2009 CADILLAC STS charging

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

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

{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

SPEED LIMIT: XXX MPH (SPEED LIMIT:
XXX Km/h) or ADVISORY: XXX MPH
(ADVISORY: XXX Km/h)
(On Vehicles without HUD)
This display will show the speed limit or the advised
speed as determined by the information on the map
disc in the navigation system. If there is no map disc in
the navigation system, this display will not be available.
The speed limit and speed advisory displays on the
DIC and the HUD, if equipped, are for reference only.
There may be segments of road where speed data
has not been captured or times where incorrect speed
data, or no speed data, will be displayed by the DIC and
the HUD due to the navigation system not correctly
matching the vehicle’s position to the actual road.
Be aware of this and obey posted speed limits
wherever you drive.
SPEED ALERT
This display will allow you to customize the speed alert
warning. You can choose to have no warning display,
or to have it display at the limit, at 5 mph (km/h) over
the limit, or at 10 mph (km/h) over the limit. The DIC
will toggle between OFF, AT LIMIT, +5, +10 (MPH
or Km/h). Press the reset button to make your selection.
TIMER OFF
This display can be used like a stopwatch. You can
record the time it takes to travel from one point to
another. To access the timer, press the information
button until 00:00:00 TIMER OFF displays. To turn on
the timer, press the reset button until TIMER ON displays.
The timer will then start. To turn off the timer, press the
reset button again until TIMER OFF displays. The timer
will stop and display the end timing value. To reset the
timer, press and hold the reset button after the timer has
been stopped. The display will return to zero.
BATTERY VOLTS
This display shows the current battery voltage. If the
voltage is in the normal range, the value will display.
For example, the display may read 13.2 BATTERY
VOLTS. If the voltage is low, the display will have LOW
after it. If the voltage is high, the display will have HIGH
after it. Your vehicle’s charging system regulates voltage
based on the state of the battery. The battery voltage
may uctuate when viewing this information on the DIC.
This is normal. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-61
for more information.
If there is a problem with the battery charging system,
the DIC may display a message. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-79andElectric Power
Management on page 3-42for more information.
3-76

BATTERY NOT CHARGING SERVICE
CHARGING SYS (System)
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays when a problem with the
charging system has been detected. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the system detects that the
battery voltage is dropping beyond a reasonable level.
The battery saver system starts reducing certain features
of the vehicle that may be noticeable. At the point that
the features are disabled, this message is displayed.
It means that the vehicle is trying to save the charge
in the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories to allow the battery
to recharge.
The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
To monitor battery voltage on the DIC, press the
information button until BATTERY VOLTS displays.
BATTERY VOLTAGE HIGH
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays when the electrical charging
system is overcharging the battery. When the system
detects that the battery voltage is above an estimated
16 volts, this message displays.
To reduce the charging overload, use the vehicle’s
accessories:
Turn on the exterior lamps and radio.
Set the climate control on AUTO and the fan speed
on the highest setting.
Turn the rear window defogger on.
The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts
when the engine is running. To monitor battery voltage
on the DIC, press the information button until
BATTERY VOLTS displays.
3-80

BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays when the electrical system is
charging less than 10 volts or the battery has been
drained.
If this message appears immediately after starting the
engine, it is possible that the generator can still recharge
the battery. The battery should recharge while driving,
but may take a few hours to do so. Consider using
an auxiliary charger to boost the battery after returning
home or to a nal destination. Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions.If this message appears while driving or after starting
your vehicle and stays on, have it checked immediately
to determine the cause of this problem.
To help the generator recharge the battery quickly,
reduce the load on the electrical system by turning off
the accessories.
The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
To monitor battery voltage on the DIC, press the
information button until BATTERY VOLTS displays.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the engine oil needs to be
changed. See your dealer/retailer. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-18andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for
more information.
After resetting the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, reset the engine
oil life system separately. For more information on
resetting the engine oil life system, seeEngine Oil Life
System on page 5-21.
3-81

Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static can occur during
normal radio reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and external
electronic devices are plugged into the accessory power
outlet. If there is interference or static, unplug the item
from the accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range can cause station
frequencies to interfere with each other. For better radio
reception, most AM radio stations boost the power levels
during the day, and then reduce these levels during the
night. Static can also occur when things like storms and
power lines interfere with radio reception. When this
happens, try reducing the treble on the radio.
FM Stereo
FM signals only reach about 10 to 40 miles
(16 to 65 km). Although the radio has a built-in electronic
circuit that automatically works to reduce interference,
some static can occur, especially around tall buildings
or hills, causing the sound to fade in and out.
XM Satellite Radio Service
XM Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio reception
from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous United States,
and in Canada. Just as with FM, tall buildings or hills can
interfere with satellite radio signals, causing the sound to
fade in and out. In addition, traveling or standing under
heavy foliage, bridges, garages, or tunnels may cause
loss of the XM signal for a period of time.
Cellular Phone Usage
Cellular phone usage may cause interference with the
vehicle’s radio. This interference may occur when making
or receiving phone calls, charging the phone’s battery,
or simply having the phone on. This interference causes
an increased level of static while listening to the radio.
If static is received while listening to the radio, unplug
the cellular phone and turn it off.
3-133

Audio System (cont.)
Radio Reception........................................3-133
Setting the Clock.........................................3-98
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-130
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-134
Audio System(s).............................................3-98
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-25
Operation...................................................2-30
B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-134
Battery..........................................................5-42
Electric Power Management..........................3-42
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-40
Inadvertent Power Saver..............................3-42
Load Management.......................................3-41
Bluetooth
®....................................................3-116
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brakes..........................................................5-39
System Warning Light..................................3-62
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-25Bulb Replacement...........................................5-51
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-50
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting...........5-51
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-52
Buying New Tires...........................................5-74
C
Calibration...............................................1-6, 2-38
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements............................................... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners............................................... iii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-124
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-15, 2-36, 4-21
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-108
CD, MP3 .....................................................3-111
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-60
Chains, Tire...................................................5-81
Charging System Light....................................3-61
Check
Engine Lamp..............................................3-66
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
2