2010 CADILLAC DTS instrument panel

The person keeps going until stopped by something.In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield...or the instrument panel...
2-15

Airbag System
The vehicle has the following airbags:
•A frontal airbag for the driver.
•A frontal airbag for the right front passenger.
•A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the driver.
•A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the right front
passenger.
The vehicle may also have the following airbags:
•A roof-rail airbag for the driver and the passenger
seated directly behind the driver.
•A roof-rail airbag for the right front passenger and
the passenger seated directly behind the rightfront passenger.
All of the airbags in your vehicle will have the wordAIRBAG embossed in the trim or on an attached labelnear the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on themiddle part of the steering wheel for the driver andon the instrument panel for the right front passenger.
With seat-mounted side impact airbags, the wordAIRBAG will appear on the side of the seatback closestto the door.
With roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG will appearalong the headliner or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement the protectionprovided by safety belts. Even though today’s airbagsare also designed to help reduce the risk of injuryfrom the force of an inflating bag, all airbags must inflatevery quickly to do their job.
2-58

{WARNING:
Children who are up against, or very close to, any
airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer
protection for adults and older children, but not for
young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s
safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed
for them. Young children and infants need the
protection that a child restraint system can provide.
Always secure children properly in your vehicle.
To read how, seeOlder Children on page 2-33or
Infants and Young Children on page 2-37.
There is an airbagreadiness light on theinstrument panel, whichshows the airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system formalfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electricalproblem. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 4-50for more information.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the middle of thesteering wheel.
2-60

The right front passenger frontal airbag is in theinstrument panel on the passenger’s side.The seat-mounted side impact airbags for the driver andright front passenger are in the side of the seatbacksclosest to the door.
Driver Side shown, Passenger Side similar
2-61

What Makes an Airbag Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing system sends anelectrical signal triggering a release of gas fromthe inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the airbag causingthe bag to break out of the cover and deploy. Theinflator, the airbag, and related hardware are all part ofthe airbag module.
Frontal airbag modules are located inside the steeringwheel and instrument panel. For vehicles withseat-mounted side impact airbags, there are airbagmodules in the side of the front seatbacks closest to thedoor. For vehicles with roof-rail airbags, there areairbag modules in the ceiling of the vehicle, near theside windows that have occupant seating positions.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel orthe instrument panel. In moderate to severe sidecollisions, even belted occupants can contact the insideof the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection provided by safetybelts. Frontal airbags distribute the force of theimpact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body,stopping the occupant more gradually. Seat-mountedside impact and roof-rail airbags distribute the forceof the impact more evenly over the occupant’supper body.
But airbags would not help in many types of collisions,primarily because the occupant’s motion is nottoward those airbags. SeeWhen Should an AirbagInflate? on page 2-63for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded as anything morethan a supplement to safety belts.
2-65

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to or changeabout the vehicle that could keep the airbagsfrom working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, height, front end or side
sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or moving any parts
of the front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules, ceiling headliner
or pillar garnish trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors, or airbag wiring can
affect the operation of the airbag system.
In addition, your vehicle has a passenger sensing
system for the right front passenger’s position,
which includes sensors that are part of the
passenger’s seat. The passenger sensing system
may not operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM covers, upholstery or
trim, or with GM covers, upholstery or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any object, such as
an aftermarket seat heater or a comfort enhancing
pad or device, installed under or on top of the
seat fabric, could also interfere with the operation of
the passenger sensing system. This could either
prevent proper deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger sensing system
from properly turning off the passenger airbag(s).
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 2-67.
If you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you modify
your vehicle. The phone numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the
Customer Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on page 8-2.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to getmy vehicle modified. How can I find out whetherthis will affect my airbag system?
A:If you have questions, call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 8-2.
In addition, your dealer/retailer and the service manualhave information about the location of the airbagsensors, sensing and diagnostic module andairbag wiring.
2-73

Trunk
{WARNING:
Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle if it is driven
with the liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with any
objects that pass through the seal between the
body and the trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with the liftgate, or
trunk/hatch open:
•Close all of the windows.
•Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
•Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air and set the fanspeed to the highest setting. See ClimateControl System in the Index.
•If the vehicle is equipped with a power liftgate,
disable the power liftgate function.
For more information about carbon monoxide, seeEngine Exhaust on page 3-34.
Remote Trunk Release
V(Remote Trunk Release):The remote trunk
release button is located to the left of the steering wheelnext to the instrument panel brightness control. Pressthe button to open the trunk. The vehicle must bein P (Park) or N (Neutral) and the valet lockout switchmust be off to use this button.
You can also press the button with the trunk symbol onthe RKE transmitter to open the trunk. To disablethis feature, seeValet Lockout Switch on page 3-18.
The trunk can be accessed using the Rear SeatPass-Through. See “Rear Seat Pass-Through” followingthis section.
3-12

Rear Power Sunshade
If your vehicle has a rear power sunshade, it helps toreduce the amount of heat and light entering therear window.
The switch is located onthe overhead console.
The rear power sunshade is located in the rear shelf. Itonly works while the ignition is on or while theRetained Accessory Power (RAP) is active. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP) on page 3-24.
To raise the power sunshade, press and release theswitch. To close the power sunshade, press and releasethe switch again.
Never store objects on the rear shelf because they mayget caught in the sunshade or be tossed about inyour vehicle.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.This vehicle has theft-deterrent features, however,they do not make it impossible to steal.
Valet Lockout Switch
The valet lockout switchis located inside theglove box.
9(Off):Press this side of the button to turn the
lockout feature off. When the lockout feature is off, youcan open the trunk using either the keyless entrytransmitter or the trunk release button located near theheadlamp switch on the instrument panel.
3-18