2013 CADILLAC CTS automatic transmission

Black plate (15,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Instruments and Controls 5-15
Engine Speed Limiter
This feature prevents the engine
speed from reaching an unsafe
level. If the level is too high, the
throttle closes or limits the fuel
supply until the engine speed
returns to a safe level. Throttle
operation and fuel supply return to
normal when engine speed is
lowered.
For the CTS-V, the tachometer
tracer lights flash prior to reaching
engine speed limit. The tracer lights
also flash on automatic transmission
vehicles while in the DSC or Tap
Shift modes.
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge
Metric
English
For vehicles with an engine oil
pressure gauge, it shows the engine
oil pressure in kPa (kilopascals)
or psi (pounds per square inch)
when the engine is running.
Oil pressure may vary with engine
speed, outside temperature, and oil
viscosity, but if readings are outside
the normal operating range, the oil
pressure light will come on. See
Engine Oil Pressure Light on
page 5‑25 for more information.

Black plate (23,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Instruments and Controls 5-23
SeeBrake Assist (Except CTS-V)
on page 9‑35 for more information.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The Antilock Brake System (ABS),
this light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the
ignition off. If the light comes on
while driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition
off. A chime may also sound when
the light comes on steady. If this
happens, start the engine again to
reset the system. If the ABS light
stays on, or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning
light is not on, the vehicle still has
brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, the vehicle does not
have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes.
See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑22.
For vehicles with a Driver
Information Center (DIC), see Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑27 for all brake-related DIC
messages.
Up-Shift Light
The vehicle may have an up-shift
light. It indicates when to shift to the
next higher gear for best fuel
economy. See
Manual Transmission on
page 9‑29 for more information.
For the CTS-V, the tracer lights
function as a performance up-shift
light.
The tracers flash to indicate when to
shift to the next higher gear to avoid
the engine speed limit. See
Automatic Transmission on
page 9‑25 orManual Transmission
on page 9‑29 for more information.
StabiliTrak®OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.

Black plate (32,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
5-32 Instruments and Controls
BATTERY VOLTS LOW
This message displays when the
electrical system is charging less
than 10 volts or the battery has
been drained.
If this message appears
immediately after starting the
engine, it is possible that the
generator can still recharge the
battery. The battery should recharge
while driving, but may take a few
hours to do so. Consider using an
auxiliary charger to boost the
battery after returning home or
arriving at a final destination. Make
sure you follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
If this message appears while
driving or after starting the vehicle
and stays on, have it checked
immediately to determine the cause
of this problem.
To help the generator recharge the
battery quickly, reduce the load on
the electrical system by turning off
the accessories.The normal battery voltage range is
11.5 to 15.5 volts. Monitor battery
voltage on the DIC by pressing the
vehicle information button until
Battery Voltage is displayed.
SERVICE BATTERY
CHARGING SYSTEM
This message displays when there
is a problem with the generator and
battery charging systems. Driving
with this problem could drain the
battery. Turn off all unnecessary
accessories. Stop and turn off the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so. Have the electrical system
checked by your dealer. Under
certain conditions, the charging
system light may also turn on in the
instrument cluster. See
Charging
System Light on page 5‑19.
Brake System Messages
PARK BRAKE RELEASED
For vehicles with the electric parking
brake, this message displays when
the parking brake has been released from the set position. See
the electric parking brake
information under
Parking Brake
(Electric) on page 9‑33 orParking
Brake (Manual) on page 9‑32.
PARK BRAKE SET
For vehicles with the electric parking
brake, this message displays when
the parking brake has been applied
to the set position. See the electric
parking brake information under
Parking Brake (Electric) on
page 9‑33 orParking Brake
(Manual) on page 9‑32.
PRESS BRAKE TO START
ENGINE (AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION ONLY)
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays if you try to start the engine
without having the brake pressed.
The brake needs to be pressed
when starting the engine. See
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access)
on page 9‑15 orIgnition Positions
(Key Access) on page 9‑17.

Black plate (44,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
5-44 Instruments and Controls
If a tire pressure message appears
on the DIC, stop as soon as you
can. Inflate the tires by adding air
until the tire pressure is equal to the
values shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeTires
on page 10‑58, Vehicle Load Limits
on page 9‑10, and Tire Pressure on
page 10‑66.
If the vehicle does not have a spare
tire, the message will display USE
INFLATOR KIT IN TRUNK. Use the
inflator kit to inflate the tires to the
correct pressure. See Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit on page 10‑82
for more information.
More than one tire pressure
message can be received at a time.
To read the other messages, press
the set/reset button.
The DIC display also shows the tire
pressure values. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑27.Transmission Messages
DIFFERENTIAL HOT, REDUCE
SPEED (CTS-V ONLY)
This message displays and a chime
sounds if the differential fluid
temperature exceeds 150°C
(300°F). Driving aggressively or at
high speeds can cause the
differential fluid temperature to be
higher than normal. If this message
appears, you may continue to drive
at a slower speed. If you have been
operating the vehicle under normal
driving conditions, the vehicle may
need service. See your dealer for an
inspection.
To acknowledge the message, press
V. The message reappears and a
chime sounds every two minutes
until this condition changes. If you
do not clear the message, it will
remain on until the condition
changes.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there
is a problem with the vehicle's
transmission. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
SHIFT TO PARK (AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION ONLY)
If the vehicle has the keyless
access system, this message
displays if the vehicle is not in
P (Park) while the engine is being
turned off. The vehicle will be in
ACC/ACCESSORY. Once the shift
lever is moved to P (Park), the
ignition needs to be turned off. If the
ignition is not turned off, the vehicle
will remain in ACC/ACCESSORY.
To avoid draining the battery, turn
the ignition off before leaving the
vehicle.

Black plate (45,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Instruments and Controls 5-45
SPORT MODE
This message displays when the
vehicle is in sport mode. The
transmission gear position will also
be displayed when DSC is in use.
SeeManual Mode on page 9‑26 for
more information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
transmission fluid in the vehicle is
too hot. Stop the vehicle and allow it
to idle until the transmission cools
down or until this message is
removed.
Vehicle Speed Messages
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when the
outside temperature is cold enough
to create icy road conditions. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
SPEED LIMITED TO
XXX KM/H (MPH)
This message displays when the
vehicle speed is limited to 128 km/h
(80 mph) because the vehicle
detects a problem in the speed
variable assist steering or magnetic
ride control systems. Have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
Washer Fluid Messages
WASHER FLUID LOW ADD
FLUID
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on windshield washer
fluid. Refill the windshield washer
fluid reservoir as soon as possible.
See Washer Fluid on page 10‑23 for
more information.
Vehicle
Personalization
Vehicle customization allows certain
features to be programmed for one
preferred setting.
Only the customization options
available will be displayed on
the DIC.
The default settings were preset
when the vehicle left the factory, but
may have been changed.
The customization preferences are
automatically recalled.
To change customization
preferences, use the following
procedure.
Entering the Feature
Settings Menu
1. Turn the ignition on.
To avoid excessive drain on the
battery, it is recommended that
the headlamps are turned off.

Black plate (47,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
Instruments and Controls 5-47
Shift Out Of Park (default on
Automatic Transmission)
(Automatic Transmission Only):
The vehicle's doors automatically
lock when the doors are closed and
the vehicle is shifted out of P (Park).
At Vehicle Speed (default on
Manual Transmission):The
vehicle's doors automatically lock
when the vehicle speed is above
8 km/h (5 mph) for three seconds.
No Change: No change will be
made to this feature. The current
setting will remain.
To select a setting, press the set/
reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
Auto Door Unlock
This feature allows you to select
whether or not the door(s) will
automatically unlock. It also allows
you to select which doors and when
they will automatically unlock. See
Automatic Door Locks on page 2‑15
for more information. Press the customization button until
Auto Door Unlock appears on the
DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings
for this feature. Then press the
menu up/down button to scroll
through the following settings.
Off:
None of the doors will
automatically unlock.
Driver Only At Off: Only the driver
door will unlock when the ignition is
turned off.
All At Off (default on Manual
Transmission): All of the doors will
unlock when the ignition is
turned off.
All In Park (default on Automatic
Transmission) (Automatic
Transmission Only): All of the
doors will unlock when the vehicle is
shifted into P (Park).
No Change: No change will be
made to this feature. The current
setting will remain. To select a setting, press the set/
reset button while the desired
setting is displayed on the DIC.
Remote Door Lock Feedback
This feature allows you to select the
type of feedback you will receive
when locking the vehicle with the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) or
keyless access transmitter, or when
the vehicle is automatically locked
using the Keyless Locking feature.
You will not receive feedback when
locking the vehicle with the
transmitter if the doors are open.
See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Key Access) on
page 2‑4 orRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation (Keyless
Access) on page 2‑6, or “Keyless
Locking” later in this section for
more information.
Press the customization button until
Remote Door Lock appears on the
DIC display. Press the set/reset
button once to access the settings

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 (4,1)Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 8/22/12
6-4 Lighting
on. Do not cover the sensor,
otherwise the headlamps will come
on whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage, heavy overcast
weather, or a tunnel. This is normal.
If the vehicle is started in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp
system will come on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage,
it takes approximately one minute
for the automatic headlamp system
to change if it is bright enough
outside. During that delay, the
instrument cluster may not be as
bright as usual. Make sure the
instrument panel brightness control
is in the full bright position. See
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑6.
To idle the vehicle with the
automatic headlamp system off, turn
the control to the off position.The headlamps will also stay on
after you exit the vehicle. This
feature can be programmed using
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
See
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑45.
The regular headlamp system can
be turned on when needed.
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are
activated in daylight with the engine
on, and the exterior lamp control is
in AUTO, the headlamps, parking
lamps, and other exterior lamps
come on. The transition time for the
lamps coming on varies based on
wiper speed. When the wipers are
not operating, these lamps turn off.
Move the exterior lamp control to
P
or;to disable this feature.
Adaptive Forward
Lighting (AFL)
The Adaptive Forward Lighting
System (AFL) pivots the headlamps
horizontally to provide greater road
illumination while turning. To enable
AFL, set the exterior lamp control on
the turn signal lever to the AUTO
position. Moving the switch out of
the AUTO position will deactivate
the system. AFL will operate when
the vehicle speed is greater than
3 km/h (2 mph). AFL will not operate
when the transmission is in
R (Reverse). AFL is not immediately
operable after starting the vehicle;
driving a short distance is required
to calibrate the AFL. See Exterior
Lamp Controls on page 6‑1.