2011 CADILLAC STS brake

Black plate (34,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Twilight Sentinel®
Twilight Sentinel®can turn the lamps on and off for you.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
Twilight Sentinel work, so be sure it is not covered.With Twilight Sentinel the following will happen:
.When it is dark enough outside, the front turn
signal lamps (DRL) will go off, and the headlamps
and parking lamps will come on. The other lamps
that come on with headlamps will also come on.
.When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps
will go off, and the front turn signal lamps (DRL)
will come on, as long as the exterior lamp switch is
in the off position.
If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system comes on immediately. Once the
vehicle leaves the garage, it will take about one minute
for the automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if
it is light outside. During that delay, the instrument panel
cluster might not be as bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness control is in full bright
position. See Instrument Panel Brightness
on
page 4‑35for more information.
You can idle the vehicle with the lamps off, even when it
is dark outside. First set the parking brake while the
ignition is in OFF/ACCESSORY. Then start the vehicle.
The lamps will stay off until the parking brake is
released.
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Black plate (41,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
The Speed Advisor can be set to show a speed alert
when the vehicle speed exceeds the speed alert limit as
set in the DIC menu. Depending on the level of the
HUD on the vehicle, your HUD may work like either of
the following:
.The HUD speedometer will turn red when the
vehicle speed exceeds the speed alert limit.
When the vehicle speed is at or below the alert
limit and above the posted speed or advisory
speed, the speedometer turns yellow. If the Speed
Alert setting in the DIC is set to AT LIMIT, the
speedometer will not turn yellow. When the vehicle
speed is at or below the posted speed or advisory
speed, the speedometer remains green.
.The HUD speedometer will turn yellow when the
vehicle speed exceeds the speed alert limit. When
the vehicle speed is at or below the alert limit, the
speedometer remains green.
PEDAL APPLIED ACC OVERRIDE
When the PEDAL APPLIED ACC OVERRIDE message
displays, the accelerator pedal is being pressed and
the Adaptive Cruise Control is overridden and cannot
automatically apply the brakes. Once the accelerator
pedal is released, the Adaptive Cruise Control will
return to normal operation and be able to apply the
brakes, if needed.
An Adaptive Cruise Control active symbol, alert symbol
or vehicle ahead symbol may also appear. See
Adaptive Cruise Control
on page 4‑15for more
information.
Care of the HUD
Clean the inside of the windshield as needed to remove
any dirt or film that reduces the sharpness or clarity of
the HUD display.
To clean the HUD, spray household glass cleaner on a
soft, clean cloth. Wipe the HUD lens gently, then dry.
Notice: When cleaning, be careful not to scratch the
HUD or camera lenses. Do not sprayglass cleaner
directly on the HUD lens because the cleaner could
leak inside the unitand cause damage.
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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.
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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 (78,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays when the electrical system is
charging less than 10 volts or the battery has been
drained.
If this message appears immediately after starting
the engine, it is possible that the generator can still
recharge the battery. The battery should recharge while
driving, but may take a few hours to do so. Consider
using an auxiliary charger to boost the battery after
returning home or to a final destination. Follow the
manufacturer's instructions.
If this message appears while driving or after starting
your vehicle and stays on, have it checked immediately
to determine the cause of this problem.
To help the generator recharge the battery quickly,
reduce the load on the electrical system by turning
off the accessories. The normal battery voltage range is 11.5 to 15.5 volts.
To monitor battery voltage on the DIC, press the
information button until BATTERY VOLTS displays.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the engine oil needs
to be changed. See your dealer. See
Engine Oilon
page 6‑16and Scheduled Maintenanceon page 7‑3for more information.
After resetting the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, reset the
engine oil life system separately. For more information
on resetting the engine oil life system, see Engine Oil
Life System on page 6‑20.
CHECK BRAKE FLUID
This message displays if the ignition is on to inform the
driver that the brake fluid level is low. Have the brake
system serviced by your dealer as soon as possible.
See Brake System Warning Light
on page 4‑58for
more information.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays when the fuel cap has not been
fully tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to ensure that it is
on and tightened properly.
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Black plate (85,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
PRESS START AND BRAKE TO START
ENGINE
This message displays when you need to press down
on the brake pedal while pressing the start button on
the electronic keyless ignition when trying to start your
vehicle. SeeStarting the Engine
on page 3‑27for more
information.
RADAR CRUISE NOT READY
This message displays when the Adaptive Cruise
Control system is not activating due to a temporary
condition. Your vehicle does not require service. This
message also displays when either of the following
conditions occur:
.The driver turns off the head-up display (HUD)
while the Adaptive Cruise Control is engaged.
.The driver attempts to engage the Adaptive Cruise
Control while the HUD is off.
If this message appears when attempting to activate the
system, continue driving for several minutes and then
try activating the system again.
RIGHT REAR DOOR AJAR
This symbol appears
with this message.
This message displays when the passenger side rear
door is not closed completely. Make sure that the door
is closed completely.
SERVICE AC
(Air Conditioning) SYSTEM
This message displays when the electronic sensors
that control the air conditioning and heating systems
are no longer working. Have the climate control system
serviced by your dealer if a drop in heating and air
conditioning efficiency is noticeable.
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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.
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Black plate (1,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Section 5 Driving Your Vehicle
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle. . . . . . . . . .5-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Braking in Emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
StabiliTrak
®System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Enhanced StabiliTrak®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Limited-Slip Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14 Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Driving at Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Before Leaving on a Long Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Towing Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
5-1