
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 (35,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Driving and Operating 9-35
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve park brake lining life.
The EPB can also be used to
prevent roll back for vehicles with a
manual transmission taking off on a
hill. In a situation where no roll back
is desired, an applied EPB will allow
both feet to be used for the clutch
and accelerator pedals in
preparation for starting the vehicle
moving in the intended direction.
In this situation, perform the normal
clutch and/or accelerator actions
required to begin moving the
vehicle. There is no need to push
the switch to release the EPB.
If you are towing a trailer and
parking on a hill, seeDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips on
page 9‑51 for more information.
Brake Assist
(Except CTS-V)
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin.
This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. On a
rear-wheel-drive vehicle, the system
operates if it senses that one or
both of the rear wheels are spinning
or beginning to lose traction. On an
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) vehicle, the
system will operate if it senses that
any of the wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system brakes the
spinning wheel(s) and/or reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
The system may be heard or felt
while it is working, but this is
normal.

Black plate (54,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
9-54 Driving and Operating
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet. Turn
the wheels into the curb if facing
downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load. 4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park) for vehicles with an
automatic transmission or into
gear for vehicles with a manual
transmission.
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
.Start the engine.
.Shift into a gear.
.Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3. Things that are
especially important in trailer
operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system and
brake system. Inspect these before
and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
on page 10‑21.
Trailer Towing (CTS-V and
Coupe)
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.

Black plate (8,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
10-8 Vehicle Care
1. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑23.
2. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block (CTS-V Wagon) on
page 10‑46 orEngine
Compartment Fuse Block (CTS
Coupe and Sedan) on
page 10‑35 orEngine
Compartment Fuse Block
(CTS-V Coupe and Sedan) on
page 10‑39 orEngine
Compartment Fuse Block (CTS
Wagon) on page 10‑42.
3. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑99.
4. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑99.
5. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of View). See Engine Oil on
page 10‑9.
6. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑9. 7.
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter on page 8‑6.
8. Intercooler System Pressure Cap. See Cooling System on
page 10‑16.
9. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10‑16.
10. Hydraulic Clutch Reservoir (If Equipped). See Hydraulic
Clutch on page 10‑13.
11. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Brakes on
page 10‑24.
12. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑17.
13. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (Under Engine Cover). See
Power Steering Fluid on
page 10‑22.
14. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑14.Engine Cover
Engine Cover (CTS)
1. Oil Fill Cap
2. Engine Cover
3. Rear Tabs
To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap (1).
2. Raise the right front corner of
the engine cover (2) to release it
from the ball stud.

Black plate (9,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Vehicle Care 10-9
3. Pull the engine cover (2) forwardto slide the rear tabs (3) out from
under the retainers.
4. Lift and remove the engine cover.
5. Reverse Steps 1–4 to reinstall the engine cover.
Engine Cover (CTS-V)
1. Engine Cover
2. Ball Studs To remove:
The engine cover consists of two
pieces. Only the larger front piece
needs to be removed to access the
engine oil and power steering
fill caps.
1. Raise the front of the engine
cover (1) to release it from the
ball studs (2).
2. Pull the engine cover forward until it is clear of the smaller
piece.
3. Lift and remove the engine cover.
4. Reverse Steps 1–3 to reinstall the engine cover.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑11.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.

Black plate (15,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Vehicle Care 10-15
3. Disconnect the electricalconnector from the air box.
4. Loosen the screw on the clamp holding the air outlet duct in
place. Do not remove the clamp.
Move the duct aside.
5. Remove the hose from the air cleaner housing mounting arm.
Move the hose aside.
6. Remove the three air cleanerhousing cover screws.
7. Move the air cleaner housingcover and remove the cover
from the air cleaner housing.8. Remove the air cleaner filterfrom the air cleaner housing.
How to Reinstall Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
1. Install the air cleaner into the aircleaner housing. The outer air
cleaner filter seal must be fitted
properly in the air cleaner
housing.
2. Align the air cleaner housing cover tabs to the air cleaner
housing.
3. Install the air cleaner housing cover.

Black plate (36,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
10-36 Vehicle Care
Mini-Fuses Usage11 Not Used
19 Antilock Braking System (ABS)
22 Display
23 Not Used Mini-Fuses Usage
24 Body Control Module 1
25 Automatic Forward Lighting System
(HID Only)
26 Body Control Module 5 Mini-Fuses Usage
27 Body Control Module 4
28 Navigation Motor
29 All-Wheel Drive
30 Transmission Control Module
Battery
31 Horn
33 Left Low-Beam Headlamp
(Domestic
Non-HID Only)
34 Pedestrian Protection System
(Export Only)
35 Body Control Module 3
36 Body Control Module 2
38 Headlamp Washer (HID Only)