
Black plate (5,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
g:Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
v

Black plate (15,1)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. Air Recirculation
H. PASS (Passenger Climate Control)
I. Rear Window Defogger
See Dual Climate Control System
on page 4‑34. For
vehicles with rear climate control, see Rear Climate
Control System on page 4‑40.
Vehicle Features
Radio(s)
Radio with CD
O: Press to turn the system on and off. Turn to
increase or decrease the volume.
BAND: Press to switch between AM, FM, or XM™. The
selection displays.
a: Turn to select radio stations.
©SEEK¨: Press to seek or scan stations.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 (72,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem with
the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on
page 4‑48for more information.
SERVICE A/C SYSTEM
This message displays when the air delivery mode door
or the electronic sensors that control the air conditioning
and heating systems are no longer working. Have the
climate control system serviced by your dealer if you
notice a drop in heating and air conditioning efficiency.
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING
SYSTEM
This message displays when a problem with the
charging system has been detected. The charging
system light also displays on the instrument panel
cluster. See Charging System Light
on page 4‑49for
more information. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
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 warning light may also be
displayed on the instrument panel cluster. See Brake
System Warning Light
on page 4‑50and Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Lighton page 4‑51for
more information. If this happens, 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 is displayed or appears again when you begin
driving, the brake system needs service. See your
dealer as soon as possible. See Brakes
on page 6‑33for more information.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays if the ignition is on to inform the
driver that the brake fluid level is low. Have the brake
system serviced by your dealer as soon as possible.
SERVICE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
system, this message may display to indicate that the
LDW system is not working properly. If this message
remains on after continued driving, the system needs
service. See your dealer. SeeLane Departure Warning
(LDW)
on page 3‑45for more information.
4-72

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac DTS Owner Manual - 2011
If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of
steam:1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) while stopped. If it safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gauge is no longer in the
overheat zone or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive
the vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in front. If the warning
does not come back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park the
vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down. Also,
see "Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode"
next in this section.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
message ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE
is displayed, an overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders helps prevent
engine damage. In this mode, you will notice a loss in
power and engine performance. This operating mode
allows your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency. Driving extended miles (km) and/or towing
a trailer in the overheat protection mode should be
avoided.
Notice: After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. See Engine Oil
on
page 6‑15.
6-31