2011 CADILLAC CTS warning light

Black plate (24,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
5-24 Instruments and Controls
If the regular brake system warning
light is not on, the vehicle still has
brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, the vehicle does not
have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 5‑22.
For vehicles with a Driver
Information Center (DIC), see Driver
Information Center (DIC)
on
page 5‑27for all brake related DIC
messages.
Up-Shift Light
The vehicle may have an up-shift
light. It indicates when to shift to the
next higher gear for best fuel
economy. See
Manual Transmission
on
page 9‑30for more information.
For the CTS-V, the tracer lights
function as a performance up-shift
light.
The tracers flash to indicate
when to shift to the next higher gear
to avoid the engine speed limit.
See Automatic Transmission
on
page 9‑26or Manual Transmissionon page 9‑30for more information.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®Light
The Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak warning light should
come on briefly when the engine is
started. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on or stays on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the TCS/StabiliTrak
and the vehicle may need service.
When this warning light is on, the
system does not limit wheel spin.
Adjust driving accordingly.
See
Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑37andStabiliTrak
Systemon page 9‑38for more
information.

Black plate (25,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-25
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on briefly when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on
while driving, the vehicle may have
a problem with the cooling system.
Stop the vehicle and turn off the
engine to avoid damage to the
engine. A warning chime sounds
when this light is on.
SeeEngine Overheating
on
page 10‑24for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a Tire Pressure
Monitor System, this light comes on
briefly when the engine is started.
It provides information about tire
pressures and the Tire Pressure
Monitor System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A tire pressure message can
accompany the light. See Tire
Messages
on page 5‑43for more
information. Stop as soon as
possible, and inflate the tires to the
pressure value shown on the Tire
and Loading Information Label. See
Tire Pressure
on page 10‑74for
more information. When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there may be a
problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System. The light flashes
for about a minute and stays on
steady for the remainder of the
ignition cycle. This sequence
repeats with every ignition cycle.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
on page 10‑77for more
information.

Black plate (26,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
5-26 Instruments and Controls
Engine Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
The oil pressure light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.
Security Light
This light flashes when the security
system is activated.
For more information, see Vehicle
Security on page 2‑23.
High-Beam on Light
The high-beam on light comes on
when the high-beam headlamps are
in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
on page 6‑2for more
information.

Black plate (27,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-27
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light comes on when
the fog lamps are in use.
The light goes out when the fog
lamps are turned off. SeeFog
Lamps
on page 6‑5for more
information.
Lamps on Reminder
This light comes on whenever the
parking lamps are on.
See Exterior Lamps Off Reminder
on page 6‑2for more information.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on whenever the
cruise control is active.
The light goes out when the cruise
control is turned off. See Cruise
Control
on page 9‑40for more
information.
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
provides status of many vehicle
systems. The DIC displays warning/
status messages. The DIC display
is at the bottom of the instrument
panel cluster. The DIC buttons are
on the instrument panel next to the
steering wheel.
The DIC comes on when the ignition
is on. After a short delay, the DIC
displays the information that was
last displayed before the engine
was turned off.
The top line of the DIC display
shows the DIC information. The
bottom line shows the compass.
The compass displays in the trip/
fuel menus and in some vehicle
information menus.

Black plate (33,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-33
Press Brake To Start Engine
(Automatic Transmission Only)
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays if you try to start the engine
without having the brake pressed.
The brake needs to be pressed
when starting the engine. See
Ignition Positions (Key Access)
on
page 9‑16or Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access)on page 9‑18for
more information.
Release Park Brake Switch
For vehicles with the Electric
Parking Brake, this message
displays if the Park Brake switch is
pulled while the vehicle is moving.
See the Electric Parking Brake
information under Parking Brake
(Manual)
on page 9‑33or Parking
Brake (Electric)on page 9‑34for
more information.
Service Brake Assist
This message displays if there is a
problem with the brake system. The
brake system warning light and the
antilock brake system (ABS)
warning light may also display on
the instrument panel cluster. See
Brake System Warning Light
on
page 5‑22and Antilock Brake
System (ABS) Warning Lighton
page 5‑23for more information.
Stop as soon as possible and turn
off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle
and check for the message on the
DIC display. If the message displays
immediately or again after you begin
driving, the brake system needs
service. See your dealer as soon as
possible. See Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
on page 9‑32for
more information.
Service Brake System
This message displays, while the
ignition is on, when the brake fluid
level is low. The brake system
warning light on the instrument
panel cluster also comes on. See Brake System Warning Light
on
page 5‑22for more information.
This message may also be
displayed for other brake system
problems. Have the brake system
serviced by your dealer as soon as
possible.
Service Park Brake
For vehicles with the Electric
Parking Brake, this message
displays if a problem is detected
with the electric parking brake
system. See your dealer for service.
Step On Brake To Release
Park Brake
For vehicles with the Electric
Parking Brake, this message
displays if you try to release the
park brake system without first
pressing the brake pedal. See the
Electric Parking Brake information
under Parking Brake (Manual)
on
page 9‑33or Parking Brake
(Electric)on page 9‑34for more
information.

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-35
Engine Cooling System
Messages
Engine Hot A/C (Air
Conditioning) Off
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
on page 5‑16. To avoid
added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor
automatically turns off. When the
coolant temperature returns to
normal, the air conditioning
compressor turns back on. You can
continue to drive the vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
Engine Overheated 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. See
Engine Overheating
on page 10‑24for more information.
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down. If the
message does not clear in a
few minutes or if the overheat light
stays on, shut the vehicle off and
have it serviced before driving
again. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light
on
page 5‑25.
See Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
on page 10‑25for
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Engine Oil Messages
Change Engine Oil Soon
When this message displays, it
means that service is required for
the vehicle. See your dealer. See
Scheduled Maintenance
on
page 11‑3and Engine Oilon
page 10‑11for more information.
When you reset the Change Engine
Oil Soon message by clearing it
from the display, you still must reset
the engine oil life system separately.
For more information on resetting
the engine oil life system, see
Engine Oil Life System
on
page 10‑14.
Engine Oil Low Add Oil
If the vehicle has an oil level sensor,
this message displays if the oil level
in the vehicle is low. Check the oil
level and correct it as necessary.
You may need to let the vehicle cool
or warm up and cycle the ignition to
be sure this message clears.

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
5-36 Instruments and Controls
This message clears itself after
10 seconds, until the next ignition
cycle. SeeEngine Oil
on page 10‑11for additional information.
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. See Engine
Oil
on page 10‑11for more
information.
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine oil pressure is low.
The oil pressure light may also
appear on the instrument panel
cluster. See Engine Oil Pressure
Light
on page 5‑26. See Engine Oilon page 10‑11for 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 as soon as possible
when this message is displayed.
Engine Power Messages
Engine Power Is Reduced
This message displays when the
engine power is being reduced to
protect the engine from damage.
There could be several malfunctions
that might cause this message.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be
reduced. Anytime this message
stays on, the vehicle should be
taken to your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages
Fuel Level Low
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refill the fuel
tank as soon as possible. A chime
may sound when this message
displays. See
Filling the Tank
on
page 9‑50.
Tighten Gas Cap
This message displays when the
fuel cap has not been fully
tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to
ensure that it is on and tightened
properly.
Key and Lock Messages
Accessory Mode Active
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays when the accessory mode
is active. See Ignition Positions (Key
Access)
on page 9‑16or Ignition
Positions (Keyless Access)on
page 9‑18for more information.

Black plate (40,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2011
5-40 Instruments and Controls
Service Parking Assist
If the vehicle has the Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system,
this message displays if there is a
problem with the URPA system. See
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
on
page 9‑42for more information.
See your dealer for service.
Ride Control System
Messages
All Wheel Drive Off
If the vehicle has the All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) system, this message
displays when there is a temporary
condition making the AWD system
unavailable. The vehicle will run in
2WD. This could be caused by:
.Loss of wheel or vehicle speed
.AWD system overheat
.Certain vehicle electrical
conditions This message turns off when the
above conditions are no longer
present and by resetting the
warning message.
To reset the warning message, turn
the ignition off and then back on
again after 30 seconds. If the
message stays on, see your dealer
right away. See
All-Wheel Drive
on
page 9‑32for more information.
Service All Wheel Drive
This message displays if a problem
occurs with the All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) system. The vehicle will run
in 2WD. This could be caused by:
.An electronics problem
.An AWD system oil overheat
.Worn out or overheated clutch
plates
.Various electrical issues
If this message appears, stop as
soon as possible and turn off the
ignition for 30 seconds. Restart the
vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message is still displayed or appears again
when you begin driving, the system
needs service. See your dealer
right away.
Service Power Steering
This message displays if a problem
is detected with the speed variable
assist 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. See
Steering
on
page 9‑4.
Service Stabilitrak
This message displays if there has
been a problem detected with the
StabiliTrak
®system. The TCS/
StabiliTrak warning light on the
instrument panel cluster also
comes on.