
Black plate (7,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
Instruments and Controls 5-7
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
The vehicle has two accessory
power outlets:
.Inside the front storage bin
below the climate control
system.
.On the rear of the center floor
console.
Lift the cover to access the
accessory power outlet. Certain accessory power plugs may
not be compatible with the
accessory power outlet and could
overload vehicle or adapter fuses.
If a problem is experienced, see
your dealer.
When adding electrical equipment,
be sure to follow the proper
installation instructions included with
the equipment. See
Add-On
Electrical Equipment on page 9‑75. Notice:
Hanging heavy
equipment from the power outlet
can cause damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty. The
power outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only, such
as cell phone charge cords.
Always unplug electrical equipment
when not in use and do not plug in
equipment that exceeds the
maximum 20 amps rating.

Black plate (14,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
5-14 Instruments and Controls
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an
electrical problem with the airbag
system. The system check includes
the airbag sensor(s), passenger
sensing system, the pretensioners,
the airbag modules, the wiring, and
the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the
airbag system, seeAirbag System
on page 3‑19.
The airbag readiness light comes on
for several seconds when the
vehicle is started. If the light does
not come on then, have it fixed
immediately.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may also come on.
See Airbag System Messages on
page 5‑41.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. See Passenger
Sensing System on page 3‑27 for
important safety information. The
passenger airbag status indicator is
in the overhead console.
United States
Canada and Mexico
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off for several seconds

Black plate (16,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
7-16 Infotainment System
If Disc Player Error displays, it could
be for one of the following reasons:
.The player temperature is
too high.
.There are load or eject errors.
If the CD is not playing correctly, for
any other reason, try a known
good CD.
If any error continues, contact your
dealer.
Playing an MP3 CD
To play an MP3 CD, follow the same
instructions as “Playing an
Audio CD.”
The following guidelines must be
met when creating an MP3 disc,
otherwise the CD might not play:
.Sampling rate: 16 kHz,
22.05 kHz, 24 kHz, 32 kHz,
44.1 kHz, and 48 kHz.
.Bit rates supported: 8, 16, 24,
32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 80, 96, 112,
128, 144, 160, 192, 224, 256,
and 320 kbps.
.Maximum number of folders:
eight folders with 255 files per
folder.
.Maximum of 1,000 files on
a disc.
.Recorded on a CD-R or CD-RW.
Root Directory
The root directory is treated as a
folder. All files contained directly
under the root directory are
accessed prior to any root directory
folders.
Empty Folders
If a root directory or folder is empty
or contains only folders, the player
advances to the next folder in the
file structure that contains a
compressed audio file. The empty
folder(s) are not displayed or
numbered.
No Folder
When the CD only contains
compressed audio files without any
folders or playlists, all files are
under the root folder.
USB Port
Playing from a USB
A USB mass storage device or
Media Transfer Protocol (MTP)
device can be connected to the
USB port.
The USB ports are in the center
console under the armrest and in
the center stack storage bin.
USB MP3 Player and USB Drives
.The USB MP3 players and USB
drives connected must comply
with the USB Mass Storage
Class specification (USB MSC).
.Hard disk drives are not
supported.
To play a USB device:
.Connect the USB.
.Press the MEDIA button on the
faceplate until the connected
device is shown.

Black plate (17,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
Infotainment System 7-17
While the USB source is active, use
the icons on the screen to operate
USB function:
.t(Seek Previous/Fast
Reverse)
.u(Seek Next/Fast Forward)
.j/r(Play/Pause)
.Z(Shuffle)
For information on how to use the
screen icons, see “Playing an
Audio CD.”
USB Menu
Press the MENU knob to display the
USB menu and the following may
display:
Browse: Select to display the files
and folders on the USB device.
Tone Settings: Select to adjust
Bass, Midrange, Treble, Balance,
Fade, and EQ (Equalizer). See
“Tone Settings” under“Playing an
Audio CD.” Auto Volume:
If equipped, see
“Playing an Audio CD.”
Bose
®AudioPilot®: If equipped,
this feature can be turned on or off.
See “Bose
®AudioPilot®”in AM-FM
Radio on page 7‑8.
EQ (Equalizer) Settings:
If equipped, this feature adjusts the
pre-defined EQ modes. See “EQ
(Equalizer) Settings” inAM-FM
Radio on page 7‑8.
DSP Modes: If equipped with a
Bose
®Surround Sound System, this
feature adjusts the DSP modes.
See “DSP Modes” inAM-FM Radio
on page 7‑8.
Playing from an iPod®
This feature supports the following
iPod models:
.iPod nano®(1st, 2nd, 3rd, and
4th generation)
.iPod with video (5.0 and
5.5 generation).
.iPod classic®(6th generation)
.iPod touch®(1st and 2nd
generation)
There may be problems with
operation and function in the
following situations:
.When connecting an iPod on
which a more recent version of
the firmware is installed than is
supported by the infotainment
system.
.When connecting an iPod on
which firmware from other
providers is installed.
To connect and control an iPod:
1. Connect one end of the standard iPod USB cable to the iPod's
dock connector.
2. Connect the other end to a USB port in the center console or in
the center stack storage bin.
3. Press the MEDIA button to select the source.

Black plate (19,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
Infotainment System 7-19
4. To begin playback, select a songfrom the album.
Albums:
1. Turn the MENU knob to highlight and press to view the albums
stored on the iPod.
2. Turn the MENU knob to highlight and press to select an album
name to view a list of all songs
on the album.
3. Turn the MENU knob to highlight and press to select the song
from the list to begin playback.
Genres:
1. Turn the MENU knob to highlight and press to view the genres
stored on the iPod.
2. Turn the MENU knob to select a genre name to view a list of
artists of that genre.
3. Turn the MENU knob to highlight an artist and press to select to
view albums by that artist. 4. Turn the MENU knob to highlight
and press to select an album to
view songs.
5. Turn the MENU knob to highlight and press to select the song
from the list to begin playback.
Songs:
1. Turn the MENU knob to highlight and press to view a list of all
songs stored on the iPod.
2. Turn the MENU knob to highlight and press to select the song
from the list to begin playback.
Playing from an iPhone®
or iPad®
This feature supports iPhone 3G,
iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPad.
Follow the same instructions as
stated earlier for using an iPod.
SD Card Reader
This vehicle has an SD card reader
in the center console.
Set up any SD card while the
vehicle is in P (Park).
1. Plug the SD card into the reader.
2. Press the MEDIA button toselect the SD device.
If an SD card has already been
connected, but a different source is
currently active, press the MEDIA
screen button repeatedly to cycle
through all of the available audio
source screens, until the SD card
screen is selected.
Playing Music from the SD Card
An SD card is played the same way
a USB device is played. See USB
Port on page 7‑16.

Black plate (20,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
7-20 Infotainment System
Auxiliary Jack
This vehicle has an AUX port in the
center console under the armrest
and in the center stack storage bin.
Possible auxiliary audio sources
include:
.Laptop computer
.Audio music player
This jack is not an audio output. Do
not plug headphones into the
auxiliary input jack. Auxiliary
devices should be set up while the
vehicle is in P (Park).
Connect a 3.5 mm (1/8 in) cable
from the auxiliary device to the
auxiliary input jack. If an auxiliary device has already
been connected, but a different
source is currently active, press the
MEDIA faceplate button repeatedly
to scroll through all of the available
audio source screens, until the AUX
source screen is selected.
Playing from the AUX Port
An auxiliary device is played
through the audio system and
controlled through the device itself.
AUX Menu
Press the MENU knob to display the
AUX menu and the following may
display:
Tone Settings:
Select to adjust
Bass, Midrange, Treble, Balance,
Fade, and EQ (Equalizer). See
“Tone Settings” under“Playing an
Audio CD.” Auto Volume:
If equipped, see
“Playing an Audio CD.”
Bose
®AudioPilot®: If equipped,
this feature can be turned on or off.
See “Bose
®AudioPilot®”in AM-FM
Radio on page 7‑8.
EQ (Equalizer) Settings:
If equipped, this feature adjusts the
pre-defined EQ modes. See “EQ
(Equalizer) Settings” inAM-FM
Radio on page 7‑8.
DSP Modes: If equipped with a
Bose
®Surround Sound System, this
feature adjusts the DSP modes.
See “DSP Modes” inAM-FM Radio
on page 7‑8.

Black plate (28,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
9-28 Driving and Operating
The transmission will only allow
shifting into gears appropriate for
the vehicle speed and engine
revolutions per minute (rpm). The
transmission will not automatically
shift to the next lower or higher gear
if the engine rpm is too high or
too low.
If shifting is prevented for any
reason, a DIC message will appear.
SeeTransmission Messages on
page 5‑42.
When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
it is suggested to shift into second
gear. A higher gear allows the
vehicle to gain more traction on
slippery surfaces. See Driver Mode
Control on page 9‑37.Manual Transmission
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, the shift lever is
located on the center console
between the front seats.
1 (First): Press the clutch pedal
and shift into 1 (First). Slowly let up
on the clutch pedal while pressing
on the accelerator pedal.
After a complete stop, if it is hard to
shift into 1 (First), let up on the
clutch pedal, then press it back
down and shift into 1 (First). 2 (Second):
Press the clutch pedal
and let up on the accelerator pedal,
then shift into 2 (Second). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal
while accelerating.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth), and
6 (Sixth): Shift into 3 (Third),
4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth), and 6 (Sixth) the
same as 2 (Second).
To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake
pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral: Use this position when
you start or idle the engine. The
shift lever is in Neutral when it is
centered in the shift pattern, not in
any gear.
R (Reverse): To back up, press
down the clutch pedal, completely
stop the vehicle, and shift into
R (Reverse). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
Driving and Operating 9-31
The vehicle may have an Electric
Parking Brake (EPB). The switch
for the EPB is on the center console
for vehicles with a manual
transmission, or on the left side of
the instrument panel for vehicles
with an automatic transmission. The
EPB can always be activated, even
if the ignition is off. To prevent
draining the battery, avoid repeated
cycles of the EPB system when the
engine is not running.
The system has a parking brake
status light and a parking brake
warning light. SeeParking Brake
Light on page 5‑19 andService
Electric Parking Brake Light on
page 5‑19. There are also parking
brake related Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages. See Brake
System Messages on page 5‑33. In
case of insufficient electrical power,
the EPB cannot be applied or
released.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
the parking brake status light to
ensure that the parking brake is
applied.EPB Apply
The EPB can be applied any time
the vehicle is stopped. The EPB is
applied by momentarily lifting up on
the EPB switch. Once fully applied,
the parking brake status light will be
on. While the brake is being applied,
the status light will flash until it is
fully applied. If the light does not
come on, or remains flashing, you
need to have the vehicle serviced.
Do not drive the vehicle if the
parking brake status light is flashing.
See your dealer. See Parking Brake
Light on page 5‑19.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is in motion, a chime will
sound, and a DIC message will be
displayed. The vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
held in the up position. Releasing
the EPB switch during deceleration
will release the parking brake. If the
switch is held in the up position until
the vehicle comes to a stop, the
EPB will remain applied. If the parking brake status light
flashes continuously, then the EPB
is only partially applied or released,
or there is a problem with the EPB.
A DIC message will be displayed.
If this light flashes continuously,
release the EPB, and attempt to
apply it again. If this light continues
to flash, do not drive the vehicle.
See your dealer.
If the parking brake warning light is
on, the EPB has detected an
internal error, or a fault in another
system, and is operating with
reduced functionality. To apply the
EPB when this light is on, lift up on
the EPB switch and hold it in the up
position. Full application of the
parking brake by the EPB system
may take a longer period of time
than normal when this light is on.
Continue to hold the switch until the
parking brake status light remains
on. If the parking brake warning light
is on, see your dealer.