
Black plate (29,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-29
To reset the timer to zero, press and
hold the set/reset button.
Inst (Instantaneous) Economy
Displays the current fuel economy
in either liters per 100 kilometers
(L/100 km) or miles per gallon
(mpg). This number changes
frequently as driving conditions
change. It cannot be reset.
AVG (Average) Speed
Displays the average speed of the
vehicle in either kilometers per
hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph).
This calculation is based on the
various vehicle speeds recorded
since the last reset of this display.
Press the set/reset button to reset
to zero.
Speedometer
Displays a digital speedometer in
the DIC. The speed displays in
either kilometers per hour (km/h) or
miles per hour (mph). To change the
units from English to metric, see
“Units”later in this section. Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Vehicle Information Display
Menu Items
T(Vehicle Information):
Press
to display the following menu items:
Oil Life Remaining
If the vehicle has this display, it
shows the estimated oil life
remaining. If you see 99% Oil Life
Remaining on the display, that
means that 99% of the current oil
life remains.
When the oil life is depleted, the
Change Engine Oil Soon message
displays. Change the oil as soon
as possible. Additional maintenance
is also recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule in this
manual. See Maintenance Schedule
on page 11‑3 andEngine Oil on
page 10‑10.
The Oil Life must be reset after
each oil change. Avoid accidental
resetting of the Oil Life system. It cannot be reset accurately until
the next oil change. To reset the
engine oil life system, See
Engine
Oil Life System on page 10‑12. The
system is reset when 100%
displays.
Units
Select to display English or metric
units of measure. Press the set/
reset button to select when units is
displayed.
Parking Assist
If the vehicle has the Ultrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) system,
this display allows the system to
be turned on or off. Once in this
display, press the set/reset button
to select between On or Off. The
URPA system automatically turns
back on after each vehicle start.
When the URPA system is turned
off and the vehicle is shifted out
of P (Park), the DIC displays the
PARKING ASSIST OFF message
as a reminder that the system has
been turned off. See Object
Detection System Messages on

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-31
Oil Pressure (CTS-V Only)
This display shows the oil pressure
in either kilopascals (kPa) or pounds
per square inch (psi).
Lateral Acceleration (CTS-V Only)
Lateral Acceleration measures the
force of a turn or corner. For
example, when turning right, it
forces to the left. This gauge
displays the“g”force from 0.0 g
to 2.0 g.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
DIC Compass
The vehicle may have a compass in
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Compass on page 5‑7 for
information.
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing
V(Set/Reset).
The messages that require
immediate action cannot be cleared
until that action is performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously; clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
The following are the possible
messages and some information
about them.
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the
system detects that the battery
voltage is dropping below expected
levels. The battery saver system
starts reducing certain features of
the vehicle that may be noticeable.
At the point that the features are
disabled, this message is displayed.
It means that the vehicle is trying to
save the charge in the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary
accessories to allow the battery to
recharge.
The normal battery voltage range is
11.5 to 15.5 volts. You can monitor
battery voltage on the DIC by
pressing the vehicle information
button until Battery Voltage is
displayed.

Black plate (35,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-35
Engine Cooling System
Messages
ENGINE HOT A/C (AIR
CONDITIONING) OFF
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gauge on page 5‑16. To avoid
added strain on a hot engine,
the air conditioning compressor
automatically turns off. When the
coolant temperature returns to
normal, the air conditioning
compressor turns back on. You
can continue to drive the vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE
Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may
occur. If an overheat warning
appears on the instrument panel
cluster and/or DIC, stop the
vehicle as soon as possible. Do
not increase the engine speed
above normal idling speed.
See Engine Overheating on
page 10‑23 for more information.
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle
to idle until it cools down. If the
message does not clear in a
few minutes or if the overheat light
stays on, shut the vehicle off and
have it serviced before driving
again. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on
page 5‑24. See
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 10‑24 for
information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
When this message displays, it
means that service is required
for the vehicle. See your dealer.
See Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 andEngine Oil on
page 10‑10 for more information.
When you reset the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message by
clearing it from the display, you still
must reset the engine oil life system
separately. For more information on
resetting the engine oil life system,
see Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑12.
ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL
If the vehicle has an oil level sensor,
this message displays if the oil level
in the vehicle is low. Check the oil
level and correct it as necessary.

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-36 Instruments and Controls
You may need to let the vehicle cool
or warm up and cycle the ignition to
be sure this message clears.
This message clears itself after
10 seconds, until the next ignition
cycle. SeeEngine Oil on
page 10‑10 for additional
information.
OIL PRESSURE LOW STOP
ENGINE
Notice: If you drive the vehicle
while the engine oil pressure is
low, severe engine damage may
occur. If a low oil pressure
warning appears on the
instrument panel cluster and/or
DIC, stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Do not drive the vehicle
until the cause of the low oil
pressure is corrected. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑10 for more
information. This message displays when the
vehicle's engine oil pressure is low.
The oil pressure light may also
appear on the instrument panel
cluster. See
Engine Oil Pressure
Light on page 5‑25. See Engine Oil
on page 10‑10 for more information.
Stop the vehicle immediately, as
engine damage can result from
driving a vehicle with low oil
pressure. Have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer as soon as possible
when this message is displayed.
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
engine power is being reduced to
protect the engine from damage.
There could be several malfunctions
that might cause this message.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be
reduced. Anytime this message
stays on, take the vehicle to your
dealer for service as soon as
possible.
Fuel System Messages
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refill the fuel
tank as soon as possible. A chime
may sound when this message
displays. See
Filling the Tank on
page 9‑53.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message displays when the
fuel cap has not been fully
tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to
ensure that it is on and tightened
properly.

Black plate (41,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-41
SERVICE ALL WHEEL DRIVE
This message displays if a problem
occurs with the All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) system. The vehicle will run
in 2WD. This could be caused by:
.An electronics problem
.An AWD system oil overheat
.Worn out or overheated clutch
plates
.Various electrical issues
If this message appears, stop as
soon as possible and turn off the
ignition for 30 seconds. Restart the
vehicle and check for the message
on the DIC display. If the message
still displays or appears again when
you begin driving, the system needs
service. See your dealer right away.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays if a problem
is detected with the speed variable
assist steering system. When this
message is displayed, you may notice that the effort required to
steer the vehicle increases or feels
heavier, but you will still be able to
steer the vehicle. See
Steering on
page 9‑4.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there has
been a problem detected with the
StabiliTrak
®system. The TCS/
StabiliTrak warning light on the
instrument panel cluster also
comes on.
If this message comes on while you
are driving, pull off the road as soon
as possible and stop carefully. Try
resetting the system by turning the
ignition off then back on. If this
message still stays on or comes
back on again while you are driving,
the vehicle needs service. Have the
StabiliTrak system inspected by
your dealer as soon as possible.
See StabiliTrak
®System on
page 9‑39 for more information.
SERVICE SUSPENSION
SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a problem with the Magnetic Ride
Control system. See Magnetic Ride
Control on page 9‑40 for more
information. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
This message displays when there
is a problem with the Traction
Control System (TCS). The TCS/
StabiliTrak warning light on the
instrument panel cluster also comes
on. When this message displays,
the system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly. See
your dealer for service. See Traction
Control System (TCS) on page 9‑38
for more information.

Black plate (17,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Infotainment System 7-17
the surface. Pick up discs by
grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge.
If the surface of a disc is soiled,
take a soft, lint‐free cloth or dampen
a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral
detergent solution mixed with water,
and clean it. Make sure the wiping
process starts from the center to
the edge.
Care of the CD Player
Do not add a label to a disc; it could
get caught in the CD player. If a
label is needed, label the top of the
recorded disc with a marking pen.
The use of disc lens cleaners for
discs is not advised, due to the risk
of contaminating the lens of the disc
optics with lubricants internal to the
CD player mechanism.
Notice:If a label is added to a
CD, more than one CD is inserted
into the slot at a time, or an
attempt is made to play scratched
or damaged CDs, the CD player
could be damaged. While using the CD player, use only CDs in
good condition without any label,
load one CD at a time, and keep
the CD player and the loading slot
free of foreign materials, liquids,
and debris.
Control Buttons
The knobs and buttons used to
control the CD player are:
CD:
Press to play a CD when
listening to the radio. The disc and/
or track number display when a CD
is in the player.
¨SEEK or©SEEK: Press to
select tracks.
TUNE/TONE: Turn and then press
to select tracks.
MENU/SELECT: Turn and then
press to select.
r/j(Play/Pause): Press to pause
and restart CD playback.
sREV (Fast Reverse): Press
and hold to reverse playback quickly
within a track.
\FWD (Fast Forward): Press
and hold to advance playback
quickly within a track.
^(Load): Press to load CDs into
the Six-Disc CD player.
Z(Eject): Press to eject the disc.
For the Six-Disc CD player, press
and hold for two seconds to eject all
discs.
Inserting a CD (Single Disc
Player)
With the printed side facing up,
insert a CD into the audio CD slot
until it is drawn in. The CD track
number and a Shuffle tab display
and playback begins.
If the ignition or radio is turned off
while a CD is in the player, it stays
in the player. When the ignition or
radio is turned on, the CD starts
playing where it stopped, if it was
the last selected audio source.

Black plate (20,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
7-20 Infotainment System
The CD/DVD player does not
support the playback of DVD video
discs. If a DVD video disc is
inserted into the player, the radio
displays“Read Error Please Check
Disc” and ejects the disc.
Care of CDs and DVDs
If playing a CD/DVD, the sound
quality can be reduced due to disc
quality, the method of recording, the
quality of the music that has been
recorded, and the way the disc
has been handled. Handle discs
carefully. Store CDs and DVDs
in their original cases or other
protective cases and away from
direct sunlight and dust. The CD/
DVD player scans the bottom
surface of the disc. If the surface of
a disc is damaged, such as cracked,
broken, or scratched, the disc may
not play properly or not at all. Do
not touch the bottom side of a disc
while handling it; this could damage
the surface. Pick up discs by
grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the hole and the outer edge. If the surface of a disc is soiled,
take a soft, lint‐free cloth or dampen
a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral
detergent solution mixed with water,
and clean it. Make sure the wiping
process starts from the center to
the edge.
Care of the CD/DVD Player
Do not add a label to a disc; it could
get caught in the CD/DVD player.
If a label is needed, label the top of
the recorded disc with a
marking pen.
The use of disc lens cleaners for
discs is not advised, due to the risk
of contaminating the lens of the disc
optics with lubricants internal to the
CD/DVD player mechanism.
Notice:
If a label is added to a
disc, or more than one disc is
inserted into the slot at a time,
or an attempt is made to play
scratched or damaged discs,
the CD/DVD player could be
damaged. While using the CD/
DVD player, use only discs in
good condition without any label, load one dosc at a time, and keep
the CD/DVD player and the
loading slot free of foreign
materials, liquids, and debris.
Control Buttons
The knobs and buttons used to
control the CD/DVD player are:
CD/AUX (CD/Auxiliary):
Press to
switch between CD/DVD, auxiliary
input, and USB devices.
¨SEEK or©SEEK: Press to
select tracks.
TUNE/TONE: Turn and then press
to select tracks.
MENU/SELECT: Turn and then
press to select.
r/j(Play/Pause): Press to pause
and restart CD or DVD playback.
sREV (Fast Reverse): In CD or
MP3 playback mode, press and
hold to reverse playback quickly
within a track. Sound is heard at a
reduced volume. When released,
normal playback resumes and the
elapsed time of the track displays.

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-6 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly
steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. The vehicle may
straighten out. Be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues—such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Competitive Driving
Competitive driving may affect the
vehicle warranty. See the warranty
book before using the vehicle for
competitive driving.
Notice:
If you use your vehicle
for competitive driving, the
engine may use more oil than it
would with normal use. Low oil
levels can damage the engine. Be
sure to check the oil level often
during competitive driving and
keep the level at or near the
upper mark that shows the proper
operating range on the engine oil
dipstick. For information on how
to add oil, see Engine Oil on
page 10‑10.
CTS‐V Only: Be sure to check the
oil level often during racing, track
testing or other competitive driving
and keep the level at or near the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range on the engine oil
dipstick.
For competitive driving, it is
recommended that the brake fluid
be replaced with a high performance
brake fluid that has a dry boiling
point greater than 279°C (534°F).
After conversion to the high
performance brake fluid,
follow the brake fluid service
recommendations outlined by the
fluid manufacturer. Do not use
silicone or DOT‐5 brake fluids.
HF V6 Engine Only: Be sure to
check the oil level often during
racing, track testing or other
competitive driving and keep the
level at or near 0.5 L (0.5 qt) above
the upper mark that shows the
proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. For racing, track
testing or other competitive driving
an engine oil cooler must be
installed.