2009 CADILLAC STS warning

COMPETITIVE DRIVING (STS-V Only)
This message displays when the competitive driving
mode is turned on with the TC (traction control) button.
The TC (traction control) light comes on when the
competitive driving mode is on. The Traction Control
System (TCS) will not operate while in competitive
driving mode. Adjust your driving accordingly. See
Competitive Driving Mode on page 4-11for more
information.
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays when the driver door is not
closed completely. Make sure that the door is closed
completely.
ENGINE COOLANT HOT 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 5-34for more information.
This symbol appears with
this message.
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 3-64.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode on
page 5-36for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
3-83

LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM
UNAVAILABLE
If your vehicle has the Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
system, this message may display if the LDW system
does not activate due to a temporary condition. See the
Index in the Navigation manual for more information.
LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays when the driver side rear door
is not closed completely. Make sure that the door
is closed completely.
NO FOBS DETECTED
This message displays if the vehicle does not detect the
presence of a keyless access transmitter when you have
attempted to start the vehicle or a vehicle door has just
closed. The following conditions may cause this message
to appear:
Driver-added equipment plugged into the accessory
power outlet on the center console is causing
interference. Examples of these devices are cell
phones and cell phone chargers, two-way radios,
power inverters, or similar items. Try moving the
keyless access transmitter away from these devices
when starting the vehicle. In addition, PDA devices
and remote garage and gate openers may also
generate Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) that
may interfere with the keyless access transmitter.
Do not carry the keyless access transmitter in the
same pocket or bag as these devices.
The vehicle is experiencing Electromagnetic
Interference (EMI). Some locations, such as airports,
automatic toll booths, and some gas stations, have
EMI elds which may interfere with the keyless
access transmitter.
3-86

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 5-18for more information.
This message displays when the vehicle’s engine
oil pressure is low.
A multiple chime sounds when this message is
displayed. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18for 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.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR
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.
PRESS START AND BRAKE TO START
ENGINE
This message displays when you need to press down
on the brake pedal while pressing the start button on
the electronic keyless ignition when trying to start
your vehicle. SeeStarting the Engine on page 2-27
for more information.
3-88

RADAR CRUISE NOT READY
This message displays when the Adaptive Cruise
Control system is not activating due to a temporary
condition. Your vehicle does not require service.
This message also displays when either of the
following conditions occur:
The driver turns off the head-up display (HUD)
while the Adaptive Cruise Control is engaged.
The driver attempts to engage the Adaptive Cruise
Control while the HUD is off.
If this message appears when attempting to activate the
system, continue driving for several minutes and then
try activating the system again.
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays when the passenger side rear
door is not closed completely. Make sure that the door is
closed completely.
SERVICE AC (Air Conditioning)
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 a drop in heating
and air conditioning efficiency is noticeable.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 3-58for more information.
SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST
This message displays when a problem with the panic
brake assist system has been detected. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
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. See the Index in the
Navigation manual for more information.
3-89

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

THEFT ATTEMPTED
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays if the theft-deterrent system
has detected a break-in attempt while you were away
from your vehicle.
TRACTION ACTIVE
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery
road conditions may exist if this message is displayed,
so adjust your driving accordingly. The message stays on
for a few seconds after the TCS stops limiting wheel spin.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10for more
information.
TRANS (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.
3-95

For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and
then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver
or passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance of
being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the
person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your
vehicle while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator.
At times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose control of your vehicle.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-10
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 4-6orEnhanced
StabiliTrak®on page 4-6.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-62.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to bring
up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or
gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, or
icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight of
the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.
4-3

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool between
hard stops. The brakes will wear out much faster if you do
a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic
and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a
lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do, the
pedal could get harder to push down. If the engine stops,
you will still have some power brake assist. But you will
use it when you brake. Once the power assist is used up,
it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be
harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test is going on, and
you might even notice that the brake pedal moves
a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light will
stay on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on
page 3-63.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.
4-4