
Black plate (26,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-26 Instruments and Controls
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light is located near the fuel
gauge and comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on as a check
to show it is working.
It also comes on when the fuel tank
is low on fuel. The light turns off
when fuel is added. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced.
Security Light
The immobilizer light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system. SeeImmobilizer Operation
on page 2‑19 for more information.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 6‑2 for more
information.

Black plate (28,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-28 Instruments and Controls
Cruise Control Light
The cruise control light is white
whenever the cruise control is set,
and turns green when the cruise
control is active.
The light turns off when the cruise
control is turned off. SeeCruise
Control on page 9‑37 for more
information.
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC displays information about
the vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected. See Vehicle Messages on
page 5‑32 for more information. All
messages appear in the DIC display
located in the center of the
instrument panel cluster.
The vehicle may also have features
that can be customized through the
controls on the radio. See Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑40 for
more information.
The DIC may display an indicator
when the Rainsense wipers are
active.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by using the
DIC buttons on the turn signal lever
located on the left side of the
steering wheel. The DIC displays
trip, fuel, vehicle system information,
and warning messages if a system
problem is detected.
The bottom of the DIC display
shows what position the shift lever
is in and the odometer. The
direction the vehicle is driving will
be shown on the top of the display.

Black plate (29,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-29
DIC Buttons
A.SET/CLR (Set/Clear): Use this
button to set or clear the menu
item when it is displayed.
B.
w x(Thumbwheel): Use the
thumbwheel to scroll through
the items in each menu. A small
marker will move up or down
the side of the display as you
scroll through the items. This
shows where each item is in
the menu.
C. MENU: Press this button to get
to the Trip/Fuel Information
Menu and the Vehicle
Information Menu.
Trip/Fuel Information
Menu Items
Press the MENU button on
the turn signal lever until Trip/Fuel
Information Menu is displayed. Use
the thumbwheel to scroll through the
following possible menu items:
.Trip
.Average Fuel Economy or
Average Fuel Economy and
Instantaneous Fuel Economy
.Fuel Range
.Fuel Used
.Average Vehicle Speed
.Timer
.Distance to Destination
.Navigation Turn by Turn
.Speed and Curve Assist
.Digital Speedometer
.Blank Trip
The Trip display shows the
current distance traveled, in either
kilometers (km) or miles (mi), since
the trip odometer was last reset.
The trip odometer can be reset to
zero by pressing the trip reset stem
or the SET/CLR button while the
trip odometer display is showing.
Average Fuel Economy or
Average Fuel Economy and
Instantaneous Fuel Economy
The Average Fuel Economy display
shows the approximate average
liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km)
or miles per gallon (mpg). This
number is calculated based on the
number of L/100 km (mpg) recorded
since the last time this menu item
was reset. The Average Fuel
Economy can be reset by pressing
SET/CLR while the Average Fuel
Economy display is showing.

Black plate (30,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-30 Instruments and Controls
The Instantaneous Fuel Economy
display shows the current fuel
economy in either liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles
per gallon (mpg). This number
reflects only the fuel economy that
the vehicle has right now and
changes frequently as driving
conditions change. Unlike average
economy, this display cannot be
reset.
Fuel Range
The Fuel Range display shows the
approximate distance the vehicle
can be driven without refueling.
The fuel range estimate is based on
an average of the vehicle's fuel
economy over recent driving history
and the amount of fuel remaining in
the fuel tank. Fuel range cannot be
reset.
Fuel Used
The Fuel Used display shows
the approximate liters (L) or
gallons (gal) of fuel that have been
used since last reset.The fuel used can be reset by
pressing the SET/CLR button while
the Fuel Used display is showing.
Average Vehicle Speed
The Average Vehicle Speed display
shows the average speed of the
vehicle in kilometers per hour (km/h)
or miles per hour (mph). This
average is calculated based on the
various vehicle speeds recorded
since the last reset of this value.
The average speed can be reset by
pressing the SET/CLR button while
the Average Vehicle Speed display
is showing.
Timer
This display can be used as a timer.
To start the timer, press SET/CLR
while Timer is displayed. The
display will show the amount of time
that has passed since the timer was
last reset. To stop the timer, press
SET/CLR briefly while Elapsed Time
is displayed. To reset the timer to
zero, press and hold SET/CLR.
Distance to Destination
This display will show the vehicle
distance with estimated time of
arrival to destination. The value can
be cleared or reset by pressing
the SET/CLR button. Move the
thumbwheel up or down to increase
or decrease the destination distance
value. Once the distance value is
set, press SET/CLR to confirm
the value.
Turn-by-Turn
This display is used for the OnStar
or Navigation System Turn-by-Turn
guidance. See
OnStar Overview on
page 14‑1 or the navigation manual,
if the vehicle has navigation, for
more information.
Speed and Curve Assist
This display will show the speed
limit or the advised speed as
determined by the information
provided by the navigation system.
The map database loaded in the
navigation system may need
to be updated periodically to

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
5-36 Instruments and Controls
Anytime this message stays on, the
vehicle should be taken to your
dealer for service as soon as
possible.
Fuel System Messages
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refuel as
soon as possible
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message displays when the
fuel cap is not on tight. Tighten the
fuel cap.
Key and Lock Messages
NO REMOTE DETECTED
This message displays when trying
to start the vehicle if an RKE
transmitter is not detected. The
transmitter battery may be weak.
See“Starting the Vehicle with a
Low Transmitter Battery” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
NO REMOTE PRESS BRAKE
TO RESTART
This message is displayed if the
remote is no longer detected in the
vehicle. Press the brake pedal to
restart the vehicle.
NUMBER OF KEYS
PROGRAMMED
This message displays when
programming new keys to the
vehicle.
REMOTE LEFT IN VEHICLE
This message displays when
leaving the vehicle with the
RKE transmitter still inside.
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays when the
battery in the RKE transmitter needs
to be replaced.
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 6‑3 for more information.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL ON
This message is displayed when the
exterior lamp control is in AUTO and
the lights have turned on. See
Twilight Sentinel on page 6‑4.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL OFF
This message is displayed when the
exterior lamp control is in AUTO and
the lights have turned off. See
Twilight Sentinel on page 6‑4.

Black plate (1,1)Cadillac SRX 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
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-8
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-11
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-16
Adjustable Throttle andBrake Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Starting the Gasoline Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-26
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Fuel Economy Mode . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-33
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
StabiliTrak
®System . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Limited-Slip Rear Axle . . . . . . . 9-37
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . 9-37
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-40
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43

Black plate (2,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
9-2 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-47
Gasoline Specifications(U.S. and Canada Only) . . . . 9-47
California Fuel
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-48
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol) . . . . . 9-49
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Driving Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-59
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-60
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention
away from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws
in your area.
To avoid distracted driving, always
keep your eyes on the road, hands
on the wheel, and mind on the drive.
.Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.

Black plate (11,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual (Include Mex) - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-11
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method.
{WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and
you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat,
causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and
avoid going above 55 km/h
(35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑70.
Rocking the Vehicle to
Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as
possible. To prevent transmission
wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while
shifting, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward
and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free the
vehicle. If that does not get the
vehicle out after a few tries, it might
need to be towed out. If the vehicle
does need to be towed out, see
Towing the Vehicle on page 10‑92.