2009 CADILLAC STS power steering

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column.........................................3-6
Heated Steering Wheel...................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-9
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System................3-9
Flash-to-Pass...............................................3-13
Windshield Wipers........................................3-13
Rainsense™ II Wipers...................................3-14
Windshield Washer.......................................3-15
Headlamp Washer........................................3-16
Cruise Control..............................................3-16
Adaptive Cruise Control.................................3-20
Headlamps..................................................3-32
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-36
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-36
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-36
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-38
Twilight Sentinel
®..........................................3-38
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver........................3-40Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-40
Entry Lighting...............................................3-41
Parade Dimming...........................................3-41
Reading Lamps............................................3-41
Battery Load Management.............................3-41
Electric Power Management...........................3-42
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.....................3-42
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-43
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-46
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-47
Climate Controls............................................3-48
Dual Climate Control System..........................3-48
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-52
Rear Climate Control System.........................3-53
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-54
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-55
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-56
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-57
Tachometer.................................................3-57
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-57
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-58
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-59
Charging System Light..................................3-61
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-62
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-52.
B.Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-40.
DIC Operation and Displays on page 3-72.
Head-Up Display (HUD) on page 3-43(If Equipped).
C.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
Headlamps on page 3-32.Cruise Control on
page 3-16.Adaptive Cruise Control on page 3-20
(If Equipped).Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
on page 3-9(If Equipped).
D.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-56.
E.Windshield Wipers on page 3-13.
F.Audio System(s) on page 3-97.Navigation/Radio
System on page 3-116(If Equipped).
G.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-131
(If Equipped).Adaptive Cruise Control on page 3-20
(If Equipped).Heated Steering Wheel on page 3-7
(If Equipped).H.Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic Steering Column
on page 3-6.
I.Horn on page 3-6.
J.Ignition Positions on page 2-26.
K.Dual Climate Control System on page 3-48.
L.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
M.Cupholders on page 2-60.
N.Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10.
O. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-30.
P.Glove Box on page 2-60.
3-5

Hazard Warning Flashers
|(Hazard Warning Flasher):Press this button
located on the console, near the shift lever, to make the
front and rear turn signal lamps ash on and off. This
warns others that you are having trouble. Press again to
turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, the turn
signals do not work.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on the steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Power Tilt Wheel and Telescopic
Steering Column
The power tilt and telescope wheel control is located on
the left side of the steering column.
Push the control up or down to tilt the steering wheel up
or down.
3-6

SERVICE STEERING SYS (System)
Your vehicle has a speed variable assist steering
system. Your All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle may have
the Active Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak option.
See “Active Steering” underSteering on page 4-12.
This message displays if a problem is detected with
the speed variable assist steering system or the Active
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 4-12for more
information. Have the steering system inspected by
your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
If the SERVICE STEERING SYS message appears
because the Active Steering system needs service,
normal power steering is still operational. However,
compared to Active Steering, normal power steering
requires a larger degree of steering wheel input at
low vehicle speeds and a smaller degree of steering
wheel input at high vehicle speeds. The center position
of the steering wheel may be different. You may
continue to drive your vehicle with normal power
steering, but have the steering system inspected
by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
If the Active Steering system needs service, the system
may be operating in the Stability Secure Mode and
the STABILITY SECURE MODE message will display.
SeeEnhanced StabiliTrak
®on page 4-6.When certain steering faults are present, the vehicle
speed may be limited. If vehicle speed is limited,
the SPEED LIMITED TO XXX message will display.
See “Active Steering” underSteering on page 4-12.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS (System)
This message displays when the suspension system
is not operating properly. Have your vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.
If your All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle has the Active
Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak option and the
suspension system needs service, the Enhanced
StabiliTrak system may be operating in the Stability
Secure Mode and the STABILITY SECURE MODE
message will display. SeeEnhanced StabiliTrak
®
on page 4-6.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
This message displays if a part on the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) is not working properly. The tire
pressure light also ashes and then remains on during
the same ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Light on
page 3-65. Several conditions may cause this message
to appear. SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation on
page 5-68for more information. If the warning comes on
and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPMS.
See your dealer/retailer.
3-91

ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you will not have time to apply the brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time.
In many emergencies, steering can help more than even
the very best braking.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist feature designed to
assist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speed
in emergency driving conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake control module to
supplement the power brake system under conditions
where the driver has quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slow down
the vehicle. The stability system hydraulic brake control
module increases brake pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates. Minor brake pedal
pulsations or pedal movement during this time is normal
and the driver should continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates The Brake Assist feature
will automatically disengage when the brake pedal is
released or brake pedal pressure is quickly decreased.
4-5

To turn the system off,
press the TCS/StabiliTrak
button located near the
shift lever.
For AWD vehicles with the Active Steering with
Enhanced StabiliTrak option, the TCS/StabiliTrak
button is used to turn traction control on and off and to
select between three stability control modes: Touring,
Competitive and Off. SeeEnhanced StabiliTrak
®
on page 4-6for instructions on selecting the proper
stability control mode.
Press and release the TCS/StabiliTrak button and TCS
will turn off and the Traction Control System Warning
Light will come on. Press the button again to turn
the system back on.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect the vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3for more information.
Competitive Driving Mode
The STS-V driver can select this optional handling mode
by pressing the Traction Control button, located near the
shift lever, quickly two times. STABILITY COMPETITIVE
MODE is displayed on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) when the system is working. Competitive driving
mode allows the driver to have control of the power
applied to the rear wheels, while the StabiliTrak
®system
helps steer the vehicle by selective brake application.
In competitive mode, the levels at which StabiliTrak is
engaged have been modied to better suit a performance
driving environment. When the traction control warning
light is on, the Traction Control System will not be
operating. Adjust your driving accordingly.
When the Traction Control button is pressed again,
the Traction Control System will be on. The traction
engaged symbol will be displayed briey in the DIC.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-79
for more information.
4-11

Magnetic Ride Control™
Vehicles with this feature automatically adjust the ride
of the vehicle based on driving conditions. Magnetic Ride
Control monitors the suspension system to determine
the proper system response. If the controller detects a
problem within the system, the DIC will display a
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS message. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-79for more
information. See your dealer/retailer for service.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear axle can give more
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like
a standard axle most of the time, but when traction
is low, this feature allows the drive wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
With this feature, engine power is sent to all four wheels
at all times. This is like four-wheel drive, but there is
no separate lever or switch to engage or disengage the
front axle. It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as
needed for road conditions.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Speed Variable Assist Steering
Your vehicle has a steering system that continuously
adjusts the effort you feel when steering at all vehicle
speeds. It provides ease when parking, yet a rm, solid
feel at highway speeds.
Active Steering
All-wheel-drive vehicles with the Active Steering with
Enhanced StabiliTrak®option have an electronically
controlled active steering system. The active steering
system uses the steering actuator to automatically adjust
the front road wheel turning angle based on vehicle
speed and how much you turn the steering wheel.
This system reduces steering effort at low speeds,
improves steering feel at moderate speeds, and
reduces steering sensitivity at higher speeds.
4-12

During some operating conditions, the active steering
might deactivate to protect the system from damage. You
might notice that the center position of the steering wheel
is changed. Unless there is a SERVICE STEERING SYS
message, the system will return to normal operation as
soon as the condition ceases, usually within a very short
period of time.
At low speeds, the active steering system requires less
movement of the steering wheel to change vehicle
direction than the normal power steering system.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
When certain steering faults are present, the active
steering deactivates and vehicle speed might be limited.
The SERVICE STEERING SYS and SPEED LIMITED
TO XXX messages will be displayed. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-79. The normal power steering
system is still operational. You might notice that the
center position of the steering wheel is changed and that
more steering effort at low speeds and less steering effort
at high speeds is required. You can continue to drive your
vehicle with normal power steering but you should have
your dealer/retailer inspect the steering system as soon
as possible in order to have the problem corrected and
the steering wheel position centered.
When stability control activates, the system
automatically adjusts the front road wheel steering
angle, modies the suspension stiffness, and selectivelyapplies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle’s
brakes to help maintain directional control of the vehicle.
Adjustments to the steering will not be felt in the
steering wheel. SeeEnhanced StabiliTrak
®on page 4-6.
It is recommended that the battery not be disconnected
when the steering wheel is turned from the center
position. If this occurs, the center position of the steering
wheel could be temporarily changed a small amount.
You can continue to operate your vehicle and, after
a short time, the center position of the steering wheel
will return to normal.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and your speed. While in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
If you need to reduce speed, do it before you enter the
curve, while the front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait
to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-13