Black plate (36,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Entry Lighting
The entry lighting system turns on the reading and
dome lamps and the backlighting to the exterior lamp
control when a door is opened or if you press the
remote keyless entry transmitter unlock button.
If activated by the transmitter, the lighting will remain
active for about 25 seconds. The entry lighting system
uses the light sensor; it must be dark outside in order
for the lamps to turn on. The lamps turn off about
25 seconds after the last door is closed. They will dim
to off if the ignition is on, or immediately deactivate if
the power locks are activated.
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits dimming of the instrument panel
displays and backlighting during daylight hours when
the key is in the ignition and the headlamps are on.
This feature operates with the light sensor and is fully
automatic. When the light sensor reads darkness
outside and the parking lamps are active, the
instrument panel displays can be adjusted by turning
the instrument panel brightness knob. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness
on page 4‑35for additional
information.
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located on the overhead
console. These lamps come on automatically when any
door is opened.
For manual operation, press the button next to each
lamp to turn it on or off.
If the reading lamps are left on, they automatically shut
off 10 minutes after the ignition has been turned off.
Battery Load Management
The battery load management feature is designed to
monitor the vehicle's electrical load and determine when
the battery is in a heavy discharge condition. During
times of high electrical loading, the engine may idle at a
higher revolutions per minute (rpm) setting than normal
to make sure the battery charges. High electrical loads
may occur when several of the following are on:
headlamps, high beams, fog lamps, rear window
defogger, the climate control fan at high speeds, heated
seats and engine cooling fans.
If the battery continues to discharge, even with the
engine idling at a higher rpm setting, some electrical
loads will automatically be reduced. When this occurs,
the rear window defogger may take slightly longer to
clear the glass and the fan may cut back to a lower
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Black plate (37,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
speed. For more battery saving information, see
“Battery Saver Active Message”underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 4‑76.
Electric Power Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery's temperature and state of charge.
It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and
extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a
voltmeter gauge or a voltage display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), you may see the voltage
move up or down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles. This is
because the generator (alternator) may not be spinning
fast enough at idle to produce all the power that is
needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following are on, such as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer loads,
and loads plugged into accessory power outlets. EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands
of some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels of
corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message
might be displayed, such as BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
or BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW. If this message is
displayed, it is recommended that the driver reduce the
electrical loads as much as possible. See
DIC Warnings
and Messages on page 4‑76.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect the vehicle's battery
against drainage from the interior lamps, trunk lamp,
glove box lamp, or the garage door opener. When the
ignition is turned off, the power to these features will
automatically turn off after 10 minutes (three minutes if a
new car has 24 km (15 miles) or less). Power will be
restored for an additional 10 minutes if any door is
opened, the trunk is opened or the courtesy lamp switch
is turned on.
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Black plate (39,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
The HUD controls are located to the left of the steering
wheel on the DIC control panel.
Off:Turn the brightness control knob fully
counterclockwise to turn the HUD display off.
~ (Head-Up Display): Press to move the HUD display
up or down on the windshield. HUD cannot be adjusted
side‐to‐side. Brightness Control:
Press the knob on the center of
the DIC control panel to extend and then pull the knob
until is completely extended. Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
brightness of the HUD display.
To adjust the HUD so it can be seen properly:
1. Adjust the seat to a comfortable driving position, before adjusting the HUD position.
2. Start the engine.
3. Adjust the position and brightness of the HUD display.
The brightness of the HUD display is determined by the
light conditions in the direction the vehicle is facing and
where the HUD has been positioned on the windshield.
If the vehicle is facing a dark object or a heavily shaded
area, the HUD may begin to dim because it anticipates
the vehicle entering a dark area.
When sunlight enters the HUD it can make it difficult
to see the display. The display will return to normal
brightness when the sunlight no longer enters the HUD.
Wearing polarized sunglasses could also make the
HUD display harder to see.
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Black plate (46,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
The defogger only works when the ignition is on or
during remote start, if programmed. See“Personal
Settings Menu” underVehicle Personalization
on
page 3‑59for additional information.
= (Rear Window Defogger): Press to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. The rear window defogger
stays on for 10 minutes, before turning off.
If the vehicle's speed is above 48 km/h (30 mph), the
rear defogger stays on continuously. If turned on again,
the defogger only runs for about five minutes before
turning off. The defogger can also be turned off by
turning off the engine. The heated outside rearview mirrors also heat to help
clear fog or frost from the surface of the mirror when
the rear window defogger is on. See
Outside Heated
Mirrors on page 3‑40.
Notice: Do not use a razor blade or sharp object
to clear the inside rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid lines in the rear glass.
These actions may damage the rear defogger.
Repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
{ (Ventilated Seat): If the vehicle has this feature,
press to turn the driver or passenger side ventilated
seat on. See Heated and Ventilated Seats
on
page 2‑5.
J (Heated Seat): If the vehicle has this feature, press
to turn the driver or passenger side heated seat and
seatback on. See Heated and Ventilated Seats
on
page 2‑5.
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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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Black plate (51,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
4. Lift the inboard edge of the deflector to release theretention tab.
5. Lift and slide the water deflector toward the inboard side and remove it.
6. The top edge of the filter should be visible. Reachin and lift the filter out , pulling upward and toward
the front of the vehicle.
7. Insert the new air filter by sliding it back into place. Make sure the arrow on the filter is pointing toward
the passenger compartment.
Reverse steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the water
deflector, filter cover and the hood seal.
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could prevent injury.
Warning lights come on when there might be or there is
a problem with one of the vehicle's functions. Some
warning lights come on briefly when the engine is
started to indicate they are working.
Gauges can indicate when there might be or there
is a problem with one of the vehicle's functions. Often
gauges and warning lights work together to indicate a
problem with the vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
while driving, or when one of the gauges shows there
could be a problem, check the section that explains
what to do. Follow this manual's advice. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even dangerous.
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Black plate (53,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer shows the speed in both kilometers
per hour (km/h) and miles per hour (mph). SeeDIC
Operation and Displays
on page 4‑70for more
information.
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. The vehicle's odometer works together
with the driver information center. The odometer can be
set for a Trip A and a Trip B. See “Trip Information”
under DIC Operation and Displays
on page 4‑70for
more information.
If the vehicle ever needs a new odometer installed, the
new one will be set to the correct mileage total of the
old odometer.
Tachometer
This gauge indicates the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime sounds for several
seconds to remind a driver to fasten the safety belt,
unless the driver safety belt is already buckled.
The safety belt light
comes on and stays on
for several seconds, then
flashes for several more.
This chime and light are repeated if the driver remains
unbuckled and the vehicle is in motion. If the driver
safety belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on.
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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.
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