2011 CADILLAC STS airbag

Black plate (54,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light
For vehicles equipped with the passenger safety belt
reminder light, several seconds after the engine is
started, a chime sounds for several seconds to remind
the front passenger to buckle their safety belt. The
passenger safety belt light, located on the instrument
panel, comes on and stays on for several seconds and
then flashes for several more.
This chime and light are
repeated if the passenger
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger safety belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light comes on.
The front passenger safety belt warning light and chime
may turn on if an object is put on the seat such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device. To turn off the warning light and or
chime, remove the object from the seat or buckle the
safety belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
The system checks the airbag's electrical system for
possible malfunctions. If the light stays on it indicates
there is an electrical problem. The system check
includes the airbag sensor, the pretensioners, the
airbag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the airbag
system, see Airbag System on page 2‑57.
The airbag readiness
light flashes for a few
seconds when the engine
is started. If the light does
not come on then, have it
fixed immediately.
4-54

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.
4-55

Black plate (56,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Then, after several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol
to let you know the status of the right front passenger's
frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger's frontal airbag is enabled (may inflate).
{WARNING:
If the on indicator comes on when you have a
rear-facing child restraint installed in the right
front passenger's seat, it means that the
passenger sensing system has not turned off the
passenger's frontal airbag. A child in a rear-facing
child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if
the right front passenger's airbag inflates. This is
because the back of the rear-facing child restraint
would be very close to the inflating airbag. Do not
use a rear-facing child restraint in the right front
passenger's seat if the airbag is turned on.
{WARNING:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passenger's
frontal airbag if the system detects a rear-facing
child restraint, no system is fail-safe, and no one
can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under
some unusual circumstance, even though it is
turned off. We recommend that rear-facing child
restraints be secured in the rear seat, even if the
airbag is off.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front passenger's frontal
airbag. See Passenger Sensing System
on page 2‑66for more on this, including important safety information.
4-56

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.
4-57

Black plate (86,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays if there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on
page 4‑54for more information.
SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST
This message displays when a problem with the panic
brake assist system has been detected. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
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. See the Index in the
Navigation manual for more information.
SERVICE RADAR CRUISE
This message displays when the Adaptive Cruise
Control system is disabled and needs service. See
your dealer.
SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT
SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
system and this message displays, both SBZA
displays will remain on indicating there is a problem
with the SBZA system. If these displays remain on after
continued driving, the system needs service. See your
dealer. See the Index in the Navigation manual for more
information.
SERVICE STABILITY SYS (System)
Your vehicle has a vehicle stability enhancement
system called StabiliTrak®. All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
vehicle with the Active Steering with Enhanced
StabiliTrak option have a stability enhancement
system called Enhanced StabiliTrak.
This message displays if there has been a problem
detected with the stability system.
If this message comes on while driving, pull off the road
as soon as possible and stop carefully. Try resetting the
system by turning the ignition off then back on. If this
message still stays on or comes back on again while
driving, your vehicle needs service. Have the stability
system inspected by your dealer as soon as possible.
See StabiliTrak
®Systemon page 5‑6orEnhanced
StabiliTrak®on page 5‑7for more information.
4-86

Black plate (4,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Service
For service and parts needs, visit your dealer. You
will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modifications
When non‐dealer accessories are added to the vehicle,
they can affect vehicle performance and safety,
including such things as airbags, braking, stability, ride
and handling, emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems like antilock brakes,
traction control, and stability control. Some of these
accessories could even cause malfunction or damage
not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components resulting from the
installation or use of non‐GM certified parts, including
control module modifications, is not covered under the
terms of the vehicle warranty and may affect remaining
warranty coverage for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on the vehicle. Your GM
dealer can accessorize the vehicle using genuine GM
Accessories. When you go to your GM dealer and ask
for GM Accessories, you will know that GM-trained and
supported service technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 2‑71.
6-4

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or
emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive
harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and systems, many
fluids, and some component wear by-products contain
and/or emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive applications, such as
airbag initiators, seat belt pretensioners, and lithium
batteries contained in remote keyless transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials. Special handling
may be necessary. For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Doing Your Own Service Work
{WARNING:
You can be injured and the vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a vehicle
without knowing enough about it.
.Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts,
and tools before attempting any vehicle
maintenance task.
.Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts, and
other fasteners. English and metric fasteners
can be easily confused. If the wrong fasteners
are used, parts can later break or fall off. You
could be hurt.
If doing some of your own service work, use the proper
service manual. It tells you much more about how to
service the vehicle than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service Publications
Ordering Information on page 8‑17.
6-5

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
This vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting
to do your own service work, seeServicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2‑70.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage
and the date of any service work performed. See
Maintenance Record on page 7‑13.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle
Things added to the outside of the vehicle can affect
the airflow around it. This can cause wind noise and
can affect fuel economy and windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before adding
equipment to the outside of the vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Look for the TOP TIER label on the fuel pump to ensure
gasoline meets enhanced detergency standards
developed by auto companies. A list of marketers
providing TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline can be found
at www.toptiergas.com.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less
than 87, an audible knocking noise, commonly referred
to as spark knock, might be heard when driving. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. If heavy knocking is heard when
using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, the engine
needs service.
6-6