2012 CADILLAC CTS steering

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-5
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. SeeExterior Care on
page 10‑110.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety
System Check on page 3‑18.
.Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑110.
.Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check on page 10‑30.
.Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check on
page 10‑31.
.Check ignition transmission lock.
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑31.
.Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check on
page 10‑32.
.Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. See your
dealer if service is required.
.Check tire sealant expiration
date, if equipped. See Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit on
page 10‑86.
.Inspect sunroof track and seal,
if equipped. See Sunroof on
page 2‑32.

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-11
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi‐point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed.
Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
.With a multi‐point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
.Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
.As part of the multi‐point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs
of leaking, blown seals,
or damage, and can advise
when service is needed.
Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,
rotated, and balanced. Maintaining
the tires can save money, fuel, and
can reduce the risk of tire failure.
.Signs that the tires need to be
replaced include three or more
visible treadwear indicators; cord
or fabric showing through the
rubber; cracks or cuts in the
tread or sidewall; or a bulge or
split in the tire.
.Trained dealer technicians can
inspect and recommend the right
tires. Your dealer can also
provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth
vehicle operation at all speeds.
Your dealer sells and services
name brand tires.

Black plate (13,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-13
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of
the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is
recommended. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑10.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant.
See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑18.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 88862806, in
Canada 88862807).
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. 89021184, in Canada 89021186).
Hydraulic Clutch System DOT 4 Hydraulic Clutch Fluid (GM Part No. 88958860, in
Canada 88901244).
Manual Transmission (CTS) SAE 75W-90 GL5 Gear Oil (GM Part No. 88862475, in Canada 88862476).
Manual Transmission (CTS-V) Manual Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 88861800, in Canada 88861801). Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Rear Drive Module and Transfer Case (All‐Wheel Drive) Transfer Case Fluid (GM Part No. 88861950, in Canada 88861951).

Black plate (17,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Customer Information 13-17
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on the
engines, transmission, axle,
suspension, brakes, electrical,
steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional
technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks.
Each bulletin contains instructions
to assist in the diagnosis and
service of the vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written
specifically for owners and intended
to provide basic operational
information about the vehicle. The
Owner Manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all
models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio,
Owner Manual, and Warranty
Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$35.00 (U.S.) plus handling and
shipping fees.
Without Portfolio: Owner
Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00 (U.S.) plus handling and
shipping fees.
Current and Past Models
Technical Service Bulletins and
Manuals are available for current
and past model GM vehicles.
ORDER TOLL FREE:
1-800-551-4123 Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit
Helm, Inc. at: www.helminc.com.
Or write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change
without notice and without incurring
obligation. Allow ample time for
delivery.
All listed prices are quoted in U.S.
funds. Make checks payable in U.S.
funds.

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
INDEX i-5
EngineAir Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Cooling System Messages . . . 5-35
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Overheated Protection Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-26
Speed Limiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4, 9-20 Engine Oil
Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-12
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-61
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-19
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 6-2
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
F
FeaturesMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-5
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-84 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-95
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-116 Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-14
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . 10-37, 6-6
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-28
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Heated and Ventilated . . . . . . . . 3-10
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . 9-52
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . 9-51
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Requirements, California . . . . . 9-51
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
i-6 INDEX
Fuel EconomyDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Fuses EngineCompartment
Fuse Block . . . . . 10-40, 10-44, 10-47, 10-51
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Rear Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . 10-54, 10-56, 10-58, 10-60
G
Garage Door Opener . . . . . . . . . . 5-53
Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-53
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Gauges Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Engine CoolantTemperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13 Gauges (cont.)
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 11-1
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Hard Drive Device (HDD) . . . . . . 7-28
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 6-5
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Headlamps Adaptive ForwardLighting (AFL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-37 Headlamps (cont.)
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
High Intensity Discharge
(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-2
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-28
Heater Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
High-Speed Operation . . . . . . . . 10-72
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14

Black plate (10,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
i-10 INDEX
PowerDoor Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-28
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 9-22
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-30
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Privacy Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) . . . . . . . 13-21
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . 13-13
Proposition 65 Warning, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3R
Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) . . . . . . . . 13-21
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-21
Radios AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
CD/DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Rear Axle Limited-Slip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 9-48
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . 5-6
Rearview Mirror Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . 2-29
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51 Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-17
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-108
Reimbursement Program,
GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4–2-6
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Replacement Parts
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-15
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . 3-34
Replacing LATCH System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . 3-19

Black plate (12,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
i-12 INDEX
Shift Lock Control FunctionCheck, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Side Blind Zone Alert . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Signals, Turn and
Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Spare Tire Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-103
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Speed Limiter, Engine . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . 1-4, 9-20 Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Storage Areas Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Cargo Management System . . . 4-3
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Roof Rack System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . .10-93, 10-94
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-32
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-32
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
System Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Roof Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-6
Theft-DeterrentSystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25, 2-26
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-25
Thigh Support Adjustment . . . . . . 3-6
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Tires
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-79
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-95
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-103
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-67
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-80
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-84
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-73
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-76
Low Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-64
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-72
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-72
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-77
Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86