
Black plate (24,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
2-24 Keys, Doors, and Windows
electric latch will still power latch
once contact is made with the
striker. Always close the liftgate
before driving.
If the RKE button is pressed while
power operation is disabled, the turn
signals will flash and the liftgate will
not move.
The liftgate has an electric latch.
If the battery is disconnected or has
low voltage, the liftgate will not
open. The liftgate will resume
operation when the battery is
reconnected and charged.Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
it impossible to steal.
Anti-theft Alarm System
This vehicle may have an anti-theft
alarm system.
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
when the system is arming.
Arming the System
To arm the system:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with thetransmitter. The security light
should come on and stay on. 3. Close all doors. The security
light should go off after about
30 seconds. The alarm is not
armed until the security light
goes off.
If a locked door or trunk is opened
without using the key in the driver
door key cylinder or the transmitter,
a 10-second pre-alarm will occur.
The horn will chirp and the lights will
flash. If the key is not placed in the
ignition and turned to START or the
door is not unlocked by pressing the
unlock button on the transmitter
during the 10-second pre-alarm, the
alarm will go off. The headlamps will
flash and the horn will sound for
about 30 seconds, then will turn off
to save the battery power.
The theft-deterrent system will not
activate if the doors are locked with
the key or the manual door lock.
It activates only if the power door
lock switch is used while the door is
open, or with the transmitter. You
should also remember that you can

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-11
Rear Seats
Notice:Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.
The vehicle may have a split folding
rear seat.
Sedan or Coupe
To lower one or both of the rear
seatbacks:
1. Pull forward on the tab, on the outboard side of the seatback, to
unlock the seatback.
2. Fold the seatback down. This allows access to the trunk.
See Trunk (Sedan, Coupe) on
page 2‑18 for more information.
Wagon
To lower one or both of the rear
seatbacks:
1. Pull on the lever, on the top outboard side of the seatback, to
unlock the seatback. 2. Fold the seatback down.
To return a seatback to the upright
position:
{WARNING
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
1. Lift the seatback up and push it back into place.
2. Make sure the seatback is locked into place by pushing and
pulling on it.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for the other seatback.
When the seatback is not in use, it
should be kept in the upright, locked
position.

Black plate (34,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-34 Instruments and Controls
Compass Messages
CALIBRATING DRIVE IN
CIRCLES
This message displays when
calibrating the compass. Drive the
vehicle in circles at less than 8 km/h
(5 mph) to complete the calibration.
SeeCompass on page 5‑7 for more
information.
CALIBRATION COMPLETE
This message displays when the
compass calibration is complete.
See Compass on page 5‑7 for more
information.
Cruise Control Messages
CRUISE SET TO XXX MPH
(KM/H)
This message displays whenever
the cruise control is set. See Cruise
Control on page 9‑41 for more
information.
Door Ajar Messages
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the
driver door is not closed completely.
Close the door completely.
HOOD OPEN
This message displays when the
hood is not closed completely. Make
sure that the hood is closed
completely.
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the
driver side rear door is not closed
completely. Make sure that the door
is closed completely.
PASSENGER DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the
passenger side front door is not
closed completely. Make sure that
the door is closed completely.
REAR ACCESS OPEN (Wagon)
This message displays when the
liftgate is not closed completely.
Make sure that the liftgate is closed
completely.
RIGHT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message displays when the
passenger side rear door is not
closed completely. Make sure that
the door is closed completely.
TRUNK OPEN (Sedan and
Coupe)
This message displays when the
trunk is not closed completely. Make
sure that the trunk is closed
completely.

Black plate (44,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-44 Instruments and Controls
comes on and stays on, there may
be a problem with the TPMS. See
your dealer.
TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
This message displays when the
Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) is re-learning the tire
positions on the vehicle. The tire
positions must be re-learned after
rotating the tires or after replacing a
tire or sensor. SeeTire Rotation on
page 10‑77, Tire Pressure Monitor
System on page 10‑72, and Tire
Pressure on page 10‑70 for more
information.
TIRE LOW ADD AIR TO TIRE
On vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this
message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the
vehicle’s tires is low. This message
also displays LEFT FRONT, RIGHT
FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT
REAR to indicate the location of the
low tire. The low tire pressure warning light
will also come on. See
Tire
Pressure Light on page 5‑25.
If a tire pressure message appears
on the DIC, stop as soon as you
can. Inflate the tires by adding air
until the tire pressure is equal to
the values shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See Tires
on page 10‑63, Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑11, and Tire Pressure on
page 10‑70.
If the vehicle does not have a spare
tire, the message will display USE
INFLATOR KIT IN TRUNK. Use the
inflator kit to inflate the tires to the
correct pressure. See Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit on page 10‑86
for more information.
More than one tire pressure
message can be received at a time.
To read the other messages, press
the set/reset button.
The DIC display also shows the tire
pressure values. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑27.
Transmission Messages
DIFFERENTIAL HOT, REDUCE
SPEED (CTS-V ONLY)
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the differential fluid
temperature exceeds 150°C
(300°F). Driving aggressively
or at high speeds can cause the
differential fluid temperature to be
higher than normal. If this message
appears, you may continue to drive
at a slower speed. If you have been
operating the vehicle under normal
driving conditions, the vehicle may
need service. See your dealer for an
inspection.
To acknowledge the message, press
V. The message reappears and a
chime sounds every two minutes
until this condition changes. If you
do not clear the message, it will
remain on until the condition
changes.

Black plate (44,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-44 Driving and Operating
Object Detection
Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist
If available, the Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) system
assists the driver with parking
and avoiding objects while in
R (Reverse). URPA operates at
speeds less than 8 km/h (5 mph).
The sensors on the rear bumper
detect objects up to 2.5 m (8 ft)
behind the vehicle, and at least
25 cm (10 in) off the ground.
{WARNING
The URPA system does not
detect pedestrians, bicyclists,
animals, or any other objects
located below the bumper or that
are too close or too far from the
vehicle. To prevent injury, death,
or vehicle damage, even with(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
URPA, always check behind the
vehicle and check all mirrors
before backing.
How the System Works
URPA comes on automatically
when the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse). A single tone sounds
to indicate the system is working.
URPA operates only at speeds less
than 8 km/h (5 mph).
An obstacle is indicated by audible
beeps. The interval between the
beeps becomes shorter as the
vehicle gets closer to the obstacle.
When the distance is less than
30 cm (12 in), the beeping is a
continuous tone for five seconds.
To be detected, objects must be at
least 25 cm (10 in) off the ground
and below trunk or liftgate level.
Objects must also be within 2.5 m (8 ft) of the rear bumper. This
distance may be less during warmer
or humid weather.
Turning the System On and Off
The system can be disabled through
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See
“Parking Assist” underDriver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑27 for more information.
URPA defaults to the on setting
each time the vehicle is started.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
The following messages may be
displayed on the DIC:
PARKING ASSIST OFF: This
message occurs if the driver
disables the system or if vehicle is
driven above 8 km/h (5 mph) in
R (Reverse).
SERVICE PARKING ASSIST: If
this message occurs, take the
vehicle to your dealer to repair the
system.

Black plate (45,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-45
PARK ASSIST BLOCKED SEE
OWNER'S MANUAL:If the URPA
system does not activate due to a
temporary condition, this message
displays on the DIC. This can occur
under the following conditions:
.The driver has disabled the
system.
.The ultrasonic sensors are not
clean. Keep the vehicle's rear
bumper free of mud, dirt, snow,
ice and slush. For cleaning
instructions, see Exterior Care
on page 10‑110.
.The park assist sensors are
covered by frost or ice. Frost or
ice can form around and behind
the sensors and may not always
be seen; this can occur after
washing the vehicle in cold
weather. The message may not
clear until the frost or ice has
melted.
.A trailer was attached to the
vehicle, or an object was
hanging out of the trunk or
liftgate during the last drive
cycle. Once the object is
removed, URPA will return to
normal operation.
.A tow bar is attached to the
vehicle.
.The bumper is damaged. Take
the vehicle to your dealer to
repair the system.
.Other conditions, such as
vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on
a very large truck, are affecting
system performance.
Side Blind Zone
Alert (SBZA)
The vehicle may have a Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) system. Read
this entire section before using the
system.
{WARNING
SBZA does not detect vehicles
rapidly approaching outside of the
side blind zones, pedestrians,
bicyclists, or animals. Failure to
use proper care when changing
lanes may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. Always check
for other vehicles and use the
turn signals when changing lanes.
When the system detects a vehicle
in the side blind zone, amber SBZA
displays will light up in the side
mirrors. This indicates that it may be
unsafe to change lanes. Before
making a lane change, always
check the SBZA display, check the

Black plate (55,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-55
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{WARNING
Never fill a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle. Static
electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the fuel
vapor. You can be badly burned
and the vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you
and others:
.Dispense fuel only into
approved containers.
.Do not fill a container while it
is inside a vehicle, in a
vehicle's trunk, pickup bed,
or on any surface other than
the ground.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Bring the fill nozzle in contact
with the inside of the fill
opening before operating the
nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
.Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
.Do not use a cellular phone
while pumping fuel.
Towing
General Towing
Information
Only use towing equipment that has
been designed for the vehicle.
Contact your dealer or trailering
dealer for assistance with preparing
the vehicle for towing a trailer.
See the following trailer towing
information in this section:
.For information on driving while
towing a trailer, see “Driving
Characteristics and
Towing Tips.”
.For maximum vehicle and trailer
weights, see “Trailer Towing.”
.For information on equipment to
tow a trailer, see “Towing
Equipment.”
For information on towing a disabled
vehicle, see Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑108. For information on
towing the vehicle behind another

Black plate (29,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-29
Battery
The battery is in the trunk, behind
the trim panel, on the passenger
side of the vehicle. Refer to the
replacement number shown on the
original battery label when a new
battery is needed.
{WARNING
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.After a power loss, such as
disconnecting the battery or
removing the maxi fuses in the
power distribution fuse block, the
following steps must be performed
to calibrate the electronic throttle
control. If this is not done, the
engine will not run properly.
1. Turn the ignition on but do not
start the engine.
2. Leave the ignition on for at least three minutes so that the
electronic throttle control will
cycle and re-learn its home
position.
3. Turn the ignition off.
4. Start and run the engine for at least 30 seconds.
Vehicle Storage
{WARNING
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑104 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.