2013 CADILLAC CTS brake light

Black plate (3,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Lighting 6-3
The DRL system will make either
the reduced intensity low-beam
headlamps or dedicated DRLs come
on when the following conditions
are met:
.It is still daylight and the ignition
is in ON/RUN or START.
.The exterior lamp control is inPor AUTO and the headlamps
are off.
.The automatic transmission is
not in P (Park).
When DRLs are on, only the
reduced intensity low-beam
headlamps or dedicated DRLs will
be on. The other exterior lamps and
the instrument cluster will not be on.
When the exterior lamp control is in
AUTO and it is dark enough outside,
the DRL turn off and the low-beam
headlamps will turn on. When it is
bright enough outside, the low-beam
headlamps will go off, and the DRL
will turn back on. If the vehicle is
started in a dark garage, the
automatic headlamp system comes on immediately. Once the vehicle
leaves the garage, it takes about
one minute for the automatic
headlamp system to change to DRL
if it is light outside. During that
delay, the instrument cluster may
not be as bright as usual. Make sure
the instrument panel brightness
knob is in the full bright position.
See
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑6.
Turning the exterior lamp control to
off or to the low-beam headlamp
position will turn off the DRL. If the
parking lamps or the fog lamps were
turned on instead, the DRL will still
turn off.
This will work regardless of gear
position and whether or not the
parking brake is set.
When the DRL are active and a turn
signal is operated, the DRL on the
side the turn signal is activated, will
turn off until the turn signal is
turned off.
Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside, the
automatic headlamp system turns
on the headlamps at the normal
brightness, along with the taillamps,
sidemarker, parking lamps, and the
instrument panel lights. The radio
lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp
system, turn the exterior lamp
control to the off position and then
release it.
The vehicle has a light sensor on
the top of the instrument panel in
the defroster grille which regulates
when the automatic headlamps turn

Black plate (6,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-6 Driving and Operating
CTS‐V Only: Be sure to check the
oil level often during racing, track
testing or other competitive driving
and keep the level at or near the
upper mark that shows the proper
operating range on the engine oil
dipstick.
For competitive driving, it is
recommended that the brake fluid
be replaced with a high performance
brake fluid that has a dry boiling
point greater than 279°C (534°F).
After conversion to the high
performance brake fluid, follow the
brake fluid service
recommendations outlined by the
fluid manufacturer. Do not use
silicone or DOT‐5 brake fluids.
HF V6 Engine Only: Be sure to
check the oil level often during
racing, track testing or other
competitive driving and keep the
level at or near 0.5 L (0.5 qt) above
the upper mark that shows the
proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. For racing, tracktesting or other competitive driving
an engine oil cooler must be
installed.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep‐standing or flowing water.
{WARNING
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.

Black plate (31,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Driving and Operating 9-31
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive
Vehicles with this feature always
send engine power to all four
wheels. It is fully automatic, and
adjusts itself as needed for road
conditions.
When using a compact spare tire on
an AWD vehicle, the system
automatically detects the compact
spare and disables AWD. To restore
AWD operation and prevent
excessive wear on the system,
replace the compact spare with a
full-size tire as soon as possible.
SeeCompact Spare Tire on
page 10‑98.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake
pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 5‑23. If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle

Black plate (32,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-32 Driving and Operating
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake (Manual)
The parking brake pedal is on the
lower portion of the instrument panel
to the left of the steering wheel.
To set the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down, then push the
parking brake pedal down.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light on the
instrument cluster should come on.
If it does not, you need to have the
vehicle serviced. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 5‑22 for
more information.
To release the parking brake, pull
the release lever to the left of the
steering wheel on the instrument
panel.
Notice: Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.

Black plate (33,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Driving and Operating 9-33
A warning chime will sound if the
parking brake is set, the ignition is
on, and the vehicle begins to move.
To stop the chime, fully release the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, seeDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑51 for more information.
Parking Brake (Electric)
{WARNING
On vehicles with a manual
transmission, releasing the clutch
and pressing the accelerator will
release the Electric Parking
Brake. If the vehicle is not in a
gear, the vehicle could move, and
you or others could be injured.
Make sure the vehicle is in a gear
before attempting to drive away.
To avoid unexpected vehicle
movement, do not partially
release the clutch or press the
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
accelerator pedal until you are
ready to release the parking
brake and drive away.
Vehicles with the electric parking
brake (EPB) have a switch in the
center console.
The EPB takes the place of the
manual parking brake system, the
foot pedal, and release handle. The
EPB can always be activated, even
if the ignition is off. To avoid draining the battery, do not operate
the EPB too often without the
engine running.
The system has two warning lights
and five Driver Information Center
(DIC) messages. See
Brake System
Warning Light on page 5‑22 and
Driver Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑27 for more information. In
case of insufficient electrical power,
the EPB cannot be applied or
released.
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 BRAKE light will be on, and the
DIC message PARK BRAKE SET
will be displayed. While the brake is
being applied, the status light will
flash until full apply is reached.
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, you need to
have the vehicle serviced. Do not
drive the vehicle if the BRAKE light

Black plate (34,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-34 Driving and Operating
is flashing. See your dealer. See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑22for more information.
If the EPB is applied while the
vehicle is in motion, a chime will
sound, and the DIC message
RELEASE PARK BRAKE SWITCH
will be displayed. The vehicle will
decelerate as long as the switch is
held in the up position. Releasing
the EPB switch during the
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 BRAKE light is on, either the
EPB is applied, or there is a failure
in the hydraulic brake system.
If this light is flashing continuously,
the EPB is only partially applied or
released, or there is a problem with
the EPB. The DIC message
SERVICE PARK BRAKE will be
displayed. If this light is flashing
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 yellow light is on, the EPB has
detected an error 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 BRAKE
light remains on. If the yellow light is
on, see your dealer.
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear
wheels should be blocked to
prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB, turn the ignition
switch to the ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN position, apply and hold
the brake pedal, and push down
momentarily on the EPB switch.
If you attempt to release the EPB
without the brake pedal applied, achime will sound, and the DIC
message STEP ON BRAKE TO
RELEASE PARK BRAKE will be
displayed. The EPB is released
when the BRAKE light is off and the
DIC message PARK BRAKE
RELEASED is displayed.
If the yellow light is on, the EPB has
detected an error in another system
and is operating with reduced
functionality. To release the EPB
when this light is on, push down on
the EPB switch and hold it in the
down position. EPB release may
take a longer period of time than
normal when this light is on.
Continue to hold the switch until the
BRAKE light is off. If the yellow light
is on, see your dealer.
Notice:
Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the red
brake warning light is off before
driving.

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-36 Driving and Operating
The TCS/StabiliTrak light flashes
when the traction control system is
limiting wheel spin.
The TCS/StabiliTrak light comes on
and the SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL message will be
displayed in the DIC if there is a
problem with the traction control
system. When the TCS/StabiliTrak
light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light on
page 5‑24.
TCS automatically comes on
whenever the vehicle is started. To
limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, the system
should always be left on, but it may
be necessary to turn the system off
if the vehicle is stuck in sand, mud or snow and rocking the vehicle is
required. See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
on page 9‑9. See Winter Driving on
page 9‑8 for information on using
TCS when driving in snowy or icy
conditions.
The TCS/StabiliTrak button is on the
instrument panel (CTS) or the
steering wheel (CTS-V).
Press and release the TCS/
StabiliTrak button and the traction
control system will turn off and
TRACTION CONTROL OFF will be
displayed in the DIC. Press the
button again to turn the system back
on. For information on turning
StabiliTrak off and on, see
StabiliTrak System following. Adding non-dealer accessories can
affect your vehicle's performance.
See
Accessories and Modifications
on page 10‑3.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has an electronic
stability control system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer controlled system that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
system senses a discrepancy
between the intended path and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to help steer
the vehicle in the direction which
you are steering.

Black plate (37,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Driving and Operating 9-37
When the system activates, this
warning light flashes on the
instrument panel. A noise may be
heard or a vibration may be felt in
the brake pedal. This is normal.
Continue to steer the vehicle in the
intended direction.
If there is a problem detected with
StabiliTrak, SERVICE
STABILITRAK displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC) and
the TCS/StabiliTrak light comes on
the instrument cluster. When this
message and light displays, the
system is not operational. Driving
should be adjusted accordingly. See
Ride Control System Messages on
page 5‑40andTraction Control
System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®Light on
page 5‑24.
The TCS/StabiliTrak button is on the
instrument panel (CTS) or the
steering wheel (CTS-V).
StabiliTrak comes on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started. The
system should be left on to help
assist with directional control of the
vehicle.
If StabiliTrak needs to be turned off,
press and hold the TCS/StabiliTrak
button until the StabiliTrak Off light
comes on and the appropriate DIC message displays. Press the TCS/
StabiliTrak button again to turn both
systems back on.
If cruise control is being used when
the StabiliTrak activates, the cruise
control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow,
reengage the cruise control. See
Cruise Control on page 9‑39.
Competitive Driving Mode
To select this optional handling
mode, press the TCS/
StabiliTrak button quickly two times
and STABILITRAK COMPETITIVE
MODE displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). While in
the StabiliTrak Competitive Mode,
the StabiliTrak Off light comes on,
TCS does not limit wheel spin, and
more effort is required to turn the
steering wheel. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
Press the TCS/StabiliTrak button
again, or turn the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY and restart the