
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 (52,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-52 Instruments and Controls
Entry/Exit Recall
If the vehicle has this feature, it
allows you to select your preferred
automatic recall of stored memory
and exit positions. SeeMemory
Seats on page 3‑8 for more
information.
Press the customization button until
Entry/Exit Recall appears on the
DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings
for this feature. Then press the
menu up/down button to scroll
through the following settings.
To select a setting, press the set/
reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
Entry/Exit Recall Off (default): No
automatic Entry/Exit Recall will
occur when entering or leaving the
vehicle. The Exit Recall will only
occur after pressing the door
mounted exit button. This button
will cause the driver seat to move rearward a certain distance, and the
steering column to move full up and
full forward, if equipped. Entry
Recall will only occur by pressing
the door mounted
“1”or“2” button.
Entry/Exit Recall On (Vehicles
without Power Tilt Steering
Wheel): If this setting is selected
the following option will be available:
Easy Exit will automatically move
the driver seat rearward a certain
distance when the key is removed
from the ignition on key access
vehicles, or when the ignition is
turned off and the driver door is
opened on keyless access vehicles.
This movement will also occur when
the door mounted exit button is
pressed.
Easy Entry will automatically recall
the driver seat and outside mirror
memory positions of the current
driver (1 or 2) when the ignition is
turned on. Entry/Exit Recall On (Vehicles
with Power Tilt Steering Wheel):
If this setting is selected the
following two options will be
available:
.Entry/Exit Steering and Seat:
Easy Exit will automatically
move the steering column to a
full up and full forward position
and move the driver seat
rearward a certain distance
when the key is removed from
the ignition on key access
vehicles, or when the ignition is
turned off and the driver door is
opened on keyless access
vehicles. These movements will
also occur when the door
mounted exit button is pressed.
Easy Entry will automatically
recall the driver seat, outside
mirrors, and steering column
memory positions of the current
driver (1 or 2) when the ignition
is turned on.

Black plate (9,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Infotainment System 7-9
Selecting a Station
Seek Tuning
If the radio station is not known:
Briefly press
¨SEEK or©SEEK.
The radio will search for the next
receivable station. If the radio does
not find a station, it switches
automatically to a more sensitive
search level. If it still does not find a
station, the frequency that was last
active begins to play and “None
Found” displays.
If the radio station is known:
Press and hold
¨SEEK or©SEEK
until the desired station on the
pop‐up frequency display is almost
reached, then release the button.
Manual Tuning
Turn the TUNE knob to select the
frequency on the pop‐up display. Station List
Turn the MENU/SELECT knob to
display the station list. To create a
list of available stations, select
“Refresh AM Station List”
or
“Refresh FM Station List,”
depending on which band is
being used.
In FM, RDS information may be
utilized to categorize the stations
by genre.
In both AM and FM, the stations are
arranged in frequency order.Storing a Radio Station as a
Favorite
Drivers are encouraged to set up
their radio station favorites while the
vehicle is stopped. Tune to favorite
stations using the presets, favorites
button, and steering wheel controls,
if the vehicle has this feature.
FAV (Favorites): A maximum of
36 stations can be programmed
as favorites using the six softkeys
below the radio station frequency
tabs on the display and by using the radio favorites page button (FAV
button). Press the FAV button to go
through up to six pages of favorites,
each having six favorite stations
available per page. Each page
of favorites can contain any
combination of AM, FM, or XM
stations.
To store a station as a favorite:
1. Tune to the desired radio station.
2. Press the FAV button to display
the page where the station is to
be stored.
3. Press and hold one of the six softkeys until a beep sounds
and “Favorite Saved” displays.
When that softkey is pressed
and released, the radio recalls
the station that was set.
4. Repeat the steps for each radio station to be stored as a favorite.
The number of favorites pages can
be set up using the CONFIG button.

Black plate (12,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
7-12 Infotainment System
Selecting an XM Station
Seek Tuning
Press
¨SEEK or©SEEK to go to
the next or previous station.
Selecting a Station by Station List
The infotainment system can list all
XM stations.
To select a station from the
station list:
1. Turn the TUNE/TONE knob and highlight the desired station.
2. Press the TUNE/TONE knob to select the station.
The highlighted station will also
automatically be selected if TUNE/
TONE is released and no longer
turned. Selecting a Station by Category
The infotainment system can list XM
stations by genre.
To select a station from the
category list:
1. Turn the MENU/SELECT knob
and highlight the desired genre,
then press the MENU/SELECT
knob to select the genre.
2. Turn the MENU/SELECT knob and highlight the desired station,
then press the MENU/SELECT
knob to select the station.
Storing an XM Station as a
Favorite
Drivers are encouraged to set up
their radio station favorites while the
vehicle is stopped. Tune to favorite
stations using the presets, favorites
button, and steering wheel controls,
if the vehicle has this feature.
FAV (Favorites): A maximum of
36 stations can be programmed
as favorites using the six softkeys
below the radio station frequency tabs on the display and by using the
radio favorites page button (FAV
button). Press the FAV button to go
through up to six pages of favorites,
each having six favorite stations
available per page. Each page of
favorites can contain any
combination of AM, FM, or XM
stations.
To store a station as a favorite:
1. Tune to the desired radio station.
2. Press the FAV button to display
the page where the station is to
be stored.
3. Press and hold one of the six softkeys until a beep sounds.
When that softkey is pressed
and released, the radio recalls
the station that was set.
4. Repeat the steps for each radio station to be stored as a favorite.
The number of favorites pages can
be set up using the CONFIG button.

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
7-36 Infotainment System
.Pair cell phone(s) to the vehicle.
The system may not work with
all cell phones. See“Pairing”in
this section for more information.
.If the cell phone has voice
dialing capability, learn to use
that feature to access the
address book or contact list. See
“Voice Pass-Thru” in this section
for more information.
.See “Storing and Deleting Phone
Numbers” in this section for
more information.
{WARNING
When using a cell phone, it can
be distracting to look too long or
too often at the screen of the
phone or the infotainment
(navigation) system. Taking your
eyes off the road too long or too
often could cause a crash
resulting in injury or death. Focus
your attention on driving. Vehicles with a Bluetooth
®system
can use a Bluetooth‐capable cell
phone with a Hands‐Free Profile to
make and receive phone calls. The
system can be used while the
ignition is in the ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY position. The range of
the Bluetooth system can be up to
9.1 m (30 ft). Not all phones support
all functions, and not all phones
work with the Bluetooth system. See
www.gm.com/bluetooth for more
information on compatible phones.
Voice Recognition
The Bluetooth system uses voice
recognition to interpret voice
commands to dial phone numbers
and name tags.
For additional information say “Help”
while you are in a voice
recognition menu.
Noise: Keep interior noise levels to
a minimum. The system may not
recognize voice commands if there
is too much background noise. When to Speak:
A short tone
sounds after the system responds
indicating when it is waiting for a
voice command. Wait until the tone
and then speak.
How to Speak: Speak clearly in a
calm and natural voice.
Audio System
When using the in‐vehicle Bluetooth
system, sound comes through the
vehicle's front audio system
speakers and over‐rides the audio
system. Use the audio system
volume knob, during a call, to
change the volume level. The
adjusted volume level remains in
memory for later calls. To prevent
missed calls, a minimum volume
level is used if the volume is turned
down too low.
Bluetooth Controls
Use the buttons located on the
steering wheel to operate the
in‐vehicle Bluetooth system. See
Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑3 for more information.

Black plate (5,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Climate Controls 8-5
Sensors
The solar sensor located on the
instrument panel, near the
windshield, monitors the solar heat.
The interior temperature sensor,
located on the instrument panel to
the right of the steering wheel,
measures the temperature of the air
inside the vehicle.
The climate control system uses the
information from these sensors to
adjust the fan speed and the air
delivery, in order to maintain the
selected temperature. The system
may also supply cooler air to the
side of the vehicle facing the sun.
The recirculation mode will also be
activated, as necessary.
Do not cover the sensors or the
automatic climate control system will
not work properly.Air Quality Sensor
For vehicles with an air quality
sensor, the climate control system
adjusts to limit some exhaust fumes
from being pulled inside your
vehicle.
Press the AUTO button on the
climate control to activate the air
quality sensor. The recirculation
indicator light comes on when poor
quality air is detected. The air
quality sensor will not maintain
recirculation for an extended period
to prevent the air inside the vehicle
from becoming too dry or stuffy.
Under certain conditions, the air
quality sensor will not activate
recirculation, such as during cold
weather or with odors, like skunk. To
limit odors manually, press
Muntil
the condition has passed.
The air quality sensor system does
not protect against carbon monoxide
(CO), which you cannot see or
smell. See Engine Exhaust on
page 9‑26.

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
8-6 Climate Controls
Air Vents
Use the air outlets located in the
center and on the side of the
instrument panel to direct the
airflow. Use the thumbwheels near
the air outlets to open or close off
the airflow.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from air inlets at the
base of the windshield that could
block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
.Use of non‐GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The passenger compartment air
filter traps most of the dust and
pollen from the air entering the
vehicle. The filter will need to
be changed periodically. See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3.
Using the climate control system
without the passenger air filter
installed could let water or other
debris enter the system. This could
cause a water leak or noises. Make
sure a new air filter is installed after
removing the old one.
The passenger compartment air
filter is located under the hood
below the windshield wiper arm
and the screen on the passenger
side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑6 for more information on
location.

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Competitive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-8
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-11
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-16
Ignition Positions (KeyAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-16
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18 Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . 9-22
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Parking (Manual Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-27
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . 9-31
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Parking Brake (Manual) . . . . . . 9-34
Parking Brake (Electric) . . . . . . 9-35
Brake Assist (Except CTS-V) . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Ride Control Systems
Traction ControlSystem (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
StabiliTrak
®System . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Competitive Driving Mode . . . 9-40
Magnetic Ride Control . . . . . . . 9-40
Limited-Slip Rear Axle . . . . . . . 9-41
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-44
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48