Page 222 of 528

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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Page 224 of 528

Black plate (38,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{WARNING:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in your
field of view, it may take you more time to see
things you need to see when it is dark outside. Be
sure to keep the HUD image dim and placed low
in your field of view.
For vehicles with the Head-Up Display (HUD), some of
the driver information that appears on the instrument
panel cluster is projected onto an image on the
windshield.
The information can be displayed in English or metric
units. To change from English to metric units, see DIC
Operation and Displays on page 4‑70.
The HUD consists of the following information:
.Speedometer
.Turn Signal Indicators
.High-Beam Indicator Symbol
.Driver Shift Control Transmission Feature, see
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 3‑30
.Check Gauges Icon
.Adaptive Cruise Control Features and Indicators
(If Equipped), see Adaptive Cruise Controlon
page 4‑15
.Forward Collision Alert Features and Indicators
(If Equipped), see Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System on page 4‑6
.Radio Features
United States version
shown, Canada similar
Always scan the instrument panel displays, controls
and driving environment just as you would in a vehicle
without HUD, so important warning lights are not
missed. Under important warning conditions, the
CHECK GAGES message will display in the HUD.
View the Driver Information Center (DIC) for more
information.
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Black plate (44,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
The display can be changed from English to metric
units through the Driver Information Center (DIC). See
DIC Operation and Displays on page 4‑70.
Manual Operation
O(Driver's Temperature Control): Press to turn the
entire climate control system on or off. Turn the knob to
increase or decrease the temperature inside the
vehicle.
O (Passenger's Temperature Control): Press to turn
the passenger climate control system on. Turn the knob
to increase or decrease the temperature for the front
passenger only. The passenger side power button does
not turn off the climate control system. The system is
set to the same setting as the driver.
y A z (Fan Control): Press to increase or decrease
the fan speed. This cancels automatic operation and
lets the amount of airflow be adjusted manually. Press
AUTO to return to automatic operation.
If the airflow seems low when the fan speed is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air filter
may need to be replaced. For more information, see
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
on page 4‑50and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 7‑3. yN
z(Air Delivery Mode): Press to change the
direction of the airflow in the vehicle. This cancels
automatic operation and lets the air delivery mode be
adjusted manually. Press AUTO to return to automatic
operation.
The outboard air outlets always receive airflow
regardless of the mode selected. See Outlet Adjustment
on page 4‑48to change this airflow from the outboard
outlets.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
Y (Vent): Air is directed to the instrument panel outlets.
\ (Bi-Level): Air is divided between the instrument
panel outlets and the floor outlets. In automatic
operation, cooler air is directed to the upper outlets
and warmer air to the floor outlets.
[ (Floor): Air is directed to the floor outlets, with some
air directed to the windshield and side windows.
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Black plate (47,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Sensors
The solar sensor located on the instrument panel, near
the windshield, monitors the solar heat.The interior temperature sensor located on the
instrument panel to the right of the steering wheel,
measures the temperature of the air inside the vehicle.
The climate control system uses the information from
these sensors to adjust the temperature, the fan speed
and the air delivery, in order to maintain the selected
temperature. The system may also supply cooler air to
the side of the vehicle facing the sun.
Do not cover the sensors or the automatic climate
control system will not work properly.
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Black plate (52,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Instrument Panel Cluster
English Base Shown, Metric and Uplevel similar
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Page 240 of 528

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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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 251 of 528

Black plate (65,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments may have
programs to inspect the on-vehicle emission control
equipment For the inspection, the emission system test
equipment is connected to the vehicle’s Data Link
Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument panel to the left of the
steering wheel. See your dealer if assistance is needed.The vehicle may not pass inspection if:
.the Malfunction Indicator Lamp is on with the
engine running, or if the light does not come on
when the ignition is turned to ON/RUN while the
engine is off.
.the critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. This can
happen if the battery has recently been replaced or
if the battery has run down. The diagnostic system
evaluates critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take several days of
routine driving. If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the inspection, your
dealer can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
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