
Black plate (66,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Passenger Sensing System
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system for the
right front passenger position. The passenger airbag
status indicator will be visible on the overhead console
when you start the vehicle.
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The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and off,
will be visible during the system check. If you are using
remote start to start your vehicle from a distance,
if equipped, you may not see the system check. When
the system check is complete, either the word ON or
the word OFF, or the symbol for on or the symbol for off,
will be visible. See Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
on page 4‑55. The passenger sensing system will turn off the right
front passenger frontal airbag under certain conditions.
The driver airbag, seat‐mounted side impact airbags
and the roof‐rail airbags are not part of the passenger
sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors
that are part of the right front passenger seat. The
sensors are designed to detect the presence of a
properly-seated occupant and determine if the right
front passenger's frontal airbag should be enabled
(may inflate) or not.
According to statistics, children are safer when properly
secured in a rear seat in the correct child restraint for
their weight and size.
We recommend that children be secured in a rear seat,
including: an infant or a child riding in a rear-facing child
restraint; a child riding in a forward-facing child seat; an
older child riding in a booster seat; and children, who
are large enough, using safety belts.
A label on the sun visor says,
“Never put a rear-facing
child seat in the front.” This is because the risk to the
rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag deploys.
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Black plate (12,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
The remote start feature will not operate if any of the
following occur:
.The check engine light is displayed. See“Check
Engine Light” underMalfunction Indicator Lampon
page 4‑62.
.The valet lockout switch is on.
.The keyless access transmitter is in the vehicle.
.The vehicle's hood is open.
.An unauthorized vehicle entry or a vehicle theft
was attempted.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the keyless
access transmitter functions will have an increased
range of operation. However, the range may be less
while the vehicle is running.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, see Keyless Access
System on page 3‑4.
Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{WARNING:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
.Passengers, especially children, can easily
open the doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle will
not open it. The chance of being thrown out of
the vehicle in a crash is increased if the doors
are not locked. So, all passengers should
wear safety belts properly and the doors
should be locked whenever the vehicle is
driven.
.Young children who get into unlocked vehicles
may be unable to get out. A child can be
overcome by extreme heat and can suffer
permanent injuries or even death from heat
stroke. Always lock the vehicle whenever
leaving it.
(Continued)
3-12

Black plate (53,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer shows the speed in both kilometers
per hour (km/h) and miles per hour (mph). SeeDIC
Operation and Displays
on page 4‑70for more
information.
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. The vehicle's odometer works together
with the driver information center. The odometer can be
set for a Trip A and a Trip B. See “Trip Information”
under DIC Operation and Displays
on page 4‑70for
more information.
If the vehicle ever needs a new odometer installed, the
new one will be set to the correct mileage total of the
old odometer.
Tachometer
This gauge indicates the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime sounds for several
seconds to remind a driver to fasten the safety belt,
unless the driver safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light
comes on and stays on
for several seconds, then
flashes for several more.
This chime and light are repeated if the driver remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion. If the driver
safety belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.
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Black plate (57,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may
be a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer for service.
{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, it
means that something may be wrong with the
airbag system. If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly, because an adult-size
person sitting in the right front passenger's seat
may not have the protection of the airbag(s). See
Airbag Readiness Light
on page 4‑54for more
on this, including important safety information.
Charging System Light
This light comes on briefly
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but the
engine is not running, as
a check to show it is
working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a problem
with the charging system. A charging system message
in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also appear.
See DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑76for
more information. This light could indicate that there are
problems with a generator drive belt, or that there is an
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. If the
vehicle must be driven a short distance with the light
on, turn off accessories, such as the radio and air
conditioner.
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Black plate (2,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Your Driving, the Road, and the
Vehicle
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means“always expect the
unexpected.” The first step in driving defensively
is to wear your safety belt —See Safety Belts: They
Are for Everyone on page 2‑14.
{WARNING:
Assume that other road users (pedestrians,
bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what
they might do and be ready. In addition:
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause collisions resulting in
injury or possible death. These simple defensive
driving techniques could save your life.
Drunk Driving
{WARNING:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol. You can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after drinking. Do not
drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been
drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you are with a
group, designate a driver who will not drink.
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a global tragedy.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and
attentiveness.
5-2

Black plate (38,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine
.Shift into a gear
.Release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. See this manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good idea to inspect these
before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See Engine Overheating
on page 6‑30.
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Black plate (69,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Winter tires with the same speed rating as your
original equipment tires may not be available for
H, V, W, Y and ZR speed rated tires. If you choose
snow tires with a lower speed rating, never
exceed the tire's maximum speed capability.
{WARNING:
Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while
driving. If you mix tires of different sizes (other
than those originally installed on your vehicle),
brands, or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the
vehicle may not handle properly, and you could
have a crash. Using tires of different sizes (other
than those originally installed on your vehicle),
brands, or types may also cause damage to your
vehicle. Be sure to use the correct size, brand,
and type of tires on all wheels. It is all right to
drive with your vehicle's compact spare
temporarily, it was developed for use on your
vehicle. SeeCompact Spare Tire on page 6‑105.
{WARNING:
If you use bias-ply tires on the vehicle, the
wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel
could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use
only radial-ply tires with the wheels on the
vehicle.
If you must replace your vehicle's tires with those
that do not have a TPC Spec number, make sure
they are the same size, load range, speed rating,
and construction type (radial and bias‐belted tires)
as your vehicle's original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitoring
system could give an inaccurate low‐pressure
warning if non‐TPC Spec rated tires are installed
on it. Non‐TPC Spec rated tires may give a
low‐pressure warning that is higher or lower
than the proper warning level you would get with
TPC Spec rated tires. See Tire Pressure Monitor
System
on page 6‑60.
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Black plate (121,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
WARNING: (Continued)
will not be there to work for the next passenger.
The person sitting in that position could be badly
injured. After reinstalling the seat cushion, always
check to be sure that the safety belts are properly
routed and are not twisted.
1. Buckle the center passenger position safety belt, then route the safety belts through the proper slots
in the seat cushion. Do not let the safety belts get
twisted.
2. Slide the rear of the cushion up and under the seatback so the rear-locating guides hook into the
wire loops on the back frame.
3. With the seat cushion lowered, push rearward and then press down on the seat cushion until the
spring locks on both ends engage. 4. Check to make sure the safety belts are properly
routed and that no portion of any safety belt is
trapped under the seat. Also make sure the seat
cushion is secured.Rear Underseat Fuse Block
There is a fuse block located under the rear seat on the
driver side and passenger side of the vehicle. The rear
seat cushion must be removed to access the fuse
blocks. See “Removing the Rear Seat Cushion” listed
previously in this section.
To access the fuses, push in the two tabs, then lift the
cover off.
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