Black plate (69,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) gives you the
status of many of your vehicle's systems. The DIC is
also used to display warning/status messages. All
messages will appear in the DIC display located at
the bottom of the instrument panel cluster, below the
tachometer and speedometer. The DIC buttons are
located on the instrument panel, to the left of the
steering wheel.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a short
delay, the DIC will display the current driver and the
information that was last displayed before the engine
was turned off.
The top line of the DIC display shows the vehicle
system information and the warning/status messages.
The bottom line of the DIC display shows either the
odometer, the trip odometer A or the trip odometer B
information on the left side. Only one odometer can
appear at a time. See“Trip Information”underDIC
Operation and Displays
on page 4‑70for information on changing the display to show the odometer or trip
odometer information. The bottom line of the DIC
display also shows the outside temperature on the
right side and the shift lever position indicator in the
center. See
Automatic Transmission Operation
on
page 3‑30for more information on the shift lever
positions.
When the sport mode is active, an S will appear next
to the shift position indicator on the center of the DIC
display. When the manual mode is active, an M will
appear on the DIC display. When the normal mode is
active, only the shift position indicator will appear. While
the Driver Shift Control (DSC) feature is active, the DIC
will change to show the selected gear. See “Driver Shift
Control (DSC)” underAutomatic Transmission
Operation
on page 3‑30for more information.
If a problem is detected, a warning message will appear
on the display. Be sure to take any message that
appears on the display seriously and remember that
clearing the message will only make the message
disappear, not correct the problem.
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Black plate (70,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
DIC Operation and Displays
The Driver Information Center (DIC) has different
modes which can be accessed by pressing the four
DIC buttons located on the instrument panel, to the
left of the steering wheel.
DIC Buttons (Base Level)
If your vehicle does not
have a Head-Up Display
(HUD), these are the
buttons for the DIC.
«4ª(Information): Press the top or bottom of this
button to scroll through the available vehicle information
displays which include digital speed display, if your
vehicle has this feature, fuel range, fuel economy,
fuel used, average speed, timer, battery voltage, tire
pressure, and engine oil life, if your vehicle has this
feature.
If you have an STS-V, the DIC also has additional
vehicle information displays which include engine boost,
engine oil temperature, oil pressure, and transmission
fluid temperature.
See “MPH (km)” later in this section for more
information on the digital speed display.
AB
300 (Trip Information): Press the top of this
button to scroll through the odometer, trip odometer A
and trip odometer B. Press and hold the bottom of this
button to reset each trip odometer back to zero.
4 //(Reset): Press this button to reset certain DIC
features and to acknowledge DIC warning messages
and clear them from the DIC display.
EM (English/Metric): Press this button to change the
display from English to metric.
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Black plate (75,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
ENGLISH DISPLAY UNITS
(METRIC DISPLAY UNITS)
This display allows you to select between English and
metric units of measurement if your vehicle has the
uplevel DIC. Press the reset button to switch between
English and metric units.
Blank Line
This display shows no information.
ENGINE BOOST (STS-V Only)
This display shows a graphic that indicates the amount
of boost the engine is receiving in either pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE (STS-V Only)
This display shows the engine oil temperature in either
degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees Celsius (°C).
OIL PRESSURE (STS-V Only)
This display shows the oil pressure in either pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
TRANS (Transmission) FLUID TEMP
(Temperature) (STS-V Only)
This display shows the transmission fluid temperature in
either degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees Celsius (°C).
Trip Information Display Menu Items
The following display menu items can be displayed by
pressing the trip Information button.
Odometer
Press the trip information button until the odometer
appears on the DIC display. The odometer shows the
total distance the vehicle has been driven in either
miles (mi) or kilometers (km).
Trip Odometer
Press the trip information button until trip
odometer A or B appears on the DIC display. The trip
odometer shows the current distance traveled since the
last reset for each trip odometer in either miles (mi) or
kilometers (km). Both odometers can be used at the
same time.
For base level vehicles, each trip odometer can be
reset to zero separately by pressing and holding the
bottom of the trip information button while the desired
trip odometer is displayed. For uplevel vehicles, reset
each trip odometer by pressing the reset button or by
pressing and holding the trip information button while
the desired trip odometer is displayed.
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Black plate (88,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
SERVICE SUSPENSION SYS (System)
This message displays when the suspension system is
not operating properly. Have your vehicle serviced by
your dealer.
If your All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicle has the Active
Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak option and the
suspension system needs service, the Enhanced
StabiliTrak system may be operating in the Stability
Secure Mode and the STABILITY SECURE MODE
message will display. SeeEnhanced StabiliTrak
®on
page 5‑7.
SERVICE TIRE MONITOR
This message displays if a part on the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) is not working properly. The tire
pressure light also flashes and then remains on during
the same ignition cycle. See Tire Pressure Light
on
page 4‑62. Several conditions may cause this message
to appear. See Tire Pressure Monitor Operationon
page 6‑62for more information. If the warning comes
on and stays on, there may be a problem with the
TPMS. See your dealer.
SERVICE THEFT SYSTEM
This message displays when there is a problem with the
hood open and closed switches. The switches may
need to be replaced. When this message is displayed,
the theft-deterrent system will still be protecting the
interior of the vehicle, however, the hood area will not
be protected at this time. Also, the remote start function
will not work when this message appears. See your
dealer for service.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there is a problem with
the transmission. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when a non-emissions related
malfunction occurs. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer as soon as possible.
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Black plate (92,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
TRANS (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.
This message displays when the transmission fluid in
your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow it to
idle until the transmission cools down or until this
message is removed.
TRUNK OPEN
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays when the trunk is not closed
completely. Make sure that the trunk is closed
completely.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime sounds if a turn
signal is left on for about 1 mile (1.6 km). Turn off the
turn signal.
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Black plate (12,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
SeeDIC Warnings and Messageson page 4‑76. The
normal power steering system is still operational. You
might notice that the center position of the steering
wheel is changed and that more steering effort at low
speeds and less steering effort at high speeds is
required. You can continue to drive the vehicle with
normal power steering but you should have your dealer
inspect the steering system as soon as possible in
order to have the problem corrected and the steering
wheel position centered.
When stability control activates, the system
automatically adjusts the front road wheel steering
angle, modifies the suspension stiffness, and selectively
applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle's
brakes to help maintain directional control of the
vehicle. Adjustments to the steering will not be felt in
the steering wheel. See Enhanced StabiliTrak
®on
page 5‑7.
It is recommended that the battery not be disconnected
when the steering wheel is turned from the center
position. If this occurs, the center position of the
steering wheel could be temporarily changed a small
amount. You can continue to operate the vehicle and,
after a short time, the center position of the steering
wheel will return to normal.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before entering
the curve, while the front wheels are straight.
Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
To help you steer in the direction you want to go, during
certain sharp or sudden cornering maneuvers, gear
selection is controlled. This will maximize the available
drive wheel torque and minimize the transmission
response time and shift activity. During this kind of
maneuver, the transmission shifts automatically as
vehicle speed changes.
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Black plate (19,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving in
these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
.Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
{WARNING:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get so
hot that they would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{WARNING:
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. The brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down and they could
get so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none going
down a hill. You could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in gear when
going downhill.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that
let you stay in your own lane.
.Top of hills: Be alert—something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks
area, winding roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
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Black plate (23,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to clear the area
around the front wheels. Turn off any traction or stability
system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. Slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions causes
a rocking motion that could free the vehicle. If that does
not get the vehicle out after a few tries, it might need to
be towed out. If the vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 5‑29.
Loading the Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehicle
capacity weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory‐installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label, and the Certification
label.
{WARNING:
Do not load the vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts
on the vehicle can break, and it can change
the way the vehicle handles. These could
cause you to lose control and crash. Also,
overloading can shorten the life of the
vehicle.
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