Black plate (4,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
2-4 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Key Access
If the vehicle has the Key Access
System, there is no key in the
transmitter.
Notice: If the transmitter does not
have a button near the base, do
not pull on the chrome base of
the transmitter. Pulling on the
base of this transmitter could
damage it.
This vehicle may have the Key
Access System or a Keyless Access
System. See 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. See
Ignition Positions (Key Access) on
page 9‑16 orIgnition Positions
(Keyless Access) on page 9‑18 for
information on starting the vehicle.
See your dealer if a new key is
needed.
Notice: If the keys get locked in
the vehicle, it may have to be
damaged to get them out. Always
carry a spare key.
Contact Roadside Service if locked
out of the vehicle. See Roadside
Service (U.S. and Canada) on
page 13‑7 orRoadside Service
(Mexico) on page 13‑9.
With an active OnStar subscription,
an OnStar Advisor may remotely
unlock the vehicle. See OnStar
Overview on page 14‑1.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑21 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range:
.Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
.Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
.Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
.If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Black plate (6,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
2-6 Keys, Doors, and Windows
page 3‑8andVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑46 for
more information.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to the vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
When the replacement transmitter is
programmed to the vehicle, all
remaining transmitters must also be
programmed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters no longer work once the
new transmitter is programmed.
Each vehicle can have up to eight
transmitters programmed to it.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC. See
“Replace Battery In Remote Key”
under Key and Lock Messages on
page 5‑37 for additional information. Notice:
When replacing the
battery, do not touch any of the
circuitry on the transmitter. Static
from your body could damage the
transmitter.
To replace the battery:
1. Separate the transmitter with a flat, thin object inserted into the
notch, located above the
metal base.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object. 3. Insert the new battery, positive
side facing up. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
4. Snap the transmitter back together.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
(Keyless Access)
The Keyless Access System
transmitter will work up to 60 m
(195 ft) away.
The Keyless Access System locks
and unlocks the doors and trunk
without pressing the buttons on the
keyless access transmitter. The
keyless access transmitter must be
within 1 m (3 ft) of the door or trunk
being opened.
Black plate (11,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-11
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
Replace the battery if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC. See
“Replace Battery In Remote Key”
underKey and Lock Messages on
page 5‑37 for additional information.
If the transmitter battery is weak, the
DIC may display ELECTRONIC
KEY NOT DETECTED when you try
to start the vehicle. To start the
vehicle, place the transmitter in
the center console storage area
transmitter pocket with the buttons
facing to the front of the vehicle.
Then, with the vehicle in P (Park) or
N (Neutral), press the brake pedal
and the ignition control knob. See
Starting the Engine on page 9‑20,
for additional information about the
vehicle's electronic keyless ignition.
Replace the transmitter battery as
soon as possible.
Battery Replacement
Notice: When replacing the
battery, do not touch any of the
circuitry on the transmitter. Static
from your body could damage the
transmitter.
1. Remove the key from the transmitter by pressing the thin
button near the bottom of the
transmitter and pulling the key
out. Do not pull the key out
without pressing the button. 2. Separate the transmitter with a
flat, thin object inserted into the
slot on the side of the
transmitter.
Do not try to separate the
transmitter by inserting a flat,
thin object into the key slot. This
will permanently damage the
transmitter.
3. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
4. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
5. Snap the transmitter back together.
6. Reinstall the key into the transmitter.
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 (20,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-20 Driving and Operating
wipers when the engine is off. This
position will allow you to turn off the
engine.
C (ON/RUN):This position is for
driving. It is the position the ignition
switch returns to after the engine
starts, and the control knob is
released. This position can also be
used for service and diagnostics,
and to verify the proper operation of
the malfunction indicator lamp as
may be required for emission
inspection purposes.
If you need to shift the transmission
out of P (Park), the ignition control
knob has to be in ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN.
The battery could be drained if you
leave the ignition in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position
with the engine off. You may not be
able to start the vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
D (START): This position starts the
engine.Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear.
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, the keyless access
transmitter must be authenticated
in order for the ignition control knob
to turn. The transmitter can be
authenticated either by putting your
foot on the brake pedal or by
pushing the ignition control knob in.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, your foot must be
on the brake pedal to start the
engine. To rotate the ignition control
knob, put your foot on the brake
pedal and turn the ignition control
knob to the START position. If the ignition control knob does not turn,
try pushing the knob in and turning
again. When the engine begins
cranking, let go of the ignition
control knob, it will return to the ON/
RUN position.
If the transmitter is not in the vehicle
or something is interfering with the
transmitter, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) will display
ELECTRONIC KEY NOT
DETECTED. See
Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑27 for more
information.
If the battery in the keyless access
transmitter needs replacing, the
DIC displays REPLACE BATTERY
IN REMOTE KEY. The vehicle can
still be driven. 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 for more
information.
Black plate (1,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Proposition 65Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-12
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14 Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-15
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-18
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-23
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-24
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-30
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-32
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
High Intensity Discharge(HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
License Plate Lamp (Coupe and Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
License Plate Lamp (Wagon) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Engine Compartment Fuse Block (CTS Coupe and
Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40
Engine Compartment Fuse Block (CTS V Coupe and
Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
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.
Black plate (10,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
11-10 Service and Maintenance
Additional
Maintenance and Care
Your vehicle is an important
investment and caring for it properly
may help to avoid future costly
repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional
maintenance services may be
required. It is recommended
that your dealer perform these
services—their trained dealer
technicians know your vehicle best.
Your dealer can also perform a
thorough assessment with a
multi‐point inspection to recommend
when your vehicle may need
attention. The following list is
intended to explain the services and
conditions to look for that may
indicate services are required. Battery
The battery supplies power to start
the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories.
.To avoid break‐down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
.Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion‐free.
Belts
.Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
.Trained dealer technicians
can inspect the belts and
recommend replacement when
necessary. Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
.Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s
systems and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13 for GM
approved fluids.
.Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
.Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.