
Black plate (8,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
2-8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
K(Unlock):Press once to unlock
only the driver door. The turn signal
indicators flash twice.
Press
Ktwice within five seconds
to unlock all the doors. The interior
lamps may come on.
To program the vehicle so the turn
signal indicators do not flash and
the fog lamps and back–up lamps
remain on steady for about
20 seconds when the keyless
access transmitter is used to unlock
the vehicle, see “Remote Door
Unlock Feedback” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑46.
For vehicles with the memory
feature, press
Kon the keyless
access transmitter to program and
recall the memory settings. See
Memory Seats on page 3‑8 for more
information.
/(Remote Start): Press to
operate the remote start feature.
See Remote Vehicle Start on
page 2‑12 for additional information.
V/8(Remote Trunk/Liftgate
Release): Press and hold for about
one second to unlock the trunk/
liftgate. The automatic transmission
must be in P (Park) or the manual
transmission must be in Neutral with
the parking brake set.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm): Press and release to
locate the vehicle. The horn sounds
three times and the turn signal
lamps flash three times.
Press and hold
Lfor
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the
turn signal lamps flash for
30 seconds. Press and release
L
again to stop the alarm. The vehicle comes with two
transmitters. Each transmitter will
have a number on top of it,
“1”
or“2.” These numbers
correspond to the driver of the
vehicle. For example, the memory
seat position for driver 1 will be
recalled when using the transmitter
labeled “1,”if enabled through the
DIC. See Memory Seats on
page 3‑8 andVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑46 for
more information.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only keyless access transmitters
programmed to the vehicle will work.
If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
The vehicle can be reprogrammed
so that lost or stolen transmitters no
longer work. Each vehicle can have
up to four transmitters matched to it.

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-11
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
Replace the battery if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC. See
“Replace Battery In Remote Key”
underKey and Lock Messages on
page 5‑37 for additional information.
If the transmitter battery is weak, the
DIC may display ELECTRONIC
KEY NOT DETECTED when you try
to start the vehicle. To start the
vehicle, place the transmitter in
the center console storage area
transmitter pocket with the buttons
facing to the front of the vehicle.
Then, with the vehicle in P (Park) or
N (Neutral), press the brake pedal
and the ignition control knob. See
Starting the Engine on page 9‑20,
for additional information about the
vehicle's electronic keyless ignition.
Replace the transmitter battery as
soon as possible.
Battery Replacement
Notice: When replacing the
battery, do not touch any of the
circuitry on the transmitter. Static
from your body could damage the
transmitter.
1. Remove the key from the transmitter by pressing the thin
button near the bottom of the
transmitter and pulling the key
out. Do not pull the key out
without pressing the button. 2. Separate the transmitter with a
flat, thin object inserted into the
slot on the side of the
transmitter.
Do not try to separate the
transmitter by inserting a flat,
thin object into the key slot. This
will permanently damage the
transmitter.
3. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
4. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
5. Snap the transmitter back together.
6. Reinstall the key into the transmitter.

Black plate (12,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
2-12 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Remote Vehicle Start
This vehicle may have a remote
starting feature that allows you to
start the engine from outside the
vehicle.
/(Remote Vehicle Start):This
button will be on the RKE
transmitter if you have remote start.
The automatic climate control will
begin to heat or cool your vehicle
during remote start depending on
the temperature inside and outside
of the vehicle. The windshield
defroster and/or rear window
defogger turn on if it is cold outside.
If the vehicle has heated seats, they
may also be turned on during
remote start to warm up the seats in
cold weather. Normal operation of
the climate control system returns
after the ignition is turned to ON/
RUN. See Dual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 8‑1.
Laws in some local communities
may restrict the use of remote
starters. For example, some laws
may require a person using remote start to have the vehicle in view
when doing so. Check local
regulations for any requirements on
remote starting of vehicles.
If your vehicle is low on fuel, do not
use the remote start feature. The
vehicle may run out of fuel.
If your vehicle has the remote start
feature, the RKE transmitter
functions will have an increased
range of operation. However, the
range may be less while the vehicle
is running.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter; see
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System on page 2‑4
for additional
information.
Starting the Engine Using Remote
Start
To start the engine using the remote
start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle
and press and release
Qon the
transmitter. 2. Press and hold
/for at least
four seconds or until the
vehicle's turn signal lamps flash.
The parking lamps will turn on
and remain on as long as the
engine is running. The vehicle's
doors will be locked.
3. After entering the vehicle during a remote start, press the brake
pedal and turn the ignition to
ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
After a remote start, the engine
will automatically shut off after
10 minutes unless a time
extension has been done or
the ignition has been turned to
ON/RUN.
Extending Engine Run Time
To extend the engine run time by
10 minutes, repeat Steps 1 and 2
while the engine is still running.
The engine run time can only be
extended if it is the first remote start
since the vehicle has been driven.
Remote start can be extended
one time.

Black plate (19,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-19
WARNING (Continued)
.Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See“Climate
Control Systems” in the
Index.
.If the vehicle is equipped with
a power liftgate, disable the
power liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑26.
Trunk Lock Release
The remote trunk release button is
on the driver door, inside the
storage compartment under the
armrest.
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in P (Park) or N (Neutral). Vehicles
with a manual transmission, the shift
lever must be in Neutral, and the
parking brake set.
The trunk may be opened by
pressing the remote trunk release
button on the driver door, or
Von the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter, or the trunk release
button located on the rear of the
trunk above the license plate.
Vehicles with the Keyless Access
System, if the vehicle is locked, the
keyless access transmitter must be
within 1 m (3 ft) of the trunk for it to
be recognized, then the trunk can
be opened by the trunk release
button located above the license
plate.
If the vehicle is ever without power,
the trunk area can still be accessed.
On vehicles with a rear seat
pass-through door:
1. Fold the rear armrest down and
open the pass-through door. See
“Rear-Seat Pass Through”
following for more information.
2. Reach upward through the opening to locate the emergency
trunk release handle. See
“Emergency Trunk Release
Handle” following for more
information.

Black plate (8,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
3-8 Seats and Restraints
Memory Seats
On vehicles with the memory
feature, memory buttons 1 and 2 on
the driver door are used to save and
recall memory settings for the driver
seat cushion and seatback, outside
mirrors, and the steering column
position, if the vehicle is equipped
with the power tilt and telescopic
steering column.
1:Saves and recalls for driver 1.
2: Saves and recalls for driver 2.
B(Exit Button): Moves the driver
seat and/or power steering column
to the exit position. See “Exit Recall”
later in this section for more
information.
Storing Memory Positions
To save into memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, outside mirrors, and the power steering
column, if equipped, to the
desired driving positions.
2. Press and hold “1”until two
beeps sound.
3. Repeat for a second driver using “2.”
The vehicle comes with two
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitters. Each transmitter has
a number “1”or“2” on it. These
numbers correspond to “1”and “2”
on the driver door. The current
driver is identified when
Kon the
RKE transmitter is pressed, or when
“1” or“2” on the driver door is
pressed. To recall memory positions, press
and release
“1”or“2.” The vehicle
must be in P (Park) for an automatic
transmission, or the parking brake
must be applied for a manual
transmission. A single beep will
sound when the button is pressed.
The seat, outside mirrors, and/or
power steering column will move to
the position previously stored for the
identified driver.
Automatic Entry Recall
If entry/exit recall is programmed on
in the vehicle personalization menu,
automatic entry recall occurs when
the ignition is turned on. See “Entry/
Exit Recall” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑46 for
more information.
To stop recall movement, press one
of the power seat, memory,
or outside mirror buttons, or the
power steering column switch,
if equipped.
If something has blocked the driver
seat or the steering column while
recalling a memory position, the

Black plate (9,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-9
recall may stop. Remove the
obstruction; then press the
appropriate control for the area that
is not recalling for two seconds. Try
recalling the memory position again
by pressing the appropriate memory
button. If the memory position is still
not recalling, see your dealer for
service.
Exit Recall
B(Exit Button):Press to move
the driver seat back a preset
distance and/or the power steering
column, if equipped, up and forward.
A single beep sounds when the exit
feature activates. The vehicle must
be in P (Park) for an automatic
transmission, or the parking brake
must be applied for a manual
transmission.
If entry/exit recall is programmed on
in the vehicle personalization menu,
automatic seat and/or steering
column movement occurs upon
leaving the vehicle, if the following conditions are met. See
Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑46 for
more information.
.For vehicles with Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE), automatic
exit recall movements occur
when the ignition key is
removed.
.For vehicles with Remote
Keyless Access, automatic exit
recall movements occur when
the following steps are
completed:
1. The ignition is turned on for vehicles with an automatic
transmission, or the engine
is started on vehicles with a
manual transmission.
2. The automatic transmission is shifted out of P (Park),
or the parking brake is
released on vehicles with a
manual transmission. 3. The automatic transmission
is shifted back into P (Park),
or the parking brake is
re-engaged on vehicles
with a manual transmission.
4. The ignition is turned off.
5. The driver door is opened.
Steps 2 and 3 are intended to reflect
that the vehicle has been moved.
If the vehicle is not moved or the
steps above are not performed,
automatic exit recall movement will
not occur. In this case, press
Bto
activate exit recall movements.
If something has blocked the driver
seat while recalling the exit position,
the recall may stop. Remove the
obstruction; then press and hold the
power seat control rearward for
two seconds. Try recalling the exit
position again. If the exit position is
still not recalling, see your dealer for
service.

Black plate (26,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
3-26 Seats and Restraints
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, seeWhere Are the
Airbags? on page 3‑22.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{WARNING
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
the interior lamps on, turn the
hazard warning flashers on, and
shut off the fuel system after the
airbags inflate. You can lock the
doors, turn the interior lamps off, and turn the hazard warning
flashers off by using the controls for
those features.
{WARNING
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-3
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 5-4
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-4
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Headlamp Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13 Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Boost Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Engine Speed Limiter . . . . . . . . 5-14
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-16
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-17
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Charging System Light . . . . . . 5-19
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Up-Shift Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-23
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . 5-24
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 5-25
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-26 Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-26
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Battery Voltage and ChargingMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-32
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-34
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-34
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-35
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-36
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-36
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-37
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40
Airbag System Messages . . . . 5-43