Black plate (31,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to back up.
At low vehicle speeds, you can also use R (Reverse)
to rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission. See If
Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on
page 5‑22for additional information.
N (Neutral): In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the
vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. You can
also use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{WARNING:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed. Notice:
Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive): This position is for normal driving. It provides
the best fuel economy. If you need more power for
passing, and you are:
.Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
.Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
The transmission will shift down to a lower gear
and have more power.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”under
Loss of Control on page 5‑14.
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Black plate (32,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Notice:If you drive the vehicle at a high rpm
without upshifting while using Driver Shift Control
(DSC), you could damage the vehicle. Always
upshift when necessary while using DSC.
Driver Shift Control (DSC) allows you shift an automatic
transmission similar to a manual transmission. To use
the DSC feature:
1. Move the shift lever to the right from D (Drive) into the DSC area.
When in DSC mode, the
sport symbol will appear
in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
The vehicle will remain in sport mode if the
shift lever is not moved. Sport mode will shift
automatically but remain in a gear longer then it
would in normal driving mode based on braking
and acceleration. 2. Press the shift lever forward to upshift or rearward
to downshift.
When using the DSC
mode, the number
displayed on the Driver
Information Center (DIC)
indicates the gear that the
transmission is in. See
Driver Information Center
(DIC)
on page 4‑69for
more information on
the DIC.
When starting the vehicle from a stopped condition, only
1 (First) and 2 (Second) gear may be used.
While using the DSC feature the vehicle will have firmer
shifting and increased performance. You can use this
for sport driving or when climbing/descending hills to
stay in gear longer or to down shift for more power or
engine braking.
The transmission will only allow you to shift into
gears appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). The transmission will
not automatically shift to the next higher gear if the
engine RPM is too high.
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Black plate (77,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Driver Selection Submenu Items
DRIVER 1/DRIVER 2
The numbers on the back of each keyless access
transmitter correspond to DRIVER 1 and DRIVER 2.
If you would like to recall or store driver settings for the
driver that does not correspond to the number on the
back of the keyless access transmitter that you are
using:1. Enter the memory programming mode for your driver settings by following the instructions listed
previously under “Entering the Driver Selection
Submenu.”
2. From the DRIVER SELECTION submenu, turn the tune/select knob to highlight the driver number that
you want, either DRIVER 1 or DRIVER 2.
3. Set your choice by pressing in the tune/ select knob.
If you would like to recall or store driver settings for the
selected driver, see “RECALL DRIVER SETTINGS” or
“STORE DRIVER SETTINGS” later in this section.
If you would like to recall or store exit settings for the
selected driver, see “RECALL EXIT SETTINGS” or
“STORE EXIT SETTINGS” later in this section.
RECALL DRIVER SETTINGS
To recall driver settings:
1. Enter the memory programming mode for your driver settings by following the instructions listed
previously under “Entering the Driver Selection
Submenu.”
2. From the DRIVER SELECTION submenu, turn the tune/select knob to scroll to RECALL DRIVER
SETTINGS and press in the knob.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), one beep will sound
and your previously saved driving position will then
be recalled.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), three beeps will
sound and your previously saved driving position
will not be recalled.
A memory recall can be stopped by pressing any
memory seat or mirror position button.
If you would like the stored driving positions to be
recalled when unlocking your vehicle with the keyless
access transmitter or when starting your vehicle, see
“REMOTE RECALL MEMORY” or“START BUTTON
RECALL” underVehicle Personalization on page 3‑59.
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Black plate (59,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this 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 ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. 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. See
Brake System
Warning Light on page 4‑58.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
see DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑76for
all brake related DIC messages.
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Black plate (60,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
The TCS warning light
comes on briefly when
the engine is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the Traction Control System (TCS) warning light
comes on and stays on, there may be a problem with
the TCS.
The light also comes on if the TCS is turned off using
the traction control on/off button located on the console.
If this light stays on or comes on while driving, pull off
the road as soon as possible and stop carefully. Turn
the engine off and then restart it. If the light still stays on
or comes back on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. Have the TCS inspected as soon as possible.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 5‑9andStabiliTrak®Systemon page 5‑6for more
information.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light
For vehicles with the
lane departure warning
system, this light briefly
comes on green while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally the indicator light then
goes off.
This light also comes on green if the system detects
a left or right lane marking. It flashes, changes to
amber, and three beeps sound, if a detected lane
marking is crossed without using a turn signal. For
more information, see the Index in the Navigation
Manual.
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Black plate (62,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a tire
pressure monitoring
system, this light comes
on briefly when the engine
is started. It provides
information about tire
pressures and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring
System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires is
significantly underinflated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC)
on page 4‑69for more
information. Stop and check the tires as soon as it is
safe to do so. If underinflated, inflate to the proper
pressure. See Inflation - Tire Pressure
on page 6‑58for 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. SeeTire Pressure Monitor Operation
on
page 6‑62for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
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Black plate (64,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the vehicle off, wait at least 10 seconds, and
restart the engine. If the light is still flashing, follow
the previous steps and see your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
Light On Steady:An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction might be corrected by
doing the following:
.Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. See Filling
the Tankon page 6‑9. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
.If the vehicle has been driven through a deep
puddle of water, the vehicle's electrical system
might be wet. The condition is usually corrected
when the electrical system dries out. A few driving
trips should turn the light off.
.Make sure to fuel the vehicle with quality fuel.
Poor fuel quality causes the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and can cause: stalling
after start-up, stalling when the vehicle is changed
into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration. These conditions
might go away once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions occurs, change
the fuel brand used. It will require at least one full
tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
See Gasoline Octane on page 6‑7.
If none of the above have made the light turn off,
your dealer can check the vehicle. The dealer has the
proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems that might have
developed.
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Black plate (66,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Oil Pressure Light
For vehicles with an oil
pressure light, if there is a
problem with the oil, the
light may stay on after
the engine is started,
or comes on while driving.
This light indicates that oil is not going through the
engine quickly enough to keep it lubricated. The engine
could be low on oil or could have some other oil
problem. Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
The oil light could also come on in the following
situations:
.The light comes on briefly when the ignition is
turned on to show that it is working properly. If it
does not come on with the ignition on, there may
be a problem with the fuse or bulb. Have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
.Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, a
chime sounds and the light may blink on and off.
This is normal.
{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 for changing engine oil.
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