2010 CADILLAC DTS warning light

SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays if the ignition is on to inform thedriver that the brake fluid level is low. Have the brakesystem serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon aspossible.
SERVICE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Lane Departure Warning(LDW) system, this message may display to indicatethat the LDW system is not working properly. Ifthis message remains on after continued driving, thesystem needs service. See your dealer/retailer.SeeLane Departure Warning (LDW) on page 3-46formore information.
SERVICE PARKING ASSIST
If your vehicle has the Ultrasonic Front and RearParking Assist (UFRPA) system, this message displaysif there is a problem with the UFRPA system. Do notuse this system to help you park. SeeUltrasonic Frontand Rear Parking Assist (UFRPA) on page 3-40formore information. See your dealer/retailer for service.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
Your vehicle may have a speed variable assist steeringsystem. SeeSteering on page 5-8.
This message displays if a problem is detected with thespeed variable assist steering system. When thismessage is displayed, you may notice that the effortrequired to steer the vehicle decreases or feels lighter,but you will still be able to steer the vehicle.
SERVICE RADAR CRUISE
This message displays when the Adaptive CruiseControl (ACC) system and the Forward Collision Alert(FCA) system are disabled and need service. Seeyour dealer/retailer.
SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT
SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)system and this message displays, both SBZA displayswill remain on indicating there is a problem with theSBZA system. If these displays remain on aftercontinued driving, the system needs service. See yourdealer/retailer. SeeSide Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)on page 3-43for more information.
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SERVICE STABILITRAK
Your vehicle may have a vehicle stability enhancementsystem called StabiliTrak®. SeeStabiliTrak®Systemon page 5-5.
This message displays if there has been a problemdetected with the StabiliTrak system.
If this message comes on while you are driving, pull offthe road as soon as possible and stop carefully. Tryresetting the system by turning the ignition off then backon. If this message still stays on or comes back onagain while you are driving, your vehicle needs service.Have the StabiliTrak system inspected by yourdealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS (System)
This message displays when the magnetic ridecontrol or automatic leveling control system is notoperating properly. Have your vehicle serviced by yourdealer/retailer.
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem withthe theft-deterrent system programmed in the key.A fault has been detected in the system which meansthat the system is disabled and it is not protectingthe vehicle. The vehicle usually restarts; however, youmay want to take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer
before turning off the engine. SeePASS-Key®III+Electronic Immobilizer Operation on page 3-21for moreinformation.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor System(TPMS), this message displays if a part on the TPMS isnot working properly. The tire pressure light alsoflashes and then remains on during the same ignitioncycle. SeeTire Pressure Light on page 4-56. Severalconditions may cause this message to appear. SeeTirePressure Monitor Operation on page 6-58for moreinformation. If the warning comes on and stays on, theremay be a problem with the TPMS, see yourdealer/retailer.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL
This message displays when there is a problem with theTraction Control System (TCS). When this messageis displayed, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjustyour driving accordingly. See your dealer/retailer forservice. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 5-6for more information.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there is a problem with thevehicle’s transmission. Have your vehicle serviced byyour dealer/retailer.
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STABILITRAK NOT READY
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak, this message may displayand the Traction Control System and StabiliTrak WarningLight on the instrument panel cluster may be on after firstdriving the vehicle and exceeding 30 km/h (19 mph) for30 seconds. The StabiliTrak system is not functional untilthe light has turned off. SeeStabiliTrak®System onpage 5-5for more information.
STARTING DISABLED SERVICE
THROTTLE
This message displays when your vehicle’s throttlesystem is not functioning properly. Have your vehicleserviced by your dealer/retailer.
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This symbol appears withthis message.
This message displays if the content theft-deterrentsystem has detected a break-in attempt while you wereaway from your vehicle. SeeContent Theft-Deterrenton page 3-19for more information.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message displays when the fuel cap has not beenfully tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to ensure that itis on and tightened properly.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the Tire Pressure MonitorSystem (TPMS) is re-learning the tire positions on yourvehicle. The tire positions must be re-learned afterrotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 6-62,Tire PressureMonitor System on page 6-57, andInflation - TirePressure on page 6-54for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the Traction ControlSystem (TCS) is turned off. Adjust your drivingaccordingly. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) onpage 5-6for more information.
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For persons under 21, it is against the law in everyU.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,psychological, and developmental reasons forthese laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highwaysafety problem is for people never to drink alcohol andthen drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’ssystem can make crash injuries worse, especiallyinjuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This meansthat when anyone who has been drinking — driveror passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance ofbeing killed or permanently disabled is higher than if theperson had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control the vehiclewhile driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. Attimes, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to askmore of those control systems than the tires and road canprovide. Meaning, you can lose control of the vehicle.SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 5-6.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affectvehicle performance. SeeAccessories and Modificationson page 6-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 4-52.
Braking action involves perception time and reactiontime. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perceptiontime. Actually doing it is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of asecond. But that is only an average. It might be lesswith one driver and as long as two or three seconds ormore 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 asecond, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels20 m (66 feet). That could be a lot of distance in anemergency, so keeping enough space betweenthe vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatlywith the surface of the road, whether it is pavement orgravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry, oricy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight ofthe vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive inspurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavybraking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This isa mistake. The brakes might not have time to coolbetween hard stops. The brakes will wear out muchfaster with a lot of heavy braking.
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Keeping pace with the traffic and allowing realisticfollowing distances eliminates a lot of unnecessarybraking. That means better braking and longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being driven,brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If the brakesare pumped, the pedal could get harder to push down.If the engine stops, there will still be some power brakeassist but it will be used when the brake is applied. Oncethe power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop andthe brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affectvehicle performance. SeeAccessories and Modificationson page 6-3.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), anadvanced electronic braking system that helps prevent abraking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins todrive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motoror clicking noise might be heard while this test is goingon, and it might even be noticed that the brake pedalmoves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem withABS, this warning lightstays on. SeeAntilockBrake System (ABS)Warning Light onpage 4-53.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slamon the brakes and continue braking. Here is whathappens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computerwill separately work the brakes at each front wheeland at both rear wheels.
ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, asrequired, faster than any driver could. This can helpthe driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keepsreceiving updates on wheel speed and controls brakingpressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to geta foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stoppingdistance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you,there will not be enough time to apply the brakes if thatvehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enoughroom up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
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Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedaldown firmly and let antilock work. The antilock pump ormotor operating might be heard and the brake pedalmight be felt to pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the sametime. In many emergencies, steering can help more thaneven the very best braking.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a Brake Assist feature designed toassist the driver in stopping or decreasing vehicle speedin emergency driving conditions. This feature uses thestability system hydraulic brake control module tosupplement the power brake system under conditionswhere the driver has quickly and forcefully appliedthe brake pedal in an attempt to quickly stop or slowdown the vehicle. The stability system hydraulicbrake control module increases brake pressure at eachcorner of the vehicle until the ABS activates. Minorbrake pedal pulsations or pedal movement during thistime is normal and the driver should continue toapply the brake pedal as the driving situation dictatesThe Brake Assist feature will automatically disengagewhen the brake pedal is released or brake pedalpressure is quickly decreased.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle may have the StabiliTrak system whichcombines antilock brake, traction and stability controlsystems and helps the driver maintain directional controlof the vehicle in most driving conditions. This isaccomplished by selectively applying any one of thevehicle’s brakes and reducing engine power.
The StabiliTrak system comes on automaticallywhenever the vehicle is started. The system cannot beturned off.
This light will flash whenthe system is operating.
The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may bedisplayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC) and theTraction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak warninglight on the instrument panel cluster comes on after firstdriving the vehicle and exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h)for 30 seconds. The StabiliTrak system is off untilthe light has turned off. This could take up to 15 minutes.
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The TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrumentpanel cluster will flash when the system is operating.SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Lighton page 4-54andStabiliTrak®Indicator Light onpage 4-54for more information. The system may beheard or felt while it is working. This is normal.
The SERVICE STABILITRAK message is displayed andthe TCS/StabiliTrak warning light on the instrumentpanel cluster comes on if there is a problem with thesystem. When this light and the SERVICESTABILITRAK message are on, the system is notworking. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) thatlimits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery roadconditions. The system operates only if it senses that thefront wheels are spinning too much or beginning to losetraction. When this happens, the system works the frontbrakes and reduces engine power (by closing the throttleand managing engine spark) to limit wheel spin.
The TCS and StabiliTrak®
light will flash when thesystem is limitingwheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt while it is working, butthis is normal. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)Warning Light on page 4-54for more information.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when TCS begins tolimit wheel spin, the cruise control will automaticallydisengage. The cruise control may be re-engaged whenroad conditions allow. SeeCruise Control on page 4-12.
The SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL message inthe DIC and the TCS/StabiliTrak warning light comes onif there is a problem with the traction control system.SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-67.
When this light and the SERVICE TRACTIONCONTROL message are on, the system will not limitwheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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To turn the system off oron, press and release thisbutton located in frontof the shift lever.
TCS automatically comes on whenever the vehicle isstarted. To limit wheel spin, especially in slipperyroad conditions, always leave the system turned on.TCS can be turned off if needed.
The system can be turned on or off at any time bypressing the TCS button. The DIC will displayTRACTION CONTROL OFF when the button is pressed,and part of the traction control system is disabled.The vehicle will still have brake-traction control, but willnot be able to use the engine speed managementsystem. System noises may be heard as a result of thebrake-traction control working. If the controller detectsexcessive wheel spin in this mode, the TCS/StabiliTraklight may blink.
It is recommended to leave the system on for normaldriving conditions, but it may be necessary to turnthe system off if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice orsnow, and you want to “rock” the vehicle to attempt tofree it. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, orSnow on page 5-17.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affectthe vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories andModifications on page 6-3for more information.
Magnetic Ride Control™
The vehicle may have Magnetic Ride Control thatautomatically adjusts the ride of the vehicle. Thecontroller receives input from the system to determinethe proper ride. If the controller detects a problem withinthe system, the Driver Information Center (DIC)displays a SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS message.SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-67for more information. If this message appears, have thevehicle serviced at your dealer/retailer.
Electronically Controlled Air Ride
Suspension
Professional Vehicles may have Electronically ControlledAir Suspension. The air ride controller receives inputfrom the system to determine the proper ride. Ifthe controller detects a problem with the system, theDIC will display a SERVICE SUSPENSION SYSmessage. If this message appears, have the vehicleserviced at your dealer/retailer.
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