Black plate (2,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
2012 Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner ManualM
Climate Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-16
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-27
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Drive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-38
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-44
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-61 Vehicle Care
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-39
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-63
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-104
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-108
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . 10-110
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Cadillac Premium Care
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-10 Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-13
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-17
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-18
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-19
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i-1
Black plate (2,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-2 Instruments and Controls
Anti-theft Alarm SystemMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Service Vehicle Messages . . . 5-43
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-44
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . 5-45
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . 5-45
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . 5-46
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . 5-53
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-53
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-57
Controls
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel up
or down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheel closer or away from you.
4. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place. Power Tilt Wheel
For vehicles with the power tilt
wheel, the control is on the left side
of the steering column.
.Push the control up or down to
tilt the steering wheel up
or down.
.Push the control forward or
rearward to move the steering
wheel toward the front or rear of
the vehicle.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Black plate (7,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-7
Headlamp Washer
For vehicles with headlamp washers
they clear debris from the headlamp
lenses.
The headlamp washers are beneath
the headlamps.
Press the washer button at the end
of the windshield wiper lever to
wash the headlamps. Both the
headlamps and the windshield will
be washed. After the first wash, the
headlamps will not be washed until
the fifth press of the windshield
washer button.The headlamps must be on to be
washed. If the headlamps are off,
only the windshield will be washed
when the washer button is pressed.
If the washer fluid is low, the
headlamp washers will not work.
See
Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑4 for more information.
Compass
The vehicle may have a compass in
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
Compass Zone
The zone is set to zone eight. If you
do not live in zone eight or drive out
of the area, the variance needs to
be changed to the appropriate zone.
To adjust for compass variance, use
the following procedure:
Compass Variance (Zone)
Procedure
1. Do not set the compass zone
when the vehicle is moving. On
an automatic transmission
vehicle, only set it when the vehicle is in P (Park). On a
manual transmission vehicle,
only set it when the vehicle is
stopped.
Press
Tuntil PRESSVTO
CHANGE COMPASS ZONE
displays.
2. Find the vehicle's current location and variance zone
number on the map.
Zones 1 through 15 are
available.
Black plate (30,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-30 Instruments and Controls
page 5‑39andUltrasonic Parking
Assist on page 9‑44 for more
information.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is displayed in the DIC
for each tire in either kilopascals
(kPa) or pounds per square inch
(psi). Press the vehicle information
button until the DIC displays Front
Tire kPa (PSI) Left ## Right ##.
Press the vehicle information button
again until the DIC displays Rear
Tire kPa (PSI) Left ## Right ##.
If a low tire pressure condition is
detected by the system while
driving, a message to add air to a
specific tire displays. See Tire
Pressure on page 10‑70 andTire
Messages on page 5‑43 for more
information.
Battery Voltage
This display shows the current
battery voltage. The vehicle's
charging system regulates voltage
based on the state of the battery. The battery voltage may fluctuate
when viewing this information on
the DIC. This is normal.
If there is a problem with the battery
charging system, the charging
system light illuminates and/or the
DIC displays a message. See
Charging System Light on
page 5‑19,
Battery Voltage and
Charging Messages on page 5‑31
and Battery Load Management on
page 6‑8 for more information.
Side Blind Zone Alert
If your vehicle has the Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) system, this
display allows the system to be
turned on or off. Once in this
display, press the set/reset button to
select between ON or OFF. If you
choose ON, the system will be
turned on. If you choose OFF, the
system will be turned off. When the
SBZA system is turned off, the DIC
will display the SIDE BLIND ZONE
ALERT SYSTEM OFF message as a reminder that the system has
been turned off. See
Object
Detection System Messages on
page 5‑39 andSide Blind Zone Alert
(SBZA) on page 9‑45 for more
information.
Calibrate Compass
The vehicle may have this feature.
The compass can be manually
calibrated. To calibrate the compass
through the DIC, see Compass on
page 5‑7.
Change Compass Zone
The vehicle may have this feature.
To change the compass zone
through the DIC, see Compass on
page 5‑7.
Trans (Transmission) Temp
(Temperature) (CTS-V Only)
This display shows the transmission
fluid temperature in either degrees
Celsius (°C) or degrees
Fahrenheit (°F).
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 (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 (45,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-45
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there
is a problem with the vehicle's
transmission. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
SHIFT TO PARK (AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION ONLY)
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays if the vehicle is not in
P (Park) while the engine is being
turned off. The vehicle will be in
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the shift
lever is moved to P (Park), the
ignition needs to be turned off. If the
ignition is not turned off, the vehicle
will remain in ACC/ACCESSORY.
To avoid draining the battery, turn
the ignition off before leaving the
vehicle.
SPORT MODE
This message displays when the
vehicle is in sport mode. The
transmission gear position will also
be displayed when DSC is in use.
SeeManual Mode on page 9‑29 for
more information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
transmission fluid in the vehicle is
too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow it
to idle until the transmission cools
down or until this message is
removed.
Vehicle Speed Messages
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when the
outside temperature is cold enough
to create icy road conditions. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
SPEED LIMITED TO
XXX KM/H (MPH)
This message displays when the
vehicle speed is limited to 128 km/h
(80 mph) because the vehicle
detects a problem in the speed
variable assist steering or magnetic
ride control systems. Have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
Washer Fluid Messages
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on windshield washer
fluid. Refill the windshield washer
fluid reservoir as soon as possible.
See Washer Fluid on page 10‑25 for
more information.
Black plate (8,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-8 Driving and Operating
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find a
safe place to park the vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep the interior
temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving—scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{WARNING
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{WARNING
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down
and they could get so hot that
they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You
could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in
gear when going downhill.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
.Be alert on top of hills,
something could be in your lane
(stalled car, accident).