Black plate (25,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to let the cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after 5‐10 seconds, especially in very cold weather (below 0°F or
−18°C), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait
at least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, repeat
these steps. This clears the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine and transmission
gently until the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts. Notice:
The engine is designed to work with the
electronics in the vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you do not,
the engine might not perform properly. Any
resulting damage would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm‐up in cold
weather conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C). Vehicles
with an engine coolant heater should be plugged in at
least four hours before starting.
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Black plate (26,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.The electrical cord is located on the driver side of
the engine, behind the transmission dipstick/fluid
fill location and next to the engine.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into
a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from
moving engine parts and prevent damage. The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer in the area
where you will be parking the vehicle for the best advice
on this.
Automatic Transmission Operation
The automatic transmission may have a shift lever
located either on the steering column or on the console
between the seats.
There are several different positions for the shift lever.
P (Park):
This position locks the front wheels. It is the
best position to use when you start the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
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Black plate (30,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on, and the vehicle speed is greater than
5 mph (8 km/h). The brake light will come on and stay
on until the parking brake is released. SeeBrake
System Warning Light
on page 4‑50for more
information.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down, then push the parking brake pedal down.
When you lift your foot off the parking brake pedal, the
pedal will follow your foot to the released position.
Notice: Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see Towing a Trailer on page 5‑26.
Shifting Into Park
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow.
If you are pulling a trailer, see Towing a Trailer
on
page 5‑26
.
Steering Column Shift Lever
If the vehicle has a steering column shift lever, use this
procedure to shift the vehicle into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pulling the shift lever toward you and moving it up as far as it
will go.
3. With your foot still holding the brake pedal down, set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on
page 3‑29for more information.
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Black plate (31,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you canleave the vehicle with the ignition key in your hand,
the vehicle is in P (Park).
Console Shift Lever
If the vehicle is equipped with a console shift lever, use
this procedure to shift the vehicle into P (Park):
1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pushing the lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle and
then to the left.
3. While keeping the brake pedal applied, set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on page 3‑29for more information.
4. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your hand,
the vehicle is in P (Park).
Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat
and even catch fire. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine
running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure your vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is firmly set before you leave it. See Parking
Brake
on page 3‑29for more information.
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Black plate (53,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning light
comes on when the
engine is very hot.
This light also comes on briefly when the vehicle is
started.
If the light does not go out or comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the cooling
system. Driving with engine coolant temperature light on
could cause the vehicle to overheat, see Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 6‑31. See
Engine Overheatingon page 6‑29and DIC Warnings
and Messageson page 4‑65for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows
the engine coolant
temperature.
It indicates when the engine has warmed up and if
the cooling system is operating properly. If the gauge
pointer moves into the shaded area, the engine coolant
is too hot and the engine coolant temperature warning
light comes on. See Engine Overheating
on page 6‑29for more information.
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Black plate (67,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
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 HOT –A/C
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
See Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
on
page 4‑53. 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 your 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 6‑29for more information.
This message displays when the engine coolant
temperature is too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle
to idle until it cools down. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on page 4‑53.
See Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on
page 6‑31for information on driving to a safe place in
an emergency.
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Black plate (68,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP 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. See Engine Overheating
on page 6‑29for
more information.
This message displays when the engine has
overheated. Immediately look for a safe place to pull
your vehicle over and turn the engine off right away to
avoid severe engine damage. See Engine Overheating
on page 6‑29andOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Modeon page 6‑31. A chime also sounds
when this message is displayed.
ENGINE POWER 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.
FOLLOWING GAP
This symbol appears with this message.
If your vehicle has Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), this
message displays to show the follow distance that has
been set. There are six follow distances to choose from.
Each follow distance is shown on the DIC by displaying
from one to six bars between two car symbols. See
Adaptive Cruise Control
on page 4‑14for more
information.
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Black plate (76,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
THEFT ATTEMPTED
This symbol appears with
this message.
This message displays if the content theft-deterrent
system has detected a break-in attempt while you were
away from your vehicle. See Content Theft-Deterrent
on
page 3‑19for more information.
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.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS) is re-learning the tire positions on your
vehicle. The tire positions must be re-learned after
rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation
on page 6‑65,
Tire Pressure Monitor Systemon page 6‑60, and
Inflation - Tire Pressureon page 6‑57for more
information.
TRACTION CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is turned off. Adjust your driving
accordingly. See Traction Control System (TCS)
on
page 5‑6for more information.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is turned on. See Traction Control
System (TCS)
on page 5‑6for more information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
Notice: If you drive the vehicle while the
transmission fluid 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 the
warranty. Do not drive your vehicle with overheated
transmission fluid or while the transmission
temperature warning is displayed.
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