2009 CADILLAC STS ignition

With Twilight Sentinel the following will happen:
When it is dark enough outside, the front turn signal
lamps (DRL) will go off, and the headlamps and
parking lamps will come on. The other lamps
that come on with headlamps will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps
will go off, and the front turn signal lamps (DRL)
will come on, as long as the exterior lamp switch
is in the off position.
If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system comes on immediately. Once the
vehicle leaves the garage, it will take about one minute
for the automatic headlamp system to change to DRL
if it is light outside. During that delay, the instrument
panel cluster might not be as bright as usual. Make sure
the instrument panel brightness control is in full bright
position. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-40
for more information.
You can idle the vehicle with the lamps off, even when
it is dark outside. First set the parking brake while the
ignition is in OFF/ACCESSORY. Then start the vehicle.
The lamps will stay off until the parking brake is released.Twilight Sentinel also provides exterior illumination as
you leave the vehicle. If Twilight Sentinel has turned on
the lamps when you turn off the ignition, the lamps
will remain on until:
The exterior lamp switch is moved from off to the
parking lamp position.
A delay time that you select has elapsed.
SeeVehicle Personalization on page 2-61to select the
delay time needed. You can also select no delay time.
If the ignition is turned off with the exterior lamp switch
in the parking lamp or headlamp position, the Twilight
Sentinel delay will not occur. The lamps will turn off
as soon as the switch is turned off.
As with any vehicle, the regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
3-39

Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
If the parking lamps or headlamps have been left on,
the exterior lamps will turn off about 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned off. This protects against draining the
battery in case you have accidentally left the headlamps
or parking lamps on. The battery saver does not work
if the headlamps are turned on after the ignition is
turned off.
If you need to leave the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, use the exterior lamp control to turn
the lamps back on.
Instrument Panel Brightness
Press the center knob on
the DIC control panel to
extend. Then turn the knob
clockwise to brighten the
lights or counterclockwise
to dim them. If the knob
is turned completely
clockwise, the interior
lamps turn on.
Base Level Shown,
Uplevel Similar
3-40

Entry Lighting
The entry lighting system turns on the reading and
dome lamps and the backlighting to the exterior lamp
control when a door is opened or if you press the remote
keyless entry transmitter unlock button. If activated by
the transmitter, the lighting will remain active for about
25 seconds. The entry lighting system uses the light
sensor; it must be dark outside in order for the lamps to
turn on. The lamps turn off about 25 seconds after the
last door is closed. They will dim to off if the ignition is
on, or immediately deactivate if the power locks are
activated.
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits dimming of the instrument panel
displays and backlighting during daylight hours when
the key is in the ignition and the headlamps are on.
This feature operates with the light sensor and is fully
automatic. When the light sensor reads darkness outside
and the parking lamps are active, the instrument panel
displays can be adjusted by turning the instrument panel
brightness knob. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 3-40for additional information.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the overhead console.
These lamps come on automatically when any door is
opened.
For manual operation, press the button next to each
lamp to turn it on or off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle’s electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle at a
higher revolutions per minute (rpm) setting than normal to
make sure the battery charges. High electrical loads may
occur when several of the following are on: headlamps,
high beams, fog lamps, rear window defogger, the
climate control fan at high speeds, heated seats and
engine cooling fans.
If the battery continues to discharge, even with the
engine idling at a higher rpm setting, some electrical
loads will automatically be reduced. When this occurs,
the rear window defogger may take slightly longer to clear
the glass and the fan may cut back to a lower speed.
For more battery saving information, see “Battery Saver
Active Message” underDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-79.
3-41

Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery’s temperature and state of charge.
It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and
extended life of the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly bring the charge back up. When
the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly
to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter
gage or a voltage display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up or
down. This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert
will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be spinning
fast enough at idle to produce all the power that is
needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following are on: headlamps, high beams, fog lamps,
rear window defogger, climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer loads, and
loads plugged into accessory power outlets.EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands
of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of
corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as Battery Saver Active or
Service Battery Charging System. If this message is
displayed, it is recommended that the driver reduce the
electrical loads as much as possible. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-79.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect the vehicle’s battery
against drainage from the interior lamps, trunk lamp,
glove box lamp, or the garage door opener. When the
ignition is turned off, the power to these features will
automatically turn off after 10 minutes (three minutes
if a new car has 15 miles (24 km) or less). Power will
be restored for an additional 10 minutes if any door
is opened, the trunk is opened or the courtesy lamp
switch is turned on.
3-42

The Ignition is On and the HUD Image
Cannot Be Seen
Check to see if:
The HUD unit is covered.
The brightness is adjusted properly.
The HUD display is adjusted to the proper height.
Ambient light in the direction the vehicle is facing
is low.
A fuse is blown. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-123.
The windshield is part of the HUD system.
SeeWindshield Replacement on page 5-52.
The following messages may appear in the HUD:
SPEED ALERTWhen the Speed Advisor feature is turned on,
HUD displays either the posted or advisory speed as
determined by the information on the map disc in
the navigation system. To turn the Speed Advisor on or
off, seeDIC Operation and Displays on page 3-72.
The Speed Advisor can be set to show a speed alert
when the vehicle speed exceeds the speed alert limit
as set in the DIC menu. Depending on the level of
the HUD on the vehicle, your HUD may work like either
of the following:
The HUD speedometer will turn red when the
vehicle speed exceeds the speed alert limit.
When the vehicle speed is at or below the alert limit
and above the posted speed or advisory speed,
the speedometer turns yellow. If the Speed
Alert setting in the DIC is set to AT LIMIT, the
speedometer will not turn yellow. When the vehicle
speed is at or below the posted speed or advisory
speed, the speedometer remains green.
The HUD speedometer will turn yellow when the
vehicle speed exceeds the speed alert limit.
When the vehicle speed is at or below the alert
limit, the speedometer remains green.
Posted Speed
Advisory Speed
3-45

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
The defogger only works when the ignition is on or
during remote start, if programmed. See “Personal
Settings Menu” underVehicle Personalization on
page 2-61for additional information.
=(Rear Window Defogger):Press to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. The rear window defogger
stays on for 10 minutes, before turning off.
If the vehicle’s speed is above 30 mph (48 km/h), the
rear defogger stays on continuously. If turned on again,
the defogger only runs for about ve minutes before
turning off. The defogger can also be turned off by
turning off the engine.The heated outside rearview mirrors also heat to help
clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when
the rear window defogger is on. SeeOutside Heated
Mirrors on page 2-41.
Notice:Do not use a razor blade or sharp object to
clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere anything
to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass. These
actions may damage the rear defogger. Repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
{(Ventilated Seat):If the vehicle has this feature,
press to turn the driver or passenger side ventilated seat
on. SeeHeated and Ventilated Seats on page 1-3.
J(Heated Seat):If the vehicle has this feature, press
to turn the driver or passenger side heated seat and
seatback on. SeeHeated and Ventilated Seats on
page 1-3.
3-51

{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument panel
cluster ever comes on and stays on, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag system.
If this ever happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person sitting in
the right front passenger’s seat may not have the
protection of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 3-58for more on this, including
important safety information.
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 3-79for 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.
3-61

Brake System Warning Light
The 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.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
This light comes on briey when the engine is turned
on. 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
also comes on when the parking brake is set. The light
will stay on if the parking brake does not release fully. If it
stays on after the parking brake is fully released, it means
there is a brake problem.
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. It may take longer
to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed
for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
{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
3-62