Page 195 of 528

Black plate (9,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Unnecessary Warnings
FCA may occasionally provide an unnecessary warning
to guard rails, signs, and other stationary objects. This
is normal operation, your vehicle does not need service.
Other Messages
There are three messages that may appear on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). They are CLEAN
RADAR, RADAR CRUISE NOT READY and SERVICE
RADAR CRUISE. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑76.
Cleaning the System
The radar can become blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
If so, you may need to turn off the engine and clean the
lens. See “Cleaning the System” underAdaptive Cruise
Control on page 4‑15.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature allows you to use the high-beam
headlamps to signal the driver in front of you that you
want to pass.
Pull and hold the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you to use this feature. When this is done the following
will occur:
.If the headlamps are off, in low-beam or in Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) mode, the high-beam
headlamps will turn on. They will stay on as long
as the lever is held there. Release the lever to turn
them off.
.If the headlamps are in high-beam mode, they will
switch to low beam. To return to high-beam, push
the lever forward.
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Page 201 of 528

Black plate (15,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
When going downhill, you might have to brake to keep
the vehicle speed down. When the brakes are applied
the cruise control is disengaged.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to end cruise control.
.To disengage cruise control; step lightly on the
brake pedal.
.Press the[button on the steering wheel.
.To turn off cruise control, move the cruise control
switch to
9.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is erased from memory by
moving the cruise control switch to
9or if the ignition
is turned off.
Adaptive Cruise Control
If the vehicle has adaptive cruise control, read the
Radio Frequency Statementon page 8‑20before using
this feature.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Adaptive Cruise Control is an enhancement to
traditional cruise control and is not a safety system.
It allows you to keep cruise control engaged in
moderate traffic conditions without having to constantly
be reset. Adaptive Cruise Control uses radar to
detect a vehicle directly ahead in your path, within a
distance of 100 m (328 ft), and operates at speeds
above 48 km/h (30 mph). When it is engaged by
the driver, the system can apply limited braking or
acceleration of the vehicle, automatically, to maintain
a selected following distance to the vehicle ahead.
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Page 211 of 528
Black plate (25,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
When following a vehicle and entering a curve,
Adaptive Cruise Control could lose track of the vehicle
in your lane and your vehicle could accelerate. When
this happens, the vehicle ahead symbol will not appear
on the HUD.Adaptive Cruise Control might detect a vehicle that is
not in your lane and apply the brakes.
Adaptive Cruise Control might occasionally
provide a driver alert and/or braking that you consider
unnecessary. It could respond to signs, guardrails, and
other stationary objects when entering or exiting a
curve. This is normal operation. Your vehicle does not
need service.
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Page 213 of 528

Black plate (27,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Erasing Set Speed Memory
The set speed memory is erased from memory by
moving the Adaptive Cruise Control switch to
9or if
the ignition is turned off.
Other Messages
There are three messages that may appear on the DIC.
They are SERVICE RADAR CRUISE, RADAR CRUISE
NOT READY and CLEAN RADAR. These messages
will appear to indicate a problem with the Adaptive
Cruise Control. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑76for more information.
Cleaning the System
The radar can become blocked by snow, ice, or dirt.
If this happens, turn off the engine and clean the
emblem/lens, located in the center of the front outside
grille. Do not use Adaptive Cruise Control in icy
conditions, or when visibility is low, such as in fog,
rain or snow.
To clean the emblem/lens, wipe the surface with a
soft cloth. After cleaning the emblem/lens, engage the
Adaptive Cruise Control. If there are problems, see your
dealer.
Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located in the middle of the
turn signal/multifunction lever.
O (Exterior Lamp Control): Turn the control with this
symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has four positions:
O(Off): Turns off all lamps and automatic lighting
features, including Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
and IntelliBeam
®.
This is a momentary switch that springs back to the
AUTO position when released. An AUTOMATIC
LIGHTS ON message appears on the DIC when
automatic lights are enabled or an AUTOMATIC
LIGHTS OFF message appears on the DIC when
the automatic lights are disabled.
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Page 236 of 528

Black plate (50,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Your vehicle may be equipped with a passenger
compartment air filter. There are two types of filters
available. There is a standard dust filter that traps small
particles including pollen. There is, also, a dust/odor
filter available that traps dust and pollen and uses a
charcoal element to help reduce many offensive odors
from entering your vehicle. The filter will need to be
changed periodically. For information on when to
change the passenger compartment air filter, see
Scheduled Maintenance on page 7‑3.
Notice:Driving without a passenger compartment
air filter in place can cause water and small
particles, like paper and leaves, to be pulled into
your climate control system which may cause
damage to it. Make sure you always replace the old
filter with a new one.
The access panel for the passenger compartment air
filter is located under the hood near the windshield,
on the passenger side of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 6‑13for more
information on location. See Doing Your Own Service
Work
on page 6‑5for information on doing your own
service work.
To access the passenger compartment air filter:
1. Pull back the rubber hood seal from the edge of the leaf screen vent cover.
2. Remove the three fasteners that hold the filter cover in place and slide the cover off.
3. To access the filter, remove the water deflector by lifting the outboard edge of the deflector to release
the retention tab.
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Page 241 of 528

Black plate (55,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the
vehicle is started or comes on while driving, it
means the airbag system might not be working
properly. The airbags in the vehicle might not
inflate in a crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid injury, have the
vehicle serviced right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag system, an airbag
Driver Information Center (DIC) message can also
come on. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑76for more information.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your vehicle has the passenger sensing system. Your
overhead console has a passenger airbag status
indicator.
United StatesCanada
When you start the vehicle, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and
off, for several seconds as a system check. If you use
remote start to start your vehicle from a distance, if your
vehicle has this feature, you may not see the system
check.
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Page 243 of 528

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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Page 244 of 528

Black plate (58,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle brake system consists of two hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit is not working, the remaining
circuit can still work to stop the vehicle. For normal
braking performance, both circuits need to be working
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
EnglishMetric
This light comes on briefly when the engine is turned
on. If it does not come on then, have it fixed so it will
be ready to warn if there is a problem. When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
also comes on when the parking brake is set. The light
will stay on if the parking brake does not release fully.
If it stays on after the parking brake is fully released, it
means there is a brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully.The pedal may be harder to push, or the
pedal may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for
service. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 5‑29.
{WARNING:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
4-58