Page 193 of 470

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits dimming of the digital displays
and backlighting during daylight hours when the key is
in the ignition and the headlamps are on. This feature is
fully automatic. When the light sensor reads darkness
outside and the parking lamps are active, the digital
displays can be adjusted by turning the instrument
panel brightness knob counterclockwise to dim and
clockwise to brighten lighting.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the overhead console
on the headliner and in the rear door opening. These
lamps come on automatically when any door is opened
and it is dark outside.
For manual operation, press the button to turn them on.
Press it again to turn them off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Footwell Lamps
For vehicles with footwell lamps, they are located under
the instrument panel and at the rear of the front seats.
These lamps provide soft light to the front and rear floor
areas. They dim with the instrument panel cluster lights.Footwell lighting brightness can be adjusted with the
instrument panel brightness control located below the
exterior lamps control. See
Instrument Panel Brightness
on page 4‑30. The footwell lights will turn off before the
instrument panel lights are at their lowest level of
brightness.
Battery Load Management
This feature monitors the vehicle's electrical load and
determines when the battery is in a heavy discharge
condition. During times of high electrical loading, the
engine may idle at a higher revolutions per minute (rpm)
setting than normal to make sure the battery charges.
High electrical loads may occur when several of the
following are on: headlamps, high beams, fog lamps,
rear window defogger, the climate control fan at high
speeds, heated seats and engine cooling fans.
If the battery continues to discharge, even with the
engine idling at a higher rpm setting, some electrical
loads will automatically be reduced. When this occurs,
the rear window defogger may take slightly longer to
clear the glass, the heated seats may not get as warm
as they usually do and the climate control fan may
cut back to a lower speed. For more battery saving
information, see “Battery Saver Active Message” under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4‑65.
4-31
Page 194 of 470

Black plate (32,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
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 gauge 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, such as: 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, BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW, or
LOW BATTERY. If this message is displayed, it is
recommended that the driver reduce the electrical loads
as much as possible. See
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑65.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature protects the vehicle 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 automatically
turns off after 10 minutes. Power is restored for an
additional 10 minutes if any door or trunk is opened,
or the courtesy lamp switch is turned on.
4-32
Page 195 of 470

Black plate (33,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature helps prevent the battery from being
drained, if the interior courtesy lamps, reading/map
lamps, visor vanity lamps or trunk lamp are accidentally
left on. If any of these lamps are left on, they
automatically turn off after 10 minutes, if the ignition is
off. The lamps will not come back on again until one of
the following occurs:
.The ignition is turned on.
.The exterior lamps control is turned off, then on
again.
The headlamps will timeout after 10 minutes, if they are
manually turned on with the ignition on or off.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
The accessory power outlets can be used to plug in
electrical equipment, such as a cell phone or MP3
player.
If the vehicle has a center console, the power outlet is
located inside the lower storage area. Some vehicles
may have an outlet on the right front lower part of the
driver's seat and under the climate control system
next to the ashtray. See Center Console Storage
on
page 3‑54. There are two accessory power outlets in the rear seat
area located on the door armrests next to the ashtrays.
Remove the cover to access and replace when not
in use.
The accessory power outlet can be used at any time.
{WARNING:
Power is always supplied to the outlets. Do not
leave electrical equipment plugged in when the
vehicle is not in use because the vehicle could
catch fire and cause injury or death.
Notice: Leaving electrical equipment plugged in for
an extended period of time while the vehicle is off
will drain the battery. Always unplug electrical
equipment when not in use and do not plug in
equipment that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere
rating.
Certain accessory power plugs may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could overload
vehicle or adapter fuses. If a problem is experienced,
see your dealer.
4-33
Page 196 of 470

Black plate (34,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with the
equipment. SeeAdd-On Electrical Equipment
on
page 6‑103.
Notice: Hanging heavy equipment from the power
outlet can cause damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty. The power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only, such as cell phone
charge cords.
Analog Clock
The analog clock is located on the instrument panel
above the radio. The clock is not connected with any
other vehicle system and runs by itself. To adjust the
clock:
1. Locate the adjustment button directly below the clock face.
2. Push and hold the adjustment button to advance the clock hands. Holding the button down will
cause the clock to advance faster. Release the
button before reaching the desired time.
3. Push and release the button to increase the time by one minute increments until the desired time is
reached.
Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can
be controlled with this system.
Dual Climate Control System
4-34
Page 197 of 470

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Dual Climate Control System for Vehicles with RearClimate Control
A. Fan Control
B. Display
C. Air Delivery Mode Control
D. Driver and Passenger Temperature Controls E. Air Conditioning
F. Outside Air or AUX
G. Recirculation H. PASS (Passenger Climate Control)
I. Rear Window Defogger
Automatic Operation
AUTO9(Automatic Fan): When this position is
selected on the fan control, the system adjusts the fan
speed. To use automatic operation:
1. Turn the fan control to the AUTO position.
2. Turn the air delivery mode to the AUTO position.
3. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting between 21°C (68°F) and 26°C (78°F).
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature
setting will not cause the system to heat or cool
any faster. In cold weather, the system will start
at reduced fan speeds to avoid blowing cold air
into the vehicle until warmer air is available. The
system starts out blowing air at the floor but may
change modes automatically as the vehicle warms
up to maintain the chosen temperature setting. The
length of time needed to warm the interior depends
on the outside temperature and temperature of the
vehicle.
4. Wait 20 to 30 minutes for the system to stabilize in order for the system to regulate automatically.
Then adjust the temperature as necessary to find
your comfort setting.
Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of
the instrument panel near the windshield. For more
information on the solar sensor, see “Sensors”later in
this section.
After the vehicle is started, the display shows the
interior temperature settings and the outside
temperature.
4-35
Page 198 of 470

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
If the AUTO position is selected on the fan or mode
control, the system automatically controls the air
conditioning compressor. The A/C compressor will run
automatically even at cool outside temperatures in order
to dehumidify the air. The A/C indicator light is lit when
the system is operating automatically, even at near
freezing outside temperatures. Press
#on the fan
control to turn off the A/C. For improved window
clearing performance in defog or defrost modes, the
A/C compressor runs automatically.
h(AUTO RECIRCULATION): If the AUTO position is
selected on either the fan or air delivery mode control,
the system automatically controls the air inlet to supply
fresh outside air or recirculate the interior air to cool the
car faster. The light on the recirculation button will come
on when the system changes to recirculation. Outside
air can be forced by pressing
hwhen the light is lit.
For vehicles without rear climate controls, press
:to
force outside air. The next time AUTO fan or mode is
selected, the air inlet will reset back to AUTO operation.
Manual Operation
9(Off): Turns the entire climate control system off.
Outside air still enters the vehicle and is directed to the
floor. The airflow direction and temperature can be
adjusted, as indicated below.
If the temperature is adjusted while the system is off,
the display will light to show the current settings.
w x(Driver's Temperature Controls): Press the up
or down buttons next to the fan control to manually
increase or decrease the temperature inside the
vehicle.
w x(Passenger's Temperature Controls): Press the
up or down buttons next to the air delivery mode control
to manually increase or decrease the temperature for
the front passenger. If the passenger climate control
system is off, pressing one of these buttons turns it on.
9(Fan Control): Turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the fan speed. Turning this
control completely counterclockwise will turn on the
automatic fan operation. If the airflow seems low when
the fan speed is at the highest setting, the passenger
compartment air filter may need to be replaced. See
Passenger Compartment Air Filter on page 4‑42.
4-36
Page 199 of 470

Black plate (37,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Air Delivery Mode Control:Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to change the current airflow mode.
Select one of the following:
AUTO: Turns on the automatic delivery mode
operation.
F (Vent): Air is directed to the instrument panel outlets.
* (Bi-Level): Air is divided between the instrument
panel and the floor outlets. In automatic operation,
cooler air is directed to the upper outlets and warmer air
to the floor outlets.
7 (Floor): Air is directed to the floor outlets with
some air directed to the side window outlets and the
windshield.
If recirculation is selected, it only stays on for
three minutes to reduce windshield fogging.
W(Floor/Defog): This mode clears the windows of
fog or moisture. Air is directed to the floor outlets,
with some air going to the side window outlets and
windshield. When selected, the system turns off
recirculation and runs the air conditioning compressor
unless the outside temperature is at or below freezing.
The recirculation mode cannot be selected while in the
floor/defog mode.
0(Defrost): This mode clears the windshield of fog
or frost more quickly. Air is directed to the windshield
and side window outlets. When selected, the system
automatically turns off recirculation and runs the
air conditioning compressor, unless the outside
temperature is at or below freezing. Recirculation
cannot be selected while in the defrost mode. Do not
drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
For professional vehicles, air will be allowed to flow
through the rear outlets. For quicker defrost, press the
AUX button on the front climate control system so that
the light is not lit.
#(Air Conditioning): Press to turn the air
conditioning system on or off and override the
automatic system. When in AUTO, the air conditioning
compressor comes on automatically, as necessary.
To avoid window fogging on rainy and humid days at
temperatures above freezing, run the air conditioning.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so a small amount of water may drip under the
vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine. This
is normal.
4-37
Page 200 of 470

Black plate (38,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
:(Outside Air):Press to turn the outside air mode
on or off. An indicator light comes on to show it is on.
Air is pulled from outside the vehicle. Pressing
?will
cancel this mode.
? (Recirculation): Press to turn the recirculation
mode on or off. An indicator light below the button
comes on to show that this mode is on. This mode
recirculates and helps to quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside air and odors
from entering the vehicle. This mode cannot be selected
while in the defog or defrost modes. If you try to select
the recirculation mode, the indicator light flashes
three times and turns off.
Operation in this mode during periods of high humidity
and cool outside temperatures may result in increased
window fogging. If window fogging is experienced,
select the defrost mode.
AUX: For vehicles with a rear climate control system,
press to turn the rear climate control fan on for
automatic operation. After the AUX button is pressed,
the indicator light comes on. Press the button again to
turn the auxiliary fan off. See Rear Climate Control
System on page 4‑40. PASS (Passenger Climate Control):
Press to turn the
passenger climate control systems on or off. When the
passenger climate control system is on, the passenger
temperature setting is displayed. The temperature
selected by the front passenger also controls the rear
system air temperature unless the rear seat passengers
select their own comfort setting.
If the PASS button is pressed to turn the passenger
temperature setting off, the driver's temperature knob
will control the temperature for the entire vehicle.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
<(Rear Defogger): Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as much snow from
the rear window as possible. The rear window defogger
will turn off approximately 20 minutes after the button
is pressed if the vehicle is moving at slower vehicle
speeds. At higher vehicle speeds, the rear defogger
may stay on continuously. Each additional press will run
the defogger for approximately 10 minutes.
4-38