Black plate (15,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls
The heating, cooling, and ventilation can be controlled
for the vehicle with this system.
Vehicles With Heated and Ventilated Seats Shown,Vehicles Without Similar
A. Driver and Passenger Side Power Buttons
B. Ventilated Seat
C. AUTO
D. Air Recirculation E. Air Conditioning F. Heated Seat
G. Fan Control H. Defrost
I. Rear Window Defogger
J. Air Delivery Mode Control
See Dual Climate Control System
on page 4‑43and
Rear Climate Control System on page 4‑49.
Transmission
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Driver Shift Control (DSC) allows you to shift an
automatic transmission similar to a manual
transmission. To use the DSC feature:
1. Move the shift lever to the right from D (Drive) into the DSC area.
The vehicle will be in sport mode. It will remain in
sport mode if the shift lever is not moved forward
or rearward. Sport mode will shift the transmission
automatically but remain in a gear longer than
it would in D (Drive) based on braking and
acceleration.
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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 (43,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation can be controlled
for the vehicle with this system.
Automatic Operation
Vehicles With Heated and Ventilated Seats Shown,Vehicles Without Similar
A. Driver and Passenger Side Power Buttons
B. Ventilated Seat
C. AUTO
D. Recirculation E. Air Conditioning F. Heated Seat
G. Fan Control H. Defrost I. Rear Window Defogger
J. Air Delivery Mode Control AUTO (Automatic):
The system automatically controls
the fan speed, air delivery, air conditioning and
recirculation modes in order to heat or cool the vehicle
to the desired temperature.
To place the system in automatic mode:
1. Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting, generally, between 21°C (70°F) and 27°C (80°F).
Choosing the coldest or warmest temperature
setting will not cause the system to heat or cool
any faster. If the system is set at the warmest
temperature setting, the system will try to
continuously heat the vehicle and will not adjust
the system down as the vehicle warms up.
To avoid blowing cold air in cold weather, the
system delays turning on the fan until warm air is
available. The system starts out blowing air at the
floor, but can automatically change modes as
the vehicle warms up to maintain the chosen
temperature setting. The length of time needed for
warm up depends on the outside temperature and
the length of time that has elapsed since the
vehicle was last driven.
3. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take from 10 to 30 minutes. Then adjust the temperature,
if necessary.
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Black plate (49,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Rear Climate Control System
The vehicle has a rear climate control system. The
base model includes air outlets in the rear of the center
console for cooling and under-seat air outlets for
heating. The temperature, amount of airflow, and the
air delivery mode is controlled automatically by the front
climate control system.
Some vehicles may have an optional climate control
panel for the rear passenger, located on the back of the
center console.
A. Temperature Control
B. Air Delivery Mode ControlC. Heated Seat
D. Heated Seat
Indicator
9(Off) : Turns off the airflow to the rear seat
passengers. With the air delivery off there may be an
increase in the air rush sound of the front system.
Temperature Control: Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn to change the
direction of the airflow for the rear seat passengers.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
Y (Vent): Air is directed to the console outlets.
\ (Bi-Level): Air is directed to the console and the
floor outlets.
[ (Floor): Air is directed to the floor outlets.
The front climate control system automatically controls
the amount of airflow to the rear seat passengers,
regardless of optional equipment. Airflow to the rear
system turns off when defrost is selected on the front
climate control panel, in order to direct air to clear the
windshield.
z(Heated Seat): Press to turn on rear heated seats.
There are two buttons, each with three indicator lights,
located between the climate control knobs on the rear
climate control panel.
Keep the area under the front seats clear of any objects
so the air in the vehicle can circulate effectively.
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Black plate (61,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning light
comes on when the
engine is very hot.
This light also comes on briefly when the vehicle is
started.
If the light does not go out or comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the cooling
system. Driving with engine coolant temperature light on
could cause the vehicle to overheat, see Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 6‑32. See
Engine Overheatingon page 6‑30and DIC Warnings
and Messageson page 4‑76for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows
the engine coolant
temperature.
It can be used to see when the engine has warmed
up and to make sure the cooling system is operating
properly. If the gauge pointer moves into the shaded
area, the engine coolant is too hot and the engine
coolant temperature warning light comes on. See
Engine Overheating
on page 6‑30for more
information.
4-61
Black plate (19,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains is different
than driving on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for driving in
these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires, cooling
system, and transmission.
.Going down steep or long hills, shift to a
lower gear.
{WARNING:
If you do not shift down, the brakes could get so
hot that they would not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{WARNING:
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. The brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down and they could
get so hot that they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or even none going
down a hill. You could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in gear when
going downhill.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that
let you stay in your own lane.
.Top of hills: Be alert—something could be in your
lane (stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road signs (falling rocks
area, winding roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take appropriate action.
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Black plate (38,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine
.Shift into a gear
.Release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. See this manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good idea to inspect these
before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
The cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See Engine Overheating
on page 6‑30.
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