2012 CADILLAC CTS service

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-23
position. Cargo could fall out of the
vehicle. Close and latch the power
liftgate before driving.
If the liftgate is powered open and
the liftgate support struts have lost
pressure, the turn signals will flash
and a chime will sound. The liftgate
will stay open, and then slowly
close. See your dealer for service
before using the liftgate.
Obstacle Detection Features
If the liftgate encounters an obstacle
during a power open or close cycle,
a warning chime will sound and the
liftgate will automatically reverse
direction to the full closed or
open position. After removing
the obstacle, the power liftgate
operation can be used again. If
the liftgate encounters multiple
obstacles on the same power cycle,
the power function will deactivate.
After removing the obstacles, the
liftgate will resume normal power
operation.The vehicle has pinch sensors
located on the side edges of the
liftgate. If an object is caught
between the liftgate and the body
and presses against this sensor, the
liftgate will reverse direction and
open fully. The liftgate will remain
open until it is activated again or
closed manually.
Setting the Power Liftgate
Intermediate Mode
To change the liftgate stop position:
1. Turn the liftgate switch to either
the MAX, or the ¾ mode position
and power open the liftgate.
2. Stop the liftgate movement at the desired height by pressing
any button that operates the
power liftgate, or the touch pad.
Manually adjust the liftgate
position if required.
3. Press and hold the button on the liftgate adjacent to the latch until
the turn signals flash and a beep
sounds to indicate that the new
setting is recorded. When power opened with the
¾ mode selected, the liftgate
stops at the new set position.
If an audible and visual response is
not received when setting the
intermediate stop position, the
liftgate height is below the ¾ open
height minimum, approximately
5 feet at the edge of the liftgate.
Manual Operation of Power
Liftgate
To change the liftgate to manual
operation, turn the mode selector
switch to OFF.
With the power liftgate disabled and
all of the doors unlocked, the liftgate
can be manually opened and
closed. Manual operation of a
vehicle with a power liftgate requires
more effort than a standard
non-power liftgate.
To open the liftgate, press the touch
pad on the handle on the outside of
the liftgate and lift. To close the
liftgate, use the pull cup. With the
power liftgate disabled, the liftgate

Black plate (26,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
2-26 Keys, Doors, and Windows
If the engine still does not start and
the key appears to be undamaged
or the light continues to stay on, try
another key.
If the engine still does not start with
the other key, the vehicle needs
service. If the vehicle does start,
the first key may be damaged. See
your dealer who can service the
theft-deterrent system and have a
new key made.
It is possible for the theft-deterrent
system decoder to learn the
transponder value of a new or
replacement key. Up to 10 keys
can be programmed for the vehicle.
The following procedure is for
programming additional keys only.
To program a new key:
1. Verify that the new key has
1
stamped on it.
2. Insert the current key in the ignition and start the engine.
If the engine will not start, see
your dealer for service. 3. After the engine has started, turn
the key to LOCK/OFF, and
remove the key.
4. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to ON/RUN within
five seconds of the ignition being
turned to LOCK/OFF in Step 3.
5. The security light will turn off once the key has been
programmed. It may not be
apparent that the security light
went on due to how quickly the
key is programmed.
6. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to be
programmed.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.
Immobilizer Operation
(Keyless Access)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the ignition
control knob is turned to LOCK/OFF.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the ignition control
knob is pushed in and a valid
transmitter is found in the vehicle.
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
if there is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.

Black plate (27,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-27
One or more keyless access
transmitters can be matched to the
vehicle's immobilizer control unit.
Only a correctly matched keyless
access transmitter will start the
vehicle. If the keyless access
transmitter is ever damaged, you
may not be able to start your
vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition control knob off and try
again.If the ignition control knob does not
rotate, and the keyless access
transmitter appears to be
undamaged, try another keyless
access transmitter. Or, you may try
placing the transmitter in the
transmitter pocket located in the
center console. See
“Electronic Key
Not Detected” underKey and Lock
Messages on page 5‑37.
If the ignition control knob still does
not rotate with the other transmitter,
the vehicle needs service. If the
ignition control knob does rotate, the
first transmitter may be faulty. See
your dealer who can service the
theft-deterrent system and have a
new keyless access transmitter
programmed to the vehicle. It is possible for the immobilizer
system to learn new or replacement
keyless access transmitters. Up to
four keyless access transmitters can
be programmed for the vehicle. To
program additional transmitters, see
“Programming Transmitters to the
Vehicle”
for keyless access under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Key Access) on
page 2‑5 orRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation (Keyless
Access) on page 2‑6.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.

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 (27,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-27
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system. If
you do not get them, the airbag
system will not be there to help
protect you in another crash.
A new system will include airbag
modules and possibly other
parts. The service manual for
the vehicle covers the need to
replace other parts.
.The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a
crash. SeeVehicle Data
Recording and Privacy on
page 13‑19 andEvent Data
Recorders on page 13‑19.
.Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front
outboard passenger position. The
passenger airbag status indicator
will be visible on the instrument
panel when the vehicle is started.
United States
Canada and Mexico
The words ON and OFF, or the
symbol for on and off, will be visible
during the system check. If the
vehicle has remote start, and it is
being used to start the vehicle from
a distance, you may not see the
system check. When the system
check is complete, either the word
ON or OFF, or the symbol for on or
off, will be visible. See Passenger
Airbag Status Indicator on
page 5‑18.
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag under
certain conditions. The driver airbag,
seat‐mounted side impact airbags
and the roof-rail airbags are not
affected by the passenger sensing
system.

Black plate (29,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-29
When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag,
the off indicator will light and stay lit
to remind you that the airbag is off.
SeePassenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 5‑18.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn on (may inflate) the
front outboard passenger frontal
airbag anytime the system senses
that a person of adult size is sitting
properly in the front outboard
passenger seat.
When the passenger sensing
system has allowed the airbag to be
enabled, the on indicator will light
and stay lit to remind you that the
airbag is active.
For some children, including
children in child restraints, and for
very small adults, the passenger
sensing system may or may not turn off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag, depending upon
the person’
s seating posture and
body build. Everyone in the vehicle
who has outgrown child restraints
should wear a safety belt
properly —whether or not there
is an airbag for that person.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See Airbag Readiness
Light on page 5‑17 for more
information, including important
safety information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a
Child Restraint
If a child restraint has been installed
and the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint following the directions
provided by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to
Securing Child Restraints
(Rear Seat) on page 3‑49 or
Securing Child Restraints (Front
Passenger Seat) on page 3‑52.
5. If, after reinstalling the child restraint and restarting the
vehicle, the on indicator is still lit,
turn the vehicle off. Then slightly
recline the vehicle seatback
and adjust the seat cushion,
if adjustable, to make sure that

Black plate (32,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
3-32 Seats and Restraints
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 13‑17.
{WARNING
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: Is there anything I might addto or change about the vehicle
that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that
change the vehicle's frame,
bumper system, height, front end
or side sheet metal, they may
keep the airbag system from
working properly. Changing or
moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag
sensing and diagnostic module,
steering wheel, instrument
panel, roof-rail airbag modules,
ceiling headliner or pillar garnish
trim, overhead console, front
sensors, side impact sensors, rollover sensor module, or airbag
wiring can affect the operation of
the airbag system.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for
the right front passenger
position, which includes sensors
that are part of the passenger
seat. The passenger sensing
system may not operate properly
if the original seat trim is
replaced with non-GM covers,
upholstery or trim, or with GM
covers, upholstery or trim
designed for a different vehicle.
Any object, such as an
aftermarket seat heater or a
comfort enhancing pad or
device, installed under or on top
of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of
the passenger sensing system.
This could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the
passenger sensing system from
properly turning off the

Black plate (33,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-33
passenger airbag(s). See
Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑27.
If you have questions, call
Customer Assistance. The
phone numbers and addresses
for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑1 or
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure (Mexico) on
page 13‑3.
If the vehicle has rollover
roof-rail airbags, see Different
Size Tires and Wheels on
page 10‑80 for additional
important information. Q: Because I have a disability,
I have to get my vehicle
modified. How can I find out
whether this will affect my
airbag system?
A: If you have questions, call
Customer Assistance. The
phone numbers and addresses
for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this
manual. See Customer
Satisfaction Procedure (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑1 or
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure (Mexico) on
page 13‑3.
In addition, your dealer and the
service manual have information
about the location of the airbag
sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module and airbag wiring.Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See
Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑17 for more information.
Notice: If an airbag covering is
damaged, opened, or broken, the
airbag may not work properly. Do
not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag covers,
have the airbag covering and/or
airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbags, see
Where Are the Airbags? on
page 3‑22. See your dealer for
service.