Black plate (24,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
1-24 In Brief
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
Vehicles with a yellow fuel cap can
use either unleaded gasoline
or ethanol fuel containing up to
85% ethanol (E85). SeeFuel E85
(85% Ethanol) on page 9‑66. For
all other vehicles, use only the
unleaded gasoline described under
Recommended Fuel on page 9‑64.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Roadside Service
U.S.: 1-800-224-1400
Canada: 1-800-882-1112
TTY Users (U.S. Only):
1-888-889-2438
Mexico: 01-800-466-0805
New vehicles are automatically
enrolled in the Roadside Service
program.
See Roadside Service (Mexico) on
page 13‑7 orRoadside Service
(U.S. and Canada) on page 13‑10.
OnStar®
If equipped, this vehicle has a
comprehensive, in-vehicle system
that can connect to a live Advisor
for Emergency, Security, Navigation,
Connection, and Diagnostic
Services. See OnStar Overview on
page 14‑1.
Black plate (25,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
Seats and Restraints 3-25
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts by
distributing the force of the
impact more evenly over the
occupant's body.
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags
are designed to help contain the
head and chest of occupants in the
outboard seating positions in the
first and second rows. The rollover
capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk of
full or partial ejection in rollover
events, although no system can
prevent all such ejections.
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. SeeWhen
Should an Airbag Inflate? on
page 3‑23.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? on page 3‑21.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{WARNING
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
Black plate (12,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
5-12 Instruments and Controls
Here are four things that some
owners ask about. None of these
show a problem with the fuel gauge:
.At the service station, the
fuel pump shuts off before the
gauge reads full.
.It takes a little more or less fuel
to fill up than the gauge
indicated. For example, the
gauge may have indicated the
tank was half full, but it actually
took a little more or less than
half the tank's capacity to fill
the tank.
.The gauge moves a little while
turning a corner or speeding up.
.The gauge takes a few seconds
to stabilize after the ignition is
turned on, and goes back to
empty when the ignition is
turned off.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
Metric
English
This gauge measures the
temperature of the vehicle's engine.
While driving under normal
operating conditions, if the needle
moves into the shaded area, the
engine is too hot. Pull off the road,
stop the vehicle, and turn off the
engine as soon as possible.
Black plate (17,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
Instruments and Controls 5-17
.If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as
soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to stop and park the
vehicle. Turn the vehicle off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps and see
your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
Light On Steady: An emission
control system malfunction has
been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be
required.
The following may correct an
emission control system
malfunction:
.Check that the fuel cap is fully
installed. See Filling the Tank on
page 9‑68. The diagnostic
system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the
light off.
.Check that good quality fuel is
used. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and may
cause stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is
changed into gear, misfiring,
hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions
occurs, change the fuel brand used.
It may require at least one full tank
of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑64.
If none of the above have made
the light turn off, your dealer can
check the vehicle. The dealer has
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems
that might have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Depending on where you live,
your vehicle may be required to
participate in an emission control
system inspection and maintenance
program. For the inspection, the
emission system test equipment will
likely connect to the vehicle's Data
Link Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. See your dealer if assistance
is needed.
Black plate (36,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
5-36 Instruments and Controls
ENGINE OIL LOW—ADD OIL
On some vehicles, this message
displays when the engine oil level
may be too low. Check the oil level
before filling to the recommended
level. If the oil is not low and this
message remains on, take the
vehicle to your dealer for service.
See Engine Oil on page 10‑11.
OIL PRESSURE LOW —STOP
ENGINE
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check the oil as soon as
possible and have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate. If this message is on, but there
is no reduction in performance,
proceed to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but
maximum acceleration and speed
may be reduced. 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 KEY WAS
DETECTED PLACE KEY IN
TRANSMITTER POCKET THEN
START YOUR VEHICLE SEE
OWNER’S MANUAL FOR
DETAILS
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” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
NO REMOTE PRESS BRAKE
TO RESTART
This message is displayed when
attempting to turn off the vehicle
and the remote is no longer
detected. Restarting is allowed
without the remote for five minutes.
Press the brake pedal to restart the
vehicle.
Black plate (64,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
9-64 Driving and Operating
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an
important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, we
recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
Look for the TOP TIER label on the
fuel pump to ensure gasoline meets
enhanced detergency standards
developed by auto companies. A list
of marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found at
www.toptiergas.com. TOP TIER
gasoline is only available in the U.S.
and Canada.
The eighth digit of the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows
the code letter or number that
identifies the vehicle's engine. The
VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identification Number (VIN) on
page 12‑1.
Vehicles that have a yellow fuel cap
can use either unleaded gasoline
or ethanol fuel containing up to
85% ethanol (E85). See Fuel E85
(85% Ethanol) on page 9‑66. For
all other vehicles, use only the
unleaded gasoline described under
Recommended Fuel on page 9‑64.
Recommended Fuel
If the vehicle has a 2.5L L4 engine
or a 3.6L V6 engine, use regular
unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher. If the
octane rating is less than 87, an
audible knocking noise, commonly
referred to as spark knock, might be
heard when driving. If this occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher as soon as possible. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher, the engine needs service.
If the vehicle has the 2.0L L4
engine, use premium unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 91 or higher. You can also use
regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, but the
vehicle's acceleration could be
slightly reduced, and a slight
audible knocking noise, commonly
referred to as spark knock, might
be heard. If the octane is less
than 87, a heavy knocking noise
might be heard when driving.
Black plate (66,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
9-66 Driving and Operating
However, some gasolines contain
only the minimum amount of
additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
regulations. To help keep fuel
injectors and intake valves clean
and avoid problems due to dirty
injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline. Look for
the TOP TIER label on the fuel
pump to ensure gasoline meets
enhanced detergency standards
developed by the auto companies.
A list of marketers providing TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline can be
found at www.toptiergas.com.
For customers who do not use TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly,
one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel
tank at every engine oil change, can
help clean deposits from fuel
injectors and intake valves. GM Fuel
System Treatment PLUS is the onlygasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer.
Gasolines containing oxygenates,
such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines might be
available in your area. We
recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
15% ethanol must not be used in
vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:
This vehicle was not
designed for fuel that contains
methanol. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can
corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty. Some gasolines that are
not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant
where you buy gasoline whether the
fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce
spark plug life and affect emission
control system performance. The
malfunction indicator lamp might
turn on. If this occurs, return to your
dealer for service.
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
Vehicles that have a yellow fuel cap
can use either unleaded gasoline
or ethanol fuel containing up to
85% ethanol (E85). For all other
vehicles, use only the unleaded
gasoline described under
Recommended Fuel on page 9‑64.
Black plate (68,1)Cadillac ATS Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 10/5/12
9-68 Driving and Operating
Filling the Tank
{WARNING
Fuel vapors and fuel fires burn
violently and can cause injury or
death.
.To help avoid injuries to you
and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the fuel
pump island.
.Turn off the engine when
refueling.
.Keep sparks, flames, and
smoking materials away
from fuel.
.Do not leave the fuel pump
unattended.
.Do not reenter the vehicle
while pumping fuel.
.Keep children away from the
fuel pump and never let
children pump fuel.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Fuel can spray out if the fuel
cap is opened too quickly.
This spray can happen if the
tank is nearly full, and is
more likely in hot weather.
Open the fuel cap slowly and
wait for any hiss noise to stop
then unscrew the cap all
the way
The cap is behind a locking fuel
door on the passenger side of the
vehicle.
To open the fuel door, push the
rearward center edge in and release
and it will open.
To remove the tethered fuel cap,
turn it slowly counterclockwise.
While refueling, hang the tethered
fuel cap from the hook on the
fuel door.
If the fuel cap is not installed
properly, a message will appear on
the Driver Information Center
display. SeeFuel System Messages
on page 5‑36.
When reinstalling the cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks once,
otherwise the malfunction indicator
lamp could turn on. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑16.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not
top off or overfill the tank and wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the