardrails, trees, or road signs and light traffic. Your
vehicle does not need service. For cleaning instructions,
seeWashing Your Vehicle on page 5-90. SeeSide Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) on page 2-45for more information.
SPEED LIMIT XXX MPH (km/h)
This message displays when the Speed Alert has been
turned on through the DIC Information Menu and the
vehicle is at or above the speed limit. SeeDIC Operation
and Displays on page 3-68for more information.
SPEED LIMITED TO XXX MPH (km/h)
This message displays when your 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 your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
STABILITRAK NOT READY
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak, this message may
display and the Traction Control System and StabiliTrak
Warning Light on the instrument panel cluster may
be on after rst driving the vehicle and exceeding
19 mph (30 km/h) for 30 seconds. The StabiliTrak
system is not functional until the light has turned off.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6for more
information.
3-83

TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle while the
transmission uid is overheating and the
transmission temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster and/or DIC, you
can damage the transmission. This could lead
to costly repairs that would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or while the
transmission temperature warning is displayed.
This message displays when the transmission uid
in your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow it
to idle until the transmission cools down or until this
message is removed.
TRUNK OPEN
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays when the trunk is not closed
completely. Make sure that the trunk is closed
completely.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays as a reminder to turn off the
turn signal if you drive your vehicle for more than about
1 mile (1.6 km) with a turn signal on. A multiple chime
sounds when this message is displayed.
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD FLUID
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays when your vehicle is low on
windshield washer uid. Rell the windshield washer
uid reservoir as soon as possible. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-32for more information.
3-85

StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle may have the StabiliTrak system which
combines antilock brake, traction and stability control
systems and helps the driver maintain directional control
of the vehicle in most driving conditions. This is
accomplished by selectively applying any one of the
vehicle’s brakes and reducing engine power.
The StabiliTrak system comes on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started. The system cannot be
turned off.
This light will ash when
the system is operating.
The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be
displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC) and the
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak warning
light on the instrument panel cluster comes on after rst
driving the vehicle and exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h)
for 30 seconds. The StabiliTrak system is off until the
light has turned off. This could take up to 15 minutes.The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument
panel cluster will ash when the system is operating.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 3-58andStabiliTrak®Indicator Light on
page 3-58for more information. The system may be
heard or felt while it is working. This is normal.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message is displayed and
the TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrument panel
cluster comes on if there is a problem with the system.
When this light and the SERVICE STABILITRAK
message are on, the system is not working. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that the front wheels are spinning too much or beginning
to lose traction. When this happens, the system works
the front brakes and reduces engine power (by closing
the throttle and managing engine spark) to limit
wheel spin.
4-6

{CAUTION:
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
Clear away snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
Open a window about two inches (5 cm) on
the side of the vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that circulates the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest setting.
See Climate Control System in the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 2-36.
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not know
it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods only as needed to keep
warm, but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as
needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine off
and close the window most of the way to save heat.
Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then when
you run the engine, push the accelerator pedal slightly so
the engine runs faster than the idle speed. This keeps the
battery charged to restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this as little as possible to
save fuel.
4-17

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel ash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps also ash, telling other drivers the
vehicle is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument panel
ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned
out. For this reason you may think other drivers are
seeing the signal when they are not. It is important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than
normal engine and transmission temperatures
may result and damage the vehicle. Frequent stops
are very important to allow the engine and
transmission to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating. If the engine does overheat, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-28.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always park the rig on
a at surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park)
yet. Turn the wheels into the curb if facing downhill
or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
brake pedal until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking
brake and shift the transmission into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
4-33