Page 5 of 528
Black plate (5,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
v
Page 42 of 528
Black plate (10,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Power Reclining Seatbacks
{WARNING:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust the seat while the vehicle is moving. The
sudden movement could startle and confuse you,
or make you push a pedal when you do not want
to. Adjust the driver seat only when the vehicle is
not moving.
The front seats have
power reclining
seatbacks. Use the
vertical power seat control
on the outboard side of
the seat to operate them.
.Tilt the top of the vertical control rearward to
recline the seatback.
.Tilt the top of the vertical control forward to raise
the seatback.
2-10
Page 129 of 528

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
If a door, hood, or the trunk is opened without the
keyless access transmitter, the horn will sound for
30 seconds and the lamps will flash for two minutes.
The vehicle cannot be started without a keyless access
transmitter.
The Theft-Deterrent system will not arm if :
.The key is used to turn the key cylinder to the lock
position.
.The driver's door is locked using the power door
lock switch after the doors are closed.
The vehicle can be programmed to automatically unlock
the doors and disarm the theft‐deterrent system when
you approach the vehicle and the keyless access
transmitter is with you. See Vehicle Personalization
on
page 3‑59.
Pressing the unlock button on the keyless access
transmitter or using the key to unlock the driver's door
disarms the theft-deterrent system. Unlocking a door
any other way while the system is armed will activate
the alarm.
Testing the Alarm
1. From inside the vehicle, roll down the window, then get out of the vehicle, keeping the door open.
2. From outside of the vehicle, with the door open, lock the vehicle using the power door lock switch
or the keyless access transmitter and close the
door. Wait about 30 seconds until the security light
goes off.
3. Reach in and open the door using the inside door handle. The horn will sound and the exterior lamps
will flash.
You can turn off the alarm by pressing the unlock button
on the keyless access transmitter or by starting the car.
If the alarm does not sound when it should, check to
see if the horn works. The horn fuse may be blown. To
replace the fuse, see Fuses and Circuit Breakers
on
page 6‑115. If the fuse does not need to be replaced,
you may need to have your vehicle serviced.
To reduce the possibility of theft, always arm the
Theft-Deterrent system when leaving your vehicle.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
3-23
Page 131 of 528

Black plate (25,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
If the vehicle does not start and the keyless access
transmitter appears to be undamaged, try another
keyless access transmitter. Or, place the transmitter in
the transmitter pocket. See“NO FOBS DETECTED”
under DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑76for
additional information. Check the fuse. See Fuses and
Circuit Breakers
on page 6‑115. If the engine still does
not start with the other transmitter, the vehicle needs
service. If the engine does start, the first transmitter
may be faulty. See your dealer or have a new keyless
access transmitter programmed to the vehicle.
The immobilizer system can learn new or replacement
keyless access transmitters. Up to four keyless access
transmitters can be programmed for the vehicle.
To program additional transmitters, see “Matching
transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle” underKeyless Access
System Operation on page 3‑5.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the vehicle.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice: The vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
.Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Avoid
downshifting to brake or slow the vehicle.
.Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time the
new brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard
stops with new linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every time you get new
brake linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer
on page 5‑31for the trailer
towing capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break‐in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
3-25
Page 191 of 528

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
The lever returns to its starting position when it is
released.
If after signaling a turn or lane change the arrow flashes
rapidly or does not come on, a signal bulb may be
burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on
page 6‑115.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for about 1.6 km (1 mile), a
warning chime will sound and the TURN SIGNAL ON
message will appear on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) display. See “Turn Signal On”underDIC
Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑76for more
information.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Push forward on the turn signal/multifunction lever to
change the headlamps from low to high beam. Pull the
lever back and then release it to change from high to
low beam.
If you turn the vehicle off with the high beams on, the
next time you start your vehicle the low beams will
be on.
To re-activate high beams, pull lever toward you and
then push it forward again.
This light on the
instrument panel cluster
will be on, indicating
high-beam usage.
4-5
Page 226 of 528
Black plate (40,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
The Ignition is On and the HUD Image
Cannot Be Seen
Check to see if:
.The HUD unit is covered.
.The brightness is adjusted properly.
.The HUD display is adjusted to the proper height.
.Ambient light in the direction the vehicle is facing
is low.
.A fuse is blown. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakerson page 6‑115.
The windshield is part of the HUD system. See
Windshield Replacement on page 6‑48.
The following messages may appear in the HUD:
SPEED ALERT
Posted SpeedAdvisory Speed
When the Speed Advisor feature is turned on, HUD
displays either the posted or advisory speed as
determined by the information on the map disc in the
navigation system. To turn the Speed Advisor on or off,
see DIC Operation and Displays on page 4‑70.
4-40
Page 228 of 528

Black plate (42,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to plug in
electrical equipment, such as a cell phone or MP3
player.
The vehicle has one outlet in front of the center
console, one in the center console lid and there may be
an additional outlet in the rear of the center console.
The vehicle may have a small cap that must be
removed to access the accessory power outlet.
Replace the cap when not in use. use.
{WARNING:
Power is always supplied to the outlets. Do not
leave electrical equipment plugged in when the
vehicle is not in use because the vehicle could
catch fire and cause injury or death.Notice:
Leaving electrical equipment plugged in for
an extended period of time while the vehicle is off
will drain the battery. Always unplug electrical
equipment when not in use and do not plug in
equipment that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere
rating.
Certain accessory power plugs may not be compatible
to the accessory power outlet and could overload
vehicle and adapter fuses. If a problem is experienced,
see your dealer.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with the
equipment. See Add-On Electrical Equipment
on
page 6‑114.
Notice: Hanging heavy equipment from the power
outlet can cause damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty. The power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only, such as cell phone
charge cords.
4-42
Page 252 of 528

Black plate (66,1)Cadillac STS Owner Manual - 2011
Oil Pressure Light
For vehicles with an oil
pressure light, if there is a
problem with the oil, the
light may stay on after
the engine is started,
or comes on while driving.
This light indicates that oil is not going through the
engine quickly enough to keep it lubricated. The engine
could be low on oil or could have some other oil
problem. Have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
The oil light could also come on in the following
situations:
.The light comes on briefly when the ignition is
turned on to show that it is working properly. If it
does not come on with the ignition on, there may
be a problem with the fuse or bulb. Have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
.Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, a
chime sounds and the light may blink on and off.
This is normal.
{WARNING:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. The
engine can become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil maintenance can
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule for changing engine oil.
4-66