
Black plate (8,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-8 Instruments and Controls
3. PressVto scroll through and
select the appropriate
variance zone.
4. Press
3until the vehicle
heading, for example, N for
North, is displayed in the DIC.
5. Calibrate the compass. See “Compass Calibration
Procedure” following.
Compass Calibration
The compass can be manually
calibrated. Only calibrate the
compass in a magnetically clean
and safe location, such as an open
parking lot, where driving the
vehicle in circles is not a danger.
Also calibrate the compass, away
from tall buildings, utility wires,
manhole covers, or other industrial
structures, if possible.
If the DIC display does not show a
heading, for example, N for North,
or the heading does not change
after making turns, there may be a
strong magnetic field interfering with
the compass. Interference may be caused by a magnetic antenna
mount, magnetic note pad holder,
or any other magnetic item. Turn off
the vehicle, move the magnetic
item, then turn on the vehicle and
calibrate the compass.
Compass Calibration Procedure
1. Before calibrating the compass,
check that the compass is set to
the correct variance zone. See
“Compass Variance (Zone)
Procedure” earlier in this
section.
Do not operate any switches
such as window, sunroof,
climate controls, seats, etc.
during the calibration procedure.
2. Press
Tuntil PRESSVTO
CALIBRATE COMPASS
displays.
3. Press
Vto start the compass
calibration.
4. The DIC will display CALIBRATING DRIVE IN
CIRCLES. Drive the vehicle in tight circles at less than 8 km/h
(5 mph) to complete the
calibration. The DIC will display
CALIBRATION COMPLETE for a
few seconds then returns to the
PRESS
VTO CALIBRATE
COMPASS display.
Clock
The analog clock is on the
instrument panel above the radio.
The clock is not connected with any
other vehicle system and runs by
itself. To adjust the clock:
1. Locate the adjustment buttons directly below the clock.
2. Push and release the right adjustment button to move the
clock hands forward or the left
adjustment button to make the
clock hands go backward.
Holding either button down will
cause the clock to advance
faster. Release the button before
the desired time is reached.

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Instruments and Controls 5-23
SeeBrake Assist (Except CTS-V)
on page 9‑37 for more information.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The Antilock Brake System (ABS),
this light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the
ignition off. If the light comes on
while driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition
off. A chime may also sound when
the light comes on steady. If this
happens, start the engine again to
reset the system. If the ABS light
stays on, or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning
light is not on, the vehicle still has
brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, the vehicle does not
have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes.
See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑22.
For vehicles with a Driver
Information Center (DIC), see
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑27 for all brake-related DIC
messages.
Up-Shift Light
The vehicle may have an up-shift
light. It indicates when to shift to
the next higher gear for best fuel
economy. See
Manual Transmission on
page 9‑31 for more information.
For the CTS-V, the tracer lights
function as a performance up-shift
light.
The tracers flash to indicate when
to shift to the next higher gear to
avoid the engine speed limit. See
Automatic Transmission on
page 9‑27 orManual Transmission
on page 9‑31 for more information.
StabiliTrak®OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.

Black plate (33,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-33
PRESS BRAKE TO START
ENGINE (AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION ONLY)
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays if you try to start the engine
without having the brake pressed.
The brake needs to be pressed
when starting the engine. See
Ignition Positions (Key Access) on
page 9‑16orIgnition Positions
(Keyless Access) on page 9‑18 for
more information.
RELEASE PARK BRAKE
SWITCH
For vehicles with the electric parking
brake, this message displays if the
switch is pulled while the vehicle is
moving. See the electric parking
brake information under Parking
Brake (Manual) on page 9‑34 or
Parking Brake (Electric) on
page 9‑35 for more information.
SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the brake system. The
brake system warning light and the
antilock brake system (ABS)
warning light may also display on
the instrument panel cluster. See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑22andAntilock Brake
System (ABS) Warning Light on
page 5‑23 for more information.
Stop as soon as possible and turn
off the vehicle. Restart the vehicle
and check for the message on the
DIC display. If the message displays
immediately or again after you begin
driving, the brake system needs
service. See your dealer as soon as
possible. See Antilock Brake
System (ABS) on page 9‑33 for
more information.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays, while the
ignition is on, when the brake fluid
level is low. The brake system
warning light on the instrument
panel cluster also comes on. See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑22 for more information. This
message may also be displayed for
other brake system problems. Have
the brake system serviced by your
dealer as soon as possible.
SERVICE PARK BRAKE
For vehicles with the electric parking
brake, this message displays if a
problem is detected with the electric
parking brake system. See your
dealer for service.
STEP ON BRAKE TO
RELEASE PARK BRAKE
For vehicles with the electric parking
brake, this message displays if you
try to release the park brake system
without first pressing the brake
pedal. See the electric parking
brake information under Parking
Brake (Manual) on page 9‑34 or
Parking Brake (Electric) on
page 9‑35 for more information.

Black plate (37,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-37
Key and Lock Messages
ACCESSORY MODE ACTIVE
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays when the accessory mode
is active. SeeIgnition Positions (Key
Access) on page 9‑16 orIgnition
Positions (Keyless Access) on
page 9‑18 for more information.
ELECTRONIC KEY ALREADY
KNOWN
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays if you try to match a
transmitter that has already been
learned. See the keyless access
information for Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation (Key
Access) on page 2‑5 orRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation (Keyless Access) on
page 2‑6 for more information.
ELECTRONIC KEY NOT
DETECTED
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays if the vehicle does not
detect the presence of a transmitter
when you have attempted to start
the vehicle or a vehicle door has
just closed. The following conditions
may cause this message to appear:
.Driver-added equipment plugged
into the accessory power outlet
on the center console is causing
interference. Examples of these
devices are cell phones and cell
phone chargers, two-way radios,
power inverters, or similar items.
Try moving the keyless access
transmitter away from these
devices when starting the
vehicle. In addition, PDA devices
and remote garage and gate
openers may also generate
Electromagnetic Interference
(EMI) that may interfere with the
keyless access transmitter. Do not carry the keyless access
transmitter in the same pocket
or bag as these devices.
.The vehicle is experiencing
Electromagnetic Interference
(EMI). Some locations, such as
airports, automatic toll booths,
and some gas stations have EMI
fields which may interfere with
the keyless access transmitter.
If moving the transmitter to
different locations within the
vehicle does not help, place the
transmitter in the center console
transmitter pocket with the

Black plate (38,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-38 Instruments and Controls
buttons facing the front of the
vehicle and then start the
vehicle.
.The vehicle's battery voltage is
low. The battery voltage must be
above 10 volts for the keyless
access transmitter to be
detected properly.
ELECTRONIC KEY NOT
DETECTED RESTART
ALLOWED
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays when the keyless access
transmitter is not detected inside the
vehicle while you are trying to turn
the ignition off. The vehicle may be
near a strong radio antenna signal
causing the keyless access system
to be jammed. If you have the
keyless access transmitter with you,
get out of the vehicle and lock the
doors. If you do not have the
keyless access transmitter with you,
you will be able to start the vehicle
again within five minutes, or after
the vehicle's content theft-deterrentsystem is armed. See
Starting the
Engine on page 9‑20 for more
information.
LEARN DELAY ACTIVE WAIT
XX MIN (MINUTES)
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays when matching new
transmitters to the vehicle. See the
Keyless Access information for
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Key Access) on
page 2‑5 orRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation (Keyless
Access) on page 2‑6 for more
information.
MAXIMUM # ELECTRONIC
KEYS LEARNED
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays when the maximum
number of transmitters have been
learned. See the Keyless Access
information for Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation (Key
Access) on page 2‑5 orRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation (Keyless Access) on
page 2‑6
for more information.
PRESS START CONTROL TO
LEARN KEYS
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays when matching new
transmitters to the vehicle. See
the keyless access information
forRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Key Access) on
page 2‑5 orRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation (Keyless
Access) on page 2‑6 for more
information.
READY TO LEARN
ELECTRONIC KEY # X
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays while matching new
transmitters to the vehicle. See the
keyless access information for
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Key Access) on
page 2‑5 orRemote Keyless Entry

Black plate (39,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-39
(RKE) System Operation (Keyless
Access) on page 2‑6for more
information.
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays when the
battery in the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) or keyless access transmitter
needs to be replaced. To replace
the battery, see “Battery
Replacement” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation (Key Access) on
page 2‑5 orRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation (Keyless
Access) on page 2‑6.
ROTATE CONTROL TO OFF
POSITION
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays when the ignition is in
ACC/ACCESSORY and the shift
lever has just been moved to
P (Park). The message displays as
a reminder to turn the ignition off. To avoid draining the battery, make
sure the ignition is turned off before
leaving the vehicle.
SERVICE KEYLESS START
SYSTEM
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays when there is a problem
with this feature. See your dealer.
Lamp Messages
AFL (ADAPTIVE FORWARD
LIGHTING) LAMPS NEED
SERVICE
This message displays when the
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL)
system is disabled and needs
service. See your dealer. See
Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) on
page 6‑5
for more information.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned off.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
automatic headlamps are turned on.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays as a
reminder to turn off the turn signal if
you drive the vehicle for more than
about 1.6 km (1 mi) with a turn signal
on. A multiple chime sounds when
this message displays.
Object Detection System
Messages
PARKING ASSIST BLOCKED
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL
If the vehicle has the Ultrasonic
Rear Park Assist (URPA) system,
this message displays if there is
something interfering with the park
assist system. See Ultrasonic
Parking Assist on page 9‑44 for
more information.

Black plate (40,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-40 Instruments and Controls
PARKING ASSIST OFF
After the vehicle has been started,
this message displays to remind the
driver that the URPA system has
been turned off. This message also
displays when there is a temporary
condition causing the system to be
disabled. SeeUltrasonic Parking
Assist on page 9‑44. Press the set/
reset button to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC
display.
SERVICE PARKING ASSIST
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Ultrasonic Rear
Parking Assist (URPA) system. Do
not use this system to help you
park. See Ultrasonic Parking Assist
on page 9‑44 for more information.
See your dealer for service.
SERVICE SIDE BLIND ZONE
ALERT SYSTEM
If this message appears, both SBZA
displays will remain on indicating
there is a problem with the SBZA system. If these displays remain on
after continued driving, the system
needs service. Take the vehicle to
your dealer.
SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT
SYSTEM OFF
This message indicates that the
driver has turned the system off.
SIDE BLIND ZONE ALERT
SYSTEM TEMPORARILY
UNAVAILABLE
This message indicates that the
SBZA system is disabled because
the sensor is blocked and cannot
detect vehicles in the blind zone.
The sensor may be blocked by
mud, dirt, snow, ice, or slush. This
message may also activate during
heavy rain or due to road spray. The
vehicle does not need service. For
cleaning, see
Exterior Care on
page 10‑110.
Ride Control System
Messages
ALL WHEEL DRIVE OFF
If the vehicle has the All-Wheel
Drive (AWD) system, this message
displays when there is a temporary
condition making the AWD system
unavailable. The vehicle will run in
2WD. This could be caused by:
.Loss of wheel or vehicle speed
.AWD system overheat
.Certain vehicle electrical
conditions
This message turns off when the
above conditions are no longer
present and the warning message is
reset.
To reset the warning message, turn
the ignition off and then back on
again after 30 seconds. If the
message stays on, see your dealer
right away. See All-Wheel Drive on
page 9‑33 for more information.

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Instruments and Controls 5-47
No Change:No change will be
made to this feature. The current
setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/
reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
Auto Door Lock
This feature allows you to select
when the vehicle's doors will
automatically lock. See Automatic
Door Locks on page 2‑17 for more
information.
Press the customization button until
Auto Door Lock 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.
Shift Out Of Park (default on
Automatic Transmission)
(Automatic Transmission Only):
The vehicle's doors automatically
lock when the doors are closed and
the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park). At Vehicle Speed (default on
Manual Transmission):
The
vehicle's doors automatically lock
when the vehicle speed is above
8 km/h (5 mph) for three seconds.
No Change: No change will be
made to this feature. The current
setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/
reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
Auto Door Unlock
This feature allows you to select
whether or not the door(s) will
automatically unlock. It also allows
you to select which doors and when
they will automatically unlock. See
Automatic Door Locks on page 2‑17
for more information.
Press the customization button until
Auto Door Unlock 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. Off:
None of the doors will
automatically unlock.
Driver Only At Off: Only the driver
door will unlock when the ignition is
turned off.
All At Off (default on Manual
Transmission): All of the doors
will unlock when the ignition is
turned off.
All In Park (default on Automatic
Transmission) (Automatic
Transmission Only): All of the
doors will unlock when the vehicle
is shifted into P (Park).
No Change: No change will be
made to this feature. The current
setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/
reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
Remote Door Lock Feedback
This feature allows you to select the
type of feedback you will receive
when locking the vehicle with the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) or